EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thomas M. Lewins

Board of Directors

Donald Petrash

President

Bruce Sherman, Ph.D.  

Vice President

Jonathon Good, Esq. 

Secretary

Ed Kubek

Treasurer

Michael Primrose, Esq.

Immediate Past 

Officer

Robert F. Angart

Edward A. Boehmer

Joyce Bresler

Ken Light

Brian Mackert

Joan Potiker

Following are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About New Avenues

1. Why does New Avenues exist in the first place?

2. What is distinctive about New Avenues?

3. How can I learn more about New Avenues and its programs and services?

4. Why does New Avenues feel it merits support?

5. What is it that New Avenues intends to accomplish and does it intend to do it?

6. How will New Avenues hold itself accountable?

Why does New Avenues exist in the first place?

New Avenues to Independence was founded in 1952 and incorporated in 1956 as the Parents’ Volunteer Association for Retarded Children by a group of dedicated parents. Initially, we provided a variety of experiences for children with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities who lived in institutions. As the children grew so did their need for additional opportunities, which were unavailable elsewhere such as education and social interaction.

 It was then that we began to seek out alternatives to institutions – warm, comfortable places able to offer even more opportunities.  A group home setting, it was determined, would provide a pleasant living environment for the individuals and would promote the development of daily living skills, physical abilities and interpersonal skills. To this end, New Avenues became the owner and operator of the first private, nonprofit group home in Cuyahoga County. Since then, New Avenues has opened eight more group homes and offers additional facility-based services. In 1992, New Avenues began to provide supported living services, which enabled individuals to receive services in their own homes. Some live in their own homes and others live in a house or apartment they rent with others also needing services.

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What is distinctive about New Avenues ?

New Avenues to Independence provides opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs to become more independent and productive members of society by offering the highest quality support services and developing innovative and inclusive programs. New Avenues offers habilitative, therapeutic (music, language, art, occupational, physical and recreational), medical, nursing, recreation, and residential services through Medicaid, Supported Living, and Community Based Waiver Programs. We also offer a Transitional Respite Program (providing informal caregivers with relief through transitional housing and support services for loved ones), a Summer Activities Program for children, and a Section 8 Mainstream rental assistance program for individuals and families with disabilities.

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How can I learn about New Avenues and its programs and services?

You can contact the Community Relations and Fund Development Department at (216) 481-1909 x294 or x221 and additional information will be mailed to you.  You can also go to Contact Us for the contact information of the staff member in charge of the program or service you are interested in.

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Why does New Avenues feel it merits support?

Over the past five years, New Avenues has played a pivotal role in bringing the hardships faced by many individuals with disabilities to the public’s attention while simultaneously celebrating their accomplishments.  Community-based efforts such as our Transitional Respite Program and the Section 8 Mainstream program reflect New Avenues’ vision for change and the depth of need in the community to which we continually respond. 

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What is it that New Avenues wants to accomplish and how does it intend to do it?

It is expected that New Avenues will raise awareness, improve policy, and engage the public in the lives of individuals with disabilities.  Our overarching goal is to increase the standard for the quality of life for each individual that we serve and impact.  This reality will be achieved through quality services and programs as well as a strategically driven community relations and volunteer effort. 

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How will New Avenues hold itself accountable?

Anticipated results of data-driven, sustained, job-embedded outcomes include:

• the highest quality home health, personal care and professional support services to people in the home and community of their choice;

•  innovative programs that address the needs of the whole person;

• diversity in our workforce that meets the needs of our clients;

• an environment that encourages life-long learning in our staff, families, and consumers; and

• partnerships with public agencies to develop policies that will improve the quality of life for all persons with disabilities.

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Copyright © 2004 - 2007 New Avenues to Independence, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 28, 2007.