Plainview Preschool Graduation
At the end of June 2024, amidst music and decorations, 100 students from ACDS’s Plainview Preschool proudly graduated in front of their families.
Plainview Field Day
A very special thank you to Maria Pitonza, Danielle Travers and Kyle Colucci for making ACDS’ 2024 Field Day such a huge success. The major team effort included coordinating the schedule, preparing classroom t-shirts, setting up the field, running the activities and providing extra coverage to support and cheer on our students. Thanks to all, everyone had an extraordinary time.
NB Alternatives Volunteer Day
On May 10, employees from NB Alternatives spent their morning doing art projects with the children at ACDS’s Plainview Preschool. Enthusiasm, patience and creativity effused from them, and the feel-good vibes rubbed off on everyone. Barry Giarraputo, Treasurer of ACDS’s Board of Directors, is CFO at NB Alternatives and developed this continued partnership with which ACDS is fortunate to have.
Michael Smith’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
On April 5, 2004, ACDS was privileged to have Michael join the agency as Executive Director, and now CEO. During the past twenty years, Michael has helped ACDS grow from a struggling agency to one of the foremost experts on Down syndrome, also having expanded to meet the needs of children and adults with a diversity of developmental and learning challenges. He grew ACDS from employing 155 staff to 900 employees, and from a budget of just a few million to more than $47 million. Michael follows his own philosophy that if there are people who need a service and it’s consistent with ACDS’s mission and we know how to do it, we do it. Over the past 20 years, Michael changed from ‘hands on’ to visionary and everything flourished – the scale, geographic reach, and scope of ACDS’s programs. From new housing opportunities through ISH grants to a new summer adventure respite camp, from expanding into Westchester to seeing the future of OPW being fiscal intermediary services, and everything in between. On April 4, 2024, Michael Smith celebrated 20 years of service and received a leaf on ACDS’s Tree of Life. Congratulations, Michael, and thank you, from ACDS!
World Down Syndrome Awareness Day
We enjoyed a series of World Down Syndrome Day celebrations. At our early childhood center in Plainview families were treated to an extremely adorable parade. We were delighted to have two honorees receive our distinguished graduate award: Craig Ludin, who runs the mail room at BankUnited, and Connie Katsoulis, an incredible TA in Miss Pam’s room. Connie graduated from ACDS in 1979 and Craig in 1981. We were so excited to recognize these wonderful individuals for the contributions they have made to their communities. We are deeply grateful to BankUnited for sponsoring the day, including socks for all of our kiddos, a fun craft and a delicious lunch for our hard-working staff.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration ACDS enjoyed its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 16. The festive affair featured dancers from the Hagen Kavanaugh School of Dance, live music from local band Good Clean Fun and delicious food and drink catered by Kasey’s Kitchen & Cocktails. We were thrilled to honor the wonderful Peter Flyntz, President of FZC Consultants, who patiently and expertly tends to all our IT needs. ACDS is deeply grateful to all our incredible sponsors, especially our Event Sponsors Scahill Law Group and Alera Group; our Ireland Trip Sponsors Hugh O’Connell and James E. Fitzgerald, Inc.; our Group Home Sponsors Mike Durney and family, Community Care Rx, eVero, Colonial Management, and LP Finn; our Guiness Sponsor cci Voice; our Jameson’s Sponsors Valley Bank and NRP Group; our Bailey’s Sponsor Joey Duffy and Family; and our Raffle Basket Sponsors Balloon Mission, JAFPC Architect, Graceann Faulkner, Kath O’Brien, Jane Shimkin, Liz Campbell, Tiana Jones and Tracy Kirley. Donate Now
Snow Ball Dance
Snow Ball Dance Adult Services Hosts Their Annual Snow Ball Dance Many wonderful memories were made at this year’s Snow Ball Dance. Our participants were dressed to the nines and enjoyed dancing to their favorite songs late into the night. With overwhelming support from our community, we were able to enjoy a photo booth which was a huge hit! The event would not be possible without our amazing staff whose enthusiasm and attention to detail make the evening a much-anticipated annual highlight. A special thank you goes to our Event Sponsor, The Cardoza Family, who gave in memory of Ray Cardoza. Huge thanks to our Entertainment Sponsors: the Graney Family, the Musella Family, and the O’Donnell Family. Sweetest thanks to the Greenberg/Tujague family for the beautiful and yummy dessert bar that they donated. Donate Now