ATI fulfills backpack project at Sullivan County school districts

Posted 10/13/23

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Action Toward Independence (ATI), New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and volunteers from both organizations teamed up for a backpack project to equip Sullivan …

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ATI fulfills backpack project at Sullivan County school districts

Photo contributed by Action Toward Independence

Providing backpacks for kids in Fallsburg. Pictured are ATI’s Children and Family Services Program Manager Akilah Sutphin, left; NYSEG’s Program Manager, Uthman Aziz; Fallsburg’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services Leighanne Russell; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Sally Sharkey; Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz; NYSEG’s Gabi Matthews; Dena Schulte; Travis Kelly; and NYSEG Regional Manager John Schneck.

Photo contributed by Action Toward Independence

ATI and NYSEG handed out backpacks to students at Livingston Manor. Pictured are ATI’s Children and Family Services Program Manager, Akilah Sutphin, left; NYSEG’s Program Manager Uthman Aziz; Superintendent John Evans; Director of Special Services Lauren Marrero; NYSEG’s Travis Kelly; and Gabi Matthews.

Photo contributed by Action Toward Independence

Giving backpacks to students in Roscoe. Pictured are NYSEG’s Uthman Aziz, left; Roscoe Central School students; and ATI’s Children and Family Services Program Manager Akilah Sutphin. They are holding just five of the hundreds of backpacks distributed to students during the project.

Photo contributed by Action Toward Independence

ATI and NYSEG filled backpacks for students at Tri-Valley. Pictured are NYSEG’s Gabi Matthews, left; Tri-Valley’s Director of Pupil Services Danielle Cornish; and ATI’s Children and Family Services Program Manager Akilah Sutphin at Tri-Valley Central School.

Posted Friday, October 13, 2023 1:45 pm

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Action Toward Independence (ATI), New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and volunteers from both organizations teamed up for a backpack project to equip Sullivan County students with tools to succeed during the 2023-24 school year.

The project is now in its third year, and its goal is still to fill and distribute backpacks to eligible students in the local school districts’ special education departments.

That goal was met and exceeded on September 26, when ATI and NYSEG staff presented the last two donations to Sullivan County school districts.

Partnering with NYSEG enabled ATI to donate 465 backpacks to students throughout the county. As an organization that supports individuals with disabilities, including families of children with disabilities, ATI found it most appropriate to donate directly to each school district's special education departments.

“We are so grateful to NYSEG and its commitment to partner with agencies like ours by providing tangible support that positively impacts our communities,” Akilah Sutphin, ATI’s children and family services program manager, said. “NYSEG's volunteer efforts and sponsorships are commendable… We look forward to continuing to support parents and helping the youth in our community be as successful as possible, starting with having the essentials needed to start off the school year just right!”

For more information about ATI services and programs for families and youth, call 845/794-4228; visit the ATI main office at 309 E. Broadway, Monticello; or visit ATItoday.org.