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Central Park Challenge 2014 Highlights
Sincere thanks to all who supported and participated in our last Central Park Challenge!
5 years later – can The Foorce pull it off?
This is our team, 3 kids ago (I was equally pregnant in this photo as I will be tomorrow). Where does the time go?
Just when I thought we had missed out a year, I found it. Now the question is, will we get a picture of our team (or at least part of it) on the YAI website for our fifth and final Central Park Challenge?
Tomorrow will be a fun, exciting, and incredibly bittersweet day for me. When I get settled in Houston you can count on me finding something to replace what has become an amazing, memorable and meaningful tradition in our family.
And I would be remiss not to mention that it is not quite too late to help us reach our final fundraising goal for a very worth cause. Click here to visit our team website!
Top Ten: Additional Reasons To Register For The Central Park Challenge (PHOTO edition)
One of my favorite events of the year is around the corner so I’m more than happy to tell you ten more good reasons that you should join our team, The Foorce Finale! But since it’s all pretty much been said already, why not show you ten more reasons to join us for 2014?
Less Than A Month Left To Join The Foorce 2013!
The Foorce will be participating in the 2013 Central Park Challenge for our fourth consecutive year on June 1st, and it’s not too late to join us!
Current Openings At The YAI: Unique Special Needs Programs and Services Around NYC
Since we recently moved to a new borough I thought it would be a good idea to see what special needs programs and services YAI had in Brooklyn. I saw that there are a bunch of great openings and opportunities being offered all over NYC so I’ve posted the entire list, current as of 9/30/12:
Service Openings
Featured Program Openings
Potential Residential Opening, Brooklyn ICF: Potential opportunity for a male, age 21-55 years, who functions within severe/profound range, but who can evacuate two flights of stairs without physical assitance. Contact Tom Ott, 212-273-6462, for more information and to apply.
Potential Residential Opening, Bronx 24-Hour IRA: Potential opportunity for a female with mild/moderate intellectual disability. Contact Tom Ott, 212-273-6462, for more information and to apply.
Family Services
YAI Autism Center: Offering private-pay programs including: Yoga with ballet or dance, social skills groups and music therapy. Call 1-888-YAI-AUTISM.
Manhattan Recreation Programs: Recreation programs for New York City residents over the age of 18, from Tuesdays through Saturdays. Weeknight group activities and Saturday trips. Transportation is not provided. Contact Pamela Accardo at 212-645-1616, ext. 618 or Edna Bay at 212-645-1616, ext. 620.
Project Intervene: Short-term intervention services for behavior management, toilet training, travel and other skills training are provided to individuals and their families in the home and/or group settings. Training programs are designed for parents of children with disabilities who reside in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Availability is based on where you live. Toilet training workshops are also available. Services provided in English and Spanish. For more information, call 212-273-6314 in Manhattan, and 212-273-6297 for Spanish. In Brooklyn, please call 718-306-1300, ext.411 for English and ext.412 for Spanish.
Family Reimbursement: Provides limited funds to families for services and goods that are not reimbursed through other programs or funding streams. For Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens residents. Contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Manhattan Autism Social Skills Groups: Accepting applications for program teaching social skills to children aged 9-18 years old on the autism spectrum residing with their parents in Manhattan. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Family Support Series for Caregivers of Children with Autism (all ages): Support groups for parents and caregivers of people with autism. New groups begin this month. To pre-register and for more information, contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182. See latest group schedule
Leisure Trax Vacation Program: Free or low cost trips and vacations for Bronx residents 18 or older, living with their families. Trips are open to residents of other boroughs. Contact LINK at 212-273-6182. Application and travel schedule available on the Leisure Trax page
Parents With Special Needs: Accepting referrals for program for parents with developmental disabilities who live with their children in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens. Contact Nafiza Somaipersaud at 212-793-2182, ext. 203.
Manhattan Overnight Respite: 24-hour professional supervision from Friday afternoon until Monday morning for children 5 and older. Must be ambulatory. Contact Vanessa White Germany at 212-255-2673.
Manhattan Holiday Respite – ages 6-18 with DD, live at home with their family. Taking applications for waiting list – contact Tanicqua Davis 212-273-6503
Independent Living Program: Six-month classroom course for Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan residents to develop independent living skills. For application forms, contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Brooklyn Children and Adolescent Program: Saturday recreation program for children 6 and older. Contact LINK 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Leisure Trax: Recreation program for adults 18 and older. Contact LINK212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Saturday Drop Off: Recreation programs Brooklyn residents 16 and older. Contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311.
Brooklyn Autism Social Skills Groups: Accepting applications for program offering structured and supervised opportunities for socialization in an after school setting to children aged 5-12 years old on the autism spectrum residing with their parents in Brooklyn. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Yoga Ballet: 10-week Yoga/Ballet class for girls and boys with autism, between the ages 3-10. For more information, contact LINK at 212-273-6182.
Project Grow: Seven-week behavior management training for parents of children with developmental disabilities, conducted in group settings. Topics include specific behavior techniques to promote positive family interactions. Peer support is provided. Families must reside in Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island or Queens. Day and evening groups are available in both English and Spanish. Possibility of Cantonese groups. For more information, call 212-273-6259.
Project Grown-Up: Five-week education group for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Basic and advanced parent training covers relationships and sexuality with adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. Focus on child’s physiological development and interpersonal issues of relationships. Program is available to parents whose children reside with them in Manhattan or Queens. Day and evening groups are available in both English and Spanish. Possibility of Cantonese groups. For more information, call 212-273-6259.
Queens Crisis Intervention Program: In-home behavioral management program for parents available in both English and Spanish. Parent training groups outside of the home (like project GROW) are also available. Call Lewanda Wallace at 718-793-2182, ext. 221 or Jackie Nunez at 718-793-2182, ext. 231 assistance in Spanish.
Brooklyn Extend-a-Family: Overnight respite provided in the home of a host family. Available for young children who are non-ambulatory. Contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311, ext. 6313.
Bronx In-home respite – In-home respite for children and adults with DD. Contact Tanicqua Davis 212-273-6503.
Queens Saturday Recreation Programs: Activities for individuals 16 and older. Contact Michael VanConant 212-645-1616 x 667
Queens Thank Goodness it’s the Weekend: Socialization group meet twice a month on Fridays for people 16 and older. Contact Michael VanConant 212-645-1616 x 667.
Queens After School Program: After school respite for children 6-15. Contact Stacy Tinglin 718-793-8695 x 210.
Queens In-Home Respite: In-home respite for children with special needs, age 3 and older. Contact Stacy Tinglin 718-793-8695 x 210.
Manhattan STAR Academy
Manhattan: Accepting inquiries for the Manhattan STAR Academy, a unique learning opportunity for elementary school children. Contact Rae Eisdorfer at 212-420-0510 for information, application and tuition.
Premier HealthCare
Manhattan: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dental, gynecology, physical therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, neurology (adult), weight management program, and a program for people with physical disabilities.
Bronx: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dental, neurology (adult), podiatry, occupantonial therapy, physical therapy, prosthetics & orthotics.
Queens: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dental, dental desensitization, podiatry, dermatology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, physiatry/wheelchair clinic, prosthetics & orthotics, and endocrinology (adult).
Brooklyn: Openings for internal medicine, dental, dental desensitization, pediatrics, dermatology, neurology (adult), gynecology, speech therapy, podiatry, endocrinology (adult), and physiatry/wheelchair clinic.
For new referrals, additional services or information, contact YAI LINK at 1-866-2-YAI-LINK, TDD: 212-290-2787.
Center for Specialty Therapy
About YAI’s Center for Specialty Therapy
Manhattan: Psychosocial evaluations in English and Spanish are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182
Queens: Psychosocial evaluations in Enlish and Spanish (includes evening and Saturday hours) are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn: Psychosocial evaluations in English are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Bronx: Psychosocial evaluations in Elblish and Spanish are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Families living in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn who need evaluations to access OPWDD services but who do not have insurance that will cover them can contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Day Services
Manhattan: Openings in Manhattan programs. Contact Domingo Hernandez at 212-645-1616 ext. 634.
Employment Services
About YAI’s Employment Services
Manhattan Employment Services: Training in job-specific skills for adults with developmental disabilities. Openings in a variety of programs. Contact Satera Febus at 212-273-6100, ext. 2448.
Bronx Employment: Accepting applications for a variety of programs. Contact Ruth Jeffers at 718-792-6221, ext. 205.
Brooklyn Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications. Contact Sara Schacter Erenburg at 718-368-9311.
Queens Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications. Contact Chris Bechler at 718-389-1300 x227.
There are openings citywide for people with developmental disabilities who are employed and need follow-along support services.
(Some) Special Needs Events Around NYC August/September 2012
Sorry, I’ve fallen a bit behind on posting great events like these this summer. Here are some of the unique meetings, workshops, events and classes being offered through September for special needs children and caregivers. And don’t forget to check Upcoming Events for social meetups of The Foorce.
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8/15/12, 10:00AM
How to Seek and Maintain Accessible Housing
UCP, 1770 Stillwell Ave,1st floor, Bronx
718-436-7979 ext 704, familyconnect@ucpnyc.org
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8/16/12, 10:00AM
Getting Your Child To and From School: The Ins and Outs of School Transportation
Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn
718 – 998-3000
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8/17/12, all day events
Surfers’ Environmental Alliance’s 6th Annual: SEAPaddle NYC Event and White Water Evening for Autism
http://www.seapaddlenyc.org/2012-seapaddle-nyc-and-elite-race
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8/23/12, 10:00-12:30PM
Sexuality Education: Why it Matters and Where to Start
YAI,460 West 34th St., 11th floor, Manhattan
YAI LINK 212-273-6182 or toll free 1-866-2-YAILINK
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8/30/12, 10:00AM
Yoga and Relaxation
YAI,460 West 34th St., 11th floor, Manhattan
YAI LINK 212-273-6182 or toll free 1-866-2-YAILINK
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9/8/12, 7:30PM
My Time Inc. Wine and Cheese
1312 E 84th St, Brooklyn
mytimeinc.org
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9/12/12, 10:00-12:30PM
What to do if You’re Just Getting Started- Accessing Services
YAI, 460 West 34th St., 11th floor, Manhattan
YAI LINK 212-273-6182 or toll free 1-866-2-YAILINK
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9/15/12, 3:00-4:00PM
Dance FUNdamentals – ages 11-17
Mark Morris Dance Studios, Brooklyn
runs through 11/3/12 every Saturday, $130
http://www.extremekidsandcrew.org
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9/22/12, 10:00AM
FINDING NEMO
AMC SFF Films
http://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
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9/22/12, 12:00PM
18th Annual NYC Buddy Walk in Central Park
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9/30/12, 1:00PM
Autism Friendly performance of “The Lion King”
Minskoff Theater, 200 W 45th St, Manhattan
http://www.tdf.org/thelionking (get on the waitlist in case there are cancellations)
Putting Our Money Where My Mouth Is – A Central Park Challenge Challenge
The Central Park Challenge weekend is upon us and boy are we excited (and a little nervous about the 30% chance of rain). We have been touched by the outpouring of support and generosity as we work to raise money for the YAI, but we’re just a few drops short of our goal. So, desperate times…
Our family will match the next 3 donations that come in for The Foorce, so act now while your money is worth double (i.e. if you donate $15 it’s like donating $30).
There’s Only 1 Week Left And We Haven’t Reached Our Goal – Please Support The Foorce In The Central Park Challenge (June 2nd)
We’ve been fortunate to have a great support system for James here in the city. We have been truly inspired by the work of the YAI Network and the difference they make in the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities each day. Children and adults with disabilities rely on the YAI Network for basic services such as preschools, health care, housing, job training and more in order to reach their fullest potential and be active members of our community. We have also had a wonderful experience dealing personally with them as we work on finding services for James.
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The Foorce 
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