| Dear Families and Friends,
A new year brings new opportunities to connect as a community. From marching at the Commemorative Program in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to celebrating the holidays together, our support of each other and a better future are what strengthens the fabric of our community.
Looking ahead, we must continue to enhance and advance opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Join us in advocating for a 7.8% increase in provider rates to ensure fair wages for DSPs and non-executive staff while addressing inflation impacting essential services, including utilities, transportation, and insurance.
Together, we can make 2025 a year of progress, empowerment, and impact. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our mission.
Best regards, |
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| | | Another Year Begins for Citizens Options Unlimited
Members of community share their 2024 victories,
hopes for 2025 |
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| | The beginning of the year is often a time for listing goals, creating vision boards, and reflecting on the previous year.
For many members of our Citizens Options Unlimited community, this past year was filled with growth, self-discovery, accomplishments, volunteering, friendship, and positivity. |
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| In 2025, our community members look forward to continuing their volunteer work, jobs, and vocational opportunities, decorating their house, advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, maintaining positive relationships, enjoying day trips and vacations, and even taking it easy. |
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| | | Virtual Connections Hosts Holiday Concert |
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| On a chilly winter night, a Zoom meeting brought music and cheer to houses across Long Island and beyond as part of the Virtual Connections Holiday Concert, with family, friends, and staff members in attendance.
Twice a week, friends log onto Zoom to connect, talk, and sing as part of Virtual Connections. |
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| Attendees look forward to this online meetup, as it’s a chance to maintain friendships that blossomed online during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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| | | Celebrating the Holidays Together
2024 Holiday Round-Up |
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| The 2024 holiday season was filled with time-honored traditions and unexpected delights. A special thank you to the staff and families for creating these wonderful holiday memories.
Join us in looking back at just a few: |
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| Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule to pay a visit to the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) on Dec. 14 and the Helen Kaplan Center on Dec. 23.
Men and women shared their holiday wish list, gave Mr. Claus a handshake or a hug, and took pictures so that they would always remember these festive days. |
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| | | Meet the New Director of Residential Services,
Deanna Allen |
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| | Welcome Deanna Allen, Director of Residential Services at Citizens Options Unlimited. Deanna brings decades of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including her eight years as Director of Residential Services at AHRC Nassau.
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| “My first goal is to learn as much as I can about the people we support, about the houses themselves, about the people who work in them,” Deanna said. “Because the more I learn, the more I can support them.” |
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| | | Register for Camp Loyaltown 2025 |
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| | Camp Loyaltown, located in the Catskill Mountains, offers all-day activity stations where campers can enjoy arts and crafts, performing arts, animal therapy, games, sports, swimming, and a sensory room.
Campers experience cultures worldwide through our international counselors, who travel to Hunter, NY, on a J1 Exchange Visitor Visa to ensure campers have a safe, accessible, and fun summer camp experience.
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| | | Apply For the Blanche Fierstein Memorial Scholarship! |
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| Blanche Fierstein is remembered as an uncompromising leader whose ability to inspire others shaped the field of special education.
Seeking to celebrate these extraordinary contributions, AHRC Nassau awards the Blanche Fierstein Memorial Scholarship to an exceptional candidate pursuing an advanced degree in the field of special education each year and invites employees to apply.
Award: $5,000
To qualify, the candidate must be:
- Enrolled in college/university in Nassau County pursuing an advanced degree in special education OR
- An employee of AHRC Nassau who has been employed for a minimum of one (1) year and is pursuing an advanced degree in special education OR
- An AHRC Nassau Lifetime Member pursuing an advanced degree in special education (applicant does not need to be attending school in Nassau County)
Applications are due: April 1, 2025 |
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