2024 E-Journal by UCPofLongIsland

Celebrating 74Years of Excellence

Honoring William W. Misita

November 2024

Mission Statement

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island is to Advance the Independence, Productivity, and Full Citizenship of People with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities.

Did You Know UCP of Long Island…

• Serves children and adults with disabilities

• Provides valuable services to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• Spends 92 cents of every dollar on programs and services

• Serves over 225+ adults and children in 31 beautiful residential homes; 2 of which are homes for children

• Provides employment-related services, such as career assessment, counseling, job placement, so a person with a disability can become employed and independent.

• Is at the forefront of providing Early Intervention, Pre-school and School Age Education programs. The Children’s Center provides an array of therapeutic services to promote the development of a child with a disability.

William W. Misita

United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island

Board of Directors

Thomas Pfundstein — Board Chair

Robert Bernard — Vice Chair, Audit & Compensation

Javier Evans Vice Chair, Membership & Development

Thomas Lowenberg Vice Chair, Budget & Finance/Treasurer

Kim M. Smith, Esq. Recording Secretary & Vice Chair, Policy & Compliance

Directors

Dr. Erica Beauplan

Sabrina Bivona

Andrew F. Corrado

Patrick Egan

Edward Levine

Lawrence C. Levy

Stephen M. Louro

Richard C. Tavarez

Patricia Tutiven

A Message from… Thomas Pfundstein Chair of the Board of Directors

Thank you for joining us at UCP of Long Island’s 2024

Life Without Limits Gala.

As we approach the 75th Anniversary of UCP of Long Island, I reflect on my own family's journey and what this organization has meant to us. My son, Joseph, has been part of the UCP-LI family for most of his life, beginning at The Children's Center and now in the Adult Day Program. The continuity of extraordinary care that Joseph receives, along with the outstanding support of his direct support team, continues to have a meaningful impact in his life. It is impossible to image what our lives would be like without UCP-LI. Thankfully, Joseph is happy and continues to thrive – and our family is grateful every single day.

Next year marks UCP-LI’s 75th Anniversary. UCP-LI’s legacy of care, compassion, and commitment has touched countless lives, thousands of children, adults and their loved ones. I am immensely thankful for UCP’s innovative services, their ability to expand and respond to the needs of the individuals served, and their commitment to advocating on behalf of people with disabilities. I am especially grateful for the community of supporters, individuals, and corporate partners who make this all possible. Your generosity and dedication have made a tangible difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for standing with us as we continue UCP-LI’s journey of hope and promise into our 75th year.

I encourage you to visit UCP’s website, to learn more about our programs and services www.ucp-li.org.

On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, I extend our warmest congratulations to our 2024 Life Without Limits Honoree, William Misita, a longtime friend and supporter. Thank you to all our supporters for embracing the life-enhancing programs and services provided by UCP-LI. I would also like to thank our 2024 Gala Planning Committee and my fellow Board Members for their tireless commitment.

Finally THANK YOU for joining us this evening. You have played a significant part in helping to create a Life Without Limits for people with disabilities and we are so grateful.

A Message

from… Colleen Crispin President & CEO

Thank you for joining us for the 2024 Life Without Limits Gala. UCP of Long Island continues to provide critical services to Long Islanders with disabilities and their families.

• 224 people living in 31 community-based residences

• 75 students in pre-school through high school educated at our Children’s Center

• 140 adults engaged in pre-employment and employment with over 80 employers

• 160 adults engaged in Day Services and Community Habilitation that promote skill acquisition and inclusion in the community

• 135 individuals and families served through Family Support programs including respite, youth transition and family reimbursement grants

I am pleased to share that this year has been filled with many exciting events and accomplishments. We continue to lead the field in providing high quality, person-centered support and services to children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

We have continued our focus on accessibility and access which we highlighted last year with the building of our playground at The Children’s Center. This year, we completed the renovation of our kitchen in Adult Day Services which has provided a hub where our participants can learn essential life skills, build confidence and embrace their independence. The space offers a warm welcoming environment with lower counters and appliances that can be accessed by people utilizing wheelchairs thereby increasing their independence during meal prep and cooking. This was made possible by generous donations.

We have prioritized supporting families by providing needed respite services. To this end, we re-opened our center-based respite services on Thursday afternoons and Saturdays. This support is critical to our families and provides them time to recharge. While at respite, their family members are enjoying great activities including playing games, art projects and lunches at local restaurants.

Engagement with the community, families, donors, participants and staff is a critical part of how we meet the needs of people with disabilities. In Day Services, a group of families participated in staff recognition and fundraising events including the Walk and Wheel and employee lunches. Volunteers from Convergint Technologies, Deloitte and Webster Bank volunteered their time to beautify our programs as well as providing practice interview opportunities for jobseekers.

These are a few of the ways that donations of time and talent make a difference in the lives of so many. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our 2024 Life Without Limits Gala honoree Bill Misita of Philadelphia Insurance Companies for his continued support of our mission. He is a shining example of the positive impact that our partners can have on the lives of the people we support. A special thank you to all our sponsors. We are so grateful for each and every one of you.

Your generosity for this year’s Gala helps us to continue to lead the field in developing and providing services for people with disabilities and their families. You each help us achieve the very important mission of UCP-LI. To continue to support us, please visit our website at www.ucp-li.org. Please follow us on social media to see the impact of your support on the lives of people with disabilities.

Stay connected with UCP-LI by visiting our website www.ucp-li.org and following our social media pages.

2025 marks our 75th anniversary, we hope you remain in touch as we celebrate this very special milestone with our community.

the year in a glance….

UCP– LI Adult Day Accessible Kitchen

Ribbon Cutting

Fire Department BBQ

We Are Family Volunteers

Deloitte Volunteer Day

Convergint Volunteer Day

Webster Bank Volunteer Day

2024 LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS Gala Committee

Committee Chair

Patricia Tutiven, M&T Bank*

Javier Evans, Webster Bank*

Justin Jaycon, CHSLI Good Samaritan Hospital

Lawrence Levy, National Center of Suburban Studies, Hofstra University*

Daniel Liberty, Webster Bank

Stephen M. Louro , Professional Group Plans (Honorary)*

William W. Misita, Honoree, Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Kevin Patterson, M&T Bank

Thomas Pfundstein, Dime Community Bank**

Richard Tavarez, Jovia Financial Credit Union*

Sean Umhafer, Webster Bank

*UCP-LI Board Member

**UCP-LI Board Chair

United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island

Colleen Crispino, President & CEO

Camille Schramm, Director of Development & Public Relations

Karen Puritano, Assistant Director of Development

Jillian Cavalieri, Community Relations Specialist

2024 Life Without Limits Honoree

William W. Misita

UCP of Long Island is delighted to present our 2024 Life Without Limits Honoree, longtime friend and supporter, Bill Misita .

Bill began his insurance career as a broker in 1994, selling strictly Accountants Professional Liability. Prior to joining PHLY, Bill was a Middle Market Direct Producer at Liberty Mutual for three years.

Bill began his tenure at PHLY in August, 1999 as a Production Underwriter and was tasked with opening a NY office in an area where there had been minimal prior success. Bill started working from home before finding suitable office space and began staffing up later that year. He has consistently been one of PHLY’s top performers throughout his tenure and has earned the distinction of top producer in the country five times. He is now Senior Vice President of the Northeast Territory which encompasses Northern Delaware up through Maine on the East Coast.

Bill holds a B.S. in Applied Math and Statistics and a M.S. in Business from Stony Brook University. He completed his CPCU designation requirements in July, 2013.

Bill and his wife, Diana, have been married for 25 years and have three children. Bill is an avid boater who spends his weekends and free time fishing, and jet skiing on the South Shore of Long Island.

In 2024, UCP of Long Island selected Bill as Honoree for its annual Life Without Limits Gala. The organization has a 40+ year tradition of celebrating outstanding individuals committed to its mission to create a Life Without Limits for children and adults.

Very special thanks to our 2024 Life

Without Limits Gala Sponsors

DIGNITY SPONSOR

M&T Bank

INTEGRITY SPONSOR

The Dobler Family Foundation

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

EMPOWERMENT SPONSOR

Community Care RX

Peapack Private

Preemo Productions

Professional Group Plans

SterlingRisk Insurance

Webster Bank

We Transport/ Beacon Mobility

ADVOCATE SPONSOR

A1 E.M.S., Inc

Corporate Synergies Group, LLC

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Flagstar Advisors

Marsh McLennan

Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP

Optimum/ Altice RISK Strategies

Dignity Sponsor

Integrity Sponsor

Empowerment Sponsor

Advocate Sponsor

Gold Page

Silver Sponsor

Supporter Package

Full Page

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Full Page

“Only a life lived for others is a life worth living”.

– Albert Einstein

With deepest gratitude to the Staff, Leadership and Board of UCP-LI. Your hard work and dedication to the mission is truly inspiring.

Colleen Crispino, President & CEO

Page

Compliments of Lawrence Levy & Freda Wagner

Half Page

Compliments of Mr. & Mrs. James Samito

Stay Connected with UCP of Long Island

Join our online community to stay updated on the latest news, events, and inspiring stories from UCP of Long Island. Follow us on social media to see how we’re making a difference and how you can get involved!

UCP-LI’s Life Without Limits Gala & The Arts

UCP’s annual Life Without Limits Gala is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the many talents of the individuals in UCP’s Adult Day Programs.

Artwork by the individuals in our programs is highlighted throughout the year at our special events.

Individuals in UCP’s Brushstrokes Program and in all of our Day Programs look forward to the opportunity to share their artistic accomplishments and enjoy making a sale!

If you are interested in purchasing a painting, please give us a call:

631-232-0015

Thank you to the men and women in UCP’s Adult Day Programs for making our world a more beautiful place!

Joinusfortheeventeveryoneistalking about….

Michelle S. | Central Park Reservoir in Bloom”

Michelle has been participating in UCP of Long Island’s Adult Day programs for more than twenty years. Michelle is a very talented artist in our Brushstrokes program.

In addition to her artwork, Michelle is a resolute advocate and a member of UCP-LI’s Self Advocacy group.

In 2023, Michelle’s artwork was featured in a curated exhibition of works by artists with disabilities at The Long Island Museum.

In 2024, Michelle’s painting, “Central Park Reservoir in Bloom” was selected as the invitation cover for UCP of Long Island’s annual Life Without Limits Gala.

Comingin2025…….

Thank you for supporting UCP of Long Island in 2024

UCP has always been a family: we’reacommunitythatincludesthe individualswesupport,ourstaff,board,andyou–ourdonors.

Together, we do something extraordinary...we help people with disabilities live a Life Without Limits.

• Pleaseattendourevents

• Visitourwebsite

• Volunteer

• Learnaboutemployingapersonwithadisability

• Inquireaboutwhenyoumightcomeforatour and…

Please continue to donate www.ucp-li.org

We’ve always been a family. We need you now and we will need you tomorrow. But most important, we thank you.

Wewishyougoodhealth–andwecan’twaittoseeyouatour 2025 Life Without Limits Gala!