Worcester Business Journal

10 Giving Guide 2022 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com Advocates Advocates vision is to provide robust, culturally competent, integrated services to enhance the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals and families affected by a broad range of physical, behavioral health, and developmental needs. Our goals are: 1. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging – Build and maintain an agency-wide culture that is fully committed to diversity and equity, promotes inclusion, and fosters cultural competence through our Senior Leadership Team Diversity Subcommittee, Racial Equity Action Plan, diversity committees, employee resource groups, celebratory events, trainings, and resources. 2. Talent Investment – Be the employer of choice with a well- trained, competitively compensated, highly engaged, culturally competent, and satisfied workforce. 3. Engaged & Equitable Communities – Disrupt the stigma and lack of understanding that accompany differences by minimizing social isolation through creation of welcoming opportunities with community-focused supports leading to an improved quality of life for individuals and families. 4. Advocacy, Influence, & Impact – Advocate and partner to influence legislation, policy, and practice that support our mission and impact our service delivery, the people we support, and their communities. 5. Strategic Growth – Increase in size through fiscal year 2024 through continued expansion of current programming, mergers, affiliations, philanthropy, and new business opportunities. 6. Organizational Readiness – Build the capabilities and skills necessary to achieve organizational excellence, optimize efficiencies, and meet growth targets. Diane Gould, LICSW President and CEO Jessica Kemp Board Chair MISSION STATEMENT SERVICE AREA: Advocates serves more than 30,000 individuals and families in nearly 100 communities across Eastern and Central Massachusetts. To partner with individuals, families, and communities to shape creative solutions to life challenges such as addiction, autism, brain injury, intellectual/ developmental disabilities, and mental health conditions. We envision communities in which every person has a full life, decent and affordable housing, meaningful work, satisfying relationships, and good health. Department of Developmental Services ................................. 36% MassHealth ............................ 24% Department of Mental Health ........................ 18% TOP FUNDING SOURCES: Jessica Kemp, Chair Daniel M. Weir, Vice Chair Patricia G. Vinter, LICSW, Vice Chair Michael Sheridan, Treasurer Christine Hubbard, Clerk Dennis Millner-Hanley, Assistant Clerk Craig Davis Alex Fidalgo Kevin Gould Kay H. Hodge, Esq. Charlene Jacobs, LMHC Charlene McEntee Mark E. O'Reilly Richard Rovner Advocates 1881 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01701 Phone: (508) 628-6300 www.Advocates.org Full-time employees: 1,299 Annual revenues: $136M Year founded: 1975 BOARD OF DIRECTORS FUTURE GOALS Join us at Fenway Park on November 10, 2022 for our 6th Annual Fall Gala as we celebrate the champions who helped us get through the past two difficult years – our staff! Say hello to Wally, take a tour of the park, have your picture taken with the World Series trophies, plus lots more fun. Sponsors, donors, and auction items are welcome! Visit www.Advocates.org/Champions or contact Diane Newark at DNewark@Advocates.org for more information. The Friendship Project – Friendships play an essential role in happiness, health, and overall quality of life. The Friendship Project matches people supported by Advocates with individual or group volunteers from the community to create meaningful connections, helping reduce social isolation and feelings of loneliness. We are seeking volunteers to be companions for people with an intellectual/ developmental disability, brain injury, or mental health challenge. Activities may include going on outings, developing a common interest, playing games, chatting on the phone, or texting. Visit www. Advocates.org/Volunteer to learn more and apply. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES POST-PANDEMIC: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the people and communities we support, along with our staff. We've adapted our services and supports to include virtual programming and support groups, PPE protocols, and much more to keep our community healthy and safe. A significant change Advocates made was shifting to telehealth services to address the rising need for access to behavioral health services. We continue to look to gain benefits from all our work processes and protocols as we move into the next phase of living with COVID-19. "I am honored to serve on the Advocates Board because I've always known them as an organization that improves the lives of people who face a range of challenges. In my time on the Board and as Chair, Advocates has continued to grow and innovate. I have come to value not only what they do, but the way they do it. From the CEO to division leaders to front line staff, everyone at Advocates respects the dignity of each person, values every voice, and is committed to creating strong, just communities where everyone can thrive." – Jessica Kemp, Board Chair Advocates serves more than 30,000 individuals and families each year with a wide variety of challenges including autism, brain injuries, intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health issues, substance use challenges, and more. We operate more than 80 group homes for adults with disabilities, four mental health clinics, four family support centers, plus dozens of community-based programs. Donations help us provide safe and nurturing homes, interesting social and recreational events, employment programs and volunteer opportunities in the community, free care to those in need, and lots more. Gifts also help us recognize our incredible staff, who have gone above and beyond to help individuals they care for be safe, healthy, and happy these past few years. To make your donation, visit www. Advocates.org/Donate; call Diane Newark at (508) 661-9575; or mail your gift to Diane Newark, Vice President of Philanthropy, Advocates, 1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

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