Pathways to Success

With Bethany Wendt, Kathy Caruso & Kim Karcic

September 19, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with three incredible women—Bethany Wendt, Kathy Caruso, and Kim Karcic—to talk about Pathways for Success: Together We Thrive, a powerful event happening in Utica, NY.

Each guest shared why they felt called to be part of this initiative and how families of individuals with disabilities often feel lonely, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. Their stories highlight the importance of coming together, building community, and making sure no one walks this journey alone.

Guests:

Bethany Wendt – Director of Community Relations at the Kelberman Center Website: https://www.kelberman.org/family-conn...

Kathy Caruso – Mom & Lead Facilitator for Better Together: Support and Advocacy Facebook:   / better-together-support-and-advocacy-10005...

Kim Karcic – Family Member, Teacher, and Advocate

About the Event:

📅 Saturday, Sept. 27

🕘 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

📍 The Parish on Broadway, 730 Broadway, Utica, NY

🚗 Parking available at City Hall Who should attend?

 Parents & caregivers of individuals in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community.

What to expect:

Sessions on Early Intervention, School-Age Supports, Adult Services & Transition Planning

OPWDD Resouces & Future Planning

Q&A Panel + Resource Tables featuring OPWDD, ARC, Life Plan, Kelberman & more.

Light refreshments provided

💡 A full day of learning, connecting, and finding support—together.

👉 Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/KLFtaUPGG9

✨ If this event isn’t happening near you, but you think your community could benefit from something like this—consider this your blueprint! Be inspired, and reach out to any of these women to learn how you can make it happen in your hometown. 🎥 Finding Common Ground will be on location with roaming cameras, capturing the energy and voices of the day. We’d love to meet our audience—so if you’re there, come up and say hi!

🌐 Visit us at www.fcgadvocacy.org, follow us on social media, and help us grow our audience and impact. Together, we can build stronger pathways for success everywhere.