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Fundraising Appeal Letters (layout and editing) November 20, 2015 Dear Friend, You are a part of our EPIC family, and you have helped us to enrich the lives of so many others. Your partnership has been critical in enabling us to provide programs and services throughout Long Island that support the members of our community with epilepsy, developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. At this time of year, when we take time to reconnect with family, I ask that you consider a donation to EPIC Long Island. Your year-end gift of $50, $100 or any amount will be used to enhance the critical services that offer support and assistance to thousands of Long Islanders each year. Your gift will enable us to be there for families like TJ’s, who recently expressed their appreciation for EPIC Long Island as follows: “We are strong, sometimes weak ... but hopeful for a cure. We have endured so much in the past two years but are so thankful to have met other families like ours! Each day I am proud to have the privilege of having my EPIC family that walked beside us, helped to carry us in our darkest days and glad of our happy outcome with TJ.” Your continued support is needed to help us fulfill our mission and maintain services for all EPIC families, including: •
Epilepsy support programs, training and educational services that build awareness, improve safety and enhance the quality of life for children and adults with epilepsy and their families;
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Mental health services for children and adults struggling with mental health challenges;
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Enriching activities for adults with developmental disabilities that uphold the dignity, value and special talents of each individual;
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Group residences that foster independence and feel as warm and comfortable as a family home;
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Community based services that are tailored to engage and develop specific skills for personal achievement.
Your gift will be used toward our current Capital Campaign to support these efforts, as well as many other services for people with epilepsy, developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. For more information about EPIC Long Island, please visit our website www.epicli.org. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Sincerely,
Yes! I/we choose to support the many Individuals ILA provides programs to this holiday season! Yes, my company has a gift match program. Name of Company: 50
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Tom Hopkins President & CEO
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EPIC Long Island, Inc. 1500 Hempstead Turnpike • East Meadow, NY 11554
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April 2014
Jerome Ash Retires from the Board of Trustees
At the January Board of Trustees
meeting, Jerome Ash announced his retirement from the Board. Jerry, Chairman and Director of Sam Ash Music Corporation, was on the Board for six years. He and his wife, Bernice, have always supported VCLC’s programs and services. Jerry generously donated musical instruments for the children to use during music classes. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff, children and families, we will miss Jerry and wish him the best always.
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Newsletters and Multipage Documents (layout and editing)
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As a new CRC member, it is impressive to see the quality of care and amount of oversight that is given to each individual we serve at our agency. It’s been a true fit so far in my new role and I am excited to be at CRC during times of transformation and progress.
View examples of multi-page documents on isuu.com:
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CLC mourns the untimely passing of Arnold Greenberg, a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees. Arnie joined the Board in 2005 and actively served on the Development Committee. He believed in VCLC’s mission and supported all our efforts to provide programs and services to the children and families. We will miss Arnie’s cheerful smile at our Board and Committee meetings. The Board of Trustees, staff, children and families send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Barbara, children Michael and Heather and their spouses, and his grandchildren Matthew and Ava.
CRD Guide Student Project
Pleasure Craft Operator Manual
Kathleen Macias-Torres, Associate Executive Director
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ILA Spectator Newsletter
Queens Centers for Progress Brochure
Federation of Organizations Annual Report
Youth Action Council
Congratulations to Christopher Court for
passing the OPWDD audit! The annual audit is conducted to ensure residences comply with State policies and guidelines to provide exemplary care for developmentally disabled individuals. Together, staff at CRC’s Christopher Court Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) work daily to update all program books, paperwork, and important certifications such as First Aid and CPR training. Safety inspections are also conducted on wheelchairs and other equipment
June 8th
Girls Just Wanna Have Brunch Sunday, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm Leonard’s Palazzo of Great Neck
June 16th − 20th Celebration Days Details to follow
July 30th
Hurricane Grill and Wings Details to follow
October 23rd
Casino Night at Chateau Briand Details to follow
March 20th, 2015 Comedy Night 2015 Crest Hollow Country Club Details to follow
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and family attended CRC’s bowl-a-thon on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Jib Lanes in Flushing, Queens. PIX11 news reporter Narmeen Choudhury emceed the
CRC always strives to give individuals a voice and Chris was able to use his to choose the location of his new residence. After visiting several sites, he opted for a one-level home in a rural area with more space to move around.
Non-Profit fun-filled event, which featured a silent Organization auction, exciting raffles, delicious lunch US Postage andPAID of course, lots of bowling action! Many No. of CRC Permit 62 residents also participated in the event.NY Syosset,
While living at Florence Street, Chris was receptive to staff’s efforts to accommodate his personal needs, interests and concerns. He was well received in the community and established lasting relationships with House Managers, Direct Care Workers and his peers.
A total of $15,000 was raised to provide social and enrichment opportunities to individuals with developmental disability. The event impacted many of the donors and sponsors who attended especially since they witnessed many of CRC residents’ bowling techniques.
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CRC truly appreciates all of whom participated and donated to their first fundraiser event. The Bowl-A-Thon was a success!!
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Variety Child Learning Center 47 Humphrey Drive Syosset, NY 11791 P: 516.921.7171 or 800.933.8779
VCLC Fax Numbers
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Administration: 516-921-8130 Direction Center: 516-921-2354 Education Office: 516-921-6503 Early Intervention: 516-496-4958 Evaluations: 516-921-5008 Long Island ECDC: 516-921-2354 www.vclc.org www.facebook.com/VarietyChildLearningCenter
Many CRC staff attended Chris’s farewell party, an event that celebrated his life at Florence Street and the strong bonds that will never be broken. Among the many gifts he received were a personalized poem and a treasured collage of pictures displaying special moments he shared with CRC staff and peers. Both items now adorn the walls of his room in his new home. Chris was elated by the outpouring of love and support at the party and the invitation to visit any time. Though he will be dearly missed, we’re grateful that he called CRC home for nearly 30 years. We wish him all the best as he starts a new chapter in his life!
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Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Permit No. 62 Syosset, NY
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Make Goodsearch.com your default search engine. Designate Variety Child Learning Center as your charity of choice. VCLC will receive a donation every time you search the internet. Go to www. goodsearch.com and register. Do you shop online? Use goodshop.com and you will raise funds for VCLC each time you shop such major retailers like Macy’s, Target, the Gap, Overstock.com and more. Check out the website www. goodshop.com to see all the retailers who participate. Don’t forget to register and designate Variety Child Learning Center as your charity. Did you know that VCLC can benefit when you shop at Target and use your red card? Through their Take Charge of Education Program, Target will donate 1% of your Red Card purchases at Target and Target.com and 5% of Target Visa purchases elsewhere. Go to Target’s website: www.target.com to register Variety Child Learning Center as your charity.
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February 2014
47 Humphrey Drive Syosset, NY 11791
CLC students and staff celebrated the 100th day of school by creating posters and sculptures. A museum was created in the hallways. Each class and some of the families visited the museum and enjoyed looking at all the exhibits. The 100th Day of School projects were part of the STEM curriculum. Each class counted 100 items ranging from stickers, hand prints, shapes and cardboard boxes and assembled them in a display. Linda Ivans’ school-age class created Robby, the Robot. They started the process by collecting boxes of all sizes and shapes and problem solved how to put them together to create a robot. The class worked cooperatively together to paint and assemble the robot. The children took a lot of pride in their creation. They were overheard telling their teachers and other students that “Robby was fragile and you had to be careful.”
After living at CRC’s supervised Individualized Residential Alternative [IRA] for 27 years, Chris’ progressive health condition required a new space more equipped to meet his needs.
More than 150 staff, residents, friends
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Thank you to all the sponsors: Astoria Federal Savings, The Flagg Group, Fortbrand Collect Box Tops for Education: Cut Services, Inc., Ralph F. & Lucy Palleschi Family Foundation, Carter, Deluca, Farrell out& Box & Schmidt, LLP, Mutual of America, Storch, Amini & Nunves PC, Susan Jay Top logos on products you use all time: General Mills, Betty Crocker, Baumgarten, Eastern American, Fusion Architecture, Arnie & BarbaratheGreenberg, Hanes, Hefty, Ziploc, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, PC, Newsday, LDI Color Toolbox, Marcum LLP, Schultz & Scott, Green Giant and many more. For a complete list of Sage CPA’s, Peggy & Steven Schwartz, TEQ, Erin & Eric Friedman, Petland Discounts, products, Stewart Abelow, Preferred NY Financial Group, Janice & David Friedman, Riegergo&to the Box Top for Education web site: http://www.boxtops4education. Fried LLP, Andrea & Kieth Rieger, Alice & Robert Rouse, Donnalynn & Jon Darling, com. SendEsq., your Box Tops to Rebecca Partlow Insurance, Ruth & Alan Stearn, J.C. Broderick, Paula Schwartz Frome, at VCLC. Holtz Rubenstein Benefit Consulting, Keystone Lock & Safe, Inc., MikeEsquilin & Sherry Rubin, Labels for Education: Cut out the Warburg Pincus and Anonymous. Labels for Education Comedy Night 2015 will be on Friday, March 20th at Crest Hollow Country Club in on products you use all the time: Campbell’s, V8, Pepperidge Woodbury, NY. Save the date! Farm, Post, Dannon, Glad, Emerald, BIC and many more. For a complete list of products, go to the Labels for Education web site: www.labelsforeducation.com. Send your Labels for Education to Rebecca Esquilin at VCLC.
CRC Bowl-A-Thon a Rousing Success
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n his opening remarks at Comedy Night, Ralph Palleschi, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, officially announced the start of VCLC’s $2 million Capital Campaign to raise funds for building renovations. Prior to the evening, VCLC raised over $400,000 for the campaign. This included funding from the Stefanie Rose Rieger Memorial Fund and the Beech Fund Trust A at The New York Community Trust. The Capital Campaign will be used to renovate classrooms, therapy areas and the playground as well as to address other building issues including windows, roof, heating, bathrooms and the parking lot. Work has already begun by renovating six of the speech rooms and creating a sensory room and additional OT space. Ralph explained: “Our building is used 6-7 days each week with hundreds of children using our facilities. It is time to update and renovate the building, classrooms, therapy rooms and playground to continue to meet the needs of our children and families.” Thank you to those who pledged money at Comedy Night specifically for the playground renovation. All funds raised at Comedy Night will be added to the Capital Campaign.
Help Raise Funds for VCLC by Doing the Things You Already Do
The 100th Day of School
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n March 16, 2014, Kylen Fitzpatrick ran the New York City Half Marathon and donated over $1600 to VCLC. She ran the race in honor of her brother, an alumni student, and donated the proceeds to VCLC as a thank you for helping him. VCLC will use the funds in our Capital Campaign toward classroom and/or playground renovations. Thank you Kylen and thank you to all your supporters.
VCLC Launches $2 Million Capital Campaign
Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on Friday, March 28, 2014. Two hundred sixty guests attended the festivities. Ellis Henican from Newsday emceed the event. Buddy Fitzpatrick and Rodney Laney, comedians from Omni Pop, had the audience laughing during the show. During the evening, a current parent, Christine Daniels, and an alumni parent, Lauren Cohen, told their stories about the role VCLC played in helping their children and families. Andrew Cohen, an alumni student and currently a senior in high school, treated the audience to a short concert as he played original compositions on his guitar. Comedy Night 2014 was a huge success. VCLC raised more than $80,000, net of event expenses, from the evening through sponsorships, raffle tickets and silent and live auctions. RSI Fund Raising Auction facilitated the successful live auction.
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Thank You— Kylen Fitzpatrick
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n August 26, 2015, the Florence Street home said goodbye to longtime resident Chris D. with a going away party to remember.
Community Resource Center for the Developmentally Disabled
www.vclc.org
A Fond Farewell to Beloved CRC Resident
Comedy Night, Laughter for Children’s Sake
VCLC held its annual Comedy Night fund raiser, Laughter for Children’s Sake, at
Celebrating the Work of CRC’s ‘Mother Hen’
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enior Direct Support Professional Donna Brown has been working at Sabatos House for more than three decades. Many of the 11 individuals who live there have been at CRC for as long as Donna has. She considers them a part of her family and there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Over the years, Donna has become a great advocate and goes above and beyond to ensure each individual’s needs are met. Her dedication and persistence is well-known around the agency. Sabatos House Program Director Lydia Wolliston commends Donna for deep commitment to CRC’s individuals, noting that her most important goal is “to make sure everyone is safe, happy and healthy.” That includes working with CRC’s dietitians to modify menus according to individuals’ preferences and provide nutritious options that will satisfy people’s taste buds. Donna has also been instrumental in enhancing individuals’ communication skills. She recently taught one non-verbal resident how to communicate his desire for coffee. He now goes into the kitchen and points to the coffeemaker to inform staff that he’s ready for his morning cup! With 30 years of delivering outstanding, compassionate care, Donna Brown is a role model for many direct support professionals. As Lydia puts it, “It takes a special person to work in this field for as long as Donna has.” A special “Thank you” to Donna for the many years of service to CRC and her dedication to the individuals in our care.
Hutchinson Metro Center Atrium · 1776 Eastchester Road Suite 225, Bronx, NY 10461-2335
Community Resource Center for the Developmentally Disabled
Youth Action Council Car Wash Saturday, 10:00 am - Noon
on a regular basis. Christopher Court’s meticulous record keeping, helps finances stay up-to-date, while demonstrating allotted State funds are being used properly. Program Manager Kenneth Garcia credits the outstanding work of Christopher Court’s 20 direct support professionals, Assistant Manager, Denise McCoy and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Wadyah Hassan who ensure individuals are well-cared for and that they are leading happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. “We’re a team at Christopher Court,” Kenneth says. “We take pride in what we do. It’s a house with a lot of love. The smiles on individuals’ faces say it all.”
CRCDD
May 10th
Moving forward, my goal is to continue following the mission of CRC and making a positive impact in the lives of our consumers, families, staff and community partners.
Teamwork Thrives at Christopher Court IRA
Raincoast Product Brochure
embers of the Youth Action Council (YAC) volunteered their time to help make Comedy Night a successful event. They spent the evening selling raffle tickets and assisting during the live auction. Thank you for all your help that night. YAC will host their annual Car Wash and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 10 AM to 12 Noon at VCLC, 47 Humphrey Drive in Syosset. It’s $10 Members of YAC with Angela Hamel, Staff Coordinator of YAC, at Comedy Night. to have your car washed. The rain date is Saturday, May 17th. All proceeds will Come on down and support YAC and VCLC! go toward the Capital Campaign.
As we adapt to the principles of “Personal Outcome Measures” and teach our Direct Staff Professionals about core competencies, my plans for the next few months is to work collaboratively with the CRC team to improve the internal staff orientation process and to provide CRC supervisors with more resources and training. The last few months have been exciting times for CRC with the launching of a more interactive website and holding its first fundraiser event, the Bowl-a-thon. The event was a great success as it’s a testament of how well we have been received by our sponsors and our community.
hree months ago, I made the right decision by coming back to work in the Bronx and accepting the position of Associate Executive Director for CRC. It was definitely going to be challenging, especially filling the shoes of Robert A. Cutting, former Associate Executive Director, a well-respected professional who served 29 years for CRC, but I was graciously received by the staff and the individuals we serve. The CRC team truly made me feel like part of the family.
47 Humphrey Drive Syosset New York 11791 o 516.921.7171 o www.vclc.org
Calendar of Events
October 2015
Message from the Associate Executive Director
In Memory of Arnold Greenberg, Board of Trustees
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NEWSLETTER
My Graphic Design Website
Suzanne DeStaffany 375 Beau Vista Lane Galiano Island, BC V0N 1P0 250-686-0867 suzdes@telus.net