Access CNY's building entrance.

AccessCNY

One morning in 2011, Doug Paul struggled to speak. His wife, Leesa, thought he was joking before reality hit. Leesa called 911 and their lives changed forever.

One morning in 2011, Doug Paul struggled to speak. His wife, Leesa, thought he was joking before reality hit. Leesa called 911 and their lives changed forever.

Doug suffered a stroke that resulted in right side paralysis and aphasia. After unsuccessful therapy efforts elsewhere, they turned to AccessCNY. Doug’s mood and outlook improved. Soon he was writing again, even making an anniversary card for Leesa.

“Doug always held confidence and drive within him, but the AccessCNY therapists brought it out in a healthy, positive, proactive way,” Leesa said.

AccessCNY provides rehabilitation and clinical services to 3,000+ individuals yearly. It formed when Enable and Transitional Living Services merged in 2015.

In 2013, we awarded a Strategic Partnership grant to Enable to support the cost of pre-merger needs assessments. The Strategic Partnership Fund supports collaborations between nonprofits that enhance program and resource development.

Matt Seubert, AccessCNY associate executive director, development and communications, said the larger staff creates more effective patient connections.

“The Strategic Partnership grant helped our organizations conduct assessments to look at ways the new organization could be strengthened through investments in technology, board development, branding, legal and financial consulting, and renovations.”

An additional community grant supported a computer systems upgrade to streamline AccessCNY operations. It’s estimated that the merger resulted in an annual savings between $350,000 and $400,000.

Since 2009, we have made Strategic Partnership grants to local organizations seeking administrative consolidation, joint programming, regionalization, subsidiary formation or a full-scale merger. The grants have helped more than 20 local organizations merge or affiliate, fostering sustainability, higher levels of efficiency and better programmatic outcomes.

“Through the support of the Community Foundation, AccessCNY is now a more efficient and diverse agency that can help create even more stories of success like Doug’s,” Seubert said. Last year Leesa threw Doug a surprise five year “rebirth” party to commemorate the day he survived his stroke. Doug was brought to tears, and AccessCNY staff watched in admiration as the couple turned the worst day of their lives into something to celebrate.

Related Stories

Woman standing in office
Stories March 19, 2024

Giving Seamlessly: Leyla Morgillo

Giving has always been intrinsic to Leyla Morgillo's being whether it be through her time ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 5, 2024

FAQS: A Snapshot of Clients’ Tax-Time Charitable Giving Questions

With the year is in full swing, now is a good time for advisors to ...

Men gardening
Blogs March 5, 2024

A safe space for Deaf New Americans to develop education, leadership, and life skills without limitation

Monu Chhetri, founder & CEO of Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. explains how her participation ...

Group of people at event
Publications March 5, 2024

Collaborative Engagement with Nonprofit Partners

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Granting Matters

Woman sitting with young children
Publications March 5, 2024

Meet Our New President & CEO

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Cover Story

two children playing in a playhouse smiling to camera
Stories March 5, 2024

What's Happening

Giving Voice Winter 2024: What's Happening

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Publications March 5, 2024

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

3 men standing outside
News Releases February 15, 2024

More than $765,000 Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $769,999 in grants to local nonprofits.

Woman standing in office
Stories March 19, 2024

Giving Seamlessly: Leyla Morgillo

Giving has always been intrinsic to Leyla Morgillo's being whether it be through her time ...

hand holding growing money
Publications March 5, 2024

FAQS: A Snapshot of Clients’ Tax-Time Charitable Giving Questions

With the year is in full swing, now is a good time for advisors to ...

Men gardening
Blogs March 5, 2024

A safe space for Deaf New Americans to develop education, leadership, and life skills without limitation

Monu Chhetri, founder & CEO of Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. explains how her participation ...

Group of people at event
Publications March 5, 2024

Collaborative Engagement with Nonprofit Partners

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Granting Matters

Woman sitting with young children
Publications March 5, 2024

Meet Our New President & CEO

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Cover Story

two children playing in a playhouse smiling to camera
Stories March 5, 2024

What's Happening

Giving Voice Winter 2024: What's Happening

Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog
Publications March 5, 2024

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

3 men standing outside
News Releases February 15, 2024

More than $765,000 Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $769,999 in grants to local nonprofits.

View More