As we continue with our preparations for celebrating the holiday season, I want to take a look back at 2021 before we close the door on it and welcome in 2022. Although 2021 was filled with continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased with how Achieva Family Trust continued on in support of our mission.
In 2021 we welcomed 3 new staff, April Trostle, Regional Trust Liaison for the Capital Region, Constance Darnley, Special Projects Assistant and Kurt Emmerling, Director of Strategic Operations. We were finally able to hold our Future Planning Conference, Focus on the Future, virtually, after being postponed several times due to the pandemic. If you weren’t able to watch it live, please consider watching the recording, which is on our website, achievafamilytrust.org under Our Services- Future Planning-Webinars and Events. There is great information for families looking to plan for the future for a loved one with a disability. The conference was well-received and we are planning another conference for 2022- more information on it will be shared later! We continue to receive essential grant funding from the United Way of Southwestern PA and the Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust to support our important work in Benefits Counseling and Future Planning.
Our Education and Outreach efforts continue to educate people with disabilities, their families and the professionals they work with. We reached more than 1,000 people in 2021 with our various educational programs. We had more than 200 new trusts open in 2021 and 36 people added their wills or trust documents to our pending files for funding of a special needs trust in the future. Our Charitable Residual Program funded more than $1 million of services and supports for people with disabilities in need.
All of this great work was accomplished despite the challenges of the pandemic. We have adjusted our programs and outreach methods and we continue to serve as a trusted resource for people with disabilities and the people who support them. We are so grateful for all of you and your continued support of our mission and our programs. We look forward to continuing on with work towards the fulfillment of our mission in 2022!
I wish each of you a happy and healthy holiday season and I wish you peace and joy in the New Year.
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