JULY

2024

Dear Staff,

We hope that your summer is off to a great start! July is Disability Pride Month, which gives us the opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, struggles and strengths of the disability community. Disability Pride Month was first celebrated in 1990, in honor of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26,1990. In 2015, the first official Disability Pride Month celebration occurred in the US to celebrate the ADA's 25th anniversary. Since then, this awareness month has become increasingly popular. We hope you will join us in this important celebration.

This month, RewearAble will be hosting a Pre-loved Pop-Up at their location in the back of the 837 building on the Bethpage Campus, which will give employees the opportunity to take home items of clothing from brand names for a suggested donation. More information on the Preloved Pop-Up can be found below.

In this edition of Limelight, you will see our most recent Independence Day, Juneteenth and Pride Celebrations from across the agency, see a recap of our recent Great Summer Kick-Off Fundraiser, and other news from across the agency.

Sincerely,

Rob, Kim, Gerard and Anne Marie

Robert Ciatto, President/CEO

Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer

Gerard DiMuro, Chief Administrative Officer

Anne Marie Sime, Chief Program Officer

Organizational Care Corner

ACLD Celebrates Pride- June 2024

Around the Agency

Juneteenth Celebrations

Broadway Bridges

What's Cooking?

Dietitian Carol Nocella worked with the individuals at the Plainview Residence to make a gluten-free pancake and fruit breakfast that was enjoyed by all. Great job, Carol!

The Chance of a LIFETIME!

For just $75 each, you and a friend have the chance to win BIG!

A Stroke of Genius!

Congratulations to Emily Colewell, Lead Art Specialist in the Art Studio Program in Bethpage, who recently had one of her digital illustrations featured in the Arts Gowanus Pide exhibit, "Pride All Day, Every Day" in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Emily's work will be on display all summer on a 3x3' banner on the fence surrounding the Old Stone House Building in Park Slope. Congratulations, Emily!

Above and Beyond

A big thank you to Brian Kellar, Assistant Director of Facilities Management, for his contributions to the recent kitchen renovation in the Bethpage 837 building. When it became clear that the project was going to go over budget, Brian graciously donated the funds to ensure the project was completed in full, and exceeded their expectations. Now, the people supported in our Bethpage Day Program will have the opportunity to participate in cooking activities.

Brian also recently designed and purchased his team ACLD Facilities t-shirts for them to wear proudly around campus. Thank you for all you do, Brian!

What NADSP Means to Me

I am very proud to obtain my certification for NADSP as a Frontline Supervisor. Prior to my participation with the NADSP pilot, I was encouraging my staff to enroll to further their knowledge about working with the people supported in our program. I have been working with ACLD for over 18 years. My first experience working in this field started in 2005 as a DSP. I had no idea of what my responsibilities, work environment and expectations would entail. Once I familiarized myself with the purpose of the NADSP certification it motivated me to be a part of the change I wanted to see. People often ask me, "What do you do for a living?" This certification emphasizes the importance of my role as a leader and compliments my managerial abilities. I would strongly recommend my fellow colleagues to participate in this program. Each badge earned is your experience and acknowledgment of services provided to the people supported in our agency.  I am very optimistic for the opportunities my NADSP certification would bring me in my career. 

-Sherene Lucas

Residential Manager, Phelps Lane

A Message from IT

Milestones & Achievement

Congratulations to Aimee Keegan, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, on the graduation of her son Joseph from Chaminade High School!

Joseph will be continuing his education this fall as he attends Stonehill College in Massachusetts. Best of luck, Joseph!

LIBN's Emerging Leaders Under 30

ACLD's Community and Digital Media Relations Manager, Sarah Klaum, was recently named one of 41 recipients of Long Island Business News' Emerging Leaders Under 30 Awards. Sarah will celebrate this achievement alongside her fellow recipients at a reception in early August. To read more about the awards, click here

Congratulations Sarah!

Anniversary Milestones- July 2024

1 Year

Jasmine Chamale Teacher Assistant, Children's Service, Spiegel Children's Center

Jean Theagene JN Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Louis Kossuth

Jah-Talie Davis Porter Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nesconset

Harrison Sincere Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Healy

Churecia Allen-Brister Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover

Carida Larose Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Straightpath

Brionna McCoy Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood

Samuel Noezil Residential Manager, Residential Services, Westwind Drive

Mariela Moreno Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge Oasis

Diana Velasquez Del Prado Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge Oasis

Kathleen Rodriguez Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Chichester

Casey Riordan Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Sydney DeTiege Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Northport

Markey Arnault Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Nichols Road

Frantz Dominique Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Healy

Breanna Taylor Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Westwind Drive

Laura Scalice Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Yolanda Ramos Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Choices Hauppauge

Amy Willie Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Marie Auguste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Baldwin

5 Years

Douglas Cook Behavior Intervention Specialist, Day Services, B.L.U.E.

Sonia Gerges Special Educator, Children's Services, Spiegel Children's Center

Kathiana Mardy Silofab Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Roseline Desire Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Healy

Jaime Sims Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Malts Ave.

Nicole McCorkle Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Syosset

10 Years

Malcolm Fuller Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services, Great Neck*

15 Years

Barbara Lubrano Payroll Administrator, Finance, Bethpage 807

Henry Mazano Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Chichester

* Celebrated anniversary in June.

Welcome June New Hires!

Dylan Angstreich Maintenance Aide, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Moesha Angus Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Catherine Bertil Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Maiya Bryant Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Elisabeth Celestin Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jaime Cohen Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center

Yvonne Dorsey Residential Manager, Residential Services, Wildwood

Ritchie Etwaru Lead Maintenance Worker, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857

Jay Euskadi Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St. James

Latisha Evans Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, St. James

Maryam Faizi Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Ethan Fernbach Clerk, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807

Emma Gerstenfeld Training & Compliance Facilitator, Day Services, Bethpage 857

Savana Jones Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Jada Mathieu Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837

Sean Maxwell Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857

Mary Beth McDonald-Gerace Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807

Shakeena Normal-Lamorissiere Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Russell Gardens

Whitney Reyes Behavioral Intervention Specialist, Residential Services, Bethpage 857