From the Desk of the CEO

Dear Families and Friends,

I hope the holiday season left you energized for the many opportunities awaiting us in the new year. There’s much to be done and we’ve hit the ground running in 2024! 

AHRC Nassau had a strong presence at the 40th Annual Commemorative Program in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 15.  Hosted by The City of Glen Cove and Glen Cove City School District, members of our community marched, presented, engaged with community leaders, and collected food donations to benefit the local food pantry, Nosh Delivers! 

As you’ll see in this edition, the agency has been busy creating inclusive spaces that welcome people of all abilities – especially the people we serve to have fulfilling new experiences. This is only made possible through the thoughtful and consistent work of direct support professionals (DSPs).

To support our exceptional DSPs, we need to come together and urge state representatives to invest in the I/DD community. I, alongside many in our community, was disappointed by Gov. Hochul’s Executive Budget which allocated a 1.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment for disability funding. Right now, it’s critical that you show your support for a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and Direct Support Wage Enhancement at ahrc.org/advocate. Together, we must raise our voices – and ensure the urgent and immediate needs of our community are heard.

Your advocacy matters. Our current programs are the result of 75 years of advocacy, commitment, and vision for a more inclusive future. This diamond anniversary year, I invite you to become better acquainted with our history at ahrc.org/ourhistory and share memories with inspire@ahrc.org of the AHRC Nassau self-advocates, family members, and staff who’ve made an impact on your own personal history. Throughout 2024, we look forward to highlighting these stories as we continue to advance our mission.  

Thank you for being a part of our community and helping us fulfill the promise of those dedicated families and community members who came before us.

Best Regards,

Stanfort J. Perry

Commemorating the Legacy of Dr. King With a Day of Service

AHRC Nassau community members started the year on a positive note participating in the 40th Annual MLK Commission March and Commemorative Program organized by the City of Glen Cove and Glen Cove City School District. The event also serves as the launch of AHRC’s annual inclusive volunteering project successfully securing food donations to support over 60 families for three days.

Honoring the legacy of Dr. King through acts of service, this is the longest-running continuous MLK event of its kind in the nation. AHRC Nassau community members held the banner high and marched beside over a hundred community advocates from the First Baptist Church of Glen Cove to Wunsch Middle School where a program commemorating Dr. King was hosted by Sheryl Goodine, Mistress of Ceremonies.

The program included remarks from City of Glen Cove officials, Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck and Councilwoman Marsha Silverman, as well as citations presented to community leaders, including AHRC Nassau CEO and Planning Commission member Stanfort Perry.

From the podium, self-advocate Noah Probert, shared his experience and the need for increased inclusion. “Growing up with a disability, I had to face obstacles related to using a wheelchair. But I refused to let these obstacles define me,” said Noah, who finished his speech to a standing ovation.  “Together, we can turn Dr. King’s dream into a reality and make every day an MLK Day.”

The event also marked the start of AHRC Nassau’s inclusive volunteer project where agency and community volunteers through the Long Island Volunteer Center, unite to provide food assistance to the Long Island community. 43% of New York families experienced food hardship in 2022. In response, organizers encouraged attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to the event which they donated to Nosh Delivers!, a food pantry in Glen Cove.

The volunteer project is made possible through an inclusive volunteering grant by The Arc of the United States and AmeriCorps, the federal agency that leads the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, please visit ahrc.org/dream.

See the event images, here.

Join the Call for Increased Funding for Direct Support Professionals (DSP)

Gov. Hochul unveiled her FY 2025 Executive Budget, which included only 1.5% Cost-of-Living (COLA) adjustment and no mention of the Direct support Wage Enhancement for voluntary service providers like AHRC Nassau. Now is the time to urge state representatives to push for much-needed funding to bolster the wages of the essential direct care workforce. 

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) like Queens resident Craig White, are an essential lifeline for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He started as a DSP in 2021 and works in AHRC Nassau’s Cedar St. residence. 

Craig serves as a trusted support for Harrison “Harry” Bosnack, who benefits from residential and community-based services. Craig helps Harry with everything from shopping, medical appointment to teaching and reinforcing daily life skills like laundry and shaving.

Like many DSPs, Craig took on a second role to supplement his income. He understands the value of the work he does and the impact he has on people’s lives.

“There are unlimited roles for a DSP, but our priority is the residents. No matter what they need we take care of it before we do anything. We bathe them, help them dress, prepare their food, get them to program, it’s unlimited,” said Craig.

Show your support for a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) today at ahrc.org/advocate.

 We Care! Thousands Donated to Local Animal Welfare Nonprofit

Since August 2022, AHRC Day Habilitation Services team members partnered with Tender Loving Cats (TLC), an all-volunteer nonprofit cat rescue serving Nassau and Suffolk County. So far, men and women  supported through day services have raised close to $7,500 for the organization, averaging around $450 a month in donations through bottle recycling.

The money collected has been vital in covering medical emergencies, surgeries, and medications and supplies for healing cats.

“About 15 people a day participate in this. We had a visit with the cats right before the holidays and they enjoyed it so much,” said Susan Limiti, Day Services Activities Coordinator who schedules recycling pickups and drop-offs with day services sites. 

Day Service volunteers have pick-ups from three main drop-off sites in West Babylon, Dix Hills and East Islip as well as individual homes and businesses. From there, they redeem the NYS deposit bottles and cans and submit the funds to TLC. The volunteers enjoy recycling for its multiple benefits. They are reducing the accumulation of waste in the environment, generating funds to support a worthy cause and being active and relied upon in their community.

Supporting Recreational Activities in the Community With NYSARC Trust Services Grant

This past year was filled with exciting adventures and opportunities for people who benefit from our services. With the thoughtful care and assistance of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) the people we support have explored new hobbies, spent time with friends, and made countless memories in their community.

In 2023 people supported by residential and day services did everything from surfing the sandy beaches of Long Island to field trips to White Post Farms. 

They’ve explored the Cradle of Aviation Museum and learned about the deep history of air travel on Long Island, dating back to the 1800s. They let loose their creative side at Build-a-Bear and left smiling with new furry companions. Also, they worked on achieving wellness goals by taking fitness lessons and training on new equipment.  

So far, 475 adults have explored different passions with outings. This was all possible due to AHRC Nassau being awarded a $17,000 Recreation from NYSARC Trust Services.

Catch up on their adventures here.

Final Cheers for a Holly Jolly Holiday Season

The holidays are always filled with joy and activities for our community. From winter dances, dinners, and residential gatherings, members of the AHRC community had several opportunities to enjoy themselves, with family, friends and compassionate staff.

The bi-monthly recreational bowling events culminated with a final tournament where participants received cozy crocheted blanket gifts made by volunteer Sharon Lensky and a surprise visit from Santa.

At the second Annual Winter Formal Dance with the Farmingdale Senior High School SMILE Club, over 100 participants sang, danced, and created timeless memories with friends new and old. One attendee, Emily Storz, who receives community-based services shared why she never misses the chance to attend a dance.

For many, the holidays can bring an added level of stress and isolation. For these struggling families, we are grateful Marie Greco and Tina Munz and the entire Greco/Munz family for transforming their compassion into action for six local families. One such mom found the peace of the season in their generosity after losing her job. The family took her sons' wishes for learning toys, winter boots, and video controllers. Other families’ wishes included nail polish, Disney DVDs, new bedding and cozy socks.  The family shopped, wrapped and delivered over 100 gifts in time for Christmas morning. 

This generosity supported staff members as they made the holidays extra special for residents with festive parties at home and special trips to ride the Polar Express Train and dinners and shows in NYC. 

View the holiday highlights here.

Learning From Nature at Wheatley Farms & Arts Center

Care never stops, even on the coldest and wettest of days of the year! People supported through AHRC PWW day services have been busy taking care of the farm animals making sure they are warm and safe during these colder months. They continue to have weekly lessons that enhance and reinforce their farming skills. This month men and women are focusing on working with horses Mango and Belle to develop skills such as grooming, blanketing, and hoof care, with direct animal training following lessons. They have also been busy exploring the Brookville campus with lessons on how to connect with and appreciate nature with topics covering winter wildlife, gifts from nature, and patterns and textures in nature.

Catch up on Instagram @wheatleyfarmsarts

Become an AHRC Nassau Member Today!

Join us and add your voice to a coalition of purpose-driven advocates providing for Nassau County. 

By becoming a member of the AHRC family you’re contributing your voice to a community advocating for meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As a family-led organization, AHRC Nassau has cultivated an environment where parents, volunteers, and caring staff advocate to enrich the lives of people in their community.

Lifetime memberships are available. Annual memberships start at as little as $15. Make a difference and become a member now.

Session 4. Linguistic Competence
January 30, 2024| 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Register Here
This session will present: a) the NCCC’s definition of linguistic competence; b) differentiate language access and linguistic competence; c) review relevant laws and guidance; and d) examine what linguistic competence means in supports and services provided by The Arc New York. View the definition and framework on the NCCC website.

Session 5. Advancing Cultural and Linguistic Competence: The Role of Individual and Organizational Change Theories and Processes
February 13, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Register Here
This session will: 1) Present six individual and organizational change theories and processes. While developed in other fields, most of the elements of these change theories readily apply to advancing cultural and linguistic competence in organizations and systems supporting persons with lived experience of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their families, and the communities in which they live. 2) Introduce the concept and work of adaptive and technical challenges in leading the work of cultural and linguistic competence.

Valentine’s Day Specials at Wheatley Farms

Shop for Valentine’s favorites at Big Tree Greenhouse and Gifts. With the big day on the horizon, stock up on handmade soaps, rose ornaments and sentimental mugs for your special person. You can shop online here or come to the store located on AHRC Nassau’s campus at 189 Wheatley Rd. Brookville, NY.  
Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, Noon–6 p.m. or by appointment at (516) 423-5329.