From the Desk of the CEO

Dear Families and Friends,

Summer is here, which means Camp Loyaltown is officially open and welcoming hundreds of campers and counselors from around the world. This year marks Camp’s 50^th anniversary. Camp’s history of bringing joy and new experiences was recently recognized at the AHRC Foundation Rose Ball, where Linda Abramson Raff, President of Camp Loyaltown Inc., was honored with its Leadership Award.

The continuity of Citizens’ services and vision is inspiring, bringing our community together in new and meaningful ways. This month, the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) held a Day of Belonging, reflecting on renewal, belonging and acceptance. It was wonderful to connect as a community, drawing strength from one another while also setting our sights on a better tomorrow.

Thank you for being a part of our community and continuing to advance our shared mission.

Best regards,

Stanfort J. Perry 
Chief Executive Officer 

An Afternoon of Remembrance, Respect, and Renewal

Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) hosts a Day of Belonging

On June 18, a Day of Belonging was held at the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) with over 60 people in attendance under sunny skies. This event was months in the making, embodying the themes of remembrance, respect, and renewal.

The event began with a gathering in the sensory garden, where attendees decorated rocks with messages of kindness and hope. There, they listened to inspiring words of inclusion, acceptance, and reflection from staff, administrators, and community members.

The Day of Belonging honored the legacy of Shayna Staton, a dedicated Residential Manager, and Brian Mason, a beloved resident of the Rosewood Building, and all people we have lost over the past two years. All have left a lasting impact on the ICF community with their lessons of gentleness, acceptance, loyalty, and love.

Samuel Morales Experiences the Joy of Volunteering

Residents and Staff of the Red Spring House supports the Glen Cove community through church, hospital partnership

Recently, residents and staff of the Citizens Options Unlimited Red Spring Lane Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) began working in partnership with the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Glen Cove.

One evening, during a food distribution, Red Spring Lane House Manager Christine Basile called out to all the volunteers to see if anyone could provide translation in Spanish, as two-thirds of the families served by the pantry were Spanish speakers. All of a sudden she heard a soft voice.

It was the voice of Red Spring Lane resident Samuel Morales, a quiet and reserved young man. Throughout the rest of the evening, Samuel continued to provide translation, making the process of providing food to the families who rely on the food pantry more efficient.

“I just said, ‘Does anyone know how to say 10 in Spanish?’ and then Samuel just said it,” Christine said, describing how the pantry was using a number system to distribute food. “So, he was calling the numbers in Spanish, and I was just in awe. He filled the bags with food and handed them out.”

Farm Animal Encounter At Helen Kaplan Center
All-around sensory experience for residents: Animal therapy, essential oils, snow cones, music and more! 

Citizens Options Unlimited’s Helen Kaplan Center Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) kept the Memorial Day festivities going on Tuesday, May 28, with plenty of outdoor activities for residents, staff, and families to enjoy.

At 11 a.m., residents and staff began venturing outside to join the party, which included an all-around sensory experience with a petting zoo brought by Long Island Pony Parties and Petting Zoo, jams by Paulie B Acoustic, complimentary snow cones and cotton candy, and a Mental Health Awareness Month table with essential oils, sensory toys, and educational materials about mental health. 

Sensory experiences like these are vital in terms of providing fulfilling and enriching experiences for the residents at Helen Kaplan Center, which serves 56 people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) who are medically frail and require 24-7 supports. 

At the petting zoo, residents sat underneath tents to protect them from the warm sun, as animal handlers from the petting zoo brought the silkie chickens, a Gold Laced Polish Chicken, goats, bunnies, sheep, and Daffy the Donkey, to the residents and staff, who got to feed and pet their new fuzzy friends.

Camp Loyaltown Session 1 Starts A Wonderful Summer Season

It was a bittersweet Father’s Day afternoon at the Children’s Education Center building in Brookville, as families and campers said goodbye for now, and boarded a bus headed for Camp Loyaltown in Hunter, New York.

Everyone has been waiting for this day, as camp is always a time to experience new activities, meet new friends, and make new memories.

AHRC Rose Ball Recognizes 50^th Anniversary of Camp Loyaltown; Honors Linda Raff, President of Camp Loyaltown Inc., With Leadership Award

The AHRC Foundation Rose Ball recognized 50 years of Camp Loyaltown and awarded Camp Loyaltown Inc. President Linda Raff with the Leadership Award.

For five decades, Camp Loyaltown has changed the lives of everyone who has ventured onto the scenic grounds of Hunter, New York, offering lifelong friendships and adventures.

Under Linda’s leadership, the board established a scholarship to fund campers whose families needed financial assistance. It’s a callback to the original mission of the camp to provide experiences in nature for children who may not have otherwise had the opportunity.

“It’s been my honor to be associated with Camp Loyaltown over the years,” Linda said. “It is a testament to all those who have been a part of the camp’s history that Camp Loyaltown is still thriving and continues, through the auspices of Citizens Options Unlimited and AHRC Nassau, to offer a unique camping experience for those who may otherwise not have such an opportunity.”