Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...
Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org
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Congresswoman
Nita Lowey
Visits Westchester Arc
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| Congresswoman Nita Lowey (center) poses with Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director, and Anne Majsak, Westchester Arc president, during her visit to the agency’s Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center. |
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-18th District) toured Westchester Arc’s Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center on November 24 to discuss the latest issues affecting individuals with developmental disabilities and learn how the new Gateway Center is providing increased opportunties for community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.
A longstanding advocate for people with disabilites, Congresswoman Lowey was eager to hear input from Westchester Arc staff, self-advocates (individuals with developmental disabilities who voice their own wants, needs and desires) and board members on enhancing services and accesibility in Westchester County.
“I was very glad that Congresswoman Lowey came to visit with us,” comments Pasty Ginese, president of Westchester Arc’s Customer Service Council. “I think it is very important for community leaders to hear about the challenges self-advocates face so they can think about us when making decisions.” As president of this board-level group, Pasty helps represent 1,200 self-advocates throughout the agency.
Congresswoman Lowey was impressed by the design of the Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center—from the lobby in which a reflecting pool, sparkling tile and dramatic curves create a “river theme” symbolizing the ever-flowing hopes and dreams of people with disabilities, to art galleries and quilts created by self-advocates that showcase their creative accomplishments and contributions they make to the community.
“With the current economic challenges, Westchester County needs to plan the most effective use of funds to provide adequate services,” remarks Congresswoman Lowey. “It was a pleasure visiting Westchester Arc and seeing how the Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center takes us into the future of providing more community opportunities for indviduals with developmental disabilities.”
Westchester Arc is the oldest and largest agency in the county serving children and adults with developmental disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. The agency has long been committed to social inclusion because of the benefits to the entire community.