t h e ro a d to i n d e p e n d e n ce : c o o k e
summer 2009
c e n t e r c a m pa i g n n e w s l e t t e r
The Cooke Center for Learning and Development is the largest private provider of inclusive special education services in New York City, offering preschool programs, a K–12 school and consulting services that support inclusive learning environments.
Only $350,000 to Go to Meet Kresge Challenge! Spring Gala brings Road to Independence Campaign total to $8.9 million
Cooke’s high schoolers performed The Wizard of Oz in May.
Looks like Cooke is beginning to see the Emerald City at the end of the yellow brick road. With proceeds from the Wizard of Oz-themed Spring Gala, Cooke has now raised $8.9 million dollars for the Road to Independence Campaign. Thanks to a generous challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation, if Cooke comes within $750,000 of reaching its $10 million campaign goal by December 2009, Kresge will donate the rest. That leaves Cooke with just $350,000 left to raise! Pictured above: (left photo) Nagisa Mikami, Sam Montgomery, Ashley Goris, Jake Waltuck (right photo) Indika Rickman, Brittney Ventura, Christina Charles, Bianca Vega (inset) Emanuel Pinkhasov
Cooke is extremely grateful for the support that has taken us this far, particularly in these difficult economic times. We will be counting on old friends and reaching out to new prospects in the summer and fall months, doing our best to be sure that we meet the Kresge Challenge and complete the Road to Independence Campaign for our students.
Spring Gala
photos and story
The Cooke Center for Learning and Development launched the $10 million Road to Independence Campaign to fund high-priority initiatives for the education of children with special needs. Contributions to the campaign support renovations to the Cooke Center Academy High School, the Fund for Diversity — which allows Cooke to accept students regardless of financial means — and the Fund for the Advancement of Inclusive Special Education, which allows us to foster best practices and demonstrate the success of our programs.
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professional photography by laura dwight
Cooke Board Chairman Takes Strong Stand Against Discrimination at Cooke Spring Gala Event Raises More than $800,000
Cooke Honors Board Chairman Lon Jacobs Cooke’s Board Chairman Lon Jacobs spoke out against discrimination toward people with special needs when he was honored at Cooke’s Road to Independence Spring Gala on April 27. “The Cooke Center should be proud of its many accomplishments, none more so than to treat each of our kids as an individual who possesses unique gifts,” said Mr. Jacobs as he received Cooke’s Founders Award. “Unfortunately, much of the rest of the world does not share this view,” Mr Jacobs continued. “The word ‘retard’ appears 17 times in Ben Stiller’s film ‘Tropic Thunder‘,” he told the crowd of 400 guests. “And of course people with intellectual disabilities are now a favorite target on the Internet.” People who Discriminate ‘Need to be Educated’ Senior Executive Vice President and Group General Counsel at News Corporation, Mr. Jacobs spoke of how discrimination has hurt
his own daughter Molly, a 12-year-old with a mild cognitive impairment who started with Cooke in kindergarten. “I can’t remember what I was like before Molly was born. She has never had a bad day,” said the proud dad. Yet, he said, people think it’s okay to stare at Molly in public. “Why is it so hard to understand that people with special needs count as much as you and me?” Mr. Jacobs had some advice for the crowd at Cipriani 42nd St: “The next time you hear someone use the word [retard] or see someone humiliate a person with disabilities, call them on it. Most people aren’t evil; they are simply ignorant and need to be educated.” Corporate Support Mr. Jacobs also thanked Ira Sheinfeld and Hogan & Hartson for their support of Cooke over the years, not only with financial contributions but by accepting and mentoring Cooke’s student-interns. Many other supporters came out to sup-
port Cooke on the warm spring evening, including lead donors like News Corporation, Allen & Company, Goldman Sachs and Loeb and Loeb. Cooke Board members and parents were also there to celebrate. Fox 5 News Anchors Ernie Anastos and Dari Alexander emceed the event with humor and charm. NASDAQ OMX Honored Also honored at the gala was NASDAQ OMX, which has been tremendously supportive of Cooke’s technology efforts and its programming for older teens at the Cooke Center Academy high school. “The innovation and creativity that defines Cooke is seen every day,” said Bruce Aust, executive vice president for NASDAQ’s Corporate Client Group. “Cooke prepares their students for life.”
Left to Right: Cooke Board Member Christine Hennessey, her friend Shirley Wise, and Katherine Gallagher, speech therapist to Cooke student Lexie Hennessey / Fox 5’s Dari Alexander and Ernie Anastos Award to NASDAQ OMX, with Bruce Aust accepting / News Corp’s Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Corporate Affairs Gary Ginsberg (right), who introduced Mr. Jacobs, with his wife Susan Cravath Swaine & Moore, Peter Smith of Hogan & Hartson and Steve Gold of Mintz & Gold / Cooke President Michael Termini with Kevin Hopkins and Laura Inzalaco-Hopkins, who will serve as Cooke’s He Mikhaila Wirfel
Cooke Wins Basketball Game; Receives $20,000 CVS Grant The Cooke Center Academy basketball team handily beat Columbia Prep/Dalton 91 to 77 on May 21, defending their undefeated record. Their win was no doubt made easier by some foot-stomping encouragement from their cheerleaders. “Put that ball in the hoop, hoop!” they shouted, waving their pom-poms.
Cooke Parent and Teacher Shares Her Family’s Story Cooke teacher Muna Belbase, joined by her husband, Krishna, shared her unique perspective at the gala as both a Cooke teacher and parent. “When my son Srijan was six months old, doctors said he might never walk or talk,” Mrs. Belbase told the crowd. “When he started at Cooke in kindergarten, he was not communicating at all. Well, within one year, he was speaking not only English, but our
The game got started with some extra encouragement from CVS Caremark Charitable Trust — a grant for $20,000 to the Cooke Center Academy. Robert Schwartz, CVS’ district sales manager from New York, presented a giant check to the players and staff. The kids clapped and cheered. When the cheers died down, Cooke president Dr. Michael Termini reminded students that many had visited CVS as part of their Off-Site Education program. “How many of you have been to the CVS on Sixth Avenue?” he asked, as quite a few hands shot up. Dr. Termini also mentioned that students may have an opportunity to do an internship at CVS in the coming months.
native Nepali as well. “ A UNICEF program officer, Mr. Belbase said his work in developing countries has taught him that programs like Cooke are to be treasured. “I talk about Cooke wherever I go,” he said.
emcee the evening / Cooke Chair Emerita Karen Robards presents the Road to Independence nna Aaron and News Corp’s Deputy CFO John Nallen / Lon Jacobs with Neil Westreich of ead of Lower and Middle School beginning this fall. Inset: Cooke alumni David Robards and
Robert Schwartz of CVS (far left) joins CCA players and Cooke President Michael Termini in presenting a $20,000 check to the Cooke Center Academy. Inset: CCA Cheerleader Christina Charles
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Donors
The Cooke Center is grateful for the support of the following donors who have made a gift to the Road to Independence Campaign. Vincent Alfieri Kevin Allard Glen Alldredge Paul Allman Philip Altman Penny and Joseph Annecco Anonymous (9) Ann Dowd and Lawrence Arancio Elke and Mario Archangel Ariel Investments, LLC Debra and Jack Arkin ASM Mechanical Systems Betsy Atkins Rachel Aydt and James Burton Wendy Banner and Geoffrey Wiener Ellen Banner Sheryl and Roger Barometre Deborah and Paul Bartel Lauren Baum Bear Foundation, Inc. Muna Belbase JoAnn and Robert Beltempo Carol Benjamin and Carol Monderer Jamal Bermudez Bernard Family Charitable Fund Hermine Berowitz Zainab Bhatti Susan Bhyunn $25,000 – $99,999 Ellen Bickal and Gary Bieber American Express Company Janet Bickal Anonymous (2) Jerry Biggers Beacon Capital Partners LLC Kathleen and Chris Boak Bridgemill Foundation Matt Bonelli CIT Group, Inc. Deborah Cooper and Daniel Sternberg Valerie Boom and James Gunderson Robert R. Bose Dreamworks Sara Bracken The Stanley & Fiona Druckenmiller Sylvia and Neil Bradley Fund Carlene and Mark Braithwaite Forest City Ratner Companies Diane Brandi Fox News Donald Brant Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, LLP Dr. Naomi Bravmann and Dr. Andrew Goldman Sachs Martin Hearst Corporation Brearley School Class of 2010 Heckscher Foundation Ludi Brigatti Hill Holliday Leslie and Fred Bright Hyde & Watson Foundation Juan Briones Robert and Ardis James Foundation Annette Brock JPMorgan Chase Bank Genna Brower Mr. and Mrs. Brian Leach Anna and Thomas Bryan Microsoft Corporation Tom and Harriet Burnett Kate and Joel Millonzi Family Foundation Morgan Stanley Foundation Cynthia Butler MTV Networks NASDAQ OMX Education Foundation DeNeen Butler Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. Maritza Caba Patricia Nooy and Roger W. Miller Rita Calderon The Offensend Family Foundation Jenny Cantanero and Oscar Peralta O’Neal Family Foundation Paul V. Carlucci Cindy and David Pinter Elizabeth and Kenneth Carr Rattner Family Foundation Damaris Castillo Susan and William Rifkin Bryan Cave, LLP Saban Family Foundation CB Richard Ellis Eileen Caulfield Schwab Centerview Partners Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Mary and Donald Cerna Flom LLP Patricia and Morris Charles Time Warner, Inc. Bethany Chase Triarc Companies, Inc. Charles Cheek Lee and Cynthia Vance Foundation The Chernin Family Foundation, Inc. Viacom Joanne Chiu Vinson & Elkins, LLP Jennifer Cho Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz LLP Mary Clancy Barbara and Michael Zimmerman Lee Clancy Clermont Communications Group DONORS Constantine Cannon, LLP Susanna Aaron and Gary Ginsberg Caren and Arturo Constantiner Hala Aboul Hosn Veronica Cook Julie Abramowitz Thomas J. Cooper ABS Charitable Foundation Emily Cozart-Mason Carmen Acevedo Luz Crespo Ruth Acevedo Norma Cruz The Adeona Foundation Alice Welt and Daniel Cunningham Ellen Agress and Jay Gerber Georgina Cyrillien and Eric Edwards Roger E. Ailes LEADERSHIP CIRCLE 100,000 + Altman Foundation Anonymous Marcia and Michael Beck The Bok Family Foundation The Carson Family Charitable Trust June Eichbaum and Kenneth Wirfel Carlie and Neal S. Garonzik Marc Haas Foundation The Hearst Foundation Christine and Kevin Hennessey Hogan & Hartson, LLP Hannah and Lon Jacobs Loeb and Loeb, LLP Maher Family Foundation The Moody’s Foundation News Corporation Foundation Robert and Kate Niehaus Foundation Louise M. Parent and John Casaly Karen and Tom Robards Dr. Elsa Roe The Saxe Family Peter Jay Sharp Foundation Starr Foundation Margie and Nate Thorne
De Feis O’Connell & Rose PC Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP Lorraine Deeb-Castley Karen and Anthony Delorenzo Fred Demenus Willie Dennis Susan Devlin Norka Diaz Carol and James Dillon Ann and Egidio DiMarco DirecTV Christie DiStefano Dodgers Dream Foundation Jamie Lee Dorado Jamal Dorsett Dow Jones Kathleen and Lawrence Dunne Lynn Edelstein Cheryl and Blair Effron Lynn Eickmeyer Howard Ellin Kat Ellis-Hernandez Ernst & Young Karen Espinoza Teri Everett Lawrence E. Fabian, Esq. Anthony Lennon Fahey Chondite Faison Nan Fedak Amy and Eric Federman Randi and Warren Feldman Danielle and Kert Fernandez Esther Fernandez Jessica Fernandez Gail Fevrier Joselyn Fine Bernisse Flores Sally Foley Amy Freed Mike Fricklas Marilyn Friedman and Thomas Block Deborah Fuhrer Jasper Gaerlan Dr. Eleanor Galenson Maria and Ivan Gallegos John Gallin & Son Rulisa Galloway Betty Garcia Marcia Gardere Marian Gassman Genie Gavenchak and Harvey Horowitz Charlotte and Gerrald Giblin E. Ann Gill and Robert Hempel Carol Ann Glazer Sonia Glazer Susan Glendon Patricia Godoy Janet and Chris Goff Jill Goldstein Edwin Gomez Rose Gomez Mildred Gonzales and Edwin Viera Thomas Goodridge Carmen and Rafael Goris Warren and Cathy Gorrell Ashley Gray Jesse Green Greenberg Traurig, LLP Jennifer and Russell Gribbin Janet Griffith Nelson Griggs Douglas and Patricia Gross Gross & Ehrhardt LLP Stacy Grossman Jen Grotas Gerald Growney Lawrence Gulotta Mario Gutierrez Mordi Gutnick Pamela Guzman Karen Hagberg and Mark Jackson
Jill and Paul Haggerty Anne Halligan Nicole Hall Patricia Hambrecht Haeng Eum Han and Jang Kyu Moon Kenneth Handal Maureen Hanlon Dori Ann Hanswirth Richard Hard Harper Collins Aya Hasegawa Marshall Heinberg Danielle Helfand Miriam Hendel and Sheldon Steiger Victoria and William Henderson Norma Hendricks Craig Henick Robin Henry Alexa Hernandez Anna Hernandez Patricia Hernandez Wanda and Angelico Hernandez Birgit and Lenny Hickey Les Hinton Michael King Holmes Janet Hon Richard Horan Deborah and Edward Horowitz Robert Hughes Larry D. Hunter Daphne and Matthew Hunter Clifford and Marielena Hurvich Frank Iannelli Barbara Isenstadt Eileen and Peter Jachym Kesha Jackson Leslie and Charles Jeffries Jennifer Jehn JLS Industries Alexander Johnson Beverly Johnson Charlayne Jones Brenda and Peter Jordan John Jordan Chris Kartchner Stephen Kay Lee Keating Art Kerber Renee Khatami and John MacArthur Nahede Khosrovi Laurin and Norman Kleiman Michael Kleinerman Jonathan Knee Edward Knight Vera Kohn Rea Kolski Victor A. Kovner, Esq. Mark Kranz Vicki Kristal Michele Kule-Korgood, Esq. David Kuperschmid Dr. Rona Kurtz Joshua Kuvin Teresa and Tadeusz Kwasniak L & L Holding Company Tiffany LaBanca Katie Lance Rick Lane John Lang Evelyn Larios Nicole LaRosa Robin Lawrence and Sonny France Miguel and Cynthia Lee Thomas H. Lee Capital, LLC Mark Leeds Edna Leib Carol and Jack P. Levin Mark Levine Margot and Edward Levy Joseph Levy Donna Lewis Jessica Liebov
Maria and Jarrett Lilien Joseph Link Jordan Lippner Rachel Lipton Antoinette Little Anne-Marie and Peter Livoti Kevin Mark Lodie Haydee Lorenzo LRN Corporation Ricki and Mitchell Lubart Nicole Lucin and Giovanni Briones Elizabeth Lunbeck and Gary Gerstle Michelle Lung Rosemary Lynch Patricia and Patrick Lynch Tara Lynch M & S Foundation, Inc. Jillian Ma Dr. and Mrs. Michael Maas Rosemary and Santos Macaya Amy Madrack Haydee and Heriberto Maldonado Marcela Maldonado Mihoko Manabe and Edward Kim Maniatty Foundation Louis Manzo James Marcovitz Jennifer Markowitz Jacqueline and Genaro Marrero Brigitte Martel Kevin Martinez Rachel Maslanka Noreen and Mario Mastrangelo Bernard J. McDonald Valerie McDonald and Khadim Ngom Molly Ann McEneny and Kevin Walsh Deborah McLean and Keith Kearney Inez and William McMahon Olga Medwid Steven Medwid The Meguid Family Demaris and Jacob Melendres Liske Mendoza Kyoko and Toshio Mikami Louisa Millonzi Mintz & Gold, LLP Mintz Levin, PC Catherine Miranda Akiko Miyake Elizabeth Montalbano Deborah Patton & Jon Montgomery Moody’s Corporation Leslie Moorer Sara and Felix Morales Blanca Morales Yajaira Morel Yanira Nunez and Anthony Mota Mary Munsch Rachel Munz Elizabeth Munz Shira and Joseph Nahmias Joan and Richard Nardi NBC Universal Neff Family Charitable Trust Magaly Nematalla Dr. Neil Newman Linda Noone Lisanne Norman Martha and Frankie Nunez Adele M. O’Grady and Jim Botticelli Anne O’Malley Cynthia Ortiz and Maria Casiano Jacqueline M. Osborn Betty and John O’Toole Cynthia Overton Liz Pagedas Juliet Paradine Steven Paradise Bindia Patel Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Floyd Patterson, Sr. Patton Boggs, LLP
Curtiss Bryan Peabody Linda and Joseph Pehrson Emma Pena Kristie Perkins Marsha Perkins Maria Pia and Jeffrey Negron Dariana Pichardo Dina Pilgrim Lyudmila & Igor Pinkhasov Leonard Plaia Yana Pleshivoy Political Strategies & Insights, LLC Tonya Pope Marilyn and James Porcaro Patria Portes Daniela Prutica-Whitlow Joseph R. Puskarz Tara Quinn Mary Ann and Bruno Quinson Elaine and Joseph Rackman Jasmina and Orhan Radoncic Maria and Johnny Rahman Siegrid Raible Eileen Red Mike Regan Kelly Reina Maxine and Earl Reiss Related Partners Margareta Reyes-Mora Ruth Reynoso Julie and William Rivera David Robards Robert Robbins Susan Robinson Elidza and Javier Robles Isamar Rodriguez Nadeen Rodriguez Jo Rogers Luis Rosario Laurel Rossi and Joseph Filippone Judy and Bennett Roth Lori Rothstein Howard J. Rubenstein Eric Rubenstein John Sabatini Beatrice Sabum and Okor Ogbu Elliot Sagor JoAnn Sanchez Ray Sanseverino Tina Santiago Fiordaliza Santos Jordon Saxe Henry B. Schacht Trust Patti Schaefer and Tom Fahey Karen Schlesinger Roslyn and Scott Schneider Johathan Schwartz Suzanne and Gerald Schwartz Phyllis Schwartz Linda Schwartz Ernest Scinto Linda Scott Adriana Serrano Mildred and Jorge Serrata Ying and Henry Shao Susan and Joel Shapiro Jarred David Sharar Rufina Shayne Ira Sheinfeld Jamie Sildar Katheryn Simic Kathryn Simic Roberta Simon-Hollander Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Jeffrey Sine Mary Ann and Arthur Siskind Amanda Slatus Ann and James Silberman
Rose Marie Smith Andrew Solomon Ted Sonde Audrey Ann Soto Dina Spiegel Billy Spillman Bernard and Anne Spitzer Foundation Nada Srdonovic Benjamin Stapleton Sarah Stapleton Michael Starr Lissa Steele and Vince Pisano Sharon Stein Lisa E. Steinberg Anthony Stewart Nancy Stillpass Richard Stone Arthur Stout Kim and Sam Stowers Margaret Strauss Sharon and Michael Strongin Kalyani A. Subramaniam Sharon Sullivan Cindy Surdi Bob and Nancy Swain Francis Tabone Marsha Tajima Angelica Tang Hope Taylor Michael Termini Patricia Thakkar Clifford Thau Robert Thompson Catherine and Jeffrey Tolin Nile Tompkins Howard Topaz Dennis Tracey Katherine and Alan Trager Virginia Trainor Sheila G. Trarkus Betty Treslor Cheryl Tuttle UBS Securities Katty Vargas Mark Varian Lisa and Javier Vega Crystal M. Vick-Sawyer Kathleen and Michael Voldstad Nicole and David Wachter R. Clark Wadlow Karen and David Waltuck Paula Wardynski Lora Duff Warrix Tara Watts Mark Weinstein Lauren Weisfelner Lee Weisfogel Tina Wells Neil Westreich White Flowers Foundation Darlene White The Whittemore Foundation Leah and Robert Wilcox Ruth Wilson and Colin Howell William Wiltshire Sarah Winkler and Simon Leopold Jayne and Jay Wiprovnick Mikhaila Wirfel Shirley and Michael Wise Dr. and Mrs. Scott Wolfe Erica Wolff Maureen Wycisk YAI Young Adult Institute Banjamin Yost Sagrario and Juan Zuniga list as of May22, 2009
If you would like more information on The Road to Independence Campaign, please contact
Patti Schaefer at pschaefer@cookecenter.org