Dear Staff,
Welcome to 2024! I hope this message finds you well and that you and your loved ones had a wonderful holiday season. We had an exciting end of the year with our Employee Holiday Party last month at the Mansion at Oyster Bay and with all the holiday festivities throughout our locations. It was truly the perfect send-off to another great year for our organization.
As we look into the year ahead, I am confident that your unwavering commitment to ACLD's mission will continue and grow stronger. As we begin this new year, I invite you to join me in congratulating Donna Celardo on her new position as Senior Director of Day, Clinical and Community Support Services. Donna brings a wealth of experience into her new role. Her dedication to ACLD’s mission, vision and core values is evident in all that she does. In her new role, she will begin overseeing Psychology Services in both Day and Residential, Residential Intake, and the Community Habilitation Program. She will continue to oversee Day, Vocational, Respite, and all Family Support Services.
In this edition of Limelight, you will read about one employee's journey back to ACLD, learn a little more about our Gail White-Rison and Exemplary Service Award Winners from last month's Holiday Party, 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
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2023 Employee Holiday Party |
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Please enjoy this recap video of the evening, and be sure to view the photos from the photographer and the selfie booth by clicking the buttons below!
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Follow us on social media! |
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Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Door Decorating contest! |
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FIRST PLACE:
Scott Bradshaw, Sherry Hitraj and Anne Stanton (not pictured)
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SECOND PLACE:
Barbara Lubrano, Marilynn Tapia, Amanda Pastore, Laura Heidenfelder (not in photo) and Jamila Stevens (not in photo)
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THIRD PLACE:
Melissa Elfers
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FIRST PLACE:
Supportive Living Program:
Lisa Garafalo, Joel Blair, Emily Ozner, Yolanda Burrough and Shaleah Stewart
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SECOND PLACE:
James Byrne, Rodlane Francois and Tracy Morgan
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THIRD PLACE:
Vocational Coordinators:
Amy Capobianco, Danielle Davella and Lara Miller
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FIRST PLACE
OASIS Unit A:
Diana Sanchez, Lianni Lorenzo, Maryann Bartozewicz, Michael Dono, Crystal Arrington-Bailey, Julia Ribaudo, Joseph Rannazzisi and Patricia Bellevue
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FIRST PLACE:
Nesconset IRA
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SECOND PLACE:
Alice Court IRA
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CHILDREN'S SERVICES WINNERS |
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Open Doors, Endless Opportunities |
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An Excerpt from a Reflection by Derek Baumann |
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Our door is always open; it’s a phrase we’ve all heard on TV, in movies or even in our professional lives. It’s one of those clichés people say but don’t actually mean. For me, this phrase was echoed several times throughout my last week at ACLD- from my coworkers in Human Resources, by my director, the Chief Program Officer, and even the President/CEO of ACLD. Sure, we’ve all heard this phrase, but how many of us have gone back to see if the door had, in fact, remained open for us?
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(From left to right) Derek Baumann, Anne Marie Sime, Alex Cohen, Telsy Tejada, Betty Gonzalez, Tonya Seaton, Valerie Azic and Angela Villamizar (front) at the 2023 Bowling for an Enviable Life Fundraiser. |
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Ryan Dalo: 2023 Gail White-Rison Scholarship Winner |
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Ryan Dalo, Behavior Support Specialist at the Spiegel Children's Center was awarded the Gail White-Rison Scholarship at this year's Employee Holiday Party. The Gail White- Rison Scholarship is awarded to an ACLD employee each year that is currently pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university. Dalo is currently enrolled at Western Governors University pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education (Certification in New York Elementary Education 1-6 and Special Education K-12.) Dalo first began working with ACLD in September of 2013 in the After-School Respite Program and proved to be an invaluable asset to Children's Services. Over his decade of service to the agency, Dalo has held positions in Children's Services such as 1:1 Aide, Program Aide, Lead Program Aide, Teacher's Aide, Certified Teacher's Assistant and Behavior Support Specialist. "[Dalo] is a valued and respected professional, one who gives his all to ACLD children, families and team members," said Robin Stevens, Principal of Children's Services. Dalo is currently on track to graduate from Western Governors University by the end of the first quarter of 2024.
Photo Caption: Ryan Dalo (center) accepting the Gail White-Rison Scholarship at the 2023 Employee Holiday Party with Rob Ciatto (left) and Anne Marie Sime (right.)
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Matthew Woitovich: 2023 Exemplary Service Award Winner |
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Matthew Woitovich, RN, Residential Nurse in Residential and Nursing Services was awarded the Exemplary Service Award at this year's holiday party. This award recognizes exemplary service and commitment to ACLD's mission and vision to provide an enviable life to those supported by ACLD. Woitovich began working at ACLD in 2017 and proved to be a valuable asset to both the Residential and Nursing Programs. "Mr. Woitovich commits himself fully to ensuring the health, safety and ongoing well-being of the people we support," said Matthew Fayda, Director of Residential Services. "Mr. Woitovich dedicates much of his time, even outside of 'business hours' to ensure the people he supports are cared for." Woitovich has a proven record of not only maintaining communication and connection with the people he supports during a medical challenge, but also their families, loved ones and clinical teams. Many ACLD families have praised Woitovich's dedication and compassion during troubling times, and his colleagues have noted that they have never worked with someone who inspires them to work better or harder than Woitovich.
Photo Caption: Matthew Woitovich (center) accepting the Exemplary Service Award at the 2023 Employee Holiday Party with Rob Ciatto (left) and Rebecca Kooper, Secretary of the ACLD Board of Directors (right.)
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Milestones & Announcements
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Imagine that!
We are ecstatic to announce that our President/CEO Robert Ciatto has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Leadership Excellence Award at the 12th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards! The Long Island Imagine Awards were created as a way to showcase the nonprofit sector and all the good work that it does, as well as provide opportunities for deeper collaboration within the sector. The finalists for the 12th Annual Imagine Awards will be announced next month. Best of luck, Rob!
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Let's Dance!
Please join us in wishing Jeanette Debonis, Receptionist/Secretary and Community Habilitation Specialist at Hauppauge the best of luck with her upcoming performance at the New York Dance Festival Ballroom Competition. Jeanette will be competing in New York City on February 24th in the International Latin Ballroom category. Break a leg, Jeanette!
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'Everybody cut, everybody cut!'
Sarah Klaum, Community and Digital Media Relations Manager from the Development Department is returning to the stage at CM Performing Arts playing the role of Ethel McCormack in their production of Footloose, running January 13-27 in Oakdale. Sarah will be in every performance except for 1/13 and 1/14.
Come and relive some '80s nostalgia! Tickets can be purchased here
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Anniversary Milestones- January 2024 |
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1 Year
Betina Laclotte Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Phelps
Mideline Valmyr Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hawthorne
Car-Edris Desroches Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave.
DaQuan Greene Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert
Lexis Glover Pre-Vocational Coach, Day Services, Bethpage 857
Vadim Janvier Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave.
Matthew Bond Lead Maintenance Worker, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857
Mariah Colon Job Coach, Day Services, Bethpage 857
5 Years
Nerlande Lanier Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Christela Pierre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Yvel Benoit Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Plainview
Kendra Matthews Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Calvert Ave.
10 Years
Jerri Greenspan Senior Accountant, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Rosalia Peniera Accounts Payable Clerk, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
25 Years
Bridgette Samuel Entitlements Coordinator, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
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Welcome December New Hires! |
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Reginal Auguste Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Sejon
Yanick Barnave Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills
Nathan Bazile Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Yvensonick Bouquet Driver, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Julier Carlsson Maintenance Aide, Children's Services Spiegel Children's Center
Nathanael Chevrin Registered Nurse, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Cindy Fandino Speech Language Pathologist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Marc-Evens Fortune Respite Counselor - In Home Waiver, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Renalda Gene Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Dix Hills
Maria Lalli Teacher Aide - Bilingual, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Meaghan Liegey Day Habilitation Specialist, Dau Services, Bethpage 837
Anthony Phillip Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Johnson Ave
Johana Rovira Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Sophonie Saint Vil Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside
Brisa Sierra Vallejo Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Leeah Terry Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Ana Velasquez Teacher Aide - Bilingual, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
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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.
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Submit YOUR stories to Limelight
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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.
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"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.
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Follow us on Social Media! |
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Adults and Children with Learning
and Developmental Disabilities, Inc.
807 South Oyster Bay Road, Bethpage, NY 11714
Newsletter contact: Sarah Klaum
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