Challenge Slide Show
 

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November 10, 2006:
Challenge launches new accessible web site.


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Board of Directors:

DRAKE BASSETT
Vice President
General Mgr
Claritas

LES M BUCHANAN

MARY ANN COLBERT
(Secretary)

RICHARD COUTURE

JOANNE DeSTEFANO
V.P., Financial
Affairs &
University Controller
Cornell University

TODD EDMONDS
Creative Director/CEO
Iron Design, Inc.

MARK R. COLDREN
Associate V.P., HR Ithaca College

CHARLES HAMILTON
(Treasurer)
Administrator
Cornell University

GREG HARTZ
CEO
Tompkins County Trust Co.

DEAN HAWTHORNE
Program Analyst III
C.U. Lab of Ornithology

SUE HEMSATH
Retired Teacher

JOSEPH KIELY
V.P. Finance & Admin.
Advion BioSciences

JANICE McCRACKEN
Board Chair
Integrated Acquisition
& Development Corp.

AMY NEWMAN
Lecturer Mgmt
Communication
Cornell University

ALAN PEDERSEN
Vice President,
Human Resources
Cayuga Medical Center

DINA ZEMKE
Assistant Professor
School of Hotel
Administration
Cornell University

 

Challenge Facts

Challenge Industries, Inc. was founded in 1968 by Robert R. Sprole, Sr., the late president of Therm, Incorporated. That year Challenge served 38 program participants and was housed in the Therm building.

Mission

Challenge Industries, Inc.'s mission is to support individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers in developing their skills, interests and talents to meet the ever-changing needs of today's workplace.

Progress

Since 1999 Challenge has served more people outside the agency walls than it does internally. This sets Challenge apart from most vocational rehabilitation agencies in New York state. Over 70% of all participants in Employment & Training Services have worked in temporary and permanent community employment positions in the past three years, proving that the term sheltered workshop is outdated.

Participants Served

In 2002 Challenge served over 700 individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Employers Served

In 2005 Challenge partnered with over 300 area employers to help find jobs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Location

Challenge Industries, Inc.
402 East State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607.272.8990

Challenge also maintains part-time staff at:
BOCES
Cornell University Return to Work Program
Workforce New York One Stop Center

Operating Status

Challenge is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.