AHRC New York City celebrated its 67th Annual Meeting on Monday, June 6th, at Betty Pendler Day Services in downtown Manhattan. Leadership, staff members, people supported, family, and friends all turned out to recognize those who have made a difference both within and outside our organization, to swear in new board members, to look forward to the next chapter in AHRC NYC’s history, and as Raymond Ferrigno, Fourth Vice President of the AHRC NYC Board of Directors, said, “to reflect on the essence of AHRC.“
AHRC NYC President Angelo Aponte pointedly told the audience that people with developmental disabilities are facing a crisis due to a lack of government support for necessary services and urged all to get involved in this election year to make sure New York State lawmakers hear and act on these concerns. “Help me, Help the Board. Help our kids to say, ‘You did not vote for my child, and I will not vote for you!‘” Mr. Aponte said. He announced that newly-elected First Vice President Edward J. Leahy would lead a grassroots advocacy campaign in every borough to ensure that “our people of goodwill are not unheard.“
Honoring People Supported through AHRC NYC Programs:
- Priscila Llenas Furment, Kings Highway Day Services
- Jesse Birner, Camping and Recreation
- Nickolas Cielo, Educational Services
- Andrew Cantone, Hudson River Services, Employment and Business Services
- Lizandro Mejia, Medicaid Service Coordination
- Lorenzo Meyers, Home Care
- Dana Sustick, Residential Services
Honoring AHRC NYC Professionals
- Deborah Kane, Crisis Intervention Specialist, Day Services
- Edgar LeBron, Business Manager, Camping and Recreation
- Jimmy Gonzalez, Maintenance Supervisor, Educational Services
- Patricia Adrian, Job Coach, Employment and Business Services
- Iris Rosario, Rehab Services Liaison, Family and Clinical Services
- Donna Addo, Residential Habilitation Coordinator, Home Care
- Lucas Kovsky, Direct Support Professional, Residential Services
- Suzana Semenchuk, Budget Analyst, Finance
Honoring Employers of People with Disabilities
The Employer Award went to Mood Fabrics, represented by Sharon Nunez, Sales Manager. The Community Partner Awards were accepted by Vida Sabbaghi and Mitra Dejkameh of the Queens Museum Art Access Program and Queensborough Community College’s Office of Academic Service Learning, represented by Valerie Smosna and Professor Cary Lane, Ph.D.
Nancy Petrino, Chairperson of the Sibling Committee, awarded to Helen and Jack Gorelick Sibling Scholarship to Kristine Verret, Kristina Kuhen, and Michael Picone.
Honoring Higher Education
The Melissa Riggio Higher Education Scholarship recipients were Kamrun Koli, Rossy Asmil Araujo, Kayla Asppomonte, Seymone McLarty, Julissa Miranda Valdez, and Enciriche LaJara.
AHRC New York City congratulates and thanks all of the award and scholarship recipients as well as everyone who planned and attended AHRC NYC’s 67th Annual Meeting. We look forward to another successful year of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families!
