| From the Desk of the CEO
Dear Families and Friends,
The first snowflakes fell on Long Island, this week, and Thanksgiving is about two weeks away. The holidays are truly upon us, as are staff grateful gatherings and our upcoming Membership Meeting on Nov. 24. I look forward to reconnecting with the AHRC community and celebrating with gratitude all we’ve accomplished together.
Everything we do to advance our mission, we do for each other. I want to highlight the extraordinary courage and bravery of Jerri Walker, Volunteer Coordinator, and Krystie Damsker, Assistant Manager at the Bethpage Hubsite. In this eNews, you’ll find the remarkable story of how Jerri donated her kidney for her coworker and friend of over twenty years and how Krystie worked through major health challenges while staying committed to hands-on care.
This is the most powerful form of advocacy—the friendships and connections we build in community offer the greatest hope in the face of real challenges. Thank you to everyone who came out for the 2025 AHRC Foundation Walk. Together, we raised over $95,000 for the AHRC Foundation to help bridge financial gaps and sustain essential services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Your participation and advocacy matters. Especially now, as federal issues like SNAP and Medicaid cuts threaten to impact our community. I invite you to visit our Advocacy Center and speak up to ensure that New York State does not cut disability services to offset these federal reductions. If you’re interested in becoming a stronger advocate, I invite you to sign up for our upcoming Advocacy Workshop on Jan. 10.
Thank you for being a part of our community and for dedicating your time, talent, and support to AHRC Nassau.
Best regards,
|
|
|---|
| | | An AHRC Foundation Walk Success |
|
|---|
| | On Sunday, November 2, the AHRC Nassau community joined over 1,100 walkers for the 44th annual AHRC Foundation Walk, raising over $95,000 in support of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on Long Island. |
|
|---|
| This year’s Walk comes at a critical time, as disability services face ongoing challenges from cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs. Together, nearly 100 teams stepped forward to raise awareness and champion inclusion and opportunity for children and adults with IDD.
The Walk’s top fundraising team was Team Amanda 2025, led by Team Captain Karen Broderick Anci, who raised $13,205 in support of Amanda Broderick. Amanda’s family and friends walked in celebration of the wonderful year Amanda had and the importance of enhancing disability services now and in the future.
“Thank you all for being here,” Karen said from the podium. “As always, I’m joined by my fantastic family—all here to remind us that none of these girls, none of these people, nobody supported by this organization walks alone.” |
|
|---|
| | | AHRC Nassau Launches New York State’s Only High School DSP Pipeline Program with $80K Grant |
|
|---|
| | AHRC Nassau has officially launched an innovative high school pipeline program to grow the next generation of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), thanks to an $80,000 work-based learning grant from the Bellmore-Merrick School District, who designated funding through New York State’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
This is the only high school-to-DSP pipeline curriculum of its kind in New York State, offering students a structured 12-month path with hands-on experience, formal training, and direct mentorship in the field of disability services.
The program was developed over the course of five years by Bridget Cariello, Assistant Director, Project Development, and Laura Franzen, Human Resources Assistant Director for Employee Services. It was created in partnership with the Bellmore-Merrick School District and includes a full DSP curriculum created in collaboration with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). |
|
|---|
| | | The Gift of Life: Kidney Donation Connects AHRC Friends Krystie Damsker and Jerri Walker |
|
|---|
| | With a catheter strapped to her chest, Krystie Damsker would smile, give high fives, and finish paperwork as Assistant Manager at AHRC Nassau’s Bethpage day services site.
Supporting people with developmental disabilities was the work she’d loved for over 20 years, her “calling,” and where she’d met some of her closest friends. It was also where she experienced kidney failure twice, endured dialysis, and ultimately was matched with a lifesaving kidney thanks to her friend and co-worker Jerri Walker, Volunteer and Project Coordinator.
A year after her transplant, Krystie shared her story during a lunch break, speaking from her car outside the hubsite. As she spoke, people she supports would occasionally tap on her windows or wave hello. At one point, a person called from vacation from Texas, just to catch up—a testament to the deep relationships she’s built. |
|
|---|
| | | Volunteer Spotlight: Robyn Semilof Leads Engaging Book Club at Wheatley Farms |
|
|---|
| Thursday is Book Club at Wheatley Farms & Arts Center. For more than two years, Robyn Semilof, a parent advocate and longtime volunteer, has shared her love of reading and built a morning group people look forward to attending each week. |
| |
|---|
| Thanks to Robyn’s care and interest in keeping the reading fresh, members discover new ideas in a welcoming group, where people get to know each other and notice when someone isn’t attending that day.
The group’s friendly focus is a testament to Robin, who started the book club in September 2023 to deepen her connection to the community, as her son, Miles, nears graduation at sister agency, Brookville Center for Children’s Services.
“One day, Miles is going to be in a position where he’s going to be doing some sort of day activity and I wanted to get involved in any aspect of what he may be doing,” Robyn said. “Also, I think what we do here is nice and I would like him to have nice things to do, always.” |
|
|---|
| | | | A gift to the AHRC Foundation creates access and opportunities for over 4,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities across Long Island.
Your gift, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated. |
| |
|---|
| The AHRC Foundation is proud to announce that a generous anonymous donor has once again pledged to match up to $20,000 of Angel gifts received between October 1 and #GivingTuesday-December 2. Become an Angel and double your impact today! |
|
|---|
| | Halloween Parties Planned With Spirit and Style |
|
|---|
| Creativity and opportunities for celebration were in full swing at AHRC Nassau this Halloween as people took the lead in planning events that reflected their creativity, friendship, and sense of fun. Check out these two standout stories: |
|
|---|
| Coleen Mackin Brings “Rockin’ Fun” to Brookville Mansion With Halloween Concert |
|
|---|
| | Music, friendship, and cheers filled the Brookville mansion ballroom on October 28 as Coleen Mackin, singer/songwriter, self-advocate, and Quality Assurance Trainer, hosted a lively Halloween concert and costume contest. |
|
|---|
| Evers Street Halloween Party Brings Ghoulish Good Time |
|
|---|
| The idea for an Evers St. Halloween party on Friday Oct. 24 came from Kerri Ann O’Brien, Joann Cieslik, Ann Berris, and Sharon Breen, who wanted to celebrate at home with their friends. |
| |
|---|
| | Moracia Ridge, House Manager, Enlists Community to Support Hurricane Relief in Jamaica |
|
|---|
| Hurricane Melissa has had a devastating impact on the island of Jamaica and AHRC community members with ties to the island mobilized to help. Moracia Ridge, a House Manager at Hicks Place, has been with the agency for 21 years and tapped into her community to take it one step further. |
| |
|---|
| “I want to give back. We’ve purchased food to have it shipped there. I’m going to hand out whatever I can, as much as I’m able to,” Moracia said.
Since the majority of the island is still without power, accessing the basics such as fresh food and canned goods has been difficult for many people. Through donations from coworkers, family, and friends, Moracia purchased enough food to create 50 bags of non-perishable items to send back to her home country.
Moracia stocked up on canned milk, fish, rice, oatmeal, and cornmeal, knowing these necessities would be well appreciated. |
| |
|---|
| On an upcoming trip originally planned as a birthday celebration in her home Parish of Saint Catherine, Moracia will be visiting parts of Montego Bay, Kingston Parish, and Saint James Parish. She and her husband will distribute the bags and share kindness and hope in the areas most affected.
According to Moracia, the devastation has caused disruption throughout the island. As grocery stores sell out, “the need for food is constant,” Moracia said, adding that anything people can do to help is well appreciated.
You can help support hurricane relief in Jamaica by visiting, UNICEF USA. |
|
|---|
| | Notice of Meeting:
Annual Meeting of the Membership to Elect Officers and Directors
Monday, November 24, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
Location: AHRC Nassau / Brookville Mansion
189 Wheatley Road
Brookville, NY 11545
Or attend the Meeting via Zoom
(Registration is required. Please RSVP by 11/17/2025)
Light refreshments will be served
Meeting begins promptly at 6:00pm
For more information contact Seon Bailey at ext. 1105 or sebailey@ahrc.org |
|
|---|
| | Shop Big Tree Greenhouse & Gifts |
|
|---|
| | Big Tree Greenhouse & Gifts Hours
Big Tree Greenhouse & Gifts will be open 4 days per week for you to find fun fall favorites like mums, mugs, and iced coffee cups! Shop holiday plants and décor today!
Every purchase supports vocational training and employment for people with developmental disabilities.
Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 10am - 2pm
Or by appointment - call (516) 423-5329 |
|
|---|
| | | | Wheatley Farms Catering offers delicious weekly specials! Local to Long Island? Give us a try!
Catering options also available. The Mansion at Wheatley Farms offers high-quality, personalized services for all your catering needs. Situated on a beautiful and pristine 20-acre estate in Brookville, NY, the Mansion at Wheatley Farms offers a timeless setting with modern dishes for any celebration, big or small! |
|
|---|
| At Wheatley Farms, we are dedicated to inclusivity. We take pride in providing employment opportunities for people of all abilities. We empower people to gain valuable skills in the culinary arts, fostering independence and self-confidence. |
| |
|---|
| | | | Inform Me Series: Health Care Decisions for End of Life & Laws Surrounding It
This presentation will focus on healthcare decisions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) discussing New York State’s Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA). Registration Required.
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 | 6 pm – 7 pm | Virtual (Zoom) |
|
|---|
| | Sibling Holiday Dinner
Join us We would like to welcome all siblings to our Siblings' Holiday Dinner! Join us for a heartwarming evening of fun, connection and cheers this holiday season. For details, contact Colleen Tapia, Administrator Compass, QI.
December 18, 2025 | 6 pm – 7:30 pm | Brookville Mansion,
189 Wheatley Road, Brookville, NY |
|
|---|
| |
|
|
