About AHRC Foundation

In 1994, AHRC Foundation was founded by key members of Nassau County’s I/DD community and members of the Long Island corporate community. The Foundation’s goal was simple; to provide a financial safety net for the I/ DD community that would ensure high-quality services would be available, regardless of budget shortfalls and/or the political climate.

Since then, the Foundation has provided needed and strategic supports grant awards that advance the health, education, independence, acceptance and varied opportunities for children and adults with I/DD across their lifetime. The Foundation continues to raise needed funds through special events and planned giving/legacy programs.

AHRC Foundation manages two pooled special needs trusts. Unlike other types of trusts, pooled trusts are managed by a non-profit organization. AHRC Foundation board members serve as the trustees and possess knowledge of the law, finance and the specific issues facing people with I/ DD. AHRC Foundation trusts are an option for families for whom setting up an individual supplemental needs trust may be too complicated, costly or when there remains a question of selecting a trustee.

The Foundation’s supports a continuum of services that include Health, Education, Respite for caregivers, community inclusion initiatives and guardianship supports. Recent areas of support and grantees include:

Health – The Foundation’s commitment to health included a multi-year grant award to Advantage Care Health Centers, to support its expansion into the Freeport, Long Island community. Support continues as it builds upon its medical, dental and mental/behavioral health services all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay.

Education – Brookville Center for Children’s Services, an organization approved by the New York State Education Department and the Department of Health to provide educational and therapeutic services to children with developmental delays or disabilities. Operating 12 months a year, BCCS educates and supports over 1000 Long Island Children, with and without developmental disabilities.

Guardianship – The Foundation recognizes that there are people with I/DD who require the protections of legal guardianship as they exist in New York State. The Foundation actively supports guardianship services provided by AHRC Nassau. Each year, the Foundation grants funds to pay a portion of the salary of its Guardianship coordinator to ensure a dedicated representative is established to work in partnership with the person along with his/her other support systems.

Additionally, the Foundation provides support to the Center for Children, Family and the Law at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University to assist families who do not have the financial resources to obtain guardianship for their family member who qualifies under the 17A guardianship law. It is a dynamic partnership, where law students under supervision, assist families through the guardianship process to achieve these appointments.

Respite and Recreation – The Foundation’s commitment to community inclusion and healthy living are fulfilled in grants made to Citizens Options Unlimited, and most recently, in its support to AHRC Nassau for the Thomas S. Gulotta Wheatly Farms & Arts Center. Full community inclusion, participation and access are areas of focus for the AHRC Foundation.

Additional Examples of Who We’ve Supported Over the Past Year:

Autism Society of America / Nassau | Suffolk Chapter

HorseAbility

Long Island Center for Independent Living

Nassau Suffolk Law Services Committee

Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism (NSSA)

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Self-Advocacy Association of NYS (SANYS)

Surf for All

To learn more, please visit us at www.ahrcfoundation.org

Nassau County AHRC Foundation, Inc.

189 Wheatley Road, #3, Brookville, NY 11545

Mary McNamara, Foundation Director (516) 626 – 1075, ext. 1133 oFFiCeRs

Thomas P. Rosicki, Esq., President

John M. Chase, Esq., Secretary

Lloyd Groveman, Vice President

Robert M. Pascucci, Esq., Treasurer diReCtoRs

Martin B. Boorstein

Rady Bruell

Jack Garofalo

Robert Griffith

Kathleen C. Maggi

Thomas F. Moore

David L. Nagler, Esq.

Jack N. Posner, Esq.

Michael Ross

Daniel Serota

Harrietta Traversa

Edward E. Yardeni, Ph.D.

Message

Thomas P. Rosicki, Esq. President

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the AHRC Foundation Rose Ball.

Your support of our mission acts as a catalyst, igniting meaningful and lasting change in the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, and the communities we call home. Your generosity goes far beyond monetary contributions; it exemplifies a profound commitment to inclusion, compassion, and understanding.

The AHRC Foundation stands as a beacon of philanthropic support for AHRC Nassau, Brookville Center for Children’s Services, Citizens Options Unlimited and Advantage Care Health Centers. Additionally, it extends its reach by providing grants to over a dozen community-based organizations dedicated to advancing focus areas of community inclusion, job readiness, health, and education. Over the past three years, the AHRC Foundation has awarded over $1,000,000 in grants across Long Island.

Through these funds, we are fostering of a more inclusive and accessible society…and there is more to do.

For this reason, I am especially pleased to share a very special thank you to tonight’s honorees – Leadership Award Recipient, Jean-Pierre Lardoux, Principal Architect, Fusion Architecture and Julie Bates, M.D., Medical Director, Advantage Care Health Centers. Through their respective professions, each honoree has made a lasting impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Every single one of you has played an essential role in our journey. Tonight, let’s celebrate the “can do” spirit that defines us and embrace the excitement of what lies ahead.

Message from Thomas F. Moore

Rose Ball Chairman

We come together each year at the AHRC Foundation Rose Ball with a special purpose. It’s an evening to be present and show our support for children and adults with developmental disabilities while recognizing distinguished members of our community who have supported our mission in meaningful ways. We are deeply honored to be recognizing two individuals who have made a lasting impact within our community.

We are pleased to present the Foundation’s Leadership Award to JeanPierre Lardoux, AIA, NCARB, Principal Architect of Fusion Architecture PLLC. Throughout his career, JP has dedicated himself to enhancing safety and accessibility for the people with developmental disabilities at AHRC Nassau, Citizens Options Unlimited and countless other agencies serving people with I/DD. Over the past decade alone, JP has successfully completed more than 35 substantial renovation projects for AHRC. In addition to his hands-on involvement, JP serves as an ongoing expert resource for provider agencies.

The Foundation’s Leadership Award is being presented to one of our own, Julie Bates, M.D., Medical Director, Advantage Care Health Centers. Dr. Bates has been a part of the AHRC family for over 30 years and it is a privilege to recognize her care, compassion and service that goes well beyond her job title. Her professional and compassionate approach has touched the lives of countless families, and her commitment to the wellbeing of others is inspiring. We are so honored to have Dr. Julie Bates as our 2023 Humanitarian Award Recipient.

Thank you all again for your continued generosity. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless.

Message from Stanfort J. Perry CEO | AHRC Nassau

It is my pleasure to join with leadership in welcoming you to the annual Rose Ball. This evening is both a time of celebration and introspection as we acknowledge the valuable experiences of the past three years, knowing that there is more for us to accomplish together than we might have ever imagined.

To do this, we must be founded on supports and services of the very highest quality. AHRC Nassau continues to be a leader, within New York State and beyond. Last August, AHRC Nassau with affiliate organization, Citizens Options Unlimited, were reaccredited with the highest level possible from CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership with their four-year PersonCentered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction. Following up this enormous achievement, in May, AHRC Nassau and Citizens were once again designated by New York State’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) as Compass agencies. Staff members, at every level of the organization, demonstrate our mission, vision and values in all they do and we are the stronger for it.

As we meet each new challenge and opportunity, we remain grateful for the support of families, a caring community, and friends in government. We gratefully add our deep appreciation and congratulations to honorees –Julie Bates, M.D., this year’s Humanitarian Award recipient and Jean-Pierre Lardoux, AIA, NCARB, this year’s Leadership Award recipient. Both honorees are part of the fabric of our community and continue to demonstrate the commitment and service we rely on to fulfill our promise to future generations.

Thank you for your caring, compassion and continued support. Enjoy the evening!