LI ECDC Dr. Abraham Lurie, First Board Chairperson, Retires VCLC

Spring 2011
Janice Friedman, CEO
45
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years
A
braham Lurie,
PhD, Variety Child
Learning Center’s
(VCLC) first chairperson of the Board of
Trustees, announced
his retirement at the
June 2010 Board
Meeting after 44 years
of service. The Board
and staff said goodbye to him at the September 2010 meeting.
Dr. Lurie began his eminent career as a
psychologist in the Air Force, and went on
to be the Director of Social Work at Long
Island Jewish Hillside Medical Center
where he supervised Judith Bloch. As her
supervisor, Dr. Lurie encouraged Judy to
pursue her dream to help children. He subsequently became the first board chair at
VCLC and continued to share his knowledge, counsel and support.
Dr. Lurie was a Professor of Social Work
at Adelphi University. Later at a time when
many other professionals of his age would
be long retired, Dr. Lurie became a highly
esteemed professor in the School of Social
Work at Stony Brook University and has
been a sought-after lecturer in the field of
mental health. He is the recipient of countless awards in recognition of his numerous
contributions to social policy and practice.
Dr. Lurie has had a profound impact as a
mentor to generations of social workers.
In many religious ceremonies and rites
of passage, parents symbolically pass on
learning and traditions to their child with
the hope that their child will continue to
pass that on to succeeding generations.
Continued on page 3
47 Humphrey Drive
R
Andrea Rieger, CFO
Dr. Abraham
Lurie, First Board
Chairperson, Retires
By Joan Weinstein, LCSW, Director of
Family Services
E
LI ECDC
VCLC Receives SED Grant for the New
Long Island Early Childhood Direction Center
V
ariety Child Learning Center (VCLC)
received a grant from the New York State
Education Department (SED) to host the
new Long Island Early Childhood Direction
Center (LI ECDC) from July 1, 2010 through
June 30, 2015. When SED issued the request for proposal in the Spring 2010, there
were significant changes to the grant
requirements. The major change consolidated the Nassau County and Suffolk
County ECDCs into one. Staffing requirements also changed.
LI ECDC provides free and confidential
information and referrals to families and
professionals regarding services for young
children (birth to five) who have diagnosed
or suspected special needs and reside in
Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The New
York State Education Department, Office of
Special Education, oversees and supports
the LI ECDC as a primary and essential
partner, coordinating preschool special
education activities among parents, school
districts, approved programs and counties,
at the local and regional levels. The LI
ECDC provides resources for parents and
professionals, parent training, and professional development workshops.
Continued on page 3
VCLC Celebrates 45 Years
A Message from Janice Friedman & Andrea Rieger
T
he year was 1966. The President of the
United States was Lyndon B. Johnson and
the country was involved in the Vietnam
War. Russia and the U.S. were in a race to
see who would land on the moon first.
There was no federal legislation to provide
education for children with special needs
who were often placed in institutions such
as Willowbrook.
In this era, Judith Simon Bloch wanted to
do something that would make a difference
in the lives of children with special needs
and their families. From her experience as a
social worker, she was convinced that early
identification and intervention would have a
significant impact on the children’s development and future outcome. In 1966, Judith
S. Bloch founded Pre-Schooler’s Workshop
(PSW) with an enrollment of six children.
As the teacher, she worked side-by-side
with the children’s mothers in a church
Syosset
N e w Yo r k
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basement. This was the beginning of the
home/school collaboration model that became
the philosophical backbone of the agency.
The world for children with disabilities
changed in 1975 when Congress passed
landmark legislation
(PL 94-142) assuring
children with disabilities
Continued on page 2
516.921.7171
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w w w. v c l c . o r g
Continued from cover, VCLC Celebrates 45 Years...
45
J U D I T H S. B L O C H , F O U N D E R
years
Programs and Services
For Children
I
Evaluation Center (Birth–8 yrs)
I
Early Intervention (EI) (Birth–3 yrs)
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VVA AR RI EI ET TY Y CCH HI LI LD D
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Preschool Special Education Classes
(3–5 yrs)
School-Age Special Education Classes
(K–2nd grade)
Special Education Itinerant Teacher
(SEIT) (3–5 yrs)
Special Class in an Integrated Setting
(SCIS) (3–5 yrs)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Home Program (Birth–8 yrs)
English Language Learner Preschool
Classes (Spanish Bilingual Support)
(3–5 yrs)
Social Skills Training Program (4–16 yrs)
Family Center Sunday Respite Program
(3–10 yrs)
Related Services (3–8 yrs)
– Occupational Therapy
– Physical Therapy
– Play Therapy
– Speech Therapy
For Families
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Parent Counseling/Parent Training
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Parent Education and Support Groups
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Family Center Sunday Respite Program
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L LE EA AR RN NI NI NG G CCE EN NT TE ER R
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Left, CEO Janice Freidman and right, CFO Andrea Rieger
For Professionals
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Professional Development
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Pediatric Resident Training Program
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Internships
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Consultation
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Research
Long Island Early Childhood
Direction Center (LI ECDC)
I
Birth–5 yrs
VCLC is a 501(c)(3) private, not-for-profit agency
chartered by the NYS Board of Regents.
www.vclc.org
an education. As a result, increasing numbers of children were being identified and
families came to PSW looking for services.
In 1977 when the school outgrew its space,
PSW moved from the church basement to a
rented space in a school building owned by
the Syosset School District. A few years
later PSW with a grant from Variety, the Children’s Charity, purchased the building. PreSchooler’s Workshop became Variety
Pre-Schooler’s Workshop (VPSW). VPSW
renovated and expanded the building with
the help of two Kresge Challenge Grants. In
2000, the Board of Trustees voted to
change the name of the school to Variety
Child Learning Center (VCLC) to better describe the array of services and programs
offered to children, families and the community.
In the years to come, VCLC added
classes and programs to accommodate the
increasing number of children identified
and approved for special education. Today,
VCLC, a multi-faceted agency, provides
direct services to children and families; is
involved in policy making and advocacy;
and offers professional development to the
early childhood and special education
communities.
The year is 2011. The President of the
United States is Barak Obama. The U.S. is
involved in the war on terrorism. IDEA, federal legislation which was reauthorized in
2004 provides educational entitlements to
children with disabilities birth to 21. While
there is no longer any issue about services
for the children, funding concerns are ongoing as the counties, state and country
struggle with budget deficits. VCLC continues to work with government officials and
other agencies to maintain the level of services that the children and families need.
VCLC is celebrating its 45th anniversary
this year. Today, VCLC provides programs
and services to more than 500 children and
their families. Thank you to our wonderful
staff who are truly dedicated and committed to helping each child become the best
that they can be. Thank you to the Board of
Trustees for providing us with endless guidance and support. And thank you to all
VCLC supporters for helping us reach this
milestone. I
VCLC 45th
Anniversary
Celebrations
VCLC hosted its annual fundraiser,
Laughter for Children's Sake
Comedy Night on Friday, March 18, 2011
at the Crest Hollow Country Club in
Woodbury. The event raised approximately
$83,000 and attracted over 350 attendees.
Proceeds go directly to VCLC programs for
children and their families.
Stefanie Rieger Memorial Event
The Rieger Family of Syosset will be
hosting a fundraising event, on Saturday,
April 30, 2011, in memory of their daughter,
Stefanie Rose Rieger, who lost her battle
with colon cancer at the age of 22 in 2009.
The event will be a boutique shopping and
casino event taking place at the Carlyle at
the Palace in Plainview. The event will start
at 7pm and tickets are $125. Please go to
www.vclc.org for more details.
45th Anniversary Gala
On Friday, October 28, 2011, VCLC will
hold its 45th Anniversary Celebration Gala
at Carlyle on the Green in Farmingdale.
Join us as we honor VCLC Trustees and
alumni parents Ruth and Alan Stearn and
Stephen Sipola, Senior Vice President of
Middle Market Lending at Capital One.
Tickets are $250.
Milestones
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VCLC became the host agency for the Nassau County
Early Childhood Direction Center and continues to be
the host agency for the newly created Long Island Early
Childhood Direction Center.
Services were expanded to include Speech Therapy,
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Adaptive
Physical Education and Counseling for children and
families.
Existing programs were expanded and new programs
were developed:
• An infant/toddler program that later became a
New York State Department of Health approved Early
Intervention Program
• Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) services for
children who are classified as preschool students with
disabilities and receive special education services in
their preschools,child care centers or at home
• Related Service Program for preschool students with
disabilities who need Speech, OT, PT, Counseling,
Parent Education and Training
• ABA Home Program
• Training program for the early childhood community
which focuses on practical knowledge
• Social Skills Training Program for Children and Teens
• Special Classes in an Integrated Setting (SCIS)
• Family Center Sunday Respite Program which
provides social and recreational activities for children
with disabilities (3-10) and their siblings and respite for
their families
• Music and computer programs
Technology for Children
T
hanks to generous donations from
Board members, the Parent Organization,
and an alumni family, the children have
access to brand new state-of-the art computers and SMART technology. The new
equipment supplements classroom learning activities by providing the children with
additional tools to help them master goals
on their IEP and acquire school readiness,
language, cognitive, literacy, social and
motor skills.
A SMART Board was installed in Linda
Ivan’s school-age classroom. Linda uses
this technology at morning
circle time for calendar,
class news, the weather,
and to introduce new
skills and reinforce learning. The children are excited every morning
to use the board. One child described the
SMART Board: “It’s awesome. It’s really,
really cool!!” The children learn to take turns
and interact with each other during activities.
The classroom staff participated in a
two-hour training to learn to use the SMART
Board, access programs and activities
developed for the board and develop customized activities using SMART software.
The staff enthusiastically embraced this
new technology as a learning tool.
A SMART Table, a moveable free-stand-
“
ing device, was also purchased
and is housed in the library, giving
all classes access. The SMART
Table has an interactive surface allowing up to eight children to participate in an activity. It fosters peer
interaction since the activities require all to collaborate and participate. Staff received six-hours of
training to learn to use the table and develop customize activities using the SMART
software.
The children were very excited to use
the table. They learned
easily that the activities
required all of them to work
together. The children interacted and helped their
peers so that they could move on to the
next activity. The SMART Table is a great
tool to encourage the development of social skills.
After assessing the children’s and staff’s
responses to SMART technology, VCLC will
purchase additional SMART Boards and
SMART Tables using federal grant money.
These will be installed beginning in the
Spring 2011.
The 2009-2010 Parent Organization ear
marked the funds raised to purchase new
computer equipment for the Children‘s
”
It’s awesome.
It’s really, really cool!
Computer Center. In January
2011, the children began using HP TouchSmart All-in-One Computers. The TouchSmart
is a touch-screen monitor with everything
built into it. There is no separate desktop or
speakers, creating a wire-free work space
for the children. Even the mouse and keyboard are wireless.
These state-of-the art computers will
supplement classroom curriculum, enabling the children to work on social, cognitive, language, literacy and fine motor skills.
The children will be able to use the new
computers to access pre-screened and
approved children’s internet sites and webbased children’s software. These internet
sites and software used at school will be
shared with parents so that the children can
generalize skills learned at school to the
home setting. In addition, interactive software will require the children to work collaboratively to complete a task, hence helping
them develop social skills. I
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communities on behavior management,
communicating with parents, establishing a
therapeutic environment, child development, and red flag behaviors.
The LI ECDC is located in Syosset and
open to the public 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM to
receive visitors and respond to phone calls
regarding requests for information and
assistance. For information, referrals or
assistance, parents and professionals can
contact the LI ECDC by phone at (516)
364-8580 or by email at [email protected]. I
Pictured: left to right: Suzan Weinstein, Carolyn Gammerman,
Karen Fikar, Sonia Puertas-Galletta.
3
LEARNING CENTER
Carolyn Gammerman, MS, the new
Director of the LI ECDC, is a special education teacher with more than fifteen years
experience working with children with
special needs and their families, school
districts, providers and county officials.
She is supported in her work by Suzan
Weinstein, Community Outreach, Sonia
Puertas–Galletta, Bilingual Community
Outreach and Karen Fikar, Administrative
Assistant.
Since July, the LI ECDC has been busy.
There have been more than 140 new families seeking information about the early intervention and special education systems.
The staff has presented four transitional
workshops in both Nassau and Suffolk
counties to provide information to families
of children moving from Early Intervention
to Preschool Special Education. Professionals have also been contacting the
ECDC for information about regulations
and resources. The staff has provided
workshops for the preschool and child care
H I L D
It is clear to me in my role as Director of
Family Services that Dr. Lurie passed on
his passion and knowledge to Judith
Bloch, Founder, who continued to inspire
the social workers and all of VCLC’s staff to
consider the important role families play in
a child’s education. The work we value
today has been inspired by Dr. Lurie, and
further shaped by Judith Bloch as she created this very special school which truly
values home/school collaboration. This
passion and commitment has been passed
down to the current social work staff to
carry on this important work. VCLC owes a
debt of gratitude to Abe.
We have been honored to have Dr.
Lurie as a member of the VCLC Board of
Trustees. VCLC thanks Dr. Lurie for his
commitment to the agency and for his 44
years of service. VCLC will name the Social
Work Department in his honor. A dedication ceremony will take place at a later
date. VCLC wishes him a very healthy and
wonderful retirement. I
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Continued from cover, VCLC Receives SED Grant...
A R I E T Y
Continued from cover, Dr. Abraham Lurie....
Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
Variety Child Learning Center received its fourth grant renewal and is partnering with the
nation’s oldest federally funded literacy program, Reading is Fundamental (RIF), Family
of Readers. The goal of the program is to enhance the children’s literacy skills and promote the love of reading. The children receive three books each year which they choose
and take home. Parents are invited to participate in parent education workshops as
well as a two-week long reading challenge. Volunteer support from families, donations
from local businesses, and the Bernard Berger Memorial Literacy Fund help make this
program possible.
Promoting Play and Social Skills
Development in the Preschool Child
LEARNING CENTER
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lay is so important to the growth of the
whole child and is the primary mode for a
child’s social development. A child’s world
is filled with exploration, discovery and
make believe. Through play, children learn
to problem solve, take turns, share and develop friendships. Opportunities for play
within the home or school environment give
children the forum to learn how to make
friends, and to try on and experiment with
new roles in a safe environment.
Elizabeth, Emma and Kaitlyn were playing in the kitchen corner and probably,
recreating a pleasant memory from the recent holidays. Elizabeth said, “I am going
to be the Mommy. Kaitlyn, you be the
daughter, and Emma is the sister. Let’s get
ready. We are going to have a feast. We
will have soup and tea. Everything is ready
for our feast.”
As teachers and parents, we are able to
offer children non-intrusive guidance so
that they can share ideas and learn to
expand upon their play. Ginger, a skilled
assistant teacher, enriched the experience
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By Judith Tabak, Principal
and expanded upon this “teachable
moment” by reflecting upon the play and
asking, “Can you tell me about a feast?”
One youngster responded that “a feast is
when we eat cake and eat pasta.” A second child added, “A feast is when we eat a
lot of good food.” For Elizabeth, Emma and
Kaitlyn the opportunity to play act a “feast”
enabled them to reflect upon and further
develop this experience with peers in a
supportive, non-judgmental environment.
It is important to add that children learn
in a variety of ways. Some of our
youngsters have developed play
skills through a more formalized
approach that incorporates
discrete trial teaching. Helping children
learn to greet each other, take turns, enter
into a play scenario with another child, and
“read” a social situation are skills that can
be taught by strategies that incorporate
visuals and scripted social stories.
Whether play is child initiated or adult
supported, it is an essential component in
the development of the child. The development of social skills is an important readiness skill that young children need
for future success in school and
at home. I
The laughter, smiles and expressions
of joy are apparent in the faces of
Elizabeth, Kaitlyn and Emma
as they recreate an
enjoyable “feast.”
The children in Cathy’s social skills
group built a robot! Over a period
of two weeks they collected boxes,
tubes, stickers and scraps of material.
After a lively brainstorming session,
they decided how to build the body.
They negotiated which materials to
use and how they could best hold
the pieces in place. When done, they
named their robot and invited the
children in Stacy’s class to see what
they had created. An enthusiastic
question and answer session ensued.
Professional Accomplishments of VCLC Staff
I New Degrees/Certifications:
Amy Blustein earned her Masters degree
in Special Education and General Education and received her Birth to 2nd Grade
Certification.
Lisa Dicker earned her Masters degree in
Special Education and Early Childhood
Education.
Nancy Fonneland earned her Bachelors
degree in Special Education (Birth to 6th
Grade) and General Education.
Christine Lipori earned her Bachelors
degree in Special Education and Elementary Education.
Neal Roshanda, Rachel Sobel and
Michele Varisco.
The following VCLC staff passed the Tier 2
exam: Michael Rafinelli and Nichole Rosner.
I Published:
Willis Mawyer’s article“Promoting Social
Skills” appeared in the August/September
2010 issue of Long Island Parent.
Joan Padron published two articles in
Long Island Parent: “Halloween Can Be Fun
For Everyone” in the October/November
2010 issue and “Holiday Selections For
Their Needs” in the December 2010/January 2011 issue.
Laura Osofsky earned her Masters degree
I Presentations:
in Special Education and Birth to 2nd
Grade certification.
Lenore Kahne presented a workshop on
Cristen Scuereb earned her Masters
Language Development in Toddlers at the
degree in Early Childhood Education and
Parent Child Home Program Annual Conferhas dual certification.
ence, in May 2010.
I Nassau County Early Intervention ABA
Terrie Hoppe presented a workshop on
Provider Competency Program:
Sensory Processing Disorders at the Alice
Brown Early Learning Center at Adelphi
The following VCLC staff passed the Tier 1
University, in August 2010.
exam: Virginia Blum, Erica Pagan,
Anastasia Piotowski, Luanne Rogalski,
Stacey Ratner presented at the Early Discovery Center on Setting up the Classroom
for Successful Learning in August 2010
and for Life’s WORC Autism Conference–
Building Bridges Through Life’s Connections on Effective Behavior-Based Teaching
Strategies & Data Collection Procedures in
October 2010.
Jackie Blatt and Melissa Goldberg
presented Communicating with Parents
Regarding Concerns About Their Child at
Long Island Head Start, and How Not to
Push Back When your Buttons are Pushed
at the Marcus Avenue Preschool. Both
presentations were in November 2010.
Janice Friedman and Stacey Ratner did a
feature presentation on Red Flag Behaviors:
When Should a Teacher Worry at the national conference for the National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC), in November 2010.
Willis Mawyer presented Teaching Optimistic Thinking in the Preschool Setting at
Hebrew Academy for Special Children,
(HASC) in December 2010. I
VCLC’s Youth Action Council
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be on the YAC (Youth Action Council) for
Variety…What I really want from this experience is…for people to be aware of children
with disabilities and I want to raise more
money for the school…I want more young
people to become involved because we
can make such a difference for the school.”
The Board of Trustees, staff, children
and families are proud to be working with
such a talented group of young adults.
The council will accept applications for
the 2011-2012 Youth Action Council. For
more information, please contact Angela
Hamel at (516) 921-7171, Ext. 2179 or by
email at [email protected]. I
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Youth Action Council Mission
Become “Cause Advocates”
Council members will educate the local
community and youth about young
children with special needs, including
autism, thereby increasing acceptance
for this population in the community.
Increase Volunteerism
Council members will volunteer to work
in VCLC programs including the Saturday
Social Skills Program and Family Center
Sunday Respite Program.
Develop and Increase Leadership Skills
Council members will develop, implement
and participate in fund raising activities.
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LEARNING CENTER
V
ariety Child Learning Center proudly introduces the Youth Action Council which
was created to provide a partnership between Variety Child Learning Center (VCLC)
and young leaders of tomorrow who are interested in community involvement. Members of the Council are students from local
high schools.
At the January 2010 Board Meeting,
Donna Gerzof, Trustee and Secretary, proposed that VCLC develop the Youth Action
Council to engage local high school students to increase VCLC’s visibility in the
community. The Board voted to support this
initiative. A joint Board and staff committee
was formed to develop and implement the
project. Angela Hamel, LCSW, a Social
Worker at VCLC, and Blanca Duarte
Martinez, Trustee, were asked to serve as
advisors for the Youth Action Council.
Applications for the Youth Action Council were distributed to high school students
who were already volunteering at the
school, alumni students and other high
school students who heard about the
council. Each applicant needed a letter of
recommendation and was interviewed by
the advisors.
In June 2010, the Youth Action Council
held its first meeting. Eleven high school
students met to discuss the mission and
plans for the upcoming year. Sarah
Moskowitz, a senior at Jericho High School,
and Carly Goldrich, a senior at Syosset
High School, were selected as co-presidents. The Youth Action Council volunteered at VCLC’s Comedy Night 2011, and
will be volunteering at the Stefanie Rose
Rieger Memorial Event on April 30th, 2011
at Carlyle at the Palace. In addition, they
will have a Car Wash on Saturday, May 21,
2011 (rain date, Sunday, May 22, 2011) at
VCLC to raise funds for the school. Council
members are working on the development
of a project to sell at VCLC bracelets as a
fund raiser.
At a recent meeting, the council members were asked to describe the purpose
of the Youth Action Council: “I’m happy to
Helping VCLC Families for the Holidays
T
his year the economy hit many of our
children and families hard. With unemployment rates so high and many people struggling to just get by, VCLC staff, Board
members and our local friends at the
Woodbury office of GEICO helped out families in need.
Once again our GEICO “angels” appeared. On December 10th, Janet Woodburn and her husband came to VCLC to
deliver their beautifully wrapped gifts to our
families bringing holiday spirit and cheer.
Janet explained that many GEICO members decided to trim gift giving in their own
families, so they could provide for others in
need. They definitely had the true
meaning of the holidays in their hearts.
The very special staff at GEICO worked
hard all year long to raise money to be able
to provide for our families. Then, before the
holidays, they requested wish lists from our
families and shopped for them. In addition,
they provided money for VCLC to purchase
food gift cards so parents could provide
special holiday meals for their children.
This year, VCLC staff was also especially
generous in reaching out to participate in
the Snowflake Campaign, where staff and
members of the Board of Trustees took a
snowflake that represented a child’s wishes
or needs for the holidays. We had a blizzard of snowflakes and not one was left.
Our generous staff and Board saw to it
that all of our children’s needs were met.
Our parents who received gifts were
overwhelmed by the generosity and caring
of GEICO and our staff. Some of the comments from parents were: “My child smiled
because of you”, “You have touched our
hearts with your generosity”, “Thank you for
your good heart and your good thoughts,
may God bless you”, “Thank you so much
for all of your help and for sharing with me
and my daughter”, and “Thank you, thank
you, thank you”.
From the bottom of our hearts, Variety
Child Learning Center expresses our deepest gratitude and respect for all of you who
have reached out to our families in need. I
Thank You to our Generous Benefactors
$40,000 and Over
Newsday Charities
$20,000 - $39,999
Charles Henry Leach, II Foundation
$10,000 - $19,999
Bailey Family Foundation
GEICO
Sarah I. Schieffelin Residuary Trust
United Way of Long Island
LEARNING CENTER
$5,000 - $9,999
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Astoria Federal Savings
First Long Island Investors, LLC
Fortbrand Services, Inc.
Janice, David, Allison & Eric
Friedman
Helen I. Graham Charitable
Foundation
Jewish Communal Fund
Drs. Faiz & Nazia Khan
The Lawrence Foundation
John & Evelyn Lipori
Mutual of America
The New York Community Trust
The Ralph & Lucy Palleschi Family
Foundation
Andrea & Kieth Rieger
Adam Rosenfeld
Varnum-De Rose Trust
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$2,500 - $4,999
The Bahnik Foundation, Inc.
BNY Mellon Wealth Management
Susan & Jay Baumgarten
Capital One Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Frain
Cynthia & Richard Rutigliano
United Way of New York City
Vanguard Charitable Endowment
Program
Warburg Pincus LLC
$1000 - $2,499
3Linc, LLC
Ali & Flor Abbas
American Express Foundation
Curt Arnel
Kevin & Melissa Bandoian
Judith & Milton Bloch
Roger & Karina Cantillo
Center for Wealth Preservation, LLC
Donnalynn & Jon Darling
E.B.C. Co.
Executive Settlement Company, LLC
Frank's Steaks of Jericho & Rockville
Center
Lisa Friedman & Bruce Clark
Fusion Architecture, PLLC
Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program
Arnold & Barbara Greenberg
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Lisa Gurock
Interactive Business Services
Arnold & Barbara Greenberg
Irvin Simon Photographers, Inc.
Steven Kanowitz
Darrell & Kimberly Kimball
Koeppel, Martone, Leistman, LLP
Lucille & Leonard Lufrano
Blanca Martini
Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein PC
Myriad Genetics, Inc.
Nassau County Bar Association
WE CARE Fund
Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union
Mark & Maureen Peters
Quartz Caterers
David Rottkamp
Alice & Robert Rouse
Michael & Sherry Rubin
Schlissel, Ostrow, Karabatos, PLLC
Howard & Phyllis Schultz
Janet & Frederic Slade
Scott & Carmen Smyth
Alan & Ruth Stearn
Steven & Carolyn Storch
Steven & Gabrielle Tesch
Edward & Christine Vitti
Carmela Vlacich
Thomas & Anne Walsh
Wesfair Agency, Inc.
Ray Yeung & Veronica Foo
Mark & Ilene Zelniker
$500 - $999
Mary Ann Aiello
The Anglican Foundation
Marvin Aronson
Jerome & Bernice Ash
Emily Bayer
Daniel & Dawn Beckworth
The Bella Spewack Article Fifth Trust
Rocco & Michelle Campanelli
Neal & Karen Cappadona
Cardboard Memories
Cascone & Kluepfel, LLP
Central Digital Solutions, Inc.
Consolidated Vending Enterprises
David & Margaret Delaney-Granados
Jeffrey & Marina DiDomenico
Farber, Blicht, Eyerman & Herzog
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
Lorie & Robert Gally
Stephen & Meryl Gassman
Donna & Richard Gerzof
Barry Goldsmith
Stephen Jordano & Andrea Greenberg
Mark & Karen Hopper
ITM Technologies, Inc.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
JMV Consulting Engineering, PC
Robert & Michele Karin
Marcum LLP
Kevin & Betty Morris
Ron & Nancy Noreman
NYBKW Charitable Foundation
Office Furniture Direct
Drs. Paul Pervil & Paula Schwartz
John Polsinelli
Paul & Marie Polsinelli
Nancy Popper
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
RCM Technologies
Monte & Carolyn Redman
Alina Rossi
Kenneth & Marsha Schack
Lawrence & Leslie Scheinthal
Schultz & Sage CPA's P.C.
Salvatore & Connie Sena
Judy & Leonard Tabak
Dale Telmer
Marjorie Toran
Transel Elevator & Electric, Inc.
Debbie & Robert Walley
Joan & Mel Weinstein
Wells Fargo Community Support
Campaign
Judith & Neil Zipkin
Nicholas Zografos & Maria Kalorides
$250 - $499
Andrew Ackerman
Scott & Theresa Albarella
Gary & Stephanie Albert
Michael & Rebecca Altman
Mitchell & Kim Ascione
Catherine Attri
Michael & JoAnn Autorino
Sol & Carol Barrocas
Marc Berger
Steven & Debbie Berger
Steven & Audrey Bernstein
Penny Besso
Douglas & Leslie Blank
Jacqueline & David Blatt
Steven Brenner
Jeremy Brown
Dominick & Florina Caparusso
Capital One Bank
Circle Pension, Inc.
Cobert Haber & Haber LLP
Cosmetique
Anne Cucci
Carolyn Cucci
Fredric & Julie Davidson
Giuseppe Del Prete & Antoinette Siciliano
John DiMascio
Dr. Neil & Paula Engel
Stuart Febesh
Jon & Iris Feingold
Ferrari's Auto Repair, Inc.
Linda & Larry Fields
Dani Finkel
Paul & Carrie Fleishman
Maria Franzese
Michael & Teri Fried
Debra Friedman
Ira Futterman & Abby Garfinkel
Barbara Gervase
Florence Goldsmith
Barbara Goodman
Robert Gordon
Iris Gosin
Grassi & Co., CPAs, P.C.
Linda Gruber
Laurie & Donald Haber
Brian & Janet Hayes
Howard & Iris Heimowitz
Holtz Rubenstein Reminick
The H.O.P.E.S. Foundation
Hopkins & Kopilow, Esqs.
Mark Imber
ING
Integrated Medical Foundation
Jay & Mindy Jacobs
Anita Kaplan
Penny Kaplan
Allison Kastner
Jane Kay
Susan Kennedy
Merri Kliegman
Glenn Koopersmith
Koopersmith Klein, LLC
Neil & Roberta Kushner
Annette LaBerta
Mary Lagnado
Justin Levy
Glenn Liebman
Locator Corporation
Loveleen & Kapil Lohia
Madeline Lopresti
Melissa Lubin
Abraham Lurie
Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP
Victor & Cheryl Matthews
Willis Mawyer
John & Pamela McEntee
Melissa Metzger
Jessica Meyrowitz
Eileen Miller
Valerie Miller
Khadija Misuraca
Daren Moreira
MTE Armored Car Corp
MTM Business Forms, Inc.
Antonio & Claudia Napolitano
Salvatore & Patricia Norberto
Joan & Neil Padron
Manny & Patricia Paulo
Pearlman, Apat & Futterman
Alan Pollack
Potruch and Daab, LLD
Thomas Polsinelli
Donna Popkin
Power Travel
Gennaro & Jennifer Prudente
Joel Rakower
Kenneth & Mia Ramirez
Lawrence & Francine Raxenberg
Seth & Jennifer Rosenkrantz
Robert & Teresa Rotondo
Michael & Mary Ann Salgo
Grant Acknowledgements
Although many of the programs and services that VCLC
provides are covered through government entitlements,
more and more we are finding ourselves reliant on private funding to supplement those tight government dollars. VCLC wishes to thank some of the generous
benefactors who have provided support to our programs for the 2011 fiscal year. Your generosity helps us
provide the critical programs and services that are so
important to our children and families. Thank You!
Newsday Charities
$45,000
The Charles Henry Leach, II Foundation
$20,000
Sarah I. Schieffelin Residuary Trust
$10,000
Von Seebeck Share B Charitable Trust
$8,000
The Bailey Family Foundation
$5,500
Helen I. Graham Charitable Foundation
$5,000
The Lawrence Foundation
$5,000
The Stefanie Rose Rieger Memorial Fund
Provides New Speech Therapy Area
Thanks to the generosity of many, including friends, family, colleagues and
Board members, VCLC will be renovating one of the areas currently used to
provide speech therapy. The renovation is being funded by the Stefanie
Rose Rieger Memorial Fund and is being dedicated in memory of Stefanie,
the late daughter of VCLC’s CFO, Andrea Rieger. The renovation will
include a sensory room, in addition to therapy offices, an open
area for therapeutic play, a new kitchen, equipment and
furnishings. Although the bulk of the renovation will not
be completed until August 2011, work will begin in
late spring and includes an upgraded electrical system.
At the completion of the renovation project, a
ceremony will be held to
unveil the new space and to
acknowledge again all of
the supporters of this very
special project.
July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010
I
Alan & Heidi Schachter
Brad & Lauren Scherer
Maddie & Valerie Scherer
Samantha Schneider
Steven & Peggy Schwartz
Brad Seader
Lindsay Seckendorf
Martin & Elaine Seitz
Brooke & Holly Shapiro
Denise & Robert Sher
Juanita Sherwood
Lisa Siano
Tara Silber
Dana Silver
Cory Silverberg
Amanda Silvestri
Laura Soehren
Howard & Ruth Sovronsky
Erica Spielholz
Elaine Stack
Lenore Stamm
Peter & Caroline Stearn
Lisa & Eric Steier
Steven Levitt & Associates, P.C.
Steve's Piccola Bussola
Sunynams Fashion LTD
George & Megan Sutcliffe
Jenna Sykoff
Richard Tannenbaum
Andrew M. Thaler, Esq.
John Thornton
Elliot Touretz
Mary Vaccaro
Jenna Volper
Larry & Suzanne Wachler
Ilyssa Wapnick
Jessica Weiss
William & Carmen Weitzel
Kenneth Wilensky
Marisa Winoker
Thomas Wong
Efraim & Susan Zak
H I L D
A note to our donors …
You deserve to be properly
recognized for your contributions.
We apologize if we have made an
error or omission and ask you to
please contact the Development
Office at (516) 921-7171 Ext. 2259
with corrections. Thank you!
7
LEARNING CENTER
Marianna Mazzaferro
Steven Meisner
Midway Jewish Center
Neil Miller
Steven & Maria Miss
James & Ann Morris
Russell Munves
Diana Murad
Sabrina Muscatelli
Nicole Negrin
Terry & Eileen Neofitos
Our Secret
John & Joan Owens
John & Angela Pansuti
Morton & Sondra Pardes
Leopoldo & Lilly Pensa
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Pfizer United Way Campaign
Zachary Price
Lindsay Puchalsky
Jody Pugach
Nicholas Puglisi
Martin Randisi
Jennifer Rapp
Seymour Reisman
Barton& Barbara Resnicoff
Marian Rice
Salvatore & Marion Rizza
Roxanne Rodriguez
Manuel & Patricia Rogosich
Roger & Ellen Roisman
Jenna Rosenfeld
Peter & Lori Rosenthal
Jenna Rossi
Kristin Rossi
Casey Roth
Douglas & Leslie Rothkopf
Aaron Rotkel
Howard & Gayle Rotto
Danielle Rovello
Tori Rubin
Mary Jo Ruckel
Helena Rufa
Rafael & Sonia Ruiz
Esther Russell
Jeffrey & Cynthia Russell
Michael Ryan
Lauren Ryback
Audrey Sager
Kira Sandler
Patrick Saultz
C
Amandy Aaronson
Martha Agnoli
Drs. Lazar, Coyle & Akl
Jessica Alster
Glenn & Jill Altarac
Robert Asen
AT&T United Way
Target Rosalia Baiamonte
Bank of America
Barrocas & Rieger, LLP
Danielle Becker
John & Joan Bellontine
Stephen & Elizabeth Benjamin
Meryl Berkowitz
Robert & Roslyn Bernstein
Charlotte Betts
Neil & Sylvia Blumstein
Ellen Boles
Janie Bonacorsi
Vincent Boriello
Allan & Barbara Botter
Craig Goldwasser
Douglas & Lynda Good
Craig Goodman
Kenneth & Jaye Gordon
Heather Gosin
Peter & Linda Greico
Alan & Margaret Gruber
Alex Gundleger
Guttermans, Inc.
Robin Hadley
Danielle Hava
Robert & Ellen Hayman
Christopher Hiltz
Donald & Lorraine Hinchey
Lily & Peter Ho
Melissa Hoffman
Oliver Hudesman
Thomas & Ann Ieva
Carlo Izzo, D.D.S.
J. Peat & Associates, Inc.
Jacqueline Jacobs
Robyn Jaffe
Jay Davis & Associates, PLLC
Jeannine J. Izzo Agency, Inc.
Mitchell & Adela Kahn
Robb Kalkstein
Kantor & Kopman
Joel & Joan Kaplan
John & Arlene Kase
Catherine Kash
Jonathan & Adriana Lauck-Katz
Samantha Kaufman
Nancy Kennedy
Elaine Kreisberg
Carly Kreps
Alfred & Carol Landess
John & Maryann Lando
Kaitlin Langstaff
Ronald Lasker
Law Office of Allen B. Breslow
Law Offices of Davis & Bernheim
Law Offices of Kenneth L. Marten
Kevin & Amanda Lawrence
Michael & Andrea Leeds
Allison & Howard Leff
Victor Levin
Dana Liebstein
Robert & Lauren Lippe
Kathy Man
Caryn & Paul Manske
Sean Matthews
A R I E T Y
$100 - $249
Joseph Brancato
Leonard & Michelle Brandeis
Elissa Cantor
Salvatore Capritto
Carmine & Laura Castellano
Mary & Carmelo Castorina
Catalano,Gallardo & Petropoulos, LLP
Lauren Chernick
Andrew & Barbara Cohen
Lisa Cohen
Christopher & Elaine Conroy
Jennifer Cooper
Michele Corrao
Courten & Villar, PLLC
Joseph & Jodi Covello
Nicole Defalco
Debra & Claudio Del Vecchio
Melissa Dennihy
Joseph & Angela DeRogatis
Ralph & Louise DiBiasi
James Dipietro
Joseph & Laura DiTalia
Documentary Reproduction Service
Pamela Dreisiger
Andrew Engel
Nicole Esposito
Danny Ezraty
Mary & Joseph Fasano
Michael Ferrara
Gerry Fershtman
Fidelity Investments Galasso, Langione, Catterson & LoFrumento, LLP.
Gerard & Carmen Fiorenza
Danielle Fischer
Rachel Fischer
Barry Fisher
Kevin & Eileen Fitzgerald
Robert Folks
Steven & Colleen Fortuna
Martin & Debra Fox
Nigel Francis
Sari Friedman
Paula & Steven Frome
Jenna Gabriel
Gerald Gardner
Mark Gelfand
Jeanne Ginsberg
Melissa Goldberg
Matthew Goldfarb
Erica Goldstein
Jennifer Goldstein
V
Rhonda Samuel
Elliot & Beatrice Samuelson
Samuelson, Hause, & Samuelson
LLP
S&C Services, Inc.
Deena Schaffert & Stephan Cohen
William Schuster
Stanley & Joan Scott
Holly & Joseph Sena
Robert & Debra Silverman
Richard & Arlene Sirlin
Robert & Theresa Smith
Vincent & Kathleen Stempel
Stanley & Frances Storch
Jack & Alice Talmud
Geoffrey & Rhonda Touretz
Truist (UW of Tri-State)
Janet & Joseph Tymeck
Richard & Tracey Vecchione
Fredric & Denise Von Stange
Andrew Weingarten
Sandra & Joel Weinstein
Michael & Michele Werner
Evelyn Wilkins
Douglas & Bethanne Wolfe
Diane & Edward Young
Andie & Howard Zukerman
Jessica Zuckerman
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
N
Spring 2011
45
years
E
W
S
L
E
T
T
E
PAID
Permit No. 62
Syosset, NY
R
47 Humphrey Drive
Syosset, NY 11791
516.921.7171
www.vclc.org
Board of Trustees
CHAIRPERSON
Ralph F. Palleschi
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Alan J. Stearn
TREASURER
Michael Rubin
SECRETARY
Donna Cantrell Gerzof
Andrew D. Ackerman
Jerome Ash
Judith S. Bloch
Lisa Friedman Clark
Donnalynn Darling
Paul Fleishman
Paula Schwartz Frome
Arnold K. Greenberg
John S. Lipori
Lucille Lufrano
Blanca E. Duarte Martini
Alice Tan Rouse
Lawrence N. Scheinthal
Ruth Stearn
Giftsave
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Matc loyer if theryam.
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Som p to dou amount
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VCLC MISSION
I
I
I
I
I
Promote the development, education
and inclusion into the community of
children with or at risk of disabilities
Increase the capabilities of families
whose children have or are at risk of
disabilities and reduce the stresses on
those families
Initiate improvements in the delivery of
services to children and their families
Provide training and technical
assistance to early childhood personnel
Promote programs, research, attitudes,
policies and collaborations that improve
child development and family life
Serving children and families, residing in Nassau and
Suffolk Counties, and NYC.
www.vclc.org
Raise funds while
shop and search you
the web
You can raise fund
s for VCLC just by
searching the we
b or making a pu
rchase
online! Be sure to
name Variety Ch
Learning Center
as your charity of ild
choice.
Make GoodSear
ch.com your sear
ch
engine & VCLC wi
ll rece
every time you se ive a donation
arch the web!
Go to GoodShop
.com before you
shop
major retailers on
line, and yo
can raise funds fo ur purchases
r VCLC!
Target donates to VCLC
VCLC can benefit when you shop Target or
use your Target Visa Card!
Target donates 1% of your Red Card
purchases at Target & Target.com and ½%
of all Target Visa purchases, through their
“Take Charge of Education Program.”
Go to Target’s website www.target.com
or call 1.800.316.6142.
VCLC has received over $2,000 from
this program since it began!
VCLC is on
Facebook!
com/vclc
www.causes. ching
ar
se
Find us by
Learning
ld
hi
C
ty
rie
for Va
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ce
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