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Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
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2008 Annual Meeting
Addresses Growing Needs of People with Disabilities
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| From left, Katharine Wilson Conroy, NYSARC president; Diana Jones Ritter, OMRDD commissioner; Mohan Mehra, former Westchester Arc president and Anne M. Majsak, Westchester Arc president. |
“We need more residential opportunities and more jobs for people who deserve them,” said Diana Jones Ritter, commissioner of the New York State OMRDD (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities), during her keynote speech at Westchester Arc’s 59th Annual Meeting.
The event, held on June 12 at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains, addressed the growing needs of people with developmental disabilities, especially those who are aging and individuals on the autistic spectrum. Ritter called for more state-funded support and services and discussed issues relating to federal Medicaid and other funding challenges.
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| The audience was given the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns after the commissioner's keynote address. |
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| Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter | NYSARC Executive Director Marc Brandt |
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| Westchester Arc Executive Director Ric Swierat discusses the state of the agency with guests. | Westchester Arc Associate Executive Director Tom Hughes greets board member Ann Nehrbauer. |
Community Awards
Congresswoman Nita Lowey was presented with a Public Official Partnership Award for her outstanding contributions to social inclusion for people with disabilities. The agency also recognized a number of partners and community volunteers.
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The Honorable Nita Lowey is congratulated by Westchester County Legislator Thomas J. Abinanti and his son. |
Westchester Arc Foundation Executive Director Anne Sweezey and President Larry McNaughton acknowledged Peter Herrero, Jr. recipient of the Westchester Arc Foundation Award. |
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The Katzenberg Award was presented to retiring board member Morton Steinberg, D.D.S. |
The School Partnership Award was presented to Sara Arnon, Weekday Nursery School. |
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| Jason Kingsley presented The Kingsley Family Partnership Award to Bob and Terri Hunt. |
Self-Advocates Vote
Thirty individuals with developmental disabilities—also known as self-advocates—exercised their right to vote, electing new officers to their Customer Service Council, an increasingly powerful body that contributes to decisions on agency strategy and operations. Candidates addressed issues such as community employment, literacy and social inclusion. Elected officers were: Patsy, president; Sharon, vice president, and Carolyn, secretary.
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| Chinika passes the presidential torch to Patsy. |
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| Ric Swierat with newly elected officers Sharon and Patsy. | Patsy delivers his first presidential address. |
Election of Officers and New Board Members
Attendees also elected new officers and board members. Anne M. Majsak, of White Plains, was re-elected president; Timothy B. Sullivan, M.D., of Harrison, was re-elected first vice president; Sheryl Frishman, of White Plains, was re-elected second vice president; Mark S. Glucksman, of White Plains, was re-elected treasurer, and Sarah Phelan, Esq., of White Plains, was re-elected secretary.
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Celebrating the Arts
A spirited performance by the “Out of Order Players,” a theater troupe sponsored by JCC on the Hudson, dramatized the challenges that people with developmental disabilities face on a daily basis. Westchester Arc’s Annual Art Show—featuring over 50 unique creations—drew praise from attendees.
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| The lobby was filled with people viewing the beautiful artwork. |
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| Sonia Cooper, Ph.D., Bulova Foundation, was pleased to present the winning artists with their well-deserved awards. | |
» Click here to view the winning art