| From the Desk of the CEO
Dear Citizens Options Unlimited Families and Friends,
The strength of our community is rooted in the unique energy of Citizens' self-advocates, families, and staff. Never are we more powerful than when we work together to advance our mission - to support people to live the lives they choose.
We had a tremendous turnout at this year's AHRC Foundation Walk, benefiting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across Long Island. Citizens' staff, families, and individual teams were well represented among the top fundraisers. Walk is one way to benefit the Foundation. As you think about your holiday giving, I also encourage you to become an AHRC Foundation Angel.
Such participation and advocacy are inspiring. As you'll see in this month's eNews, our community is oriented to promoting the individual goals of people supported, while also creating opportunities to explore new interests and forge new connections.
These opportunities are possible because of your continued advocacy. I encourage you to continue to share your support with local legislators for the inclusion of a 3.2% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and the passing of the Direct Support Wage Enhancement. Sharing your perspective is important as we seek further support across Nassau and Suffolk County.
Together, we can create a more equitable future for all. |
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| | | Five Citizens Teams Make Top Fundraisers at Annual AHRC Foundation Walk The Citizens Options Unlimited community joined with over 1,000 walkers to raise more than $100,000 for the AHRC Foundation Walk benefiting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on October 29. The event was DJed by John Ginther, who is supported by Citizens Self-Direction Services.
"My goal this year was to put Citizens on the map and create a movement," said Jerry Powers, Director of Residential Services, whose team, the Powers' Walkers, was Citizens top fundraising team raising nearly $10,000.
"For me, the Walk is a time where I get to see everyone I've known for the past 25 years, like the people I used to support when I was a house manager."
Citizens board members were also leading the fundraising teams. Top fundraiser for 2023 was board member, Michael Ross who raised over $5,100 for Team Rugby Road. His daughter, Sydney Ross, accepted the award from Tom Moore, AHRC Foundation Board Member. New Citizens’ Board Member Leng Lao, raised more than $2,500 in support of Team House 30 and her son, Tyler Lao. (Read more about Leng and Tyler’s story.)
First time and top family fundraiser Team Kevin Hoey was inspired by Kevin who lives in the Shoreham ICF. Spearheaded by his sister, Katherine Hoey, Team Kevin Hoey brought together friends and family of the extended Hoey family to raise $2,200. (Read more about Kevin’s story.) |
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| | Coming Home to Shoreham: A Journey Back From the ICU |
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| | After two months, 78 days to be exact, Kevin Hoey left Stony Brook Hospital on a cool, fall day in October. Fully recovered from pneumonia, he was off to a new group home.
"We support people in different ways that match their needs," Sally Burgess, Vice President of Operations at Citizens Options Unlimited, said.
"In our family of organizations, we not only transition children to adult [residential services] but also support people in ICFs with enhanced nursing and an on-site clinical team." |
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| To ensure his health and safety as he takes the first steps to recovery, Kevin was moved from Citizens' Medford group home to the Shoreham ICF.
He has a long road ahead of him, but with every twist and turn come happy surprises. Kevin was finally ready to go home but with a new skill: He learned to say "mama" at 24 years old. |
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| | Kirkland Residents Gives Back to Local Vets for Veterans Day |
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| | Kirkland residents decided to give back to their community this Veterans Day by connecting with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244. Together, they collected nonperishable food, toiletries, and clothes donations for homeless veterans across New York.
"The housemates are passionate about supporting our vets and made it their mission to give back to their local community," Amanda Legros, House Manager at Kirkland, said. |
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| Kirkland’s actions gained the support residents from Ontario and Seaford homes. Generous contributions soon followed from the staff at Citizens' Plainview office, underscoring the widespread support for the initiative. Respite Moments: Connecting Through Games |
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| Little moments can make for big change! While playing games can seem like just a fun activity, play is central to the development of fundamental social, emotional, and physical skills. Playing games also brings people supported at Saturday Respite out of their shell and past their comfort zone. Saturday Respite is led by Chantal Joseph, Respite Supervisor of the Respite Program.
People with I/DDs, like autism spectrum disorder, often have difficulty interacting with the world around them. |
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| Little moments can make for big change! While playing games can seem like just a fun activity, play is central to the development of fundamental social, emotional, and physical skills. Playing games also brings people supported at Saturday Respite out of their shell and past their comfort zone. Saturday Respite is led by Chantal Joseph, Respite Supervisor of the Respite Program.
People with I/DDs, like autism spectrum disorder, often have difficulty interacting with the world around them. |
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| Giving Thanks and Maintaining Relationships |
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| | From the Shinnecock Powwow out east to pumpkin and apple picking upstate, Citizens is "falling" for the autumn season across New York. Check out some of our latest travels and find the rest on Facebook |
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| | Lake Grove Residents Bike for Autism |
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| | Last month, some of the housemates from Lake Grove, including Anthony Carbone, did a 20-mile bike ride as part of Bike to the Beach New York Ride for Autism. The national event raises funds and awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
They were supported by the Lake Grove DSPs who biked alongside them.
Congratulations on this huge accomplishment! |
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| New Agency Board Member Elected: Meet Leng Lao |
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| Please join us in welcoming Leng Lao, the newest member of the Board of Directors of Citizens Options Unlimited. The board advances Citizen’s mission through oversight of the agency’s governance work on behalf of children and adults with an I/DD.
Leng has been an active member of the Camp Loyaltown Committee since 2018 and her son, Tyler Lao, attends school our affiliate agency, Brookville Center for Children’s Services (BCCS). |
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| Lao is the current Head of Learning for Global Markets and Securities Services and Head of Learning & Development for IB Analysts & Associates. We look forward to her bringing to the board her 25+ years of professional insight in the financial services industry and value her continued contribution to our agency. Self-Advocates Rally for Disability and Human Rights |
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| | Self-advocates across our agency came together for a Rights Rally on November 2. The Rights Rally is an interactive way for people supported by our agency to learn about human and disability rights like safety, choice, and privacy.
At the event, attendees got to listen to motivational speakers, play games, and walk around to educational booths. |
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| Donations Matched Until December 1st
Join our Angels Will you join us in becoming 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 $400,000 to Citizens Options Unlimited, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services in: |
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| · Residential care
· Recreational activities
· Self-Direction
· Family Support Services (FSS)
· Respite, including Camp Loyaltown |
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| 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. Click here to make a gift. Upcoming Events & Announcements |
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| Interested in volunteering with us?
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/event tabling and set-up, and HR/administration work.
Or simply join us for some fun at day services, respite, and group homes! |
| We'd love to hear from you!
Starting in 2024, we are so excited to announce that Citizens Sibling Group is returning, open to all siblings of those supported by our agency. This group is a place to learn from one another and share stories about being the sibling of someone with an I/DD and share suggestions on how you support your brother or sister.
The way to make this group as beneficial as possible is to use feedback provided by those that use the group. Please take a moment to share topics you are interested in learning more about. |
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