AHRCFOUNDATION
TOBENEFITCHILDRENANDADULTSWITHINTELLECTUAL ANDDEVELOPMENTALDISABILITIES
THURSDAY,JUNE12,2025
7:00PM-11:00PM
OHEKACASTLEHUNTINGTON,NY
TheAHRCFoundationisanonprofit,tax-exemptorganizationestablishedasapublic foundationtosupportandraisefundsforthebenefitofpeoplewithintellectualand developmentaldisabilities(I/DD)andfornot-for-profitorganizationsthatsupportor assistthem.
HistoryandMission
Foundedin1994bykeymembersofNassauCounty'sI/DDcommunityandtheLong Islandcorporatesector,theAHRCFoundationaimedtoprovideafiscalsafetynet ensuringtheavailabilityofhigh-qualityservicesregardlessofbudgetshortfallsor politicalclimate.TheFoundation'smissionistoenhancethequalityoflifeforchildren andadultswithI/DDthroughstrategicsupportandgrantawards,promotinghealth, education,independence,employment,andcommunityinclusion.
KeyInitiativesandPrograms
TheAHRCFoundationsupportsavarietyofservicesandprogramsincluding:
•HealthandEducation:Initiativestoimprovehealthcareaccessandeducational opportunitiesforpeoplewithI/DD.
•RespiteforCaregivers:Providingmuch-neededbreaksforthosecaringforindividuals withI/DD.
•CommunityInclusion/Recreation:Programsthatfosterinclusionandparticipationin communityactivities.
•GuardianshipSupports:Thefoundationsupportsorganizationsprovidingguardianship servicesandthosewhoassistlow-incomeLongIslandfamiliesinobtaining guardianshipsupports.
•EmploymentTrainingandServices:Programsthatofferemploymenttrainingandjob placementservicesforpeoplewithI/DDtohelpthemachieveeconomicindependence andmeaningfulworkopportunities..
SpecialNeedsTrusts
TheAHRCFoundationmanagestwopooledspecialneedstrusts.Thesetrustsarean affordableoptionforfamilies,especiallywhensettingupanindividualsupplemental needstrustistoocomplexorcostly.BoardmembersoftheAHRCFoundationandits relatedentitiesserveastrustees,bringingexpertiseinlaw,finance,andthespecific issuesfacingpeoplewithI/DDthroughouttheirlifetime.
AreasofSupportandGrantees
TheFoundationprovidedsupporttothefollowingorganizationsin2024:
•AdvantageCareHealthCenters
•AHRCNassau
•BrookvilleCenterforChildren’sServices
•CitizensOptionsUnlimited
•HorseAbility
•TheAutismSocietyofAmerica/NassauSuffolkChapter(NSASA)
•Pal-O-MineEquestrian
•Pop.Earth
•PortWashingtonLibraryFoundation
•SelfAdvocacyNetworkofNewYorkState(SANYS)
•SelfAdvocacyNetworkofNYS/LongIslandRegion(SANYSLI)
•SurfforAll
•TheRobertandPriscillaLivingstonCenterforChildren,FamiliesandtheLawatthe MauriceA.DeaneSchoolofLawatHofstraUniversity
•TheViscardiCenter
ContactInformation
TolearnmoreabouttheAHRCFoundation andhowyoucansupportitsmissionand/ortoapplyforagrant, pleasevisitwww.ahrcfoundation.org
NassauCountyAHRCFoundation,Inc. 189WheatleyRd.#3,Brookville,NY11545 MaryMcNamara,FoundationDirector 516-626-1075ext.1133
ncahrcfoundationahrcfoundation
RoseBallChairman
Welcometothe75thAnnualRoseBall.It’saprivilegetoserveasChairmanofthisevent andtocelebrateamilestonethatreflectsdecadesofcommitmenttochildrenand adultswithdevelopmentaldisabilities.Tonight,wecometogethernotonlytohonorthat legacy,buttorecognizethosewhocontinuetomoveourmissionforward—yearafter year.
Inthisspecialyear,weareproudtohonorJoshuaLamberg,CEOandFounderofSigners National,withourLeadershipAward.Joshhasbeenatrustedadvisorandpartner,using hisexpertisetostrengthenourorganizationsandprotecttheirabilitytofocusontheir collectivemission.Moreimportantly,heunderstandswhythisworkmatters.Hissupport hashelpedsafeguardtheservicesthatchildrenandadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilities relyoneveryday.
WeareequallyhonoredtorecognizetheLongIslandWine&LiquorSalesClubasthe firstrecipientofourCornerstoneAward.Fornearly80years,theClubhashelpedmeet real,everydayneeds—fundingcommunicationdevices,iPads,smartboards,sensory rooms,playgrounds,andmore.Theirgenerosityhasfilledcriticalgaps,ensuringthat childrenandadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitieshaveaccesstothetools, environments,andexperiencesthathelpthemlearnandgrow.Indoingso,theClub hassupportedgenerationsofchildrenandadultswhileadvancingawareness,education, andacceptancethroughoutthebroadercommunity.
Thankstoyourgenerosity,theAHRCFoundationcancontinuetosupporttheessential servicesprovidedacrossourorganizationandthegreaterLongIslandcommunity— servicesthathelpthousandsofchildrenandadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesbuild livesfilledwithpurpose,connection,andopportunity.Ontheirbehalf—andfromthe bottomofmyheart—thankyou,andGodbless.
Messagefrom
ThomasMoore
Messagefrom ThomasP.Rosicki,Esq. President NassauCountyAHRCFoundation,Inc.
Seventy-fiveyears.That’snotjustamilestone—it’salegacy.
Tonight,wedon’tjustraiseaglass—weraiseexpectations.Becauseweknowthereis alwaysmorewecandotosupportpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilities.Weraiseour voicesandcallonourcommunitytohelpcreaterealopportunities:tolearnandwork, toaccessandcontributetocommunitylife,tofeelsafeandwelcomedintheir neighborhoods—andaboveall,tobeseen,respected,andvalued.
That’swhattheAHRCFoundationdoes.Wefuelpossibility.Weinvestintheorganizations thatchangelives—AHRCNassau,BrookvilleCenterforChildren’sServices,Citizens OptionsUnlimited,andmorethanadozencommunity-basedpartnerswhoshareour belief:thatthereisalwaysmoretodo,andthatpeoplealwayscomefirst.
Thiseveningisaboutcelebration,yes—butalsomomentum.Becauseyoursupport tonightpowerstomorrow’sprogress:ajobplacementthatopensthedoor.Arespite programthatgivesafamilyalifeline.Asafehome.Aroleinthecommunity.Avoice finallyheard.
Andtonight,wehonortwounstoppableforces:JoshuaLamberg,CEOandFounderof SignersNational,whoturnsleadershipintoactionandimpact—andtheLongIslandWine &LiquorSalesClub,whosenearlyeightdecadesofserviceremindusthatbeingpartof somethingbiggerthanyourselfnevergoesoutofstyle.
Toeverydonor,advocate,familymember,andfriendintheroom:thankyou.YouÂ’re helpingbuildwhatcomesnext.
Cheers—toyou,andtoallthat’sstilltocome.
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
Throughoutthisjournal,youwillfindpagesfeaturingcoversfromRoseBallJournalsover theyears.Thesehistoricmaterialsreflecttheformernameofourorganization—aname thathassincebeenchangedtobetterembodyourvaluesofprogress,respect,andinclusion.
Whiletheimageryandlanguageofthepastmaynotfullyalignwithwhowearetoday, theyremainanimportantpartofourhistoricalrecord.Wesharethemhereasareflection ofourjourney,withtheunderstandingthatourcommitmenttoconfrontingstigma,elevatingvoices,andsecuringequalrightsforpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilitiescontinues— strongerthanever.
StanfortJ.Perry CEO AHRCNassau
ItÂ’smypleasuretojoinwithourleadershipinwelcomingyoutothisyearÂ’sveryspecial RoseBall.
For75years,theRoseBallhasbeenmorethanacelebration.Ithasbeenapowerful forceforprogress—raisingcriticalfundsthathavestrengthenedtheprogramsand servicessupportingchildrenandadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilities.Today,that impactreachesacrossAHRCNassau,BrookvilleCenterforChildren’sServices,and CitizensOptionsUnlimited.Yourgenerosityhashelpedusgofurther,thinkmoreboldly, andfaceeachnewchallengewiththebeliefthat,byworkingtogether,everythingispossible.
Thecommitmentofourstaff—andthestrengthofourpartnerships—hasledtostatewide andnationalrecognition.AHRCNassauandCitizensOptionsUnlimitedareproudtobe designatedNewYorkStateCompassagenciesandtoholdPerson-CenteredExcellence AccreditationWithDistinctionfromCQL|TheCouncilonQualityandLeadership.
Tonight,IÂ’mproudtojoininrecognizingthosewhohelpmakeourworkstronger.Leadership AwardrecipientJoshuaLamberg,CEOandFounderofSignersNational,andtheLong IslandWine&LiquorSalesClub,recipientsofthisyearÂ’sCornerstoneAward,arechampions ofourmissionandvaluedpartnersinwhatwecontinuetobuildtogether.
Thankyouforbeinghere—andforhelpingcreateastronger,moresupportivecommunity forthepeopleweserve.Enjoytheevening.
Messagefrom
AHRCFoundation
2025AHRCFoundationLeadership AwardRecipient FounderandCEO,SignersNational AHRCFoundation
JoshuaLamberg
JoshuaLambergistheFounderandCEOofSignersNational,aholdingcompanythatincludes LambInsuranceServices—thenation’slargestinsurancebrokerdedicatedexclusivelyto nonprofitandhumanserviceorganizations.JoshlaunchedLambin2008afterbuildinghis expertiseinthefieldthroughrolesatPhiladelphiaInsuranceCompaniesandLibertyMutual. Today,heleadsagrowingnationalnetworkoffirmsofferinginsurancesolutionstailoredto mission-drivenclients.
Josh’sleadershipisrootedindiscipline,preparation,andacommitmenttolong-termpartnerships. AftergraduatingfromtheUniversityofRichmondwithadegreeinRhetoricandCommunications, hepursuedaprofessionalbaseballcareerasacatcher,includingtimeintheCincinnatiReds minorleagueorganization.Thevaluesforgedonthefield—grit,consistency,andrelentless drive—nowguidethecultureandperformanceofeverycompanyundertheSignersNational umbrella.
ThroughourfamilyoforganizationsÂ’longstandingrelationshipwithLambInsuranceServices, Joshhashelpedussecurecomprehensivegeneralandspecialtyliabilitycoverage,including workersÂ’compensation.HisteamÂ’sattentiontodetailanddeepunderstandingofthenonprofit sectorhavestrengthenedourriskmanagement,improvedcontinuityofcoverage,and deliveredpeaceofmindacrossouragencies.
WeareproudtohonorJoshuaLambergwiththeAHRCFoundation’s2025LeadershipAward. Histrustedpartnership,strategicguidance,anddedicationtoservicehavehadameasurable impact—notonlyonouroperationsandworkforce—butwithinthelivesofthechildrenand adultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesandtheirfamilieswhomwearehonoredtosupporteachday.
LongIslandWine &LiquorSalesClub
CornerstoneAwardRecipient
Foundednearly80yearsago,theLongIslandWine&LiquorSalesClubiscurrentlycomprised of15distinguishedprofessionalsfromthewineandspiritsindustry,representingmetropolitan NewYorkandLongIsland.Whileeachmemberbringsyearsofexperience,whatunitesthe Clubisashareddesiretogiveback—buildingontheearlyexamplesetbylongstandingAHRC champions,theMerinoffandSilverfamilies,whosecommitmenttothiscausehelpedshape theClub’senduringconnectiontoourmission.
Forthepast25years,AHRChasbeentheClub’sexclusivecharitablepartner.WhiletheClub haslongsupportedchildrenwithspecialneeds,lastyearitexpandeditsgivingtoinclude adults—fundingopportunitiesthathelppeopleengagewiththebroadercommunityandput intopracticetheskillsthey’veworkedhardtobuildathomeandinschool. TheClub’sAnnualGolfOuting,nowraisingover$100,000eachyear,hasbecomearelieduponsourceofsupport.Theircontributionsfundtangibleitems,specificrequests,andprogrammaticideasrequiringpilotsupport.Theirgenerosityhasmadepossiblecommunication devices,smartboards,iPads,sensoryroomequipment,inclusiveplaygrounds,poolandrecreationequipment,pilotinitiatives,andin-schoolenrichment—enhancingbothlearningand qualityoflifeforlearnersofallages.
TheNassauCountyAHRCFoundationisproudtopresenttheinauguralCornerstoneAwardto theLongIslandWine&LiquorSalesClubinrecognitionoftheClubÂ’sextraordinarycommitment tocharitableserviceanditsdecades-longsupportofpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilities. Theirimpactcanbeseen,touched,andfeltintheeverydayexperiencesofthosewhobenefit fromallthatwemakepossibletogether.
AHRCFoundation
NassauCountyAHRCFoundationwishestorecognize thefollowingplannedgiftsreceivedin2024/2025
TheEstateofHenryHolbrookShepard
TheEstateofMargaretRiva
RobertV.Iosue
JamesMahon
AlbertSmolski
TheAHRCFoundationÂ’s21stCenturySocietyhonorsindividualswhohavemadea plannedgifttotheFoundation.BynamingtheFoundationasabeneficiaryintheirwill, lifeinsurancepolicy,retirementplan,savingsaccount,orcharitabletrust,these donorsensurethatfuturegenerationsofchildrenandadultswithintellectualand developmentaldisabilitieswillcontinuetobenefitfromessentialservicesand programsacrossLongIsland.
Charitablegiftsmadethroughyourestateplanarepowerful.Theyimprovethequality oflifeforthepeoplewesupport—andprovidelastingfulfillmentforyouasadonor. Manygeneroussupportersmaynotrealizehowdeeplytheircontributionswillbemissed whentheyarenolongerhere.Aplannedgiftisameaningfulwaytoensurethatyour legacyofcompassionliveson.
PLANNINGMADESIMPLE
MakingaplannedgiftdoesnÂ’thavetobecomplicated.Ourteamisavailabletoguide youthroughtheprocesstoensureyourwishesarepreservedandhonored.
Tolearnmore,pleasecontact MaryMcNamaraat516-626-1075ext.1133 orvisitahrcfoundation.planmygift.org.
TheAHRCFoundationCommunityTrustServices
TheAHRCFoundationCommunityTrustServicesallowspeoplewithdevelopmental disabilitiestohavetheirowntrustfunds—providingfortheirsupplementalneedswithout affectingeligibilityforgovernmentbenefits.Trustsmaybefundedbyaparent,relative, anotherindividual,orbythebeneficiarythemselves.
CommunityTrustI
Designedforparents,relatives,orotherlovedones,CommunityTrustIallowsthemtouse theirownfundstoestablishatrustforapersonwithadevelopmentaldisability.Thisensures thatapersonÂ’ssupplementalneedsaremet,evenafterthesponsorhaspassedaway.
CommunityTrustII
CommunityTrustIIisintendedforpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilitieswhohavetheir ownresources—suchasincome,inheritance,orlegalsettlements.Thistrustprotectstheir assetswhilemaintainingeligibilityforgovernmentbenefits,allowingthemtoutilizetheir fundsduringtheirlifetime.
FundingRequirements
Aninitialcontributionof$10,000isrequireduponacceptanceofthesponsoragreement, withthetotalbalanceof$25,000tobefulfilledwithinfiveyears.Trustaccountscanbe fundedduringyourlifetime,throughabequestinyourwill,orbydesignatingthetrustas abeneficiaryofalifeinsurancepolicy,retirementaccount,orotherassets.
TrusteesandInvestmentPolicy
TheTrusteesareboardmembersaswellasparentsorsiblingsofmenandwomen withintellectualanddevelopmentaldisabilities.Thesetrusteeshaveextensive backgroundsinlaw,banking,insurance,andfinance.Thefundsareinvestedina balancedportfolioinaccordancewiththetrust'sinvestmentpolicy,whichisestablished bythetrustees.Thetrusteesutilizetheservicesofaprofessionalcustodianand investmentadviser.
TolearnmoreabouttheAHRCFoundationÂ’sCommunityTrustServices, pleasecallMaryMcNamara,FoundationDirector,at516-626-1075ext.1133, oremail:trustservices@ahrcfoundation.org.
Thursday,September13,2024
ANighttoRememberattheRoseBallGala
TheAHRCFoundationÂ’sannualRoseBallGalawasatrulyunforgettableevening,heldatthe breathtakingandhistoricOhekaCastle.Guestsgatheredtocelebratetheincredibleworkof theFoundationandtohonorthosewhohavemadealastingimpactonourcommunity.
WeproudlypresentedtheLeadershipAwardtoLindaAbramsonRaff,PresidentofCamp LoyaltownInc.,andtheMargaretRivaLifetimeAchievementAwardtoThomasandEllenMoore— individualswhosededicationandleadershiphaveprofoundlyenrichedthelivesofthoseweserve. Thenightwasmadeevenmorespecialaswecelebratedthreemajormilestones:75yearsof AHRCNassau,50yearsofCampLoyaltown,and30yearsofAHRCFoundation.Itwasapowerful reminderofourhistory,mission,andthebrightfutureahead.
Withover240guestsinattendanceandthankstotheirincrediblegenerosity,weraisedmore than$350,000—fundsthatwilldirectlyenhancethelivesofchildrenandadultswith developmentaldisabilitiesacrossLongIsland.
AheartfeltthankyoutoourRoseBallCommittee,chairedbyThomasMoore,andtotheAHRC FoundationBoardfortheirtirelesseffortsinmakingthiseveningsucharesoundingsuccess.
AHRCFoundation
Thursday,September19,2024
AGreatDayontheCourseforaGreatCause
Itwasaperfectdayonthelinksasover120golfersjoinedusatTheMuttontownClubforthe AHRCFoundationÂ’sannualGolfOuting.LedbyGolfChairandFoundationBoardMember MichaelRoss,theeventcombinedfriendlycompetitionwithasharedcommitmentto enhancingthelivesofchildrenandadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesacrossLongIsland.
Thankstotheenthusiasmandgenerosityofourplayersandsupporters,weproudlyraised nearly$132,000insupportofthisvitalmission.Fromthefirstteetothelastputt,itwasaday filledwithcamaraderie,purpose,andalotofgreatgolf.
We’regratefultoeveryonewhomadethedaysuchasuccess—andwecan’twaittoseeyou backonthecourseforournextouting,setforThursday,September18,2025,onceagainat TheMuttontownClub.
Sunday,October27,2024
SteppingUpforaMeaningfulCause
TheenergywashighandthesmilesendlessatthisyearÂ’sAHRCFoundationWalk,heldat EisenhowerPark.Over1,000walkers,donors,families,andfriendscametogetherforaday offun,connection,andpurpose.
Fromcolorfulhandmadebannerstoimpromptudancepartiesandpumpkin-filledfestivities, theparkcamealivewithcommunityspiritandheartfeltsupportforindividualswithintellectual anddevelopmentaldisabilities.
Thankstotheincredibleeffortsofoursponsors,teamcaptains,walkers,andfundraisers,we raisedmorethan$107,000!ThesevitalfundshelptheAHRCFoundationprovidecommunitybasedgrantstoorganizationsacrossLongIsland,expandingaccesstoservicesandsupports thatmakealastingdifference.
We’resogratefultoeveryonewhojoinedus—youhelpedturnasimplewalkintoapowerful stepforwardforinclusion,opportunity,andcare.
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
Congratulations
tothisyearÂ’shonorees
JoshLamberg and TheLongIslandWine &LiquorSalesClub
incelebrationofthe
AHRCFOUNDATION75THANNUAL
ROSEBALL
andallithasmadepossibleinthelivesofchildrenandadults withdevelopmentaldisabilitiesandtheirfamilies.
Withspecialappreciationtotheexecutiveteam fortheirexceptionalleadershipthroughouttheyear.
KathleenC.Maggi
BoardMember
AHRCFoundation|CitizensOptionsUnlimited
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
TheBoardofDirectorsof
ProudlySupports
TheNassauCountyAHRC Foundation
ThomasL.WilliamsIII,President
ThomasF.Moore,VicePresident
GaryCarpenter,Treasurer
JackGarofalo,Secretary
RobertSteinberger,MD
JosetteDugue
Dr.SamarthJoseph
NeomyMantin
WandaArroyo
RaymondGrasso
TheodoreL.HernitcheJr.
NicoleRobinson-Helmus
RodgerP.Silletti,PhD
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
LAMBINSURANCE SERVICES
PILOT|RB
DRS.MICHAEL& TARINAMENDES
Withloveandbestwishes, Pauline&GaryBencivenga
InLovingMemoryof PatrickF.Broderick
Devotedhusband,father& SupporterofAHRC
LoveAlways, Susan,KarenandAmanda
Withdeepaffectionandenduringrespect, wehonorthememoryof
MartinB.Boorstein
Boardmember,advisor,advocate,andfriend.
Martyservedourorganizationswithwisdom, heart,andsteadyleadershipforoverthreedecades. AsafoundingmemberoftheAHRCFoundationBoard andourlongtimeFinanceCommitteeChair, hewasatrustedvoiceandguidinghand. Hebelievedinbuildingforthelongterm— onedefinedbyafuturefullofopportunityforchildren andadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilities.
Martyleavesbehindmorethanalegacy— heleavesastandard.
TheBoardsofDirectorsoftheAHRCFoundationandAHRCNassau
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
foroursonBrendan
TheodoreandCatherineZarembo
Withthanksandgratitude tothededicatedstaffof AHRCFoundation, CitizensOptions andCampLoyaltown, andtothisyear’shonorees–
JoshuaLamberg and TheLongIslandWine &LiquorSalesClub forsupportingtheminthisimportant andimpactfulwork–youchangelives forthebettereveryday!
Withdeepappreciation, Mark&DoreenGamell
JackGarofalo,Jr.
ISTILLMISSALLOFYOU ANDTHINKOFALLTHEWONDERFUL WORKYOUDO. BESTWISHES
JANABELSETH
RICHARDE.GREENBERG,MD.
ADISTINCTIVENAMEINWINDOWCOVERINGSSINCE1902
Thankyou fromthefamilyof JosephCarpenter
InLovingMemoryof
Frank,RoseandFrankieOstafinski andPatriciaEndrich
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
Formorethan75years,AHRCNassauhasbeenatrustedleaderinsupportingpeoplewith developmentaldisabilitiesandtheirfamilies—andavitalpartofbuildingstronger,more inclusivecommunitiesacrossLongIsland.
Today,AHRCNassausupportsover2,000peoplethroughawiderangeofservicestailored toindividualneeds—includingdayservices,supportedemployment,residentialsupports, recreation,familysupports,andguardianship.Allsupportsaregroundedinchoice, connection,andtheopportunitytoliveameaningfullifeinthecommunity.
AHRCNassauisproudtoberecognizedasaCompassagencybytheNewYorkStateOffice forPeopleWithDevelopmentalDisabilities(OPWDD),oneofjustfouragenciesinthestate withthisdistinction.Theorganizationalsoholdsarare,four-yearPerson-Centered ExcellenceAccreditationWithDistinctionfromCQL|TheCouncilonQualityand Leadership—anhonorsharedbyfewerthan20organizationsworldwide.
AcrossNassauCounty,AHRCNassauoperates87community-basedhomesand48 supportedapartments.DirectSupportProfessionals(DSPs)playavitalroleinthelivesof thepeopletheysupport—helpingeachpersonmakechoices,buildrelationships,and engageinthecommunityinwaysthataremeaningful.
Dayhabilitationprogramsofferadultswithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesthechancetolearn, connect,andgiveback.Acrossnearly30communityhubs,peoplevolunteerwithlocal nonprofits,faithgroups,andserviceprojects—buildingrelationshipsandmakinga meaningfuldifferenceinthecommunitiestheycallhome.
Employmentisalsoakeyfocus.AHRCNassauoffersjobtraining,coaching,and placementthroughitsvocationalandsupportedemploymentservices.Socialenterprises likeWheatleyFarmsprovideadditionaljobopportunitiesalignedwithpersonalstrengths andinterests.
AHRCNassaualsosupportsfamiliesthroughrespite,in-homeservices,educational resources,andahome-basedreimbursementgrantthateasesfinancialstrain.Whenno othersupportisavailable,theagencyprovidescorporateguardianshiptoensure continuedadvocacyandcare.
TheThomasS.GulottaWheatleyFarms&ArtsCenterisadevelopingeducationand enrichmentinitiativeofAHRCNassau,designedtoservechildrenandadultswith developmentaldisabilities,thepeoplewhosupportthem,andinterestedmembersof thecommunity.LocatedadjacenttoAHRCNassauÂ’sBrookvillecampus,theCenteraims toofferinclusiveprogramminginculinaryarts,horticulture,wellness,andthecreativearts. Volunteersarewarmlywelcomedtohelpcarefortheanimals,maintainthegreenhouse andgardens,andsupportthechildrenandadultswholearnandgrowatthefarmevery day.
AsAHRCNassaulookstothefuture,thecommitmentremainsthesame:tostandalongside peoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesandtheirfamilies—amplifyingvoices,expanding opportunities,andstrengtheningcommunitiesacrossLongIsland.Together,weare buildingwhat’snext.
Nature,Creativity,andCommunityatWheatleyFarms
TheThomasS.GulottaWheatleyFarms&ArtsCenter,locatedadjacenttoAHRCNassau’s Brookvillecampus,reflectstheorganization’scommitmenttoaperson-centered, community-inclusivephilosophy.WheatleyFarmsisaplacewherenature,creativity,and connectioncometogethertosupportmeaningfulexperiencesforchildrenandadultswith developmentaldisabilities—andforthebroadercommunity.
Fromhands-onlearningtosharedexperiencesingardening,animalcare,andthearts, WheatleyFarmsoffersopportunitiestogrow,giveback,andbuildlastingrelationships. Whetheryou'reinterestedinvolunteering,lendingahandatseasonalevents,orattending aclassinwellnessorcreativeexpression,WheatelyFarmsinvitespeopletoparticipateina waythatfeelspersonalandrewarding.Renovationoftheon-sitefarmhousewillcontinue through2025,withtheFarmhouseexpectedtobecompletedin2027.
Tolearnmoreaboutgettinginvolved,pleasecontactJerriWalker,VolunteerandProject Coordinator,at(516)293-2016,ext.5110orvisitahrc.org/volunteer.Opportunitiesareopen toindividuals,schoolgroups,families,corporateteams,andcommunitygroupseagerto bepartofsomethingmeaningful.
Children,FamiliesandEducatorsDedicated toCreatingExceptionalOutcomes
BrookvilleCenterforChildrenÂ’sServices(BCCS)providescomprehensiveservicesto children,withastrongemphasisonhelpingfamiliesunderstandtheirchildÂ’sstrengthsand areasofneed.WithfourschoolsinNassauCounty,BCCSdeliverseducationand therapeuticsupportsforchildrenwithintellectualanddevelopmentaldisabilities, includingautism,speech-languagedisorders,andtraumaticbraininjury.Allprograms areapprovedbytheNewYorkStateEducationDepartment(NYSED),theDepartmentof Health(DOH),andtheOfficeofChildren&FamilyServices(OCFS).
BCCSprogramsinclude:
•EarlyIntervention(EI):Evaluationsforchildrenages0–3toassesssuspecteddelays ordisabilities.
•PreschoolSpecialEducation:Evaluations,educational,andtherapeuticservicesfor preschoolstudentsages3–5withdevelopmentaldelaysordisabilities.
•SchoolAgeSpecialEducation:Educationalservicesforstudentsages5–22with intellectualdisabilities,multipledisabilities,traumaticbraininjury,andautism. Evidence-basedcurriculaarealignedwithNYSEDstandardsandindividualized througheachstudent’sIEP.
•Home&Community-BasedServices:Deliveredbycertifiedteachersandlicensed professionalsinhomes,preschools,andothernaturalsettings.Servicesmayinclude speech,occupationalandphysicaltherapy,psychologicalcounseling,andparent training.
•Respite&Recreation:Weekendrespiteprogramsandseasonalvacationrespite offeringsinDecember,April,andAugust.
•ResidentialServicesforChildrenwithAutism:Twenty-fivestudentswhoattendthe Children’sEducationCenterreceive24/7therapeuticresidentialsupportsuntilage22.
Frompreschoolthroughage22,studentsbenefitfromacomprehensiveeducational experiencetargetingtheiracademic,social,language,andbehavioralgoals.
SchoolprogramsarebasedatfourlicensedandapprovedsitesthroughoutNassau County.Alllocationsarestaffedwithcertifiedprofessionalsandincludeon-sitenursingsupport.
HowtoGetStarted:
Parentsapplythroughtheirlocalschooldistricts.BCCScontractswithNassauandSuffolk Countyschooldistricts.StudentsarereferredthroughtheCommitteesonPreschool SpecialEducation(CPSE)orCommitteesonSpecialEducation(CSE),whichhelpguide thedevelopmentofeachstudent'sIndividualizedEducationPlan(IEP).
ContinuingEducation:
BCCSisaccreditedtooffercontinuingeducationunitsthroughASHA,BACB,andCTLE. Webinars,workshops,andconferencesareofferedregularlytoshareevidence-based bestpracticesacrossdisciplines.
Formoreinformation,pleasecall(516)686-4496orvisitwww.brookvillecenter.org
ProgramLeadershipatBrookvilleCenterforChildrenÂ’sServices
•DebraDoyle–SeniorDirector,BrookvilleCenterforChildren’sServices
•DianeCondy–Director,BarbaraC.WilsonPreschool
•PaulaDeVita–Director,MarcusAvenuePreschool
•DeniseGaughan–Director,Children’sEducationCenter
•SeanStallings–Director,Children’sResidentialProgram
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
CitizensOptionsUnlimitedsupportsover1,500childrenandadultswithdevelopmental disabilitiesacrossLongIsland,helpingeachpersonlivethelifetheychoosethrough personalized,person-centeredservices.Fromself-directionandfamilysupportsto recreation,respite,andresidentialservices,Citizensoffersacomprehensivenetworkof carethatpromotesinclusion,independence,andmeaningfulcommunityconnection.
RecognizedasaCompassagencybytheNewYorkStateOfficeforPeopleWith DevelopmentalDisabilities(OPWDD),Citizensisoneofonlyfouragenciesinthestateto holdthisdistinction.Theorganizationalsoholdsafour-yearPerson-CenteredExcellence AccreditationWithDistinctionfromCQL|TheCouncilonQualityandLeadership.
Citizensprovidesrobustself-directionservices,includingbothbrokerandfiscalintermediary support,givingpeoplethefreedomtodesigntheirownsupports—whetherchoosing whereandhowtolive,participatingincommunityactivities,orhiringstaffforemployment, respite,orhabilitationservices.
FamilySupportServices(FSS)helpfamiliesstaystrongthroughsocialandrecreation programs,peerconnections,andafamilyreimbursementgrantthateasesfinancial burdens.RespiteopportunitiesincludeCampLoyaltownintheCatskills,whichoffers year-roundprogramminginanurturingenvironment.
CitizensOptionsUnlimitedprovidesresidentialsupportsthrough23homesacrossNassau andSuffolkcounties.IndividualizedResidentialAlternatives(IRAs)offercommunity-based livingwithstaffsupportthatpromotesindependence,choice,andconnection.Citizens
alsooperatestwoIntermediateCareFacilities(ICFs)—theHelenKaplanCenterin PlainviewandasecondinShoreham—whichoffer24-hournursingandclinicalcarefor thosewithmorecomplexneeds.Acrossallsettings,peoplesupportedbenefitfrom specializedsupportsincludingpsychology,nutrition,physicaltherapy,andother therapeuticservices.Ineveryhome,peoplearesupportedtobeactivemembersof theircommunitieswhilepursuingthegoalsthatmattermosttothem.
ProgramLeadershipatCitizensOptionsUnlimited
•SallyanneBurgess–VicePresidentofOperations
•DeannaAllen–DirectorofResidentialServices
•MartaGaravito–Director,HelenKaplanCenter(ICF),NassauCounty
•MaryGilleran–Director,ICFServices,SuffolkCounty
•SavitaSharma–DirectorofFamilySupportServices&CampLoyaltown citizens-inc.org
ROSEBALLJOURNALS
Thursday,September18,2025
