Springbrook

10/30/2026

✨As National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) wraps up, we want to thank all the businesses across New York State that partner with Springbrook to employ people with disabilities! ✨

Over 50 businesses provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, opening doors to new possibilities and helping build a bridge to independence and fulfilling lives.

👉Read more stories of successful employment at www.springbrookconnections.org/ndeam2026

Springbrook Community Connections: Independence through Community🩵💚

10/29/2026

📣LAST CALL TO JOIN US📣

We’re excited to head to New York City for the third year in a row on November 8th for a day filled with family, fun, and unforgettable memories in the Big Apple!

Tickets are for people receiving services through Springbrook and Southern Tier Connect, plus their loved ones and support staff who will accompany them to the event.

🎟️Tickets — $100 per person include:
🎸Hard Rock Cafe Brunch — Broadway, NYC (11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
🎶Center Orchestra Ticket — Aladdin on Broadway @ the New Amsterdam Theatre (1:00 p.m.)

Additional fees will be calculated at checkout.

🚌Transportation will be available from Binghamton and Oneonta.
1️⃣Bus seating is first-come, first-served.
‍🦽‍The wheelchair-accessible bus will depart from Binghamton.
When reserving your ticket(s), you’ll be able to select your preferred transportation option.

👉Reserve your tickets today: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/AladdinOnBroadway

Springbrook Parent & Family Network (PFN)

10/27/2026

On the first weekend of October, the Springbrook Scorpions brought back the home soccer event at the Wright National Soccer Complex in the west end, welcoming three additional teams from the Central, Capital, and Southern Tier regions for a weekend of competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship!⚽🏆

Nearly 25 athletes participated in the individual skills competition, showcasing their abilities and determination on the field. We were also grateful to have the Hartwick College women's soccer team volunteer their time to help make the event a success.

Thank you to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters who made this tournament a memorable weekend. We loved bringing teams together to celebrate the joy of soccer and the spirit of competition!

10/26/2026

👉This week for Physical Therapy Month, we're highlighting the impact of David “Dave” Pick's work and the many ways he helps people improve their independence, function, and quality of life.

After earning the opportunity to pursue another degree in his thirties, Dave chose physical therapy with a goal of helping others, particularly children. Throughout his career, he has supported school-age children in building strength, balance, mobility, and functional skills, always finding ways to make therapy fun and meaningful.

Today, as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Equipment Specialist, Dave maintains, customizes, and modifies adaptive equipment and wheelchairs to help people meet their individual needs. His work supports not only the people who use this equipment but also the staff who rely on it to provide safe, effective care.

One of the most rewarding parts of Dave’s career has been seeing children he once supported grow into adults in Springbrook’s community homes, continuing to build on their progress and participate in community life.

✨Dave’s advice for anyone working toward a rehabilitation goal? “Make it fun, and you will not avoid doing it. Make it functional, and every opportunity can make it better/easier. Make it happen whether you want to or not. No one can do it for you.”✨

Thank you, Dave, for your dedication, creativity, and commitment to helping people live more independently. We’re grateful for the difference you make every day! 🩵💚

10/23/2026

✨For Daniel “Danny” Longoria, a great day at work means being in the kitchen, preparing food, and helping his team get ready to serve customers.✨

As part of Springbrook’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) spotlight stories, we're highlighting Danny, a prep cook at The Country Diner in Spencer, NY. Over the past year and a half, Danny has continued to build his food preparation skills, increase his efficiency, and become a valued member of the restaurant's team.

His supervisor, Debby Hover, recognizes Danny's dedication and attention to detail, while his employment specialist, Taylor Roscoe, celebrates his focus and independence.

Danny's story reminds us that inclusive employment benefits everyone. When businesses recognize people's strengths and create opportunities for success, employees and employers grow together.

👉Read Danny's full story and learn more about the value of inclusive employment at www.springbrookconnections.org/ndeam2026

10/22/2026

✨Please join us for the Second Annual Unlock the Magic Fundraiser on Saturday, December 5, 2026!✨

Step into a winter wonderland at the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., and enjoy an afternoon filled with festive fun, food, and drinks from B**r Tree Factory, prizes, and heartwarming holiday spirit, all to support family and community engagement initiatives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)!

🔐Get your keys today at http://springbrookfoundationny.org/unlock
👉SPECIAL OFFER: Early bird special until 10/31/26: 10 keys for $10!
👉Starting 11/1/25: 10 keys for $20 & 15 keys for $25

💰Donate or contribute an item/raffle basket for the event!
https://tinyurl.com/28t8je93

We look forward to seeing you there! ☺️

Join me at the Second Annual Unlock the Magic Fundraiser

10/21/2026

🎶Grab your family and friends for a fun evening at Factory by B**r Tree in Johnson City for MUSIC BINGO on Thursday, October 29th! Enjoy fun, prizes, and great food and drinks! 🎶

👉Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
🎶Bingo begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.

We want to share a big THANK YOU to Factory by B**r Tree Brew for giving a percentage of food sales back to the Parent and Family Network to support family and community engagement initiatives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)! 🩵💚

Springbrook Foundation: Inspiring Possibilities

10/20/2026

Creativity, collaboration, and campus connections! 🎨👻

Go Zone participants recently visited SUNY Oneonta’s Milne Library to help decorate its second-floor children’s book area for the university’s Grow, Thrive, Live Day. Working with University Archives and Special Collections Librarian Heather Stalter, participants created gel plate paintings and colored artwork to help bring the “Haunted Library” theme to life.

Through its continued partnership with SUNY Oneonta, the Go Zone provides opportunities for participants to explore their interests, share their talents, and experience more of campus life.

Springbrook is grateful to SUNY Oneonta for its continued partnership and commitment to creating welcoming, enriching experiences for Go Zone participants.

📸 Photo credit: SUNY Oneonta

10/19/2026

✨For Kristina "Tina" Lauvas, a passion for helping people began with a personal experience: watching her grandmother work toward recovery after several strokes. That experience helped inspire a career dedicated to helping others build skills, confidence, and independence.✨

Today, working with students at Springbrook brings a new sense of purpose to that mission. From navigating the school to swimming, playing games, and participating in community events, physical therapy can take many forms. Each activity offers an opportunity to work toward meaningful goals while helping students participate more fully in their everyday routines.

One of the most rewarding moments for Tina is seeing students apply the skills they've practiced in therapy throughout their day, whether they're navigating the school more independently, joining their peers on the playground, or discovering something new they can do.

Her advice for anyone working toward a rehabilitation goal? Don't compare your progress to someone else's. Everyone moves at their own pace, and even the smallest steps forward can add up to meaningful progress.

This Physical Therapy Month, we're celebrating Tina and the dedicated professionals who make movement meaningful and help the people they support reach their fullest potential.🩵💚