sasi: Empowering People, Inspiring Purpose

For more than 50 years, Suburban Adult Services Inc. (sasi) has been empowering people with developmental disabilities to live meaningful, independent lives. What began in a small Springville garage in 1974 has grown into one of Western New York’s leading non-profit service providers, with nearly 700 employees supporting close to 2,000 individuals across over 50 locations. Headquartered in Elma, sasi offers a full spectrum of programs—from residential care and employment training to creative initiatives like the High Hurdles Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program and Moving Miracles Dance Studio. Guided by a mission to connect people with opportunities that honor their choices and fit their lives, sasi remains steadfast in its commitment to serving its community.

Measuring Employee Happiness®

Understanding that employee happiness is essential to organizational success, sasi engaged in Amazing Workplace’s Employee Happiness® Conversation, an anonymous survey that uses patent-pending feeling verification technology. This comprehensive approach ensures an accurate assessment of how employees really feel working at sasi. Happiness Conversation results revealed that 91% of participants often feel satisfied, happy, or very happy at work.

A Mission That Matters

It’s no surprise that sasi’s results show employees have strong connection to sasi’s mission and purpose. Anonymous comments highlighted a deep connection to the organization’s mission and purpose, as well as the personal meaning they find in serving their community. Many shared that they find the work they do is important and valuable. This feedback underscores the strength of sasi’s culture—a culture built on shared values, genuine connection, and mutual respect. It’s an environment where people support one another, believe in what they do, and enjoy coming to work each day.

At sasi, we really care about listening to our employees and creating a place where everyone can grow and succeed. We want every team member to feel like they belong and to have opportunities to learn and develop, both personally and professionally. When we live out these values every day, it shows in the quality of care and support we provide—that’s what we’re all about.

Working with Client Success Professional from Amazing Workplace has made it easy for us to gather open and honest feedback from our team members. For over two years, she has been an invaluable partner—guiding us through survey launches, helping us interpret results, and supporting us in creating effective action plans. Her ongoing support and insightful suggestions have greatly contributed to improving our company’s employee experience. – Karen Keyes | Chief People Officer

These results are also a testament to how leaders at sasi have focused on developing the conditions for happiness — a workplace with meaning at its core, where employees take pride in the work they do.

Building on Strengths and Turning Insights into Action

While celebrating the success of the Happiness Conversation, sasi is also looking ahead. Using insights from the Amazing Workplace platform, leaders are focused on sustaining what’s working well and addressing opportunities for improvement. By investing in their employees’ growth and well-being, sasi is setting itself up for success in pursuit of its mission.