Although Christopher Fortune is the new executive director for the Orange County Association for the Help of Retarded Citizens (AHRC), he brings a long history of working in the world of not-for-profits.

He is introducing new ventures that he hopes will bring a new audience to AHRC. This spring they hosted their first jazz concert and hope to conduct another this fall. Chris wants to use these events to attract people who may have never heard of his association.

 

With over 700 staff and a multi-million dollar budget, AHRC offers a broad array of services, from infant assessments to adult community residences. But Chris feels the agency is not as well known as other agencies in the county.

 

“Soon we will introduce a rebranding of our association,” says Chris. “The word retarded is out of vogue. We want something that is easily recognized.” Once they develop this new look for the association they will begin marketing the agency more heavily.

 

In terms of how the downturn economy is affecting the agency, Chris is concerned with New York State’s lack of support and advocacy for those with disabilities. “Our funding base has eroded,” say Chris, “causing us to have to be extremely conservative in how we use our money.

 

“Job security and maintaining services are continuing. But there will be no raises this year,” says Chris. The agency will continue health benefits are the same level, but will look at variations on co-pays and wellness programs.

 

How is this forward looking executive using social networking? The agency has introduced a new, easy-to-use website. And they will introduce an online planned giving and donation program. But Chris is concerned about updating the agency’s technology and educating staff on how to use the new web-based tools. “We have to start by teaching staff to use their internal user name and password,” says Chris to make his point about how far they have to go.

 

AHRC’s schools, which are about 1/3 of the agency’s programs, continue to raise money for add-on programs the old fashioned way – selling chocolate bars and other small items.

 

If you are looking for a unique fundraising idea that does not involve making selling chocolate, visit www.TheUndercoverKids.com and signup to be a Community Partner. Introduce your kids, and those kids of others you work with, to a new exciting mystery series and earn money too.

 

Christopher Fortune, executive director

Orange County Association for the Help of Retarded Citizens

249 Broadway

Newburgh, NY 12550

845-561-0670

www.orangeahrc.org