Dear Staff,
We hope that your summer is off to a great start! The Board of Directors and Executive Management team are thrilled to announce a bonus for employees in recognition of your ongoing commitment to ACLD's mission. The bonus is based on eligibility and your scheduled weekly hours as of December 1, 2022. If eligible, you should have received the bonus on July 7, 2023. For more information, please contact Alex Cohen.
In keeping with industry practice, counsel recently recommended title changes to the Executive Team to more accurately reflect their operational roles. Many organizations in our field have adopted similar title changes, and in an effort of transparency, we wanted to make our staff aware. You will see the new titles reflected below.
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. Our goal this month is to spread awareness within our organization and with the outside community, to educate on what disability pride means, and to offer ways in which you can participate in the celebration. In this edition of Limelight, and on our social media throughout July, you will learn a little bit more on this important awareness month.
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
|
|
Be sure you are following us on social media to stay up to date with posts like this, agency news, and more! |
|
June Recap: Show your PRIDE!
|
|
In June, we celebrated Pride by wearing rainbow colors. Here are some of our favorite shots from the month! |
|
Frank Pepitone
Director of Facilities Management
|
|
We are incredibly proud that our very own Frank Pepitone, Director of Facilities Management, was featured in an article for Blueprint Magazine!
Frank has been an integral part of the ACLD team for over two decades, overseeing the facilities management of all ACLD's residences and non-residential facilities, including our program sites and offices. The work that Frank does day in and day out helps ACLD to continue its mission. Thank you for all you do, Frank!
|
|
|
NADSP Certification Level 1 Completion |
|
Joanne McHugh, Day Habilitation Specialist, Bridges Levittown
"Over the past several months, I had the pleasure of taking these classes. I learned so much about working with the people we support. The videos were very informative. I especially enjoyed the emergency procedures. I really believe it has better prepared me for various issues that may arise throughout the day. I highly recommend this course for any employees that want to improve their skills. Many things were new to me, and I am excited to apply them."
|
|
Joanne (center) pictured here in February with people supported at Bridges Levittown and Westbury Programs at the Levittown Public Library for a Valentine's Day craft. |
|
Joseph Brennan,
Lead Day Habilitation Specialist,
Broadway Bridges
"The NADSP initiative has taught lessons and reaffirmed skills suitable for working in the field of direct support.”
|
|
Sejon Residence Yogurt Parfaits (pictured above)
Nutritionist Gerasimoula, or 'Mema' as residents call her, recently made yogurt parfaits with Jen from Sejon. Jen had a great time measuring the ingredients and mixing everything together for this sweet and healthy treat. Great job, Jen, and thank you Mema!
|
|
|
|
Energy Balls at Plainview Residence
Registered Dietician Carol Nocella recently made some peanut butter energy balls as a fun and energizing snack with some of the Plainview residents. Great job Carol!
|
|
2023 Fair Media Council Folio Awards |
|
On June 23, ACLD was recognized at the 2023 Fair Media Council Folio Awards, winning "Best in Social Media: Best Community Service Campaign" for Enviable Life News, Volume 7 Number 2, written by Community and Digital Media Relations Manager Sarah Klaum. This edition of Enviable Life News featured stories on Michael Finn's Enviable Life with the North Massapequa Fire Department and The Man that's Lived a Thousand Lives: a profile on ACLD's former education consultant, George Singfield.
The event was held at Gatsby by the Sea at Jones Beach and attended by Aimee Keegan, Director of Development and Community Relations and Sarah.
|
|
|
ConGRADuations!
Congratulations to Dylan Angstreich, son of Heather Angstreich, Assistant Director of Development and Community Relations, on graduating from Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kenney High School with National Honor Society Distinction.
|
|
Congratulations to JT, son of Gina Purser, Residential Habilitation Manager, who recently graduated high school, had his senior prom and was accepted at his first choice of college- SUNY Polytechnic in Utica.
|
|
Congratulations to Sarah Klaum, Community and Digital Media Relations Manager, who was recently cast as Cinderella's Evil Stepmother (u/s The Witch) in an upcoming production of Into the Woods at CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale!
Performances run from September 16-30.
|
|
|
Anniversary Milestones - July 2023 |
|
5 Years
Neil DeStefano Maintenance Aide, Bethpage 837
Nicole Haas Speech Language Pathologist, Kramer Learning Center
Steven Pierre-Louis Direct Support Professional, Residential, Bethpage 857
Jonah Wegener Clerk, Finance-Office Staff, Bethpage 807
JoAnne Sepe Maintenance Aide, Bethpage 837
10 Years
Alyssa DeStefano Residential Manager, St. James
Inez Love-Reid Direct Support Professional, Residential, Thomaston
|
|
Welcome June New Hires!
Janhoi Allen Direct Support Professional Johnson Ave
Nade Allume Direct Support Professional Magnolia Manor
Clifford Augustin Medical Coordination Specialist East Hills
Fatou Barry Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Jamel Belnavis Direct Support Professional Nesconset
Josephe Buchanan Direct Support Professional Magnolia Manor
Dexton Clarke Direct Support Professional Russell Gardens
Janice Ducille Direct Support Professional Alice Court
Juliet Fitting Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Shakylia Flemmings Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Rosemary Garcia Direct Support Professional Nesconset
Zakee Gasby Direct Support Professional Wildwood
Thandeka Golding Direct Support Professional Bethpage 857
Kylie Gomez Teacher Aide Kramer Learning Center
Angel Jean Day Habilitation Specialist Bethpage 837
Cynthia Jean-Louis Day Habilitation Specialist Hauppauge
Nadia Laforest Direct Support Professional Sayville
Marie Laguerre Direct Support Professional Baldwin
Kaitlyn Litsch Special Educator Kramer Learning Center
Alex Ludewig Lead Maintenance Worker Bethpage 857
Jennifer Molina Ruiz Camp Counselor Kramer Learning Center
Virgilio Picinic Maintenance Aide Bethpage 857
Savannah Simitian Special Educator Kramer Learning Center
Katherine Smith Physical Therapist Kramer Learning Center
Andronica Tobias Day Habilitation Specialist Levittown - Strive & Day Hab Supp
Nadine Torchon Direct Support Professional Oceanside
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Submit YOUR stories to Limelight
|
|
Each month we include stories in The Limelight, ACLD's digital employee newsletter, about YOU and all 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.
· A few sentences on any staff member or team who should be spotlighted for their consistent, exceptional work.
· Information or news that is useful for staff across the agency.
· 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.
|
|
"The Limelight" is produced by the
Development and Community Relations Department.
Thank you to all who have submitted information
and photos. Keep them coming!
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
|
|
Adults and Children with Learning
and Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714
Newsletter contact: Sarah Klaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
