NEW HOPE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

NEW HOPE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
-5-
Classrooms Without
Walls!
-7-
NYSACRA Annual
Legislative Day
-8-
“Your Story is New
Hope’s Story”: Staff
Recognition Brunch
2011
- 10 -
The ART Beat of New
Hope Community Is
Heard At Catskill Art
Society!
SPRING 2011
- 12 -
Song Fest Spring 2011:
Taking Both Stage &
Screen
A Letter From Our Board Chair
The Honorable Leni Binder
When I first joined the New Hope Community Board, I had to develop a new concept
of what it means to be a member of a NEW HOPE Board. “Bubbala,” said Dan, “you
will need to take certain classes” and I explained that as I was obtaining an MPA, which
is essentially a Masters degree in non for profits, that I did not need them. The patient
response was, with a smile, “you WILL take the classes” and I did. And they served me
better in government than most of that degree in Public Administration....and I now, as
Chairperson, insist we all take the classes.
One of the things that does set our boards apart from others is the level of commitment
and understanding we have and which we demand from ourselves. During this trying
time when almost 30 percent of agencies will not be able to continue operations, we
are committed to Art Moretti and the New Hope family to be creative, supportive
and remain financially viable. We are visible with our presence on Campus, attending
meetings, lending support, understanding the problems and tasks our staff must
undertake. And they do it so well...
In the future, I will be asking other Board Members to step into this space and share their thoughts and ideas. Our Boards
are diverse, but unified in their goals. While the Family Board members have an obvious commitment, sometimes to the
point of micro management, as least for me, we are so grateful to the members who have joined us because they believe in
our mission. We commit to weekly phone conferences in addition to our regular meetings, because the pace and volume of
information requires time.
Dan Berkowicz set the pace, and Art Moretti, especially with his new Drill Instructor training certification, keeps us on track.
Yes, Art is now ready for covert operations and during the budget crisis in the state, he may need them. In closing, this is not
a snappy column, not my usual philosophic vignettes, but you need to be aware that we are all ever vigilant and New Hope
is in fine hands.
In This Issue
2
A Letter From Our Board Chair
The Honorable Leni Binder
4
A Letter From Our Executive Director
Arthur Moretti
4
Achieve & New Hope:
Teaming Up For Work And Play
5
Classrooms Without Walls
6
Celebrating Among Friends: Valentine’s Day Party
7
NYSACRA Annual Legislative Day
8
“Your Story Is New Hope’s Story”:
Staff Recognition Brunch 2011
10 The ART Beat of New Hope Community Is Heard
At Catskill Art Society!
Artwork by David Mosner
11 A Focus on… DARRIN RAYNOR
12 SONGFEST SPRING 2011:
Taking Both Stage & Screen
Calendar of Events
13 Growing With The Greenhouse
8th Annual Sibling Picnic
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Morningside Park
14 Emerging Leaders Take First Place!
14 Special Olympics:
Team New Hope Scores Together!
15 ZUMBA: New Hope Moves With The Janice Center
16 On the Road Training
17 The NHC Foundation: A Mission to Achieve
18 Levels of Giving
36th Annual “Hollywood”
Family Barbecue
Sunday, August 28, 2011
New Hope Community
All Staff Training Day
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
New Hope Community
On The Cover: Betsy Woolf, Fine Arts Academy Instructor, & Laurie Chase, Board Member &
Resident at 4 Hatch Street, Celebrate the arts at Sullivan County Community College’s Kite Festival!
2
3
A Letter From
ART MORETTI
Executive Director
For those of us who can both
communicate and navigate our
interests, wants and desires, the
world is our infinite oyster. For those
we support who cannot, knowing
how to advocate is an educated and
compassionate instinct. A third of the way into the year, I ask
myself, am I doing enough? My internal barometer spurned with
further inquiry by my son whose own observations of New Hope
life, posed: how do you know you are doing the right thing? I focus
on balance as an outcome for overall dynamic results.
The leadership of our organization weighs heavily on balancing
the elements of putting an invaluable board of directors’ skills to
work; empowering a team of dynamic educated staff to lead their
well-trained employees; and, incorporating the community into
partnerships to further punctuate the scope of our services and
garner supports here in Sullivan County. No matter the arena, the
individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities
we support remain at the heart of all endeavors.
In the history of New Hope Community’s board of directors,
Wally Berkowitz was one of the agency’s most viable leaders.
Under his tutelage, a road was paved, and in essence, largely
created the prosperous environment in which the individuals we
support live and the healthy environment in which we work. A
volunteer, member of the community, family man and successful
businessman, Wally in many ways taught us how to do the right
thing. We take great pride celebrating his legacy with the Annual
Wallace Berkowitz Cup Golf Tournament.
Amid life at New Hope, the New York State administration’s
budget has us all on guard and working to adapt wisely to pending
fiscal shortcomings. We shall approach the challenge with the
same reverence to balance; the individuals we support remain in
focus. I believe strongly that we can, we are and we will always do
more.
3
4
Achieve & New Hope:
Teaming Up For Work
And Play
Classrooms Without Walls
Ron Totten, Supported Employment Coordinator
While the people we
support volunteer at
The Humane Society,
one task they handle
with great eagerness
is the feeding and
watering of the cats.
The
supervised
interaction with the
Society’s cats both
calms and nurtures;
the folks learn to be
gentle with living
things. The cats receive
attention from the
folks and feel loved. It
is a wonderful “class.”
Dan Powaltz, Marlene Preiser Living Arts Center Manager
An eye-opening division of the Living Arts Center is the
“Site Less Program.” This program has been cultivated to
create opportunities for the people we support to spend
more time off campus and ultimately become emerged to a
greater extent within the community. The resources available
to us within our community are abundant; it is a complete
classroom without walls.
Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility has joined
friendly forces with New Hope Community.
In doing such, we have employed people with
disabilities in new and purposeful capacities
that include both work and play.
Each weekday the people enrolled in the Site Less Program
embark on an activity beyond campus acreage. The
coordinated activities allow the folks to further develop their
social skills. They learn how to appropriately interact with
people outside of their immediate friends and support staff.
As each person gains comfort and knowledge, they are better
able to become independent and productive.
Meals on Wheels helps to fuel programs throughout
Sullivan County that deliver meals to people who are elderly,
homebound, disabled, or otherwise at risk of going hungry.
Site Less Program participants deliver meals right to the
doorsteps and engage in friendly conversation with the
recipients. There is an incredible amount of thanks felt in this
exchange.
Ron
Totten,
Supported
Employment
Coordinator and Devon Cameron, Leisure
Services Coordinator met with Deborah
Worden from Achieve and received a tour of
their Liberty, NY facility. Shortly thereafter, New
Hope Community’s Supported Employment
team began providing landscaping services for
Achieve three days a week. Landscaping duties,
familiar to the well-trained team, have included
preparing the grounds for spring planting with
raking, pruning and grooming of the grounds.
As we all know, remaining active is a key to
health and longevity. And in such, New Hope
Community strove to do their part by bringing
a team of individuals to the Liberty locale for a
Nintendo WII “bowling competition.” In spite of
the avid bowlers at New Hope the competition
was won by the seasoned players who reside at
Achieve. In the end, it was a wonderful pairing.
Friends and Fun. Work and Play.
Our highly specialized team of Direct Support Professionals
has designed these creative group games, recreational
activities and volunteer work that directly help individuals
enhance their social skills; they have already reported positive
changes in the demeanor of the people who participate in
this program. Among the favorite activities are working with
The Humane Society, Meals on Wheels and all recreational
events.
Parks, theaters, cultural events and team sports, among a host
of others are excellent venues for the people we support to
learn and better understand the etiquette of waiting in line,
sitting within a crowd, listening to live music, and experience
how people can spend and enjoy their free time with family
and friends. The Site Less Program readily affords the folks a
wealth of seamless opportunity.
Broadening the boundaries for the Living Art Center with
the Site Less division affords the individuals an opportunity
to grow and be empowered. At New Hope Community, and
most definitely in the Living Arts Center the learning never
ends.
5
Celebrating Among Friends:
Valentine’s Day Party
Upon entering, guests were welcomed to capture a picture
with their “sweetheart” under arches ornamented with
lights, balloons and a backdrop fit to the spring season. The
backdrop was a demonstration of the creative talents of Anita
Bullard and Natalie Willis who were among the many in
attendance for large-scale painting sessions at Cobalt Studios
in White Lake, NY.
Even though the evening had just begun, the dance floor was
already full of energized and excited attendees. Eric Bressi
also known as “Elvis’ Lost Brother” portrayed Elvis Presley
and led the crowd through each dance, song and dozens of
pictures. Luckily for the guests in attendance, Eric has been
rated TIME Magazine’s Top 10 Elvis Impersonators alongside
Johnny Cash!
6
John Raffaele, Director of Staff Development & Training
It was a very early and cold morning in February as Tina
King, Derrick Davidson, Pearl Holland and Angelique
Brown met with John Raffaele in Albany, NY at our state
capitol. The reason for this early morning journey was to
visit our legislators and new Governor in order to share our
concerns about the state budget, services that stem from the
decisions of our lawmakers and to urge our representatives
to vote in favor of anything related to improving support and
services for people with disabilities in NY State and beyond.
We arrived at the Empire State Plaza prepared for a 7:30am
rally and conference sponsored by NYSACRA (NY State
Association of Community and Residential Agencies).
It was an evening overflowing with hearts, flowers, dancing
and the crooning of the “King”. Men and women supported
by Crystal Run Village, Sullivan ARC and New Hope
Community gathered together in the Multi Purpose Room
of Maxie’s Place to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the company
of over 225 smiling faces.
“I went to the Valentine’s Day Party with
Jamal, Anita and my date Niki. They
played some 80’s - my favorite music.
The food was good, I saw new faces and
Elvis was pretty cool!” - Robert Jaffe
NYSACRA Annual Legislative Day
Among the wide spread of food and drinks, over forty desserts
were baked by residents. The alluring spread included
everything from chocolate dipped strawberries to raspberry
tortes. Staff and residents of New Hope Community gladly
assisted in distributing food and welcoming guests to their
successful event.
It is true—the event was enjoyable and provided for a
wonderful partnership between sister agencies. It certainly
set a precedent for next year and we all learned an important
lesson: ladies still melt over Elvis Presley.
The value of constituents meeting with their elected
representatives is priceless and during these difficult
economic times it becomes vital for the lawmakers to hear
directly from the people that are immediately and intimately
affected by the decisions they make in the legislative process.
NYSACRA and New Hope Community have been at the
forefront of developing relationships with our lawmakers
and elected officials since the beginning of our organization.
These relationships have benefited the people we support,
the families of the people we support, the staff we employ
and ultimately our entire community.
The morning rally and conference featured several legislators
and representatives from various agencies and organizations
such as; Self Advocacy Society of NY State, Direct Support
Professional Alliance of NY State, NYSACRA, Assembly
Member, Felix Ortiz, and many others. We were informed
about the budget of NY State and the potential impact on
services and supports to people with disabilities in NY. The
news was not great but the 385 people gathered were loud and
boisterous as they cheered and encouraged the distinctive
speakers when they spoke of progressive and positive things
to benefit people in the state who have needs. There were also
the “boos” and cajoles when news of negatively impacting
things were mentioned. By the end of the rally it was clear
that all of those who decided to attend the day’s events and
those that were visiting their elected representatives were
ready to make the case for no spending cuts to people with
disabilities or the agencies in which they may receive service
and support.
Derrick, Tina, Pearl, Angelique and John were to meet with
NY State Assembly Representative Aileen Gunther but
due to scheduling conflicts and the amount of people who
were visiting the legislative office building that day, we were
unable to get a face to face meeting. However, we went to
her office and registered our comments and greetings with
her Legislative Aide and recorded and dictated our concerns
about the budget and the request for Rep.Gunther to continue
to advocate for people with disabilities and agencies like New
Hope Community who depend on funding and regulations
from legislature decisions.
All of us then walked the Empire State Plaza and ate a terrific
lunch before heading back home. During the lunch we
discussed the importance of civics and being a good citizen.
One of our responsibilities as citizens of the United States
is to be part of the democratic system and that means that
we voice our opinions and ideas to those that are elected to
represent us. When we do that we are playing a part in our
own destiny and living up to the democracy in which we all
benefit. By the ride home, all of us were feeling accomplished
and a bit closer to the lawmaking process. It was still cold
outside but we were warmer in our hearts, minds and
democratic bodies.
7
“Our jobs at New Hope
Community are more than
just meaningful. They
cannot be outsourced and
we cannot be replaced.
Computer technology will
never be able to do what we
do, how we do it.”
“Your Story Is New Hope’s Story”:
Staff Recognition Brunch 2011
and dedication to New Hope Community. Her conviction
and on-going determination have been pivotal assets to
the agency and its leadership during the course of dynamic
transition.
Sullivan County felt the warm grasp of spring and just in
time! As the sun peaked its’ head over the Catskill Mountains,
over one hundred staff members were being awarded for
their service and dedication to New Hope Community and
the people we support.
The Clubhouse at The Villa Roma Resort and Conference
Center lent itself as an inviting venue to gather committed
staff. Staff members were all smiles as they entered and
made their way to the garnished tables. Once all were seated,
there was no stopping the witty Darlene Malewit, Financial
Analysis Bookkeeper, from guiding employees through the
schedule of events and welcoming speakers to the podium.
As the morning moved
on, Chair of New Hope
Community Board, Leni
Binder, believed she was
brought to the podium to
pay tribute to fellow Board
Members in attendance,
but Executive Director,
Art Moretti had more in
store. After articulating
his morning address, Art
presented Leni with a
plaque entitled “Excellence
In Leadership” for her
unwavering perseverance
8
This was not the only new award to surface at the event.
Brianne Goldstein, Treasurer of the New Hope Community
Board, took to the platform and spoke eloquently about
her mother, Maxine Belson, and The Maxine Belson
Humanitarian Award. As announced by Brianne, this award
was presented to Sean Mulhern, a dedicated Direct Support
Professional who celebrated his 15 year anniversary with
New Hope this very spring. Sean’s promise and commitment
to the people we support combined with his innate zeal for
life made him a perfect candidate and recipient for this
prestigious award.
Employee of the Year 2010 award
recipient, Mark York, and Program
of the Year 2010 award recipients,
Supported Work, approached the
podium with gleaming smiles
and rightfully so – their hard
work over this past year stood
out and will provide as examples
for
exceptional
achievement
throughout the agency. Carlos
Martinez was also called to the
stage in acknowledgment of his
tireless work ethic over the past thirteen years as the 2011
Deirdre McCoy award recipient. Past Deirdre McCoy Award
recipients gathered around him
and welcomed the speechless
Maintenance team member to
this esteemed group of staff.
Speakers at
Recognition
the past,
present and
the future.
- Sarah Espinosa, House Manager of The James
Sutherland Residence at 14 Lakeview Drive
- Trevonne VanDunk, Assistant House
Manager of 4 Fremon Drive
both individual and agency accomplishments and noted how both
meld together to make the agency and staff a strong family force.
Videos created by Dylan Glenn-Johanson and the Community
Development team provided visual examples of the work and
accomplishments which create the body of New Hope life.
As staff left to continue their Sunday among family and friends,
all were joyful and supportive of one another. Great achievements
have been made at New Hope and with the help of the wonderful
staff here- - there are sure more to come.
this year’s Staff
Brunch recalled
appreciated the
look forward to
They celebrated
9
The ART Beat of New Hope Community Is Heard
At Catskill Art Society!
The “ART Beat” of New Hope Community echoed throughout
Livingston Manor on Friday, March 18, 2011. The “Freestyle:
ART beat of New Hope Community” Art Exhibit held at the
Catskill Art Society (CAS) drew in a diverse crowd paying
tribute to the enthusiasm and hard work of over 25 rising
artists. CAS viewing galleries were brought to life with
stories, color and much friendly conversation.
The evening afforded an opportunity to celebrate what has
quickly become a flourishing Arts Program at New Hope
Community. The program assists over 40 artists develop
their artistic abilities and gain knowledge on various artists
and styles of painting throughout the world. Through the
room were clear indicators of the delight artists experienced
when sharing their fine art with family, friends and
neighbors. “I was proud of my picture” remarked artist Tad
Belson, reflecting upon the Art Exhibit. Tad and the other
exceptional artists are eager to begin preparing for the next
Art Exhibit.
A Focus on… DARRIN RAYNOR
Associate Executive Director of Residential Services
At first glance when approaching Darrin Raynor you
think you’ve come face to face with a professional athlete.
Dressed sharply in tie, the gentleman carries with him an
air of physical strength, focus and a determined gate. With
acknowledgement a jovial laugh opens and his smile lights
the room. This young man exudes energy. And he’ll need it,
leading up the largest part of the agencies’ workforce, close
to 400 Direct Support Professionals and the very backbone
of New Hope Community’s organization.
“My only rule in the Art Program is you can do no wrong.
Once that is established, it all grows from there” stated Betsy
during the art exhibition. With the enthusiasm of staff and
developing talents of artists, the program will undoubtedly
continue to grow, prosper and provide wonderful life
opportunities for the people supported by New Hope
Community!
dedication of Betsy Woolf, Arts Program Manager, and
Devon Cameron, Leisure Services Coordinator, combined
with the efforts of Kathryn Tufano, Executive Director at
Catskill Art Society, the artists were able to showcase their
talents for the public eye.
This year’s theme of
“Freestyle”
generated
from the idea that each
artist has a story to tell
and their own personal
way of expressing it.
Those who are normally
of quiet nature have the
ability to release their
thoughts through brush
and pallet. The smiles
that spread across the
10
For more information about the Arts Program or with art
purchase inquires, please contact Devon Cameron, Leisure
Services Coordinator, at 845.434.8300, ext. 316.
A native of Monticello, NY, Raynor takes the helm as
New Hope Community’s Associate Executive Director of
Residential Services. He returns to Sullivan County after a
journey to Florida where his educational pursuits were put into
perspective through mentorship and opportunity. This quest
was followed by ventures in Texas and Long Island where he
further enhanced his ability as a motivator and team-builder.
Raynor found himself settling for nothing less than more,
more education that is. His Masters of Science in Leadership
for Higher Education bodes well here at New Hope.
When learning about Raynor, what comes to surface is his
commitment to team and how he identifies with New Hope’s
workforce of four hundred. His goal is to provide them
with the same believe-to-succeed momentum: educate and
empower.
Raised by his mother in
the heart of Monticello,
Raynor attributes his
fortitude and conviction
to achieve to her, a woman
whose uncompromising
work ethic and loving
hand
emulated
and
encouraged
triumph.
Doctor
Black
from
Broward
Community
College also played a
hand in Raynor’s rise
and ultimately, return to
the area. A serendipitous
meeting
on
college
grounds, Doctor Black elected Raynor out of a crowd of
thousands to take under her tutelage. In doing such she
provided a mentorship that bridged the gap between settling
for minimum and soaring to unexpected heights.
When not directly attending to matters in the myriad of
homes Raynor facilitates highly reputed team building
exercises which have staff from all departments cross training
and learning more effectively how to work together as a
cohesive unit. Raynor often loans books out from his own
personal library to staff seeking growth. He is a firm believer
in community’s role to encourage and promote education
with the idea of expanding horizons and nurturing endless
possibilities.
Darrin, his wife Ashley, and their
son Landon make Lake Kiamesha,
NY their home. When not hard
at work or with his family Darrin
spends his time on a myriad of
softball fields readily engaged in
more team endeavors. The playing
field doesn’t stop. Nor does he.
Darrin Raynor, determined at
heart, at home and for all those he
supports at New Hope.
11
SONGFEST SPRING 2011: Taking Both Stage & Screen
Growing With The Greenhouse
Brian Creamer, Leisure Services Associate
Jon Jon Thomas, Leisure Services Associate
Performing has become a way of life at New Hope Community.
Taking the stage or screen to make one’s mark is not only a
golden opportunity, but a signature of style, ability, courage,
not to mention a great deal of fun and totally empowering.
Getting on stage or behind the video camera for many has
become not only a place to excel, but an arena in which to
engage socially. Performing at New Hope Community is not
only an art form, its fun, sheer and amplified. According
to performer Shante Randolph singing in front of a crowd
makes her feel “nervous, happy and excited,” but well worth
it when “they enjoy my performance.”
This year’s spring SONGFEST featured front men and
women performing in conjunction with the individualcomprised house band. Led by Leisure Services Associate,
Dylan Johanson, percussionists and guitarists, Chris Latty,
Charles Dahlberg and David Steingart, the band provided
the back-up sound and music for the night’s talent. This
year’s highlights included captivating performances.
Shante Randolph, whose rendition of Michael
Jackson’s “Leave Me Alone,” had the audience
out of their seats and dancing. No stranger
to performing Beatle’s tunes, Willie
Kaufmann brought to stage this Spring
his rendition of “Hard Day’s Night,”
once again managing to get the
audience to sing along. The show
was punctuated by a closing
performance by veteran of
film, theater and song,
Steven Saunders, signing
“Celebration”
by
Earth Wind and Fire.
Saunders, who played
a lead role in the
recent production
of “Bloom,” cites
Tom Hanks as his
preferred
actor
and Beyonce as his
favorite
musical
muse. While he
12
claims uncertainty as to what his next performance will
entail, Saunders shares that he enjoys performing for people.
Unveiled at Songfest Spring 2011 was the latest New Hope
Works produced rock video, “Apeman.” The interpretive
piece, featuring the Kink’s 1970 “Apeman” song from the “To
The Bone” album, tickled and evoked tremendous laughter.
The artists who took part in the video production took great
pride in seeing themselves on the big screen. Laughter and
applause could be heard from afar. There is no doubt for
New Hopians both on and off stage, and or in video, that
performing makes everyone shine, even like a star.
New Hope Community takes advantage of the diverse
opportunities stemming from the greenhouse. More than
just growing fresh salad greens… green practices are an
appreciated and celebrated way of life. In spite of the white
blanket and cold that shrouded Sullivan County into late
spring, the greenhouse remained - exactly that: green!
The growing space has been welcomingly lifted with supports
and personalities from the Living Arts Center. Individuals
involved in the alternative program now make up the daily
thread of interested parties and helping hands that nurture
greenhouse products. These individuals join routine
volunteers like Shante Randolph and Leroy Johnson in their
efforts to keep cultivating.
When not creating and sampling fresh green salads,
individuals took to baking with home grown items.
Greenhouse programs continue to make a correlation
between healthy lifestyle choices, that which we grow and
how to utilize such in the kitchen. To that end, we can be
assured that growing our own bounty of berries, raspberry,
black and blue to be prime edibles on the plant list this
growing season.
chickens whose personalities and song completely add to the
environment. They are visited and tended to daily by the
individuals who utilize this growing classroom space. And
when on site, one can sit pond side to watch the goldfish
swim.
When not being used for a host of New Hope specific
green projects, the greenhouse is being hailed as a viable
community resource for volunteer organizations.
In
conjunction with the Sullivan Renaissance endeavors, the
Loch Sheldrake beautification team is collaborating with our
greenhouse footprint and coordinating help to start their
seedlings. Individuals will roll up their sleeves and put both
their knowledge to the test to assist with plant propagation
and maintenance. Individuals who utilize the New Hope
greenhouse and enjoy putting growing skills to use will be
supporting the care of the stunning rock gardens which
slope along the scenic Catskill Regional Medical Center’s
landscape.
During these winter months the greenhouse was a sound
forum for the Supported Work crew. Operating a greenhouse
entails a tremendous amount of effort and attention. When
it comes to growing viable, healthy plant material, the
environment in which to nurture the plants must also be
balanced with clean pots, sterile soil and a debris free zone.
The Supported Work crew provided a tremendous support
and resource ensuring that growing space remained at
optimum.
Greenhouse highlights included a School of Recreational
Enhancement class which focused on pets in the greenhouse.
Participants elected to explore fish, turtles and birds. The
greenhouse is now home to three exotic birds and baby
13
Emerging Leaders Take
First Place
Carl Santos, Director of Community Development & Program Services
New Hope Community
geared up for some tough
competition this past
winter. Michael Mc’Intosh,
Joe
Birkett,
Scott
Whitehead and Michael
Noren worked together
to create a cardboard sled
strong enough to survive the snowy conditions at Holiday
Mountain Ski and Fun Park for the Annual Sullivan
County Chamber of Commerce Card Board Sled Race.
Teams showed up from all over Sullivan County to
proclaim their sled as the best. Unique designs and bright
colors decorated the mountain as teams arrived. The
competition included: YEL! Young Emerging Leaders,
Edible Arrangements and Provident Bank. A highlight of
the race was the bed cardboard sled complete with pillows
by the Hamton Inn which provided as a cozy ride down
the mountain!
Each member of TEAM New
Hope helped with steering the
sled. During all three heats,
TEAM New Hope raced down
the mountain undefeated.
The team was able to take
home the gold (cardboard)
trophy and display it in the
lobby at Maxie’s Place. It was
an exciting day and we are
looking forward to next year
to defend the Cardboard Sled
Race Champion title. Check
out pictures and video from
the day on our Face Book page!
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Special Olympics:
Team New Hope Scores
Together!
ZUMBA: New
Hope Moves With
The Janice Center
Devon Cameron, Leisure Services Coordinator
Jennifer Canfield, THRIP Manager
Team spirit and a sense of sportsmanship prevailed
at the Basketball Special Olympics tournament which
took place at Marist College. New Hope Community
Athletes successfully moved up to a higher placement in
the March 28th Special Olympics Basketball games. The
morning playoffs shifted the proud team into the third
division- the competition gave the athletes a greater
challenge than years past, making the new appointment
an even greater reward.
The Leisure Services Department
organized ZUMBA classes held at
the Horse Barn as a creative way
to encourage fitness for horseback
riders and everyone who interested
in participating. Through an inspired
partnership with the well-known
Janice Center – For The Learning Arts,
based in Jeffersonville, NY, individuals
have become enamored with the
rhythms, vibrant music and movements
associated with the art of Zumba. It all
adds up to a fun way to learn and get
fit. So much fun was had that we are
looking forward to a demonstration of
the progressive dance steps in a future
event. Our talented instructor, Tanya
Cohen, Director of the Center, has led
participants to achieve consistency and
to display their individuality in the
“circle dance” held at the end of each
session.
For several months the athletes dedicated hours,
tremendous energy and effort to practice. Although
playing outside of Sullivan County, their loyal fan base
followed them to the Dutchess County venue for the
affair. Stay tuned for accomplishments stemming from
spring’s track and field!
“We had fun. We are a good team –
we clapped and supported each other.
I can’t wait until the next Special Olympics.”
- Verna Johnson
Congratulations To
The New Hope Team!
Derrick Davidson
Tara Davis
Rob Goss
Jeffrey Hein
Noah Ingber
Terrence Jamison
Verna Johnson
Tina King
Chris Latty
Shante Randolph
Luiz A. Rodriguez
Harry Schulman
Diana Vidal
15
On the Road
The NHC Foundation: A Mission to Achieve
TRAINING
Education is important. And, in life, as any good teacher and
New Hope Community knows, the learning never, ever ends.
Sometimes it even goes on the road.
New Hope Community boasts a dynamic Staff Development
and Training Department. In conjunction with this vast
knowledge, several staff members in the Leisure and Clinical
Services arenas have taken their expertise to listeners beyond
the immediate audience we call our very own.
Dylan Johanson, Leisure
Services Associate, began
his career as a presenter
coincidentally and almost
immediately. A performer
by nature, the inquisitive
Dylan bumped into John
Raffaele and expressed an
interest to share on a greater level the life enrichment garnered
through recreation. Within a month’s time he was facilitating a
workshop at the Mid-Hudson Coaltion’s annual symposium to
a standing-room-only crowd. The engaging training provided
concrete methods and theoretical foundations for providing
recreational opportunities to individuals with intellectual
and other developmental disabilities. Dylan believes that
“recreation is a vital part of a fulfilled and healthy lifestyle.”
Dylan purports that his objective is to “come up with creative
solutions to practical problems that stand between the
individuals we support being able to enrich their lives with
recreation.” Since his preliminary debut he has been repeatedly
asked to return to the Coalition and to present at NYSACRA’s
Annual Spring Conference.
Also on the fast track to sharing knowledge is New Hope
Community’s Clinical team. Heather Mendez, MA, has taken a
leading role in presenting workshops which address a variety of
clinical topics pertinent to the field. Her work, in conjunction
with team members Erin Stenglein, MA and David Strock,
Clinical Consultant, has been sought after for inclusion at such
venues as the Mid-Hudson Coalition, YAI and most recently at
NYSACRA’s 34th Annual Conference.
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Emotions, Identity, Death and Dying are among some of the
hot topics that have been brought forward and to light by
this clinical expertise. Promoting Communication, Social
Interaction and Social Engagement in Individuals with Autism
has reaped tremendous interest in the field as we all seek
to understand the scope of Autism. Recently Mendez and
Stenglein facilitated an “Emotion” workshop in conjunction
with individuals involved in New Hope Community’s SelfAdvocacy Group. In addition to learning how to deal with
conflict, participants and audience members were taught
to recognize emotions through facial expressions and body
language. These tools become invaluable in the day to day,
everyday.
On a sensitive but yet incredibly appreciative bent, Mendez
and Strock have touched on the hard topic of death with
“Supporting People Through the End of Life and Beyond”
with a guide for staff and caregivers. Playing on the technical
and emotional aspects of providing and living up to dignity
in death, these facilitators have become the Fred and Ginger
of this raw and uncomfortable topic. Their professionalism,
matched by their experience, make them a viable and highly
sought after team to speak throughout New York state. It
stands clear in that the breadth of available clinical resources
excised at New Hope Community is exemplary.
Collectively these New Hopians share –in their own respective
words - similar sentiments about presenting and representing
to the agency. Being afforded the opportunity to teach, portion
knowledge and know-how reinforces the sheer excitement they
have about their respective fields of interest, their commitment
to the empowerment of direct support professionals and the
agency. A strong sense of pride in the agency and the work in
which we excel is a strong undertone. By bringing our teaching
talents forward, New Hope Community is also learning.
At New Hope Community, over 500
employees work hard to bring the
lives of the 213 people we support
opportunity. It is safe to say, little
progress could be made without the
tremendous brace and financial buttress
of the NHC Foundation. Through
generous donations of neighbors, family
and friends to the Foundation, immense
potential to realizing the agency mission
is achieved.
Established in 1989, the NHC
Foundation was created with the specific
goal of raising monies to enhance the
lives of the people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. Throughout
its years of operation, the Foundation
has supported various fundraising
campaigns to further the success of
New Hope Community’s endeavors, its
staff members and most importantly
the people in our charge. It is with this
support system that hopes, aspirations
and dreams are kept alive and made
possible.
The NHC Foundation has played
host to a myriad of community events
and endeavors which weave into the
culture of New Hope Community.
Neighbor to Neighbor, Anniversary
Galas, holiday parties in addition to
donations to local organizations and
fire departments are among the varied
list. Vacation scholarships, College
for Life Long Learning, and artistic
pursuits are among individual driven
opportunities that have been celebrated.
The Foundation’s commitment to staff
members resonates in awarded longevity
bonuses and in such investments as
tuition reimbursement.
The NHC Foundation Board contains
a culmination of diverse personalities
of people who bring various strengths
to the table. Through the guidance and
watchful eyes of the Board Members, the
Foundation has blossomed to provide a
great deal to the people we support, the
staff and the greater community.
We welcome you to join our mission
in creating the greatest opportunities
for the people we support. For more
information
on
tax-deductable
donations to the NHC Foundation,
please contact Louise Domingo,
845.434.8300, ext. 240.
NHC Foundation Mission
It is the mission of the NHC Foundation to fund raise, collect and receive funds for purposes other than those provided by
government agencies in order to foster and to increase the opportunities available to the developmentally disabled citizens
of New Hope Community; to enhance their environment and their lifestyles; to encourage and support their entry into the
mainstream of community life; to support programs of public awareness and education regarding the developmentally disabled;
and to ensure the future security of New Hope Community and the developmentally disabled individuals who reside there.
NHC Foundation Board of Directors
Eugene Metz, Chair
Kenneth Kloper, Vice Chair
Marianne Goldman, Secretary & Treasurer
Mary Alan
Donna Braunstein
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Levels of Giving
Thank you to everyone
who donated to New Hope
Community this year.
Ms. Bonita Carman
Mr. Richard Carrasquillo
Ms. Marian Castellane
Catskill Hudson Bank
Catskill Amusements, Inc.
Catskill Regional Medical Center
Mr. Richard Cohen
Ms. Joan Collins
Supporter
Ms. Mary Alan
Mr. Timothy L. Alger
Ms. Audrey Altman
Ms. Robin E. Baggatta
Ms. Gloria Bardach
Bedik Communications, Inc.
Ms. Elizabeth Belson
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Berkowicz
Mr. Alfred Birdsall
Ms. Rita Bleetstein
BMK Designs
Mr. Cody Bojo
Mrs. Erin Boothe
Ms. Donna Borgia
Mr. Robert J. Bosland
Ms. Betty Botsford
Brother’s II Auto Body
Ms. Devon Cameron
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Combined Energy Services
County Petroleum
Mr. John Curry Jr.
Mrs. Lenore D’Alessandro
Ms. Judith Davis
Mr. Michael Decker
Ms. Shirley DeMatteo
Ms. Virginia C. DeSio
Mr. Dominick Siracusa
Mrs. Louise Domingo
Ms. Carol Draudt
Ms. Patricia Elliott
Ms. Sheila Elowitz
Mr. Adam Epstein
Ms. Sarah Espinosa
Ms. Kathleen Eves
Fallsburg Lumber Company, Inc.
Ms. Susan Fancher
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fisher
Leader
Ms. Sharon Flicker
Ms. Marjorie Prestianni
Rider, Weiner & Frankel
G. Mears Electric, Inc.
Dr. Elena Puszkin
Mrs. Karen A. Russell
Mr. Stanley Ganz
Mr. John D. Raffaele
Mr. & Mrs. Nabil Saad
Ms. Esther Gassman
Dr. & Mrs. Barbara Rifkin
Sally Berger Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ginsberg
Mr. Angel L. Rodriguez
Ms. Sonia Stein-Bernfeld
Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Gitlin
Ms. Lisette Rosado
Sullivan Fire Protection
Gladys & Murray Goldstein FD Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Marc Rosen
Mr. Alan Wolpert
Ms. Kitty Gleit
Dr. Nambi Salgunan
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Goldman
Ms. Yvonne Salvit
Member
Mrs. Jasmine Guara
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Saunders
Alliance Bernstein
Diane Goldberg Foundation
Ms. Susan Hamlin
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Schechter
Associated Mutual Insurance Cooperative
Mrs. Rachel Lefkovits
Mr. Daniel Holden
Ms. Beth Schumacher
Ms. Dale Berkowitz
Ms. Emily “Ida” Schreiber
Ms. Sara Hotchkin
Mr. Boise Sellers III
Crystal Run Village, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Waterhouse
Ms. Leslie Irwin
Ms. Ashley Serrano
Hagedorn & Company
Mr. Daniel Jaffe & Dr. Abby Wasserman
Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Sirota
Mr. Robert Leffler
Ms. Anna Jankoski
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Skaller
Marks, Paneth & Shron, LLP
Mr. Philip K Jones
Smalls Plumbing, Heating & AC
Ms. Jeanne Michaud
Kenneth A. Reiver, Attorney
Mr. Daniel E. Spagnoli
Robert G. Relph Agency, Inc.
Mrs. Karen Kerendian
Mrs. Devon Spagnoli
Sullivan Arc
Ms. Ashley King
Mr. Michael Speer
Tri-Star Financial
Ms. Eileen Klan
Mrs. Lillian Spier
Woodbourne Lawn & Garden
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kloper
Ms. Harriet Stanton-Epner
Ms. Roslyn Kornblau
Mr. James Stearns
Mr. George Labouseur
Ms. Ray Steingart
Mr. Charles Lang
Mr. Joel Sterling
Levine, Schaeffer, Fink & Moss, P.C.
TFC Flooring, Inc.
Mr. Faustino Lezama
The Original Tube T-Shirt Co, LLC
Liberty Iron Works
Mr. Louis Theodorou
Ms. Annabel Lindenbaum
Mr. Jon Jon Thomas
Ms. Barbara Liswood
Thompson Sanitation Corporation
Loch Sheldrake Fire Company
Ms. Amanda Torres
Managed Care of America, Inc (MCA)
Ms. Lillian A. Turner
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Marcus
Mr. Michael Ward
Mr. William Marin
Ms. Marjorie Wasserman
Ms. Kaitlin McCann
Ms. Helen Weisel
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Mendel
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Zuckerman
Ms. Judith Meyers
Ms. Laura R. Morace
Friend
Ms. Robyn Morganbesser
Mr. & Mrs. Victor I. Belson
Mr. Joshua Munoz
Mr. Jason Cornwell
Mr. Reginald Ocasio
Mr. Robert Dinerstein & Joan Fread
Mr. & Mrs. Joachim Oppenheimer
First National Bank of Jeffersonville
Ms. Mabel Pabon
Mr. & Mrs. Sanford Goldstein
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Papoff
Jackson Lewis LLP
Ms. Mary Peel
Macy’s Foundation
Provident Bank
Benefactor
Fay J. Lindner Foundation
Life
Mr. Jerome Belson
Mrs. Ada Gams
Make a tax-deductible donation
to the NHC Foundation today!
Please use the provided envelope and help us make a difference in the lives
of those whom we support.
NON PROFIT ORG
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BINGHAMTON,NY
5 New Hope Community Dr.
P.O. Box 289, Route 52
Loch Sheldrake, New York 12759
New Hope Community
5 New Hope Community Dr.
P.O. Box 289, Route 52
Loch Sheldrake, New York, 12759
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August 28th
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(845) 434-8300
(845) 434-5105
[email protected]
“Focus on New Hope Community” is a quarterly
publication of New Hope Community, Inc. New Hope is
a private, not-for-profit corporation supporting people
with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
Board Chair
Leni Binder
Executive Director
Arthur Moretti
Editorial Assistants/Photography
Louise Domingo, Laura Morace, Carl Santos,
Lillian Turner, Briana Wood