At A.V.R.E., we make money the old fashioned way - we earn it. And then we invest the earnings to fulfill our mission. The term "social enterprise" is relatively new, but the model has been around for decades. Plainly stated, a social enterprise is an organization that supports a social mission through earned income strategies.

A.V.R.E.'s Business Division is comprised of three production areas: manufacturing, contract packaging, and switchboard operations. We manufacture high quality manila file folders, copy paper and pressboard folders - all in Downtown Binghamton, NY. These products are sold in the commercial and government markets, both locally and across the country. Contract packaging includes Green Seal JAWS cleaning products, kitting projects for Downstate Medical's Obstetrics Department, and Goody hair care products for resale in military commissaries. A.V.R.E. also manages three off-site switchboard operations for the Veterans Administration Medical Centers - two in the Hudson Valley and the other in the Bronx. Over 90% of all direct labor positions are held by people who have sustained and severe vision loss.

A.V.R.E.'s local, commercial business has grown significantly in the past 12 months and we are proud to work with businesses committed to supporting the Southern Tier. We are active in the Greater Binghamton, Tompkins County, and Otsego County Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Business Council of New York State. As our business grows, we will purchase more materials manufactured in our area by people who live in our area.

Our primary customers remain departments and agencies within the Federal Government. A.V.R.E. is an active partner with AbilityOne - a federal set-aside program intended to give agencies that employ people with disabilities a competitive edge in the federal marketplace. A.V.R.E. products are sold under the Skilcraft ® brand. Toward that end, A.V.R.E. also partners with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and Industries for the Blind of New York State (IBNYS). For more information on these set-aside programs visit www.nib.org and www.ibnys.org.