Worcester Business Journal

68 Giving Guide 2024 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com FUTURE GOALS 1. Complete integration of merger with Life-Skills Inc. of Webster. Focus on expanding needs of our clients, invest in the improvement of our current programs and in the development of new programs. 2. Enhance our Community Outreach Program by offering additional free social, recreational and educational events for adults and children with autism and disabilities in our communities. 3. Expand our in-home and behavioral supports and consultation services to provide more assistance to the community where needed. 4. Increase our political advocacy and involvement with trade organizations to bring awareness to the human services workforce to further professionalize the careers of direct support staff. 5. Expand our community day program census in all regions. 6. Continue to improve our overall employee experience including the expansion of our employee recognition program to further demonstrate our commitment to Team Venture. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES Sip & Support – is annual event will be held on ursday, September 12 in the Tent at the Publick House in Sturbridge. Join us and our event partner Ted's Package Store and sample a variety of wine, cra beers, seltzers, cider, tequila and more while enjoying delicious snacks, games, raffles and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through our website at venturecs.org. Charity Golf Classic – Our 27th annual event will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Blissful Meadows in Uxbridge. Join us for a fun day of golf, lunch, dinner, raffles and prizes. One of the best tournaments around! To register, please visit our website venturecs.org. Sponsorship packages are available for these events. For more information on fundraising events and how to get involved, please contact Kerrie Mason at kmason@venturecs.org. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES • Online donations are always greatly appreciated. Visit venturecs.org and click on the "Donate" tab to make a donation through our secure processing system. Donors may also make a gi in memory or in honor of a loved one. • During the holidays, be sure to check our web site and social media accounts to find out how you can help make the season bright for the people we support through our annual Giving Tree Program. Personalized gis can be ordered through our Amazon Wish List, shipped directly to us and we will wrap and deliver to an individual being supported in one of our programs. • In-kind gis such as auction items, professional services, advertising and more help to raise valuable funds to enhance our mission. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Venture welcomes community volunteers who are interested in serving on our Board of Directors or assisting at one of our fundraising events. Internship opportunities are also available for college students. For more information, please contact us at info@venturecs.org. Venture Community Services Mike Hyland President and CEO Donna Peters Board Chair Donna Peters, Community Volunteer, President Gail Fanning, Community Volunteer, Vice President Patricia Lamoureux, Community Volunteer, Treasurer Carl Ekman, Community Member, Clerk BOARD MEMBERS Andrea Cropley, Southbridge Public Schools Doris Dono, Community Volunteer Paul Haughey, Spencer-East Brookfield School District Nancy Noonan, Commonwealth Care Alliance Janice Smith, Community Volunteer Richard Whitney, Community Member "Growing up in a neighborhood that had children with developmental disabilities, I learned at an early age how much of a need there was for services for those families. While I was volunteering with children with disabilities, I also saw that they would need an advocate as they grew older. I was approached 24 years ago to join the board and I felt it would be a great opportunity for me to give back. I am proud of the work that employees do each day to help people obtain the quality of life they deserve, as well as our board and community who support our programs and events. We could not do it without them." – Donna Peters, Board Chair 1 Picker Road Sturbridge, MA 01566 Phone: (508) 347-8181 venturecs.org Full-time employees: 1,000 Annual Revenues: $44.7 million Year founded: 1975 MISSION STATEMENT To provide support to individuals facing diverse challenges through a compassionate and dedicated workforce using innovative practices that encourage independence, empowerment and opportunity. SERVICE AREA 80% of service recipients reside in Worcester County, yet the agency also supports individuals from Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk and Plymouth counties. TOP FUNDING SOURCES 89% Department of Developmental Services 7.5% Mass Health 3.5% Montachusett Regional Transit Authority

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