Franziska Racker Centers unveils new name and logo

Franziska Racker Centers unveils new name and logoRacker staff and guests gather in December to celebrate the unveiling of the organization's new logo and name at the 1277 Taylor Rd., Owego location. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter) 
Franziska Racker Centers unveils new name and logo

The Franziska Racker Centers, a local non-profit that works to support individuals with disabilities, has a fresh new logo and name effective Jan. 5, 2018. Celebrating 70 years in the community, the organization is now known as Racker, as seen on the sign at the entrance to their 1277 Taylor Rd., Owego location. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)

Celebrating 70 years in the community, the Franziska Racker Centers, a local non-profit that works to support individuals with disabilities, has a fresh new logo and name effective Jan. 5, 2018.  

Going forward as simply Racker, the end result of information gathering and focus group meetings was met with unanimous acceptance and applause at a gathering of staff and guests at an unveiling last month. Racker plans additional celebrations this year in recognition of its anniversary.

Racker serves people of all ages with diverse strengths and is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families at over 35 service sites in Cortland, Tompkins and Tioga Counties.

Also partnering with more than twenty school districts and managing 26 residences in nine different communities, Racker’s expertise encompasses childcare and special education preschool programs to mental health treatment programs, among other work with area families.  

When asked what one thing they would want the community to know about Racker, Executive Director Dan Brown, and Director of Community Relations and Development Heather Hughes, both replied similarly, and their answer evolved back to the organization’s vision, “We envision a world where all people know they belong.”

That sense of belonging is also a part of the organization’s mission, which states, “We support people with disabilities and their families to lead fulfilling lives by providing opportunities to learn and be connected with others.”

Christine Schweitzer, an associate board member, is thankful to the Racker staff that helped her family, and particularly her son, Richard, who has been living in a group home for several years.

Schweitzer said, “I can’t give them enough praise.”  

“The staff envelops you and helped us in our journey,” Schweitzer commented, and further explained that, at first, she felt nervous about her son’s desire for independence. However, once she met the staff and other parents and saw how well Richard adapted to his new environment, she was encouraged, and is also pleased that the support team sets ongoing goals and keeps the family involved.

In existence since the end of World War II, Racker’s beginnings were as the Cerebral Palsy Association of the Ithaca Area, where services were offered to families who did not want their children sent to institutional settings.  Then in 1963, the agency’s name was changed to the Special Children’s Center in recognition of its expanded services.

Named the Franziska Racker Centers since 1999, in honor of the agency’s medical director who served for 28 years, Racker is remembered as a compassionate leader and a champion of human rights, and who presented a strength-based and holistic approach to serving people with disabilities.

Brown shared, “As the community’s needs change, we have always been an organization that changes to meet those needs. Finding a name that fully describes an agency that is so vast is a bit of a challenge, so we felt like the perfect choice was to hold onto Dr. Racker and her legacy, and shorten our name to provide for ease of use. The name also allows for the flexibility of a changing landscape of services now and in the future.” 

Racker’s logo color helps identify it further, and one noticeable change, as described by designer Dawn LaMorte, is that the tree within the logo has been modified to be uniquely shaped, and now includes a loving assortment of hearts on its branches.

Today, Racker is one of the largest employers in the area, employing upwards of 900 people, and is funded by state and federal programs, private corporations, foundations and service clubs, as well as individual supporters. Racker annually serves upwards of 3,000 individuals and families.

For additional information, including anniversary events, visit the Racker website at www.racker.org.

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