Citizens Options Unlimited Fall 2025 Newsletter

EMPOWERED LIVING FALL 2025 | VOL 1 | ISSUE 2

At Citizens Options Unlimited, We Value Community Partnership From Suffolk County to Hunter, New York, Citizens Options Unlimited helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live the lives they choose through Residential, Self-Direction, and Respite services.

Giving back is a shared value for people supported, their families, and staff, who consistently volunteer their time or donate through fundraisers and supply drives.

In the spring, Wilhelmina visited the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter in Syosset to deliver blankets and towels. While there, she gave the adoptable dogs and cats much-needed attention.

Later that season, Spencer and Joey visited MOMMAS House in Levittown, a residential program that supports young mothers. The pair donated newborn supplies, including bottles, diapers, and toys – and spent time visiting with the young moms.

A recent donation drive at Helen Kaplan Center Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) demonstrated the power of this community connection. Spencer Aronson, Joey Telson, and Wilhelmina Waldinger, who all reside at Helen Kaplan Center, made a difference in the lives of young mothers and adoptable pets.

Currently, the Helen Kaplan Center is collecting blankets and towels to keep adoptable pets warm during the fall and winter seasons, continuing a meaningful partnership between the people we support and the wider community.

Throughout the year, Helen Kaplan Center collected blankets, towels, and newborn supplies for donations.

Once the donations were ready, Spencer, Joey, and Wilhelmina visited the administrative office to organize and pack the supplies for drop-off.

Citizens Options Unlimited is one of only four agencies – out of more than 450 providers statewide – designated as a Compass agency by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

Further demonstrating its leadership, CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership recognizes Citizens Options Unlimited with Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction, its highest designation.

Citizensinfo@citizens-inc.org

516-644-4810

www.citizens-inc.org Page 1

A Message from Our Leadership Dear Families, Friends, and Supporters,

Board of Directors Officers

Hallie Klein, President Joseph R. Bosnack, Jr., Vice President Ellen Moore, Secretary Directors

Tricia Belford Leng Lao Kathleen C. Maggi Edward Perlow, D.D.S. Devon Rivera

Executive Leadership Stanfort J. Perry, Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. O’Connor, Chief Operating Officer Barry Donowitz, PhD, Chief Administrative Officer Sylvester Naraine, Chief Financial Officer

Program Leadership

Every day, we support people to live the lives they choose. This mission guides everything we do—developing opportunities, meeting challenges, and asking important questions: how can we enhance our personcentered supports? Where can we improve? And, how can we be more effective advocates for each other and our community?

As an agency with CQL’s Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction, Citizens Options Unlimited is dedicated to meeting and exceeding the highest standards of service provision across our programs. We do this through an ongoing assessment of how we support independence, well-being, and inclusion together with an active network of families, friends, and partners.

We are deeply grateful to the AHRC Foundation, whose philanthropic partnership directly benefits Citizens Options Unlimited programs— including residential supports, recreation, and other services that enrich the lives of people supported. As the year draws to a close, we invite you to consider becoming an AHRC Foundation Angel, helping to sustain Citizens’ important work.

Our services rely on strong community support and essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP. With expected reductions ahead, it’s important we stay connected, informed, and ready to speak up for the people who rely on our services. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for an Advocacy Workshop on January 10 to learn how to raise your voice with ours; visit citizens-inc.org/advocate for details.

Thank you for your trust and partnership. Together, we wish you peace and joy this holiday season and good things in the coming year.

Sallyanne Burgess, Vice President of Operations Deanna Allen, Director of Residential Services Marta Garavito, Director of Helen Kaplan Center Mary Gilleran, Director of Shoreham ICF Savita Sharma, Director of Family Support Services

Our Mission: Citizens supports people to live the lives they choose.

Hallie Klein

President, Board of Directors

Stanfort J. Perry Chief Executive Officer

Supports and Services Offered by Citizens: Our Vision: A world where all people are valued.

• Residential Services:

o Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF): ICFs in Shoreham and Plainview offer long-term care for 135 people with higher levels of medical and behavioral complexities. o Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs): In 23 IRAs across Suffolk and Nassau counties, 139 people are offered an independent living environment tailored to each person’s needs.

• Family Support Services: Assistant Editor: Jennifer Corr Strategic Communications & Marketing Associate Community Resources Page 2

o Self-Direction and Fiscal Intermediary: Gives people with developmental disabilities more control over their lives through Self-Direction and Fiscal Intermediary services. o Camp Loyaltown: Located in Hunter, New York, Camp Loyaltown offers a safe, inclusive, and adaptive summer camp for children and adults with IDD. o Weekend Respite: Located at AHRC Nassau’s Brookville campus, people enjoy structured sessions with meaningful activities during the weekend while families rest from caregiving responsibilities.

CQL Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction Highlights Ongoing Supports that Help People Live the Way They Choose At Citizens Options Unlimited, enrichment and empowerment are central. They are achieved through person-centered plans that guide high-quality supports—increasing independence, meaningful relationships, and community involvement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

At Citizens, the person supported, family members, and staff work together in partnership to create opportunities where the person can thrive at home and in the community.

Citizens, along with partner agency AHRC Nassau, is among nine organizations in the United States that have achieved the Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation, with Distinction, through CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. This designation has a four-year accreditation term and recognizes human service organizations exceeding standards for person-centered practices.

CQL’s internationally recognized tools include Personal Outcome Measures® (POM), a process that helps a person discover what matters most to them, and Basic Assurances®, an evaluation of successful operations involving health, safety, natural supports,

human security, and other areas. The designation also involves ongoing planning meetings, review visits, focus groups, and consultations with CQL staff members.

“It’s never the expectation that Citizens just meets CQL standards. It’s always our aim to exceed them. This commitment starts with how we train our staff and is reinforced by an agency culture focused on what matters most to the people we support,” said Sallyanne Burgess, Vice President of Operations at Citizens Options Unlimited.

Through Basic Assurances®, the agency prioritizes full community inclusion. Team members are not just supporting visits or “outings.” Rather, people supported are valuable members of their community building relationships and creating a positive impact every day.

POM interviews employ 21 indicators to gain valuable insights into the quality of life through topics such as choice, social capital, health, and relationships. These interviews empower people to dream bigger.

If someone has limited verbal abilities, POM interviewers work with close family and staff to employ other modes of communication like pictures and music.

With this knowledge and recommendations from the POM Department, the person’s care team assists them in working towards their goal.

“What What matters most to each team member is not the goal or outcome. It’s the journey and the person’s right to live their lives with intention and dignity,”” said Sallyanne.

“That is the most important measurement of success.”

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Community Highlights Jonathan Mandel Makes Strides at the Gym Jonathan Mandel, who resides at the Bellmore Street Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) in West Islip, has been making incredible strides, alongside his coach, Chris Speziali, at Power-Pals, a Port Washington gym available for people of all abilities.

Jonathan begins his weekday sessions by warming up on a stationary bike. After warming up, Jonathan powers through exercises, such as pushing 50 pounds of weight across the turf, climbing up the StairMaster, rope pulling, and climbing the ladder exercise machine.

“We’re just floored with how strong he is,” said Jackie Mandel, Jonathan’s mother. “He likes to be active. It’s important for him to do that.”

Shoreham ICF Housemates, Staff Attend Rocky Point Ale House Karaoke Nights The Rocky Point Ale House is a lively gathering spot for locals to unwind and connect. Lately, people supported by the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) have joined the fun.

With many singers and music lovers at the ICF, the Rocky Point Ale House’s Karaoke Night has served as the perfect opportunity for bonding with the broader community.

Patty McCarthy, who resides at the Shoreham ICF, has become a local rock star. Singing songs like “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge and “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley with Maura Boden, House Manager, Patty gets everyone in the crowd grooving.

Celebrating the Season at Ontario Avenue Barbecue Firing up the grill, the housemates and staff at the Ontario Avenue IRA in Plainview welcomed loved ones and staff for their annual tradition – the end-of-summer barbecue known as the Family Gathering.

Family members and friends of housemates Patrick Black, Robert Behrendt, Randy Cosby, John Volpe, Frank Billadello, and Richard Krinsky arrived for the Family Gathering, ready to sit outside, catch up, and enjoy a delicious meal together in the backyard.

Once the food was ready, everyone filled their plates with delicious burgers, hot dogs, and salads. The backyard, maintained and decorated by the housemates and staff of Ontario Avenue, provided the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon with friends and family.

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Weekend Respite on the Brookville Campus As part of Citizens Options Unlimited’s Weekend Respite, 17 people supported enjoy mornings and afternoons with their friends and caring staff, experiencing both indoor and outdoor activities.

The Brookville campus is the perfect place to spend a weekend, with tree-lined pathways for walking, and friendly farm animals to see at Wheatley Farms & Arts Center.

When not outdoors, time is spent in the gymnasium and cafeteria with plenty of space for basketball games, dance parties, and karaoke sessions.

“Last weekend, we did Jenga,” said Aaron Arasmo, the Respite Supervisor. “Everybody in here was ecstatic, because we have the big blocks.”

Marcos Guerra shared he looks forward to the trips to the farm, basketball games, and board games, while Chase Burwasser, enjoys the seasonal parties, including the recent end-ofsummer bash and Halloween party. His best friend at Respite is James Davi.

Since reopening in March, Weekend Respite has been filled with smiles and connection.

“Parents have told me that they are appreciative of what we offer and providing activities people want to do,” said Aaron.

To learn more about Weekend Respite, visit www.citizens-inc.org/respiteconnections

Celebrating Direct Support Professional Recognition Week From September 7–13, Citizens Options Unlimited highlighted its team of talented Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) for their hard work and dedication as part of DSP Recognition Week.

To celebrate, DSPs enjoyed festive parties at Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) and Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), received special visits from executive staff, and read supportive messages from family members of the people they support. Some DSPs shared their stories with the Citizens community.

“I love helping the people I support achieve their goals, gain independence, and feel proud of themselves,” said Seanie Duncan, a DSP at the Port Washington Boulevard IRA. “I’ve also discovered small acts of kindness can have a big impact on the people that we serve and their families.”

Thank you to all the wonderful DSPs who help people live the lives they choose.

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Families Helping Families: The Power of the AHRC Foundation Families often ask how the AHRC Foundation supports their loved ones and how it connects with Citizens Options Unlimited. The answer is simple — we’re in this together.

Citizens provides essential services — residential supports, self-direction, respite at Camp Loyaltown, recreation, and more — funded primarily through New York State, Medicaid, and other government programs. But these programs alone can’t meet every need.

That’s where the AHRC Foundation comes in.

The AHRC Foundation is a fundraising and grant-making organization committed to the long-term strength of Citizens. We step in where public funding falls short, investing directly in programs that sustain and strengthen the people and staff who make Citizens what it is.

Foundation Support for Citizens Includes: • $1.5 million in 2024 to offset chronic underfunding, staff turnover, overtime costs, and aging facilities, along with a $1.5 million loan commitment to support capital and operating shortfalls when needed.

• $350,000 in 2018 to rebuild Camp Loyaltown’s pool, with an anticipated $250,000 in 2026 to address the camp’s aging infrastructure and capital needs.

• $25,000 annually to expand recreational opportunities across Citizens’ residential homes — including the Helen Kaplan and Shoreham ICF — ensuring people have access to meaningful community experiences.

• Capacity-building and unrestricted support to strengthen Citizens’ ability to adapt, grow, and meet increasing service demands.

When you become an AHRC Foundation Angel, you are part of this promise.

Give today at www.ahrcfoundation.org/angel Together, we continue the legacy of families helping families.

Memorial Plaque Honors Memory of Former Camp Director Paul Cullen The October 4 unveiling of the Memorial Plaque honoring Paul Cullen, former Camp Director, took place on a day that couldn’t have been more perfect.

The scene was picturesque: blue skies, sunny, warm breeze, and 80-degree weather. The Catskill Mountains stood in the background with the first hints of autumn color. It was a day that Paul would have grabbed his camera to capture, celebrating the beauty of Camp Loyaltown.

Every season at Camp is vibrant, whether it’s the changing leaves and steady rhythm of staff, campers, and activities. Yet, Paul’s love for Camp Loyaltown and its mission always remained strong and steadfast. Day after day, year after year, Paul stood at the flagpole, welcoming everyone to another magical day at camp with a resounding “Good Morning!”

As Paul’s beloved wife, Karen, his family, and camp alumni gathered around that same flagpole, memories filled the air: campers running with counselors following, golf carts humming, bells ringing, music playing, songs, and laughter rising above it all. Voices of the past meeting the present.

Camp is a living illustration of Paul’s vision: a safe space for all to play, explore, grow, learn and live — a place where campers of all abilities could enjoy a vacation made just for them.

Paul’s memorial plaque is a reminder of his legacy that lives on in the thousands of lives he touched: the campers who weren’t defined by their disability but who they were, the families who could recharge and hopefully relax a little, and staff from around the world whose lives were forever changed by a summer (or more) at Loyaltown.

Paul changed lives because he believed in everyone and what they could achieve.

Thank you, Paul Page 6

Leng and Tyler Lao Walk Team GO TY TY! Fundraises for a Great Cause On Sunday, Nov. 2, Leng Lao, a Board Member of Citizens Options Unlimited, and her son Tyler, took a brisk walk at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, joining a community of self-advocates, families, supporters, and staff all united in supporting the AHRC Foundation who together raised over $96,000.

The annual AHRC Foundation Walk brings together partner organizations Citizens Options Unlimited, AHRC Nassau, Brookville Center for Children’s Services (BCCS), and members of the Long Island intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community to walk side by side and raise funds that advance health, education, employment, respite, and recreation.

Leng and Tyler enjoy fundraising for their team GO TY TY! and walking for the AHRC Foundation because of the impact it has had on their family. Their team raised over $2,800.

Tyler attends the BCCS Children’s Education Center and resides at the Children’s Residential Program (CRP). As a former Camp Loyaltown camper, his favorite memory was the ride to Hunter on the bus.

“My son is basically leveraging all the services being provided,” said Leng. “I think we’re very blessed to have the CRP and Tyler really enjoys the school. He seems very happy there overall.”

This was the third year of Leng and Tyler fundraising and walking. Every year, Leng said, they enjoy it more as it becomes a family tradition.

“It’s for a good cause and we’re very blessed with all our friends and family who support the walk and believe in the cause,” said Leng. “This is the only fundraiser I ask family and friends to donate to, because there are so many out there. I ask people to do it because my son is using all the services.

If you’re interested in hosting a fundraiser or making a capital or major gift, please contact We know where the money goes.”

Mary McNamara at the AHRC Foundation Office by calling 516-626-1075 ext. 1133.

To learn more about the AHRC Foundation, visit ahrcfoundation.org

A Successful 2025 Season at Camp Loyaltown Camp Loyaltown’s 2025 camp season ended on September 7, as the last campers waved goodbye and international counselors headed to the airport. From pool days to talent shows, sidewalk chalk, farm animals, campfires, and so much more, this season was full of memories and connections that will last a lifetime.

Camp, located in Hunter, New York, opened for the summer season on June 15. Through September 7, back-to-back sessions allowed ample time for campers to enjoy summer activities, spend time with camp friends, make new friends, and relax in the Catskill Mountains. All the while, families had an opportunity to rest from their caregiving responsibilities, knowing that their loved ones were safe and happy. This year 414 campers attended one session at Camp Loyaltown, while 65 campers participated in multiple sessions. A few campers stayed the full camp season.

“This is my first summer here at Camp Loyaltown.I love doing the activities here, and I’m really enjoying this summer,” said Sarah Cosner, as she made a Minnie Mouse craft at the Arts & Crafts station with her friend Eric Natsil during Session 6A. “Arts and crafts are my favorite activity.”

Registration for the Camp Loyaltown Summer 2026 season is now open.

To learn more, visit citizens-inc.org/camployaltown/campinformation Page 7

Program Office 115 E. Bethpage Road, Plainview, NY 11803

Administrative Office 189 Wheatley Road, Brookville, NY 11545

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 23 Glen Head, NY

What’s New Around Citizens Save the Date: January 10, 2026 Sign Up for the Upcoming Advocacy Workshop, “Let’s Talk: The Nuts and Bolts of Advocacy and Government” Hosted by the Government Affairs Committee, this two-hour event will welcome 30-50 attendees to the Brookville mansion on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 10 a.m.- Noon.

For more information or to sign up, visit citizens-inc.org/advocate

Join the Conversation on Social Media We’re all here to advance the mission. Tag Citizens Options Unlimited in your social media posts and follow us to stay connected with the latest milestones, successes, and news impacting our community.

Scan the QR Code and connect with Citizens today!

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