Our History
Over 30 years ago, a small group of caring families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities established Advocates as a resource for education and family support. Today, we are dedicated to empowering individuals and their families to lead meaningful and inclusive lives in our communities. We provide the information, support, and resources that you and your family need to self-direct your services and achieve your goals. Championing the needs of the people we support is at the core of our mission, be it through individual, family, or systems advocacy.
Our Mission
Advocates is a person-centered not for profit organization that empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to direct their own lives and create a vision for their future. Together, we advocate for a future where people with developmental disabilities can fully participate in their home, schools, and communities in a meaningful way.
Our mission is to empower you and your family to direct your own life and create a vision for the future.
Our Goals
We believe in the value, potential and full participation of all people in the community.
We advocate across the life span for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
We believe that people with developmental disabilities should have the choice to direct their own lives and choose their services and supports from many available sources.
We believe that all is possible when we join together.
We encourage people with developmental disabilities and their families to develop a vision for their future.
Our Values
We believe in the value, potential and full participation of all people in the community.
We advocate across the life span for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
We believe that people with developmental disabilities should have the choice to direct their own lives and choose their services and supports from many available sources.
We believe that all is possible when we join together.
We encourage people with developmental disabilities and their families to develop a vision for their future.
Last Year, Advocates:
- Provided financial assistance to over 700 families in need
- Delivered nearly 800,000 hours of 1:1 Community Habilitation service provided by Direct Support Professionals (Mentors)
- Offered family reimbursement, family training, service access, and medical advocacy for people with disabilities and their families in Central New York
- Provided approximately 8,000 hours of inclusive recreational activities for children and adults with disabilities and their families
