Dear Staff,

We are just one month away from the ACLD Employee Holiday Party on Wednesday December 14th! Please Click Here to RSVP today! The deadline is November 23rd. We will once again have raffle prizes and a special giveaway for all of our employees that will be given out prior to the holiday party. Remember, full-time, part-time and per-diem staff are invited to attend!

Last month the ACLD Board of Directors approved a 2022 401(k) Plan pension contribution for employees. The contributions will be made to the pension plans in June 2023.

In this edition of The Limelight, you will read about ACLD staff receiving awards at the New York State Association of Day Service Providers (NYSADSP) symposium, see pictures of our programs celebrating Halloween, and other highlights from across the agency!

Sincerely,

Rob, Gerard, Anne Marie and Kim

Robert Ciatto, President / CEO

Gerard DiMuro, Vice President of Administration

Anne Marie Sime, Vice President of Adult Services

Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer

ACLD shines at New York State Symposium

Congratulations to our ACLD Staff members who were honored with awards at the annual New York State Association of Day Service Providers (NYSADSP) symposium in Saratoga Springs last week!

Antonella Bechini, Administrator for Program Without Walls, received this year’s Leadership Award, and Barbara Miller, Lead Day Hab Specialist at Choices-Bethpage received the Day Service Provider of the Year award!

In addition, our Art Studio Program and Community Coordinator, Diane Salome-Diaz, along with Lead Art Studio Specialist Frenal Mezilas, presented at the symposium. Their presentation was titled “Art for All”, and it highlighted how ACLD’s Art Studio Program specializes in teaching art for all levels of abilities.

Diane and Frenal had also applied for the NYSADSP Innovations Grant Award for a project they named "Growing Through the World of Clay Creations”. The application for this project was well received and ACLD was awarded with $750.00! They will now showcase this project at next year's symposium.

Quarter Century Club

Congratulations to the six employees who were inducted into ACLD's Quarter Century Club earlier this month!

The Quarter Century Club, which was established in 2018, met for their annual luncheon on the Bethpage campus with most of the 44 members in attendance, including the new inductees.

After the new inductions, everyone went around the room and spoke about their experience at ACLD, their memories here, and how the agency has grown over the years.

Thank you to all of our staff who decide to devote their lives and spend 25 or more years helping us to provide enviable lives for those who turn to us for support!

2022 INDUCTEES: Anne Marie Sime, MaryCara Ferdinando, Jeanie Shelton, Arline Moore, Roseanne Tast and Jessica Faustin.

A Mural for a Legend

Last week, long time ACLD Education Consultant George Singfield was presented with a stunning mural of himself that was painted by Art Program and Community Coordinator Diane Salome-Diaz. The mural highlighted important parts of his life, including his 60+ years at ACLD, and was presented by President/CEO Rob Ciatto and Vice President of Adult Services Anne Marie Sime.

It was also announced last week that George is going to be retiring from his position next month. As a token of our appreciation for his leadership, dedication and exemplary service, we would like to collect any cards, notes, pictures or artwork that can be put into a scrapbook for him. Please submit any items you have to Anne Marie Sime by November 23rd at simea@acld.org.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Last month our Organizational Care Committee organized an Employee Engagement Day to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with staff and people supported dressing up in pink!

Halloween Contests

On Halloween our Bethpage Day Habilitation program held a very spooky Pumpkin Decorating Contest with some really incredible designs.

• 1st place: Peacock
• 2nd place: Two-Faced carved pumpkin
• 3rd place: Creepy SpongeBob

The Costume Contest at the site also let adults supported, along with staff, show off their creativity with their fun costumes!

• Staff: Akeim wearing a Purge outfit
• Person Supported: Dave as Garfield

1st Place pumpkin

2nd Place pumpkin

3rd Place pumpkin

Best Costume (Staff)

Best Costume (Person supported)

Pumpkin Carving at Preschools

Our preschools of Kramer Learning Center and The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center had a blast leading up to Halloween by carving pumpkins, exploring the inside of them, and even doing a volcano pumpkin experiment!

These activities were made possible by an anonymous donor who graciously provided the funds to purchase all of these pumpkins.

Halloween Dance Party

On the Friday before Halloween, our day habilitation programs put on their costumes, and their dancing shoes, for a Halloween Dance Party! All of the sites were connected together via Zoom with our favorite disk jockey – DJ Rick playing the Halloween tunes. Thank you to all of our day habilitation staff for putting this together!

What's cooking?

This month ACLD Nutritionist Minerva Kim was working with the men and women in our East Meadow community residence as they prepared their food.

Frank, Deborah, Cristina and Lauren made a tomato cucumber salad to go with their dinner, and Samantha put together her healthy meal prep for the week by baking turkey meatballs, vegetables, and grilled chicken.

Mural on Display

Adults from several of our day programs painted a mural together last month at the Samanea Mall in Westbury. This project is one of many murals being painted in the mall by local artists and was done in collaboration with the Founder of Museum of Urban Arts Stephanie Sulaiman, and the Owner of Let's Craft Karrie Anne Vitti.

After painting their masterpiece, everyone also got the chance to tour the first floor of this new “experience mall” to see murals that have been completed by other artists. Be sure to stop by the mall when you get a chance to see them all!

Special thanks to our Art Program and Community Coordinator Diane Salome-Diaz, and Lead Art Studio Specialist Frenal Mezilas for coordinating and leading this project!

Milestones

• Congratulations to Administrative Assistant for Day & Community Support Services Rich Ascatigno on his wedding to Lindsay Christ on October 14th!

• Congratulations to Akeim Myles for his promotion to Behavioral Intervention Assistant for the Bethpage Day Habilitation Programs.

• Congratulations to Vocational Services Job Coach Keira Finnell on her engagement to her fiancé on October 30th!

• Congratulations to Juliana Marquez, Direct Support Professional at the Oakdale community residence, for being one of 38 DSPs to be honored at Community Care Rx's 2nd Annual DSP & Support Staff Awards on November 17th! Be on the lookout for photos from this event on social media and in next month's Limelight.

Cooking Up Culture

Calling all ACLD Chefs!

The Organizational Care Committee invites you to share your favorite recipes with us! Do you have a family recipe that reflects your culture? Do you have a recipe that gets rave reviews every time you make it? Do you work in a Residential house or Day Program and have a fantastic recipe you make there?

We will highlight your recipes in the Limelight for all to see just like the recipe above!

Safety Corner

New House Signing Bonus!

Flu Shots

ACLD is offering Flu Shots at our Fay J. Lindner Building in Bethpage. Flu Shots are administered by CVS. If you are interested in getting the Flu Shot please contact the HR department at 516-822-0028 ext. 140 or ext. 216 for an appointment.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

9:30 am - 11:30 am

Linder Building, Training Room 3

807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage

Employees who sign up for a flu shot will need to provide their insurance information for the appointment.

Employee Referral Program

Don't forget about the EMPLOYEE REFERRAL PROGRAM! You can now earn up to $6,750 when you refer people to work at ACLD. See the flyer below for details.

Help the people we support find employment

Do you know of a job opening in your area that would be a good fit for the men and women we support who are seeking employment in the community?

If so, please send an email to the Vocational Services department at Millerl@acld.org

Discounts for ACLD Employees

Did you know that by being an employee of ACLD, you can take advantage of exclusive discounts at different businesses such as Splish Splash, Verizon, P.C. Richard, Six Flags and a lot more?

You can also register as an ACLD employee on PlumBenefits.com to get even more discounts on vacations, entertainment, online shopping and other services. Use company code ac0825520 to register.

Shout Out Board

Don't forget to give a SHOUT OUT to recognize someone at your location for something special they did for you, your department or a person we support.

Bright Idea Box

The Organizational Care Committee is always looking for new ideas and suggestions from all of YOU to continue to make ACLD one of the best places to work, and for children and adults to receive supports and services.

Now it is easier than ever before to share your bright ideas. Just click here and your Bright Ideas will be sent directly to the Organizational Care Committee. A representative from the committee will respond to you promptly, and if your idea is implemented, you will earn a $25.00 gift card!

Anniversary Milestones - November 2022

5 years

Hector Gonzalez Direct Support Professional, Eastover Drive

Alecia Evans Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857

Nadine Beauvais Direct Support Professional, Westwind Dr

Annakay Lyn Direct Support Professional, East Islip

10 years

Ginny Paolino Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Bethpage 837

15 years

Dahmonique Harris Direct Support Professional Oceanside

Welcome October New Hires!

Rama Abrahams Residential Manager, Nesconset

Derek M Baumann Human Resources Assistant, Bethpage 807

Brenden J Berkowitz Job Coach, Bethpage 857

Alicia D Boyer Direct Support Professional, Yorktown

Gary J Brown Day Habilitation Specialist, Bridges Westbury

Sandley Daniel Direct Support Professional, Blake Ave

Milagros M De La Riva Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center

Samantha N DeMato Direct Support Professional, Westwind Dr

Frank G Demarco Production Assistant, Bethpage 837

Angelo P Derose Direct Support Professional, Healy

Rooss Desir Direct Support Professional, Nichols Road

Juan Duclervil Direct Support Professional, Brighton

Kamila J Edwards Training and Compliance Facilitator, Bethpage 857

Farah J Emile Gauyo Direct Support Professional, East Meadow

Marie Ange Estime Elysee Direct Support Professional, Autumn

Mary R Estrada Vega Respite Counselor, Bethpage 807

Jude G Fede Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857

Chelsie M Fonseca Production Assistant, Bethpage 837

Janisse Gonzalez Teacher Aide, Spiegel Center

Lashae S Hammond Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center

Witchmy Hyppolite Direct Support Professional, East Islip

Kimberly A Jeffers Direct Support Professional, Syosset

Blonia G Joseph Direct Support Professional, Oaklake Ln

Jovanie Joseph Direct Support Professional, Magnolia Manor

Kayla E Joseph Day Habilitation Specialist, Levittown

Otum Kalu Residential Manager, East Meadow

David L Kerolle Direct Support Professional, Oyster Bay

Anthony Lazo Direct Support Professional, Sayville

Tyler G Lewis Direct Support Professional, Spur Drive

Katerin Lopez Garcia Teacher Aide, Kramer Learning Center

Eva C Malloy Registered Nurse, Bethpage 857

Sonia M Martinez Moreno Building Services Supervisor, Bethpage 837

Adele Meus Day Habilitation Specialist, Levittown

Idelay Mondestin Direct Support Professional, Baldwin

Nazmun Nahar Respite Counselor, Bethpage 807

Daniel W Neitzel Maintenance Aide, Bethpage 837

Ewurabena Otoo-Mensah Direct Support Professional, Bohemia-Washington

Josiah K Otoo-Mensah Direct Support Professional, Johnson Ave

Talae N Owens Pre-Voc Counselor, Bethpage 857

Adriana R Pacheco Cahuasqui Teacher Aide, Spiegel Center

Alisteir A Persaud Driver Day Services, Bethpage 837

Emmanuel Jean fritz Pierre Direct Support Professional, Northport

Danna Purnell Direct Support Professional, Bethpage 857

Patricia A Ravenelle Registered Nurse, Bethpage 857

Samantha Rodriguez Speech Language Pathologist, Kramer Learning Center

Steven C Seleznow Transportation Assistant, Bethpage 837

Simone J Simon Direct Support Professional, Eastover Drive

Tamia C Watson Direct Support Professional, Yorktown

Zalydia K Wright Production Assistant, Bethpage 837

Submit YOUR stories for the Limelight

Each month we include stories in this newsletter about YOU and all of the amazing staff here at ACLD!

BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP to find out about these stories. Please send us anything to include such as:

• A story about how you or someone else went above and beyond to help the people we support, organized any fun or educational activity, or did anything to further our mission in any way

• Information on any staff member or team who you would like to see spotlighted for their exceptional work.

• Information or news useful for staff across the agency. Anything important or fun.

• Proud moments for you or your family (Personal or professional milestones, awards, weddings, educational degrees or works in the community)

• Employee Engagement day photos of you and your team.

• Or anything else you can think of!

AND - if you submit a story that is also appropriate for Social Media, we can post it on our pages too!

DON'T be shy about submitting stories - we need new ones every month!

DON'T worry about writing it perfectly. Just give as much information as you have.

The Limelight is an initiative of the Communications Committee and is produced by the Development and Community Relations Department.

For questions, comments or suggestions, please email the editor, Jonathan Dolan at dolanj2@acld.org

Follow Us