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48 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2015 www.wbjournal.com Venture Community Services Future Goals Venture's overall goal is to provide individuals with disabilities access to the opportunities they deserve. Through innovative practices and a visionary approach, personalized services are provided to foster independence through a continuum of support, which includes residential services; shared living; transportation; supported employment; and community day programs. In addition to continuing to offer compassionate, person-centered services that assist individuals and families in reaching their goals, Venture has also identified the following objectives: • Open additional Community Day Programs to increase the safety net of individuals not receiving services • Expand autism services and education • Become a licensed provider of children's services through the Department of Children and Families • Collaborate with other like-minded organizations to expand services across the Commonwealth • Develop training services for community providers Board of Directors Donna Peters Board President Michael Hyland CEO MISSION STATEMENT Service area: 80% of service recipients reside in Worcester County, yet the agency also supports individuals from Bristol, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk and Plymouth counties. To provide support to individuals facing diverse challenges through a compassionate and dedicated workforce using innovative practices that encourage independence, empowerment and opportunity. Department of Developmental Services 75% Montachusett Regional Transit Authority ............ 8% Mass Health ................... 7% Top funding sources: Donna Peters, Board President Richard Whitney, Vice President Patricia Nylin, Clerk Kathleen Charette, Thompson Public Schools Andrea Cropley, Southbridge Public Schools Laurie Downes, Elms College Carl Ekman, Town of Charlton Paul Kolesnikovas, Charlton Legal Patricia Lamoureux, Community Volunteer Venture Community Services 1 Picker Road Sturbridge, MA 01566 Phone: 508-347-8181 www.venturecs.org Total employees: 670 Full-time employees: 450 Annual revenues: $32,100,000 Year founded: 1975 Volunteer Opportunities Venture welcomes community volunteers who are interested in serving on our Board of Directors or assisting at one of our annual fundraising events. Internship opportunities are also available for college students. For more information, please contact Bruce Leger at 774-922-1145 or bleger@venturecs.org. Giving Opportunities • Every year, Venture invites all donors and sponsors to make a contribution to our agency's Annual Appeal. We are proud to share the organization's recent successes and stories about the individuals we support. To be added to our mailing list, please contact Paige Mador at (774) 922-1135 or pmador@ venturecs.org. • Online donations are always greatly appreciated. Visit www.venturecs.org and click on the "Get Involved" tab to make a contribution through our secure processing system. Donors may also make their gift in honor of or in memory of a loved one. • In-kind gifts such as auction items, professional services, advertising and others help to raise valuable funds to meet the needs of those we support. Fundraising Events/Opportunities • Venture is proud to be in its 11th year hosting their Annual Wine, Beer and Food Festival with Ted's Package Store of Charlton. Join us for delicious food from area restaurants and taste a variety of beer, wine, whiskey, mead, cider and more while enjoying games, raffles and an extensive silent auction. This year's event will be held on Thursday, September 17th at the Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village. Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase on our web site. • Each summer, Venture hosts its annual Charity Golf Tournament. Save the date on Friday, June 17, 2016 for 18 holes of golf at Blissful Meadows Golf Club in Uxbridge. Join us for a fun day of golf, lunch, dinner, auction and prizes while supporting people with disabilities. To register, please visit our web site. • Sponsorship packages are available for these events and others throughout the year. For more information about fundraising events, please visit www.venturecs.org or contact Paige Mador at pmador@venturecs.org. When I began volunteering with children with developmental disabilities, I realized they would need an advocate to help them become productive members of their communities in the future – that is exactly what Venture Community Services does. Being a member of the Board gives me a great opportunity to give back. — Donna Peters, Board President