NEWS SUMMER 2020 VOL. 69 ISSUE 2
Families Reunite, Agency Continues to Respond to Changing Times After three months of separation due to COVID-19, families were reunited in person at AHRC’s residences on Friday, June 19 — the first day New York State allowed visits at group homes.
Day Services Re-Open With great joy, AHRC Day Service sites re-opened their
doors
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Wednesday, July 22. At the AHRC
Family members’ letters, phone calls and social media messages led to New York State publishing initial visitation guidelines for certified residences for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) under the auspices of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). “We have been working with our colleagues in implementing these initial guidelines and expect that they will likely grow and evolve as we continue to receive guidance from OPWDD and other regulatory agencies,” said Stanfort Perry, executive director of AHRC Nassau. Continued on page 3
“The advocacy of families is what led New York State to re-open the group homes. It happened because of families’ profound determination and sincere love. This is the ethos the agency was built on – AHRC Nassau was family founded and remains family led,” said Stanfort Perry, Executive Director, AHRC Nassau
The Leahy sisters reunited! See on page 2 a special letter of what a first visit meant to Colleen (right) and Patricia (left).
East Meadow Art Gallery, a festive we l c o m e s i g n and enthusiastic staff were ready to offer a warm hello. Each artist received their own art kit and enjoyed a schedule of art, gardening, dancing, and of course lots of smiles.
Traversa Family Featured on TODAY Show
COVID-19 created different challenges for different families. The Traversa family shared their experiences on the TODAY Show with news anchor, Craig Melvin. Check out the full segment at ahrc.org/blog to see Sal and Mrs. Traversa share their experiences, alongside a family from The Arc Westchester.
Table of Contents Leadership Families Reunite, Agency Continues to Respond to Changing Times 1 Day Services Re-Open 1 Wheatley Farms and Arts Center to Be Named Thomas S. Gulotta Wheatley Farms and Arts Center 4 Marianne Klotz Remembered 5 AHRC Nassau Receives Grants From NYSARC Trust Services 10
Letter to the Agency
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Advocacy/Events Traversa Family Featured on TODAY Show 1 COVID-19 Response Raises Funds to Support Staff 3 Standing Together: Responding to George Floyd’s Death 4 Membership Matters Campaign 10 Advocacy Issues 10
Letter to the Agency (Excerpt)
Good Afternoon Mr. Perry, I am writing to you this afternoon to express to you my (and my family’s) deepest gratitude to the entire Hicks Place staff, to the house manager Moracia Ridge, and to the supervisor Roshni John. After a very long three months of being apart, I was able to see my sister, Colleen, for the first time yesterday. I realize that this day may not have been possible had it not been for the care given to Colleen by the AHRC staff at Hicks Place. They truly are my heroes and I’m sure if Colleen could tell you — she would say the same. Colleen is very close with my family and me. Colleen had been used to weekly home visits
Community Highlights
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Volunteer Spotlight Julie DiDesidero
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Staff Spotlight Crisis Nurses: Cathy Molloy, Jennifer McGaughran and Ian Kowalski 5 Direct Care: Barbara Cipriano 11
since she moved into an AHRC residence many years ago. As you can imagine, not being able to see her family was very difficult (for both Colleen and my family). Changes in routine are extremely difficult for Colleen. It was the first time in her life that she was separated from us for any extended period of time. Colleen also missed her day program very much. Colleen’s recovery from COVID-19 was not easy. I have been told that, in particular, Marie Bourguignon and JaQuana Hester who were assigned to Colleen during her illness, did a particularly exceptional job caring for Colleen — and I would like to recognize them for that. I realize the sacrifices they made and the personal risks that they took
www.ahrc.org
to care for Colleen at that time. That will never be forgotten. Although I was not able to see
!Mission
Colleen during that time, I was able to speak
AHRC Nassau empowers people to live fulfilling lives. Together with Family – Friends – Community
!Vision:
with Marie or JaQuana on a daily basis for updates on Colleen’s well-being. They gave Colleen the TLC that I was not able to
A world where people of all abilities are valued.
give to her when she needed it most. In addition, by answering my every question, and giving me
!Value Statements At AHRC, we believe that… – All people must be treated with dignity and respect – Partnering with people, families and communities creates the best opportunities – A competent and compassionate workforce is vital – Commitment to diversity and cultural sensitivity is essential – Innovative approaches promote advancement and growth – Financial sustainability is critical for organizational success
frequent updates, the house nurse, Donna Guccione demonstrated extreme patience and compassion at such a frightening time. Her concern for Colleen was genuine — and that meant so very much to me. Thank you to each and every one of Colleen’s angels. I am forever grateful. Sincerely, Patricia Leahy
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AHRC Nassau staff went above and beyond during the pandemic. In the midst of the pandemic, the generosity of AHRC family and friends made an important impact through donations of more than $23,000 to AHRC’s COVID-19 Response Fund. At every AHRC residence, staff were able to take a night off from cooking, order a meal from the house’s favorite restaurant, and enjoy a meal together. “It is a great honor to be appreciated and thought of, especially at a time like this, while caring for others," was a message shared by the management and residents of the Hicks Place House. Volunteers were also mobilized to support the delivery of meals to group homes.
Adam Rentzer During the pandemic, Adam Rentzer wanted to help and did a beautiful job of delivering meals to houses during the pandemic.
Heroes Work Here Every day at AHRC, dedicated staff show up to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. From the frontline, our team touches all aspects of a person’s life. In this challenging time of COVID-19, our dedicated team continued to show up and make a difference. Thank you. See other ways people in our community shared their thanks on page 11.
Families Reunite, Agency Continues to Respond to Changing Times Following OPWDD guidance on COVID-19, AHRC residences could not receive visitors and day habilitation sites closed. With long hours and new approaches, AHRC Nassau’s exceptional clinical, direct support and administrative team continued to support the safety and well-being of people in AHRC’s programs. The agency’s staff and greater community rose to the challenge, actively seeking to connect family members whenever possible; transforming counseling meetings and in-person activities into Zoom sessions; and continuing to make joyful memories, from arts projects to birthday parties. A PPE supply room was created in office with assigned staff to manage inventory, while hundreds of meals were donated so staff could take nights off from cooking to focus on connecting with the people supported. “COVID-19 touched our community,” said Stanfort Perry, Executive Director, AHRC Nassau. “I can report a number of recoveries and that our team is actively working with families and staff members on how best to memorialize the people who succumbed to the virus. As we work to honor these relationships and lives, we also remain committed to the health and emotional well-being of everyone who is grieving.” Planning is currently underway for AHRC Nassau’s community to honor the lives lost to COVID-19, from people supported to families of staff, in the coming months.
Agency updates can be found at www.ahrc.org/covid
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COVID-19 Response Raises Funds to Support Staff
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Standing Together: Responding to George Floyd’s Death
Wheatley Farms and Arts Center to Be Named Thomas S. Gulotta Wheatley Farms and Arts Center The AHRC Nassau Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Wheatley Farms and Arts Center in honor of former Nassau County Executive, Thomas S. Gulotta, in recognition of his many years of service to the agency.
“As a community, we cannot remain silent. I have committed my career to uplifting the dignity and value of all human beings. Mr. Floyd’s senseless death does not magnify our common good. It brings about a level of disdain and hurt that is difficult to overcome. What happened to Mr. Floyd did not need to occur. His death is a stark reminder that each life is precious and we must affirm each other. Acts of hatred and disrespect must be eliminated.” View the video and article by Executive Director Stanfort J. Perry at ahrc.org/standingtogether.
Did You Know... There are many reasons disability service providers and community members need to speak out about racism and discrimination. Consider: • Labor force participation is lower for Black people with disabilities (17.7%) compared to those who are white (21%). • Black children with disabilities lose more days of instruction from school suspension (121 days/100 students), compared to white students with disabilities (43 days/100 students). • The cumulative probability of arrest by age 28 is 55.17 for Black individuals with disabilities, compared to 39.7 for white individuals with disabilities.
*Statistics provided by The Arc of the United States.
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From gardening to music to movement, the Gulotta Center will be part of AHRC Nassau’s Day Habilitation services. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism, can connect with their passions while engaging the local community through recreational, social and volunteer opportunities. “Tom was gracious and always ready to reach into his vast network of contacts and relationships to assist the people we support in extraordinary ways,” said Paul Giordano, president, AHRC Nassau. “He was a friend and a true advocate, who will be deeply missed.” Gulotta supported the agency and its community, in and out of office. During Hurricane Sandy, he ensured four group homes with medically fragile residents could remain up and running with generators — airlifted in at a time when there were no generators to be found. A groundbreaking will be held at a future date, when it is safe to celebrate as a community.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT Making a Difference During Challenging Times Crisis Nurses Crisis nurses go into homes that need extra support and provide treatments, perform assessments or simply lend a hand or shoulder, when needed. We are thankful to them for all they do each day to provide extra care to the people who we support and to bolster our DSP staff now when they need it.
Action shot of Ian Kowalski. Ian usually works as the Assistant Director for Nursing for Camp Loyaltown but in the midst of this health crisis he volunteered to be a part of our crisis nursing team.
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Marianne Klotz, Senior Director of Brookville Center for Children’s Services, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4. Marianne joined AHRC Nassau in 1968. Since 1988, Marianne led the educational programs under AHRC Nassau, which expanded into the organization that came to be known as Brookville Center for Children’s Services. Marianne was a powerful advocate and compassionate educator, implementing programs and services to meet the evolving needs of children with special needs and their families. In her own formidable way, Marianne built the Children’s Education Center’s programs from the ground up, always placing the needs of the child in the center of her work.
For the full story, please visit ahrc.org/blog
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Nurses, Cathy Molloy and Jennifer McGaughran, strike a pose for a quick selfie on their way to a shift on the morning crisis team. These amazing nurses originally worked in the day hab program but volunteered to join our crisis team.
Marianne Klotz Remembered
Crisis nurses go into homes that need extra support.” AHRC NASSAU NEWS
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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS ! People Supported Making a Difference
During the pandemic, the ladies and team at AHRC’s Livingston House learned to sew. With their new skills, face masks were made for and picked up by Nassau County EMS workers.
From senior centers to local animal shelters, community organizations received a neighborly hello from AHRC residents. “Thinking of you” baskets were delivered to neighbor organizations and staff throughout the pandemic. Organized by Community Relations Liaison Lynne Brewer, handmade cards, tissue-paper flowers and baked goods were made by AHRC Houses. With the support of Emily Storz and AHRC’s Family Support Services, the baskets sought to bring together the community.
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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS ! 70TH ANNUAL VIRTUAL ROSE BALL
June 5, 2020 | ahrcfoundation.org/roseball Tune in to Rose Ball’s video at ahrcfoundation.org/roseball to experience this inspiring event.
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The Foundation raised $325,000, thanks to the support of our engaged community. This year, the Foundation provided a $25,000 grant to AHRC Nassau for guardianship services. As is Rose Ball’s tradition, students from Brookville Center for Children’s Services performed a song, while parent advocates and board members, shared their support. For more information, please visit www.ahrcfoundation.org/roseball
you to the Nassau-Suffolk Autism Society ! Thank of America (NSASA) for their outstanding work supporting people with developmental disabilities during the pandemic. NSASA delivered meals and sweet summer treats to agencies across Long Island, including AHRC Nassau group homes.
Abramowitz was finally able to fully realize ! Justin his dream of being a DJ during COVID-19. Justin's been bringing people with disabilities together and to the dance floor DJ'ing Zoom sessions for the Levittown day program and people across the agency. Live from his music room with speakers, a microphone, disco ball and a life-size cut-out of himself, Justin leads 30 minutes of music and dancing, with behaviorist Soosan Happel facilitating the meeting and his mom as his behind-the-scenes assistant.
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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS !Rhonda Kremer grew up singing and playing the
piano while her younger brother and AHRC Nassau resident, Jeffrey, hummed or moved to the music. Fast forward 45 years and nearly 700 miles: the siblings still connect through music, with Rhonda taking requests over FaceTime in South Carolina. Recently, Rhonda was inspired to write and record the album, “Gratitude,” sharing what matters most in life to her. The album was inspired by the passing of her son Jordan. “I want to donate half the sale proceeds of my album to AHRC Nassau’s COVID-19 Fund,” said Rhonda. “AHRC does a wonderful job of taking care of my brother – and I want to help in any way I can.” To sample or purchase Rhonda’s album, please visit https://rhondajordanmusic.com
spring/summer fashions have been delivered !New curbside to direct support team members at AHRC Nassau. To brighten these frontline workers’ day, AHRC’s Day Habilitation Team and Community Relations Liaison Lynne Brewer worked together to deliver a “free” shopping experience. Donated clothes with tags or “good as new” were driven in a van to group homes. Direct support team members, then, could step outside the house and choose whatever they liked for free.
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AHRC Nassau does a wonderful job of taking care of my brother — and I want to help in any way I can.”
shout out to Residential Manager Anne Lindsay ! Aforbigtreating staff and residents of the WoodmerePeninsula house with a meal, good for the body and the soul: jerk chicken, rice, beans and steamed cabbage.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Making a Difference During a Challenging Times Julie DiDesidero Since the beginning of March, Julie has provided individual and group music lessons to Carle Place and Bellmore Day Program adults through the WhatsApp. These lessons include singing, instruments and movement activities. Even family members of the adults supported participated in the lessons. Julie had to share:
! “Faith and Hope Grows Here.” We always knew that
about AHRC’s Cedar Street House, but now it’s highlighted in a bright and cheery window painting by local artist, Mike Pagano. Pagano has been sharing his talent across Long Island during this time of COVID-19. For his generous spirit, time and beautiful art, Cedar Street’s residents and staff wanted to say a warm thank you.
“Volunteering at the AHRC is very productive, rewarding and memorable. I work as a music specialist, which allows me the opportunity to work closely with (people). I find that each works hard and strives to be the best they can be. I also see the personality, talent and ability of each individual shine with the music that is being created and performed. These characteristics give me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I have also made many friendships and memories here that will last forever!”
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Membership Matters: How Membership Makes Us Stronger Together Five Important Reasons Why AHRC Nassau Needs Members: 1. Members provide clout! A large membership means a louder voice is heard by local and state legislators and national policymakers. 2. We need to provide the opportunity for more of our citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to have access to programs and services, a say in advocacy efforts, and awareness of AHRC Nassau's presence. 3. As more volunteers are attracted to the work of AHRC Nassau, our leadership base for the future can develop and grow. 4. We need a better-informed public. Awareness is an outgrowth of membership, and awareness is the first step to creating society-wide acceptance of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. 5. We need dollars to fulfill our commitments It is with heavy to those we support. Although membership hearts that this is a FRIEND-raiser and not a fundraiser, year's Membership membership dues will help generate funds to Luncheon has been support unfunded or under-funded local canceled due to programs a n d s e r v i ce s . *Adapted from The Arc New York
When you sign up for AHRC Nassau membership, you become a member of our chapter, The Arc New York and The Arc of the United States.
!Sign up at www.ahrc.org/membership
the pandemic. We look forward to connecting in person again soon, when it is safe to do so as a community.
Continue to Advocate for Change. During times of challenge and change, it’s important to remain connected as a community. Standing together, our advocacy can powerfully impact local, state and federal legislation and policy.
Join us at www.ahrc.org/advocate to address: • COVID-19 funding and ensure staffing and necessary health care and home life for people with IDD. • Residential funding and explain to lawmakers why vacancy-rate cuts for certified residential programs disrupt the quality of care and home life for people with IDD. Your voice matters!
AHRC Nassau Receives Grants From NYSARC Trust Services The Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services awarded AHRC Nassau a $181,000 grant for guardianship and $12,000 grant for recreation programs. AHRC Nassau currently provides guardianship supports and services and is now ready to assist more as a Standby or Alternate Standby guardian. AHRC NAssAu News
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THANK YOU!
FRONTLINE WORKERS
Direct Support Barbara Cipriano, assistant residential manager, went above and beyond to keep the residents of the Livingston IRA engaged in the community. During the pandemic, Barbara taught the women of the Livingston house how to sew and make masks for frontline workers as well as build planter boxes to start a garden for different vegetables and herbs. The residents also were supported to participate in making donation baskets for local nonprofits, from senior centers to animal shelters. Barbara also personally collected hundreds of shoes and ran a shoe drive, while also soliciting and picking up donations for the mobile staff boutique.
Thank You Throughout AHRC’s community, heartfelt thanks was shared with frontline workers.
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189 Wheatley Road, Brookville (Glen Head), NY 11545 inspire@ahrc.org
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 31 Glen Head, NY
NOTICE of MEETINGS Annual Meeting of the Membership Special Meeting of the Membership to Amend Chapter By-laws November 16, 2020 • 4 p.m. via Zoom Meetings are open to all active members of AHRC Nassau. These meetings will be held consecutively. Anticipated total meeting time: 20 min. Prior registration is required. RSVP at www.ahrc.org/members2020 by November 9, 2020 to receive your invitation code to join the meeting(s).
TOTAL PROPERTY M A N A G E M E N T
HOPE We believe in the power of hope, dedication and love. We extend this to all in AHRC’s community during these challenging times.
Throughout the pandemic, Total Property Management, a service of AHRC Nassau, ensured people’s lawns remained safe and accessible. Total Property Management provides a full array of commercial landscaping packages: • Design and installation to weekly lawn maintenance • Flower bed installations • Mulching • Spring and fall clean-ups • Aeration • Sod installation • Tree removal. As a proud affiliate of the New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), Total Property Management also provides landscaping services for many governmental agencies. For more information, email pyagaloff@ahrc.org or call 516-427-7164.