Dear Families and Friends,

Celebrating the contributions of our community can be one of the most powerful forms of advocacy—and this month there is much to celebrate.

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we celebrate and honor the many people with disabilities in our workforce. Their dedication and work strengthen our businesses and organizations, enriching our shared workplaces every day.

We recognize graduates of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) E-Badge Academy. This month, Frontline Supervisors and DSPs completed a certification program demonstrating their expertise and commitment to direct care. Their work goes to the heart of what makes Citizens a best-in-class agency.

Looking ahead, teams across our family of organizations are getting ready for the AHRC Foundation Walk, on Sunday, November 2, at Eisenhower Park. This annual event is one of the largest on Long Island, raising funds to benefit children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s not too late to get involved. Start a team, join a team, or simply donate today.

Sharing your support of our work with the people in your life or over social media helps bring attention to disability services on Long Island. It’s important we continue to build awareness and understanding, especially with elected officials. Please visit our Advocacy Center to share your voice and support.  

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

Best regards,

Stanfort J. Perry 

Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) Hosts a Petting Zoo in the Sensory Garden

While Daffy the Donkey spent time exploring the Sensory Garden, friendly bunnies, chickens, goats, and other farm animals visited the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) for an afternoon with people supported on Sunday, September 21.

This was the second visit from the Long Island Pony Parties & Petting Zoo. Everyone loves spending time with the animals and asking questions about their lives and care.

 “Vince Marino loves bunnies, and he kept asking if he could keep one and then he was very concerned about where the bunny’s mom and dad were,” said Danielle Bermudez, a Human Resources Generalist at the Shoreham ICF. “The caretakers let him know that the bunnies were very well taken care of and not to worry about the mom and the dad.”

Robyn Lipschitz, Helping Students Learn and Grow

Whether she’s handing out snacks, helping with art projects, or keeping a watchful eye during recess, Robyn Lipschitz brings enthusiasm and heart to every day at the Friedberg JCC’s After School program.

Robyn, who resides at the West Seamans Neck Road residence, works as an After Care Counselor for preschoolers, a job where no two days are ever the same.

“They like the crackers,” said Robyn. “We only have two different snacks every day, but they try to get me to give them more.”

Robyn truly enjoys her job. “They’re adorable,” she said, adding that she appreciates being a positive presence in the preschooler’s lives. 

Leng and Tyler Lao Prepare to Walk

Team GO TY TY! Fundraises for a Great Cause

On Sunday, Nov. 2, Leng Lao, a member of the Citizens Options Unlimited Board of Directors, and her son Tyler, will be taking a brisk walk at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, joining a community of self-advocates, families, supporters, and staff all united in supporting the AHRC Foundation. 

The annual AHRC Foundation Walk brings together partner organizations Citizens Options Unlimited, AHRC Nassau, Brookville Center for Children’s Services (BCCS), and members of the Long Island intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community to walk side by side and raise funds that advance health, education, employment, respite, and recreation.

Leng and Tyler enjoy fundraising for their team GO TY TY! and walking for the AHRC Foundation because of the impact it has had on their family. So far, their team has raised over $2,000!

New Beginnings Start at the Helen Kaplan Center

Spencer Aronson, Joey Telson, and Wilhelmina Waldinger made a difference this year sharing their time and volunteering to support young mothers, infants and adoptable shelter pets.

Throughout the year, the entire Helen Kaplan community collected blankets, towels, and newborn supplies. Once enough had been gathered, drop offs were scheduled at various locations with Spencer, Joey, and Wilhelmina being a part of the packing and delivery.   

Wilhelmina visited the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter in Syosset to drop off blankets and towels. As an avid animal lover, she enjoyed spending time with the animals, giving them her love, care and attention.

Spencer and Joey visited MOMMAS House in Levittown, a non-profit which supports young mothers and their children, delivering newborn supplies, including bottles, diapers and toys. The moms thanked Joey and Spencer and welcomed them in for a friendly visit.

Congrats to the NADSP E-Badge Academy Graduates 

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Frontline Supervisors (FLS) were recognized for achieving National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Certification – a national standard that reflects their commitment to excellence, ethics, and person-centered support.  

To the tune of Pomp and Circumstance, newly certified employees made their way down the aisle, cheered on by family members, coworkers and agency leadership who were there to celebrate this achievement.  

 “This program is not easy,” said Stanfort Perry, CEO, in an address to the graduates “It is rigorous by design. It’s meant to challenge you, to grow you and to raise the standard of professional direct support. It demands your time, your self-reflection, your determination, and through it all, you persevered.”

Among the graduates were Lisa Drake, Shoreham ICF Assistant House Manager, and Sabrina Cenite, Shoreham ICF DSP. Sabrina likes to write, and she enjoyed submitting the testimonials. And Lisa said she learned a lot through this process. 

Vote for the Shoreham ICF’s SpongeBob-Inspired Scarecrow Display

Vote for Shoreham’s scarecrows on display at The Shoppes at East Wind through Sunday, Oct. 26! Winners will be announced Wednesday, October 29.

For the contest, housemates and staff at the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) teamed up to create colorful scarecrows inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants. 

Each house combined creativity and craftmanship to bring characters to life - SpongeBob (Magnolia House), Patrick (Arbor House), Squidward (Rosewood House), and Mr. Krabs (Gardenview House).

Go Shoreham—your scarecrows are sure to bring smiles to many!

Citizens Options Unlimited Office is Halloween-Ready!

Now that it’s October, the Citizens Options Unlimited office needed to get into the Halloween spirit with some haunting decorations! Thankfully, Peter Hadfield, a Maintenance Assistant at the Plainview office and Camp Loyaltown Camper, was on hand to decorate!

Peter hung scary ghosts from the ceiling, placed jack-o’-lanterns, black cats, and skulls on the file cabinets, and pinned fun pictures and drawings to the wall.

Thank you, Peter, for bringing Halloween joy to our office!

Wheatley Farms Catering

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.

Wheatley Farms Merch Drop: It's Fall Y'all!

Upcoming Events

Walk: Sunday, Nov. 2

This fall, the Citizens community will be getting their walking shoes ready to walk for a great cause! 

Every year, fundraising teams raise money ahead of the big day at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, and all the funds are donated to the AHRC Foundation.