From the Desk of the CEO

Dear Citizens Options Unlimited Families and Friends,

With the holiday season here, it’s time to celebrate and reflect on all the good work that has been accomplished in 2023 at Citizens.

The agency’s continued growth, excellence and advocacy reflect our commitment to our mission and each other. We were proud to expand our services with two new group homes in Medford and Bayshore as well as two new respite locations in Plainview and Wantagh.

After a couple of years of post-Covid precautions, Camp Loyaltown is back at full capacity and looks forward to welcoming over 650 campers this upcoming summer. Applications for Camp Loyaltown Summer 2024 will be accepted starting December 18th at 9 am EST.

Across our services, staff and people supported continue to come together to ensure the holiday season shines bright for all. Several food donations were made to community organizations addressing food insecurity. Now is also an excellent time to be a part of the AHRC Foundation’s Angel Mailing Campaign.

I strongly encourage you to share your support with local legislators for the inclusion of a 3.2% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and the passing of the DSP Wage Enhancement. Sharing your perspective is important as we seek further support across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

I look forward to working together to create new opportunities for our shared community. 

See you all in the new year and happy holidays!

Best Regards,

Stanfort J. Perry | CEO

It’s a Holiday Affair: Winter Photo Gallery

As we enter the holiday season, let’s check out what people supported by Citizens Options Unlimited are up to!

Inclusive Agency Volunteer Group Make Food Baskets for the Holiday Season

An inclusive group of volunteers from Citizens Options Unlimited got together this holiday season to create and deliver food baskets to local families facing food insecurity.

This community-wide effort was through the Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service Grants awarded to our sister agency AHRC Nassau by The Arc of the United States.

This grant encourages people to make a long-term commitment to community service and to bring people together to focus on service to others.

“So many hands went into the efforts of these baskets,” Jerri Walker, Project Coordinator and Volunteer at Citizens Options Unlimited and AHRC Nassau, said. “People of all abilities put in work to ensure these baskets were created and delivered.”

Another initiative of the grant is to work with community partners and create inclusive volunteering opportunities for people with and without disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Baskets were created by volunteers, like April Kloepfer, and delivered by AHRC Nassau Day Hab Services, including Mikey Sue from Citizens’ Manhasset group home. The baskets were filled with food for the holiday season and gift cards from Stop & Shop.

“I really loved volunteering because it helps people who are less fortunate and it is rewarding to give back to my community,” April Kloepfer said.

Camp Loyaltown Applications Open December 18th

We are excited to announce that our Summer 2024 Camp Loyaltown application will be available on CampDoc on December 18, 2023, at 9 am. Sessions will run from June 16th until September 6th. Keep an eye on your email inbox for upcoming information!

For those who would like assistance completing the application, we welcome you to our Plainview Office on December 21, 2023. Please call (516)-293-2016, ext. 5165, to register for an appointment.

How I Self-Direct:

Meet John “DJ Jumpin’ Johnny G” Ginther

John Ginther, also known as DJ Jumpin’ Johnny G, 32, has been DJing since he was sixteen years old. Supported by Citizens Options Unlimited Self-Direction Services, John is well known throughout our community as the “Unofficial DJ of Citizens.”

“I’m self-taught. I learned through trial and error,” John said. “Music is my main passion.”

John’s favorite genres are dance and pop music from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and today. When he’s not DJing a set, John likes to attend concerts and festivals with his family, friends, and community habilitation direct support professionals (DSPs).

“Me, his father, and him all chipped in for his first DJ set,” Denise Ginther, John’s mother, recalled.

Not only is John passionate about music, he is also an active member of the LGBTQ+ community. He recently started a Facebook group for Long Islanders who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as have an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD).

Ali Carbone, Sibling Advocate and Author Interviewed by Global Autism Project

Readers can look forward to a second book from Brooklyn-based author Ali Carbone. Ali is the big sister of Michael Carbone, Anthony Carbone, and Luke Carbone who are residents of Citizens Options Unlimited group homes. 

Ali was recently interviewed on Autism Knows No Borders podcast by the Global Autism Project to discuss the success of her latest memoir, “What Are You Looking At?” as well as hint towards a sequel.

Volunteers Needed This Holiday Season

GIVE BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:

Our volunteers are a fundamental part of Citizens Options Unlimited. It is with their dedication, passion, and commitment that we are able to fulfill our mission.

We have tons of opportunities available for volunteers interested in different activities like recreational activities and outings, community classes at Wheatley Farms & Art Center, outdoor clean-ups, fairs and event tabling and set-up, and HR/administration work.

Or simply join us for some fun at day services, respite, and group homes!

Learn more at 

www.citizens-inc.org/volunteer 

Managed Care Survey is Now Open!

Open now through January 3, 2024 

As part of The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities' (OPWDD) examination of managed care, Guidehouse, Inc. has a survey available to hear from people with developmental disabilities, their family members, and service providers about their perspectives on managed care and OPWDD supports and services.

Guidehouse will use these results in preparing its final report, which will be released in the Spring of 2024. This report will help OPWDD to better meet people's needs by understanding what benefits and services people want.

We invite you to take the online managed care survey below.

Upcoming Sibling Holiday Party

Calling all siblings!

We welcome you to join us December 14 for the annual sibling holiday party in the ballroom of the Brookville mansion.

Members of the sibling group come together every few months to discuss their struggles and successes as caretakers, guardians, and siblings to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

In 2024, the Citizens Sibling Group will start hosting meeting for siblings of those supported by our agency. This is a place to learn from one another and share stories of how you support your sibling. This is a unique opportunity to have continued connection and support from siblings of all ages. We encourage you to participate.

We’d love to hear from you! The way to make this group as beneficial as possible is to bring questions, concerns, and opportunities for celebration to share with the group. Please take a moment to fill out this survey and share some topics you are interested in learning more about.

Donate Now!

It's Not Too Late to Become an Angel

Fostering growth, independence, self-determination, and happiness in children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities advances our mission. 

Over the past five years, AHRC Foundation has granted over $500,000 to Citizens Options Unlimited, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services in residential care, recreational activities, Self-Direction, Family Support Services (FSS) and respite, including Camp Loyaltown.

Consider contributing an end of year gift with an amount you consider personally generous. AHRC Foundation has pledged to match all new contributions made to its Angel Campaign, up to $25,000. By making a gift today, you can be part of increasing the Foundation's annual gift to Citizens.