From the Desk of the CEO 

Dear Families and Community Members, 

It's hard to believe we're nearly halfway through the year. However, many milestones have already been accomplished by the people we serve, families, and the staff who support them. 

This month, state auditors again validated Citizens as a Compass agency following three days of person-centered meetings, activities, and events. Our community connected with auditors on our quality supports and services. I’m pleased to share that Citizens is once again one of four agencies in New York State with this accreditation.

Citizens also continues to meet the standards and rigorous review needed to maintain CQL Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction. CQL interviewers visited in February to assess our progress as part of maintenance for the four-year accreditation. Recently, we received the report that Citizens was commended for person-centered and data-informed decision-making.  

Such success is possible because of the strong connections within our community and the continued activity advancing our mission. There is so much to look forward to, from Shoreham in Suffolk County all the way to Camp Loyaltown in the Catskills. All these opportunities to create lasting memories, friendships and growth will continue to make our community stronger.

Best Regards,

Stanfort J. Perry
Chief Executive Officer

Dancing the Night Away at Shoreham

Music, singing, and laughter could be heard from outside the Rosewood Building at the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF).

In groups, residents and staff members joined the party, entering through door streamers. The party, which featured classic pop hits and karaoke, went from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The party is a chance for everyone to let loose and dance with each other, or to just relax, listen to music and watch the fun. The party is adaptive and inclusive, allowing everyone to express themselves within their comfort levels.

“It’s fun,” Maura Boden, Program Coordinator, said. “We’re just hanging out and having fun, and dancing, and singing, and karaoke.” 

Some guests started off feeling shy, sitting on the sidelines, and watching. But with the encouragement of fellow guests, as well as the positive spirit of Maura, they joined the dancing.

More Happenings at the Shoreham ICF

Recently, residents of the Shoreham ICF cheered on the local Shoreham-Wading River High School JV Baseball team.

The Shoreham community was warm and welcoming to the residents, as everyone in the crowd rooted for the local team. A team dad even offered to help the residents get on the field, which has some tougher terrain, and some lacrosse players who were walking by stopped by to say hello.

“That was the first time we went there,” Program Coordinator Maura Boden said. “It was amazing.”

Residents have also sold flowers and handmade buttons at local lacrosse games and dropped off donations collected by staff member at the local post office for Operation Gratitude, which proudly delivers care packages to deployed troops, military children, recruit graduates, veterans, and first responders.

There are many more plans in store to show the community the kindness, compassion, and love of the Shoreham ICF residents, families, and staff.

Employee Spotlight: Tamara Morales

It’s been approximately seven months since Tamara Morales, a resident of Citizens’ Bayshore home, started working as an office clerk in the Learning & Professional Development Department of AHRC Nassau in Plainview.  

“I do paperwork,” Tamara explained. “I do Relias trainings. Sometimes I work with the nurses, if they have any work or anything that needs to be done. I just help them.”

Tamara said she enjoys working in the office, and all the opportunities the position offers to learn.

Over her time here, Tamara built rapport with her fellow coworkers in the building.

“It’s a different scenery,” Tamara said. “It’s something different.”

Jamie and Lizzie cheer on the Ducks and the Mets!

Jamie Allen and Lizzie Grogan, avid baseball fans, traveled from their home in Syosset to attend the Long Island Ducks and New York Mets games in late April.

Lizzie played baseball in high school, and Jamie used to watch baseball with her grandfather. They had a great time watching the game, enjoying the music, and cheering and chanting with the energetic crowds.

Citizens Options Unlimited Nurses Recognized with Celebratory Luncheon as Part of National Nurses Week

Nurses from Citizens Options Unlimited were treated to a luncheon, catered by Wheatley Farms, on May 2 to honor their talent, hard work, and invaluable service to the people we serve.

“In case you don’t know, you all rock,” said Vice President of Operations Sallyanne Burgess. “Nurses are the heart and soul of everything we do. You keep people safe; you make judgment calls. You take phone calls at 3 o’clock in the morning. You save people’s lives every single day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do. We love our nurses at Citizens.”

The luncheon was held as part of National Nurses Week, a time to honor and show appreciation for nurses all around the country. The luncheon, along with the gift of a baseball cap with the slogan “Nurse Strong,” were just two ways Citizens Options Unlimited showed their appreciation for the amazing nurses who keep people healthy and safe.

#CountdownToCamp

What’s happening at Camp Loyaltown

In just a short couple of weeks, our first campers from Session 1 will be arriving at our beautiful Camp Loyaltown in Hunter, NY.

We are especially excited as this year we are celebrating our 50^th year in welcoming children and adults with developmental disabilities to experience all that Camp Loyaltown has to offer! In the meantime, more and more counselors, nurses, and administrators are arriving each day to prepare for Camp Loyaltown Day One. There’s so much to do, from work around the camp to training.   

In addition to preparing for the camp, our counselors, who travel from all around the world, enjoy various foods and activities as part of a Cultural Exchange, a vital part of their J-1 Visa, Exchange Visitor Program.

Some of the activities include Fried Food Night, Board Game Night, and local shopping experiences.

Haven’t signed up for Camp yet? Here’s your chance to sign up before the season begins:

Open slots:
Session 1: June 16 – June 30 (Ages 18+)

Session 5A: Aug. 11 – Aug. 18 (Ages 4-17)

Session 6B: Sept. 1 – Sept. 8 (Ages 18+)

To register, visit our Camp Doc page, or email camp@citizens-inc.org if you have any further questions.