PRESS RELEASE / PHOTO OPP

TODAY’S DATE: CONTACT:
June 27, 2006 Cheryl L. Coppola
Development Director
(315) 789-6828
ccoppola@happinesshouse.org

Happiness House named Chamber’s top business for ‘07
By David L. Shaw
Finger Lakes Times

GENEVA- the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce has named Finger lakes United Cerebral Palsy, Inc. /Happiness House its business of the year for 2007.
The Distinction is the highest honor the Chamber bestows. Chamber Executive Director Robert F. Gladden said Happiness House was selected “for its longevity, commitment to the community, and involvement in Chamber activities.” This business embodies the principles the Chamber seeks to recognize,” Gladden said.
The award will be presented at the Chamber’s annual dinner Thursday, Jan. 24, at Club 86. “We are truly honored to receive this award,” said Mary Walsh Boatfield, Happiness House’s chief executive officer.
A non-profit, health and human service agency, Happiness House was established in 1969. It provides special education, early childhood education, occupational, physical, speech and music therapy and psychological services and other programs to children and adults with disabilities, and their families, in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties.
Its main site is at 731 Pre-Emption Road, with other facilities in Canandaigua, Gorham and Waterloo.
Over the past 38 years, Happiness House has provided services to several thousand special needs children, age 2 to 5, from 22 school districts. On average Happiness House serves a thousand families each year with a staff of 225 people.
Its programs include early intervention, its blended new friends pre-school, summer recreation, Head Start, diagnostic and treatment services, a traumatic brain injury program and family support services.
The organization has an annual operating budget of more than $9 million and an annual payroll of more than $6 million. It just completed a $3.5 million building project that expanded the Geneva facility by 4,500 square feet and built a new, 23,000 square foot facility in Canandaigua.