A Night of Celebration at the Recognition Reception & Honoring Our Distinguished Guests

Waves of joy and gratitude swept through the room as Abilities First hosted its annual Recognition Reception this month.

The event illuminated the extraordinary contributions of our community champions, turning an ordinary evening into a celebration of extraordinary compassion and dedication.

As each honoree took the spotlight, their stories unfolded like chapters in an inspiring book of human kindness. Anthony Morando's visionary leadership, Pamela Gunther's innovative play spaces, DJ Erick Santana's heartwarming performances, Dina & Matt Silvestri's unwavering support, and Emily Roraback's indomitable spirit– each narrative wove together to create a tapestry of hope and positive change.

As personal anecdotes and achievements were shared, the room buzzed with admiration and gratitude. These weren't just names on a program – they were friends, mentors, and inspirations who've woven themselves into the fabric of the Abilities First community.

The evening served as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when compassion meets action. To everyone who attended and continues to support our mission THANK YOU. You're not just witnesses to change; you're the catalysts that make it possible.

Celebrating Achievements: Graduations,

Year-End Celebrations, and School Activities

As we conclude the 2023-2024 academic year, we have enjoyed so many wonderful occasions with the Abilities First students, staff, families, and friends! Here’s a glimpse into some of our cherished, time-honored events and the celebrated achievements of the 2024 graduates:

Spring Prom: The LaGrange and New Windsor campuses hosted a Spring Prom for 23 of their students. Thank you to all who contributed time, talent and effort to this wonderful afternoon of dancing and fun. Special "Thank You" to the Elks No. 275 Club, Andrea Hagan and the volunteer students from Highland, Lourdes & Arlington High Schools!
Field Day: A fun-filled event that brought smiles and laughter to everyone involved.
LaGrange & Straus Family Pavilion Schools: The 2024 graduates were recognized in heartfelt ceremonies, celebrating their hard work and accomplishments.
Executive Drive, Hyde Park UPK & Myers Corners Preschool Programs: These programs held delightful graduation and moving-up ceremonies, marking significant milestones for their youngest learners.

Your generosity to the Foundation for Abilities First NY has made an immeasurable impact on our education programs. Thanks to your unwavering support, we've been able to provide students and families with experiences that go beyond the everyday curriculum.

The end-of-year celebrations, complete with sweet treats and exciting activities, along with the special touches that make our field day and graduations memorable, are only possible because of your contributions. These moments are more than just fun events – they're powerful catalysts for inclusion and acceptance, creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of belonging for all students. We cannot overstate how much your giving means to us. Your generosity doesn't just fund programs; it opens doors, builds confidence, and creates opportunities that will resonate for years to come. Make a gift today to continue to support the Educational Programs HERE.

Congratulations to all the graduates and students!

Honoring Nancy Besio: A Champion of

Inclusion and Celebration

Pictured left to right: LaGrange Graduate Tom, Nancy Besio, LaGrange Principal Georgia Patchen, and Graduate Hunter. Bottom row, Graduate Rene.

For over 26 years, Nancy Besio, a dedicated teacher at the LaGrange School at Abilities First, has been meticulously planning and orchestrating graduation ceremonies for students and families with developmental disabilities. Her commitment to making these events memorable and inclusive highlights the importance of recognizing the achievements of all students and providing their families with the joy of celebrating these significant milestones.

Nancy's attention to detail ensures that each graduation is a special occasion. From crafting handmade invitations to organizing cakes and refreshments, she handles every aspect with care and passion. Her efforts create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where students and their families can share in the pride and joy of graduation day. "It gives me peace and joy to know that we have created a place where our students felt accepted and supported and encouraged to learn and grow. We create a community for them where they feel that they belong, where they are encouraged and where there is joy.", Nancy shares.

These celebrations are not just about marking the end of an academic journey; they are about fostering inclusion and creating lasting memories for everyone involved. Nancy's dedication to this cause is evident in every event she plans, ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities, experience the joy and recognition they deserve. Nancy adds, "Parents of students with disabilities work so hard for their children and it is also important to me to see them have a few moments to look at their child and be proud of who they are, what they've accomplished and take pride in them."

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nancy Besio for her unwavering dedication and the countless hours she has invested in making graduation a cherished experience for so many. Her work is a testament to the power of inclusion and the importance of celebrating every student's success.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

WOW II Participants Make a Difference: Feeding the Less Fortunate

We are incredibly proud to share the inspiring efforts of our WOW II participants, who recently made sandwiches for the Hopewell Reformed Church's mission to support the less fortunate in New York City. This heartfelt initiative enabled them to feed almost 100 people, bringing hope and nourishment to those in need.

The sandwiches, carefully prepared by our dedicated participants, were distributed by the Hopewell Reformed Church team throughout NYC. In addition to feeding nearly 100 individuals, the remaining sandwiches were delivered to Hope on a Mission, extending the impact of this generous act even further.

This initiative not only provided essential meals but also highlighted the spirit of community and compassion that defines our WOW II participants. Their commitment to helping others serves as a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we come together with a shared purpose.

Heartwarming Father's Day

Surprise at MCPS

Just in time for Father’s Day, the Bush family and students at MCPS, including Luca, were treated to a delightful surprise! Andrew, Luca’s dad, who has been serving on active duty in the Army since September, made a joyous return.

Thank you for your service, Andrew, and welcome home!

Program Updates

Introducing Abilibee: Your Free App for Navigating

Developmental Disability Support Systems

Abilibee is coming soon! For the past two years, we’ve been busy bees at Abilities First building an app to help families navigate systems from Early Intervention to Adulthood. With a grant from the Council for Developmental Disabilities, we took on the challenge of making life easier for individuals with developmental disabilities and the people who support them.

We gathered an advisory group from across New York State of providers, parents, and self-advocates. And we listened! A big thank you to all who gave us feedback and encouragement along the way. Did we mention the app is free? We anticipate an official launch in September as we go back to school, but if you’d like to bee a tester, use the QR code to take you to our website, abilibee.org, and help us to the finish line. Stay tuned for more!