Our Mission and History

Our Mission

LAUNCH has been serving Central New York since 1985, working with a generous community of supporters to impact lives. Our mission is to empower children, youth and adults with diverse abilities to reach their full potential through personalized services. We support meaningful, inclusive lives where individuals are active in their choices and self-advocacy. We believe learning is unique to each person and occurs in all life spheres, offering support for those who need extra help to achieve growth and independence.

Our Vision

LAUNCH envisions a world where individuals with diverse abilities are valued, respected and provided with opportunities and support to thrive.

We are guided by our core values of:

Client First: Valuing and respecting each individual.
Strength Focused: Developing plans based on abilities, interests, and goals.
Empowerment: Educating individuals to become self-advocates.
Independence: Supporting personal and goal attainment.

We support anyone seeking help with learning, including children, adults, families, parents, and caregivers, regardless of background or learning style. This includes individuals with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, mental health concerns, developmental disabilities, and low literacy.

Notable Milestones in Our History

1985

Central New York Association for the Learning Disabled is formed by a concerned group of parents, focused on their children’s educational needs

1987

The organization becomes a full-fledged non-profit, with Suzanne Loveland as first official Executive Director

1990

Children’s summer program begins, later to be named Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL)

1992

Agency begins to work with OPWDD-funded clients

1992

Grant from Development Disabilities Council allows for inception of Adult Programs

1994

Agency officially becomes Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York

1995

Suzanne Loveland retires, and Aggie Glavin & Paulette Purdy become Co-Executive Directors

2000

LDACNY doubles in size, with an addition to existing building

2002

Summer program outgrows its home at the LDACNY offices and relocates to Park Hill Elementary in the ESM School District

2007

LDACNY joins Syracuse Automobile Dealer’s Association’s Charity Preview Event Fundraiser

2008

Community Habilitation services begin for the first time

2008

Paulette Purdy is named as sole Executive Director

2011

Employment Services begin

2011

Learning Without Borders, summer program for teens, begins

2011

1st Links for Learning Golf Tournament

2015

LDACNY outgrows its home again, and moves in August

2017

Career Solutions Academy opens

2017

LDACNY becomes LAUNCH

2018

LAUNCH adds a second office at 1010 James St., Syracuse, NY 13203

2018

Level-Up Summer School Program for Middle School student started

2020

Moved into new office at Nettleton Commons in downtown Syracuse – 313 East Willow Street, Suite 204, Syracuse, NY 13203

2021

Moved some programs to 441 West Kirkpatrick Street Syracuse. This allows us to expand our Com Hab programs with kitchen facilities

2023

Began providing Career Specific Vocational Training programs in Janitorial and Food Service.

2023

After a pandemic hiatus, LAUNCH’s Summer Learning program has been rebranded and will serve OPWDD eligible students.

2023

Expand our Employment Services to include Community Based Pre Vocational Supports.