A New Year's Message from Steven Bulger

I reflect on the amazing work we do as an agency EVERY year… and a lot of times every DAY! 

But as I hit a decade this year in my role as CEO/Executive Director, it was especially important for me to take a moment to appreciate the many strides we made together, the thousands of families we supported and the significant impact ICAN has made.

We are in the business of taking care of people. 

Quite frankly, nothing else matters if we don’t accomplish that. 

When families are strong and have the tools and resources they need to maintain their wellness and to work towards a bright future for themselves, communities become STRONG.

When employees have the flexibility they need to take care of THEIR families, have the opportunity to do work they love, and enjoy a culture that puts them first, communities become EVEN STRONGER.

Highlights of 2024 for me are summed up simply:

We continued to seek greatness and to grow. 

Once again, we were named the Best Place to Work in Central New York with over 101 employees. This honor is based entirely on staff input, which makes it all the more special to us. How we can continue to make ICAN a great place for our employees to work, grow and thrive is a part of our daily conversations in all aspects of our organization.

The seeds we have planted over the past handful of years are coming to fruition:

• Construction is complete for our new Children's Crisis Residence and we are excited to share more with you in January.
  
  
• Utica Children’s Museum had its first truck of exhibits delivered in early December and is getting ready to open in 2025!
  
  
• Our staff is now over 320 and our Independent Practice Association (IPA) is over 300 as well. Incredible numbers! This is a result of growing programs like Healthy Families expanding to Montgomery and Schoharie counties, the addition of new programs like our Utica City School District System of Care and SNUG, admin departments expanding to support the growth and additional positions throughout to directly serve families.
  
  
• We announced a managed services relationship with the Jon Diaz Community Center in Nedrow, NY with NFL Star and Pro Bowl Running Back Latavius Murray, who is creating a space for youth named after his childhood friend who was lost to gun violence. This will be our first foray into Onondaga County to bring the ICAN “recipe for success” to a new market.

With all of the amazing highlights for the year – and just like any family that is quickly growing and evolving to meet the needs of those who serve – we are not immune to challenges. ICAN innovates and pivots like no other. ICAN works towards our mission like no other. And we stay focused on families. That will bring us confidently into the new year and into the future.

I hope the holidays bring you hope, health and happiness
and let’s enjoy continued greatness and growth in 2025… TOGETHER!