AHRC NYC Day Services programs are indelible parts of the New York City neighborhoods they inhabit. People supported at these programs and the staff members who work with them are continually active in improving communal spaces, often with the help of likeminded individuals and organizations. To celebrate what in some cases is decades of community partnership, AHRC NYC thanked the people and programs that enrich our daily lives with their commitment to inclusive collaboration.
“You are all not only making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities throughout New York City, but you are also shaping a more accessible and connected city for all of us,” said Tommy Heller, Quality Improvement Officer. “No matter where one individually stands, it’s impossible to ignore that our nation has been weighed down by anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. I find in times like these there is nothing more important than leaning into community, which is what we’re celebrating here tonight.”
Tommy added, “When we create spaces that include people with disabilities, we are not just providing access—we are enriching the fabric of our society. These opportunities for partnership and collaboration are instrumental in normalizing disability and building the future we want to live in. The work that all of you do is creating environments where everyone can participate, learn, grow, and thrive, challenging us to rethink how we define disability and inclusivity.”
Reaction from Community Partners
Intertwine Arts has been a vital artistic partner of numerous Day Services programs, providing looms and textiles to budding creators. Maureen Packard, M.D., Treasurer, said, “We now have programs at four AHRC NYC day programs. The artists we work with are an amazing group of people. They are incredibly creative and we’re lucky to give them the opportunity to have the yarn and do something incredible with it.”
Taylor Anderson is part of Papai’s Garden, which aims to provide meaningful employment and skill enrichment to people with disabilities, through planting, growing, and selling produce. “What we do is get people in the gardening space learning how to grow food in hopes of creating opportunity long-term, meaningful, fulfilling partnerships,” he said. “The notion of learning, growing, and thriving is absolutely linked to our mission as well as AHRC NYC’s.”
Community Partners Honored by AHRC NYC’s Day Services
- Organizations dedicated to alleviating food insecurity, including Citymeals on Wheels, Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen, Far Rockaway Mutual Aid, SUS Community Fridges, Our Lady of Pompei, Riis Settlement, and Rescuing Leftover Cuisine
- Museums such as the Jewish Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, the Museum of Modern Art
- Artistic endeavors including the Jerry Orbach Theater, Carnegie Hall, Atlantic Theater, COPE NYC, Materials for the Arts, Intertwine Arts, and Daniel’s Music Foundation
- Literacy organizations such as Dongan Hills Library, New Drop Library, St. George Library, Baychester Library, Queens Public Library, Word Up Community Bookstore and Urban Hope Literacy Program
- Gardening-focused programs including BloomAgainBklyn, New York Restoration Project, Papai’s Garden, New York Botanical Garden
- Additional valued partners include Pace University and Dr. James Lawler; JASA, Every Day is a Miracle, the Design Trust, VNS, World Vision, Vision Urbana, the Music and Memory Organization, and LiveON NYC (Sean’s Blankets of Love).
