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Dear Staff,
June is here and finally summer is around the corner. As we all look forward to the end of the school year, summer vacations and warmer weather, there are many things coming up in June for our agency.
June is a very important month. This month, ACLD is proud to celebrate Pride Month. Pride Month is rooted in a long and courageous history of advocacy, resilience, and progress. It is a reminder that the fight for equality and acceptance is ongoing—and that we each have a role to play in building a more inclusive society. In honor of Pride Month, the Organizational Care Committee would like to let you know that OPWDD will be participating in Pride Month activities. Groups from all different agencies will be walking to support the LGBTQ+ Community. ACLD has a group of people supported participating in the walk on June 8th in Huntington Village, under their group name of “Rainbow Spectrum.” If you would like to go out to cheer them on, or if you would like information for your family, we are providing the OPWDD flyer, in this edition of Limelight, which lists all of the walks being hosted throughout the state, with information on how you can participate. We also have helpful information below on Pride, as well as two testimonials from ACLD. We are very grateful to them for sharing their story with us.
Later this month, we will celebrate and recognize Juneteenth on June 19th. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States. At ACLD, we are committed to building an environment, for staff and people supported alike, that values diversity, promotes equity and inclusivity and empowers every person. Juneteenth gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding for one another, listen with intent and empathy and support one another.
ACLD is ecstatic to have made it into the voting round for Long Island Business News' Reader Rankings for 2025! This recognition is a true testament to our staff and the amazing work you do each and every day. Voting is open now until June 27. More information can be found below in this edition of Limelight, along with other news and information 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
| | Organizational Care Corner | | Employee Appreciation Week | | May- Wear Green for Mental Health Awareness | | Potlucks Around the Agency | | Shout out to Yvonne Dorsey, Manager of our Wildwood residence, for her Bright Idea entry being selected as our winner! She suggested our recent Bingo event for the people we support. Thank you Yvonne! | | |
"My name is Amanda Razzano and I have had the pleasure of working with ACLD Children’s Services for the last 7 years. It has given me the chance to work with an amazing group of people who put in 100% every day to help their students achieve their goals.
We are like a family, always there to support each other, especially on those challenging days. There was a recent day when there were several staff out and all the staff at Spiegel Children’s Center pulled together to support the classes and students that needed it the most. I look forward to coming to work every day because I know that I will be greeted with people that make me feel welcomed and accepted. We always pull together to appreciate teachers, TA’s, teachers’ assistants, therapists and more with fun treats in our staff kitchen.
In addition to Children’s Services, I have always enjoyed volunteering at ACLD events such as the holiday party, poker night, the gala, and the golf outing. ACLD has time and time again put together events where all those attending feel seen and appreciated.
On an extra special day in December, my amazing coworkers at the Spiegel Children’s Center surprised me with AmandaCon, which was a day when everyone dressed up like me. I have never felt more loved than when I saw everyone wearing black wigs, big hoop earrings, long eyelashes, and red lips.
Thank you, Rob, and all of ACLD for being so incredible and making work a blast every day!"
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Clinicians Appreciation Breakfast
Last month, clinicians from our Residential and Day Services gathered in the Training Room in the 807 for a breakfast celebrating Clinicians during Nurse and Clinician Appreciation Week. Enjoy this video recap of the celebration!
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Employees of the Quarter
Last month, we had our Employee of the Quarter Luncheon, celebrating these employees for their exceptional work and dedication to our mission. Congratulations to all!
| | Nicholas Ragone Operations Supervisor, Candleworks & RewearAble | | |
Brian Walsh
Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services
| | Grace Scribner Special Educator, Children's Services | | Curtis Umlauft Scheduling and Operations Administrator, Residential Services | | Jamesky Choisi Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services | | Milestones & Announcements | | |
Congratulations to Laura Heidenfelder from our Finance Department, whose Granddaughter, Lily Rose was christened in the spring in West Babylon. She is 6 months old and 'the apple of our eyes' as proud Grandma, Laura, says. Congratulations to all!
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ConGRADulations!
Congratulations to Bridgette Samuel (left) on receiving her Masters in Liberal Studies from Stony Brook University and Emily Krebs (right) for receiving her Bachelors in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire University!
| | | | | Congratulations to Aimee Keegan, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, who’s twin daughters graduate from high school in June. Samantha and Caroline will be attending SUNY Geneseo and Adelphi University in the fall to pursue psychology and nursing. | | | | Last month, Alex Cohen, Director of Human Resources, was presented with this certificate in recognition of 25 years of employment with ACLD. He will join ACLD's Quarter Century Club later this year. Congratulations Alex! | | |
Happy Trails, Jeanne!
Congratulations to Jeanne Chelius, Assistant Director of Day Services, on her retirement after many years of services to ACLD. Bethpage Day Services threw her a wonderful Retirement Party with guests from different departments around the agency, and a few blasts from the past! Wishing you the best, Jeanne.
| | Anniversary Milestones- May 2025 | | |
1 Year
Josephe Buchanan Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Magnolia
Juliet Fitting Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Kylie Gomez Teacher Assistant, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Alex Ludewig Maintenance Supervisor, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Marie Laguerre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Baldwin
Janice Ducille Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Alice Court
Thandeka Golding Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Nadia Laforest Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Katherine Smith Physical Therapist, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Nadine Torchon Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside
Cynthia Jean-Louis Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Hauppauge
Jennifer Molina Ruiz Respite Counselor, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Kaitlyn Litsch Special Educator, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Virgilio Picnic Maintenance Aide, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Rosemary Garcia Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
5 Years
Tysharra Wright Medical Coordination Specialist, Residential Services, Ontario
Darlene Urso Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Marie Edouard Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Great Neck
Malcolm Fuller Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Great Neck
Maxime Joseph Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Levittown Strive
Kenneth Lampert Maintenance Aide, Facilities, Bethpage 857
Jessica Francois Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Roslyn Heights
Jonathan Aguilar Lead Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
10 Years
Aimee Keegan Chief Development and Marketing Officer, Development, Bethpage 807
Nakia Lide Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Jennifer Davis Residential Manager, Residentials Services, Oceanside
Denise Russo Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Michael Lewis Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Great Neck
30 Years
Debra Adams Residential Manager, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
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Welcome May New Hires
Chris Amaya Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hyman Ave
Djov Ambroise Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hyman Ave
Lenasia Arnold Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Seaford
Manouchcar Blaise Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Hyman Ave
Lauren Burgess Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Lilybeth Cruz Teacher Aide, Children's Services, Kramer Learning Center
Olivia Dascy Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bridges Day Hab - Levittown
Rebecca Evangelist Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bethpage 837
Brielle Gales Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Hans-Gardy Isaac Residential Assistant Manager, Residential Services, Yorktown
Deidre Kelly Respite Counselor, Residential Services, Bethpage 807
Benjamin Loetman Network Specialist, Administrative Services, Bethpage 807
Maria Lopez Respite Counselor, Day Services, Bethpage 807
Tricia Manning Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Roslyn Heights
Luis Mejia Maintenance Aide, Administrative Services, Bethpage 857
Casandra Payne Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Bethpage 857
Valencia Pierre Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Eastover Drive
Paul Harly Laveau Seide Day Habilitation Specialist, Day Services, Bridges Day Hab - Levittown
Robert Volcy Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Wildwood
Jazel Williams Direct Support Professional, Residential Services, Oceanside
| | Click here to access the most recent Town Hall Recording: | | | |
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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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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