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

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
914.949.8200

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Best Practice Awards Highlight Staff Excellence

The agency’s Best Practices Awards, presented twice a year, recognize outstanding delivery on our promise to be “caring, innovative and professional.”

The latest winners are:

First prize

Harry Zabala - Yonkers Day Habilitation
Harry designed a program that provides individuals with an opportunity to experience the spirit of competition and camaraderie. The name of the program, “The Spirit League”, allows consumers to compete in team activities as well as individual competitions. The league is designed to accommodate all consumers regardless of their physical disability.

Activities range from sports such as basketball, including wheelchair basketball, Wii video competitions, checkers, spelling bees, volleyball and much more. Consumers who choose not to compete can participate as cheerleaders and fans. Harry took the initiative to join forces with Cerebral Palsy of Westchester and together they have attracted other agencies to participate in the league. The activities take place at different locations such as Westchester Arc locations, CPW facilities and Manhattanville College. Each team is comprised of consumers from different sites and agencies which enhances the interactions and friendships. Harry also arranged for uniforms at a very low cost. He also applied for a grant from NYSADSP and was awarded based on the apparent value of this endeavor. The level of cooperativeness between the Agencies is commendable. He plans to pursue corporate sponsorships to cover future expenses.

This program crosses barriers, to provide positive experiences for the sole purpose of enhancing the lives of our consumers. Harry has invested an enormous amount of time getting this program off the ground. We are very proud of him and the work he has done for the people we serve.

Harry Zabala and Ric Swierat, Executive Director.

Second prize

Clarence Smith, Donna Umpenhour, Lisa Marino,
Diane Deada - Day Habilitation
“Birthdays to Go” is an idea developed from Quality Assurance meetings at the 360 Mamaroneck Avenue Day Program. The team came up with the idea to visit other sites and surprise consumers by bringing a birthday troupe equipped with gifts, song and music. Consumers would benefit from singing, playing the piano, giving gifts to their peers, and providing compassionate service to others.

Since the “BTG” projects inception, in December 2008, it has served approximately 22 consumers which includes our eight sister satellites, WJCS day program and Morningside Nursing Home.

Here is how “Birthday to Go” works:

  • Donna Umpenhour sends invitations to the treatment coordinators from the eight satellites, and now staff in Vocational Services that include consumers with birthdates in the upcoming month.
  • The invitation request staff contact Clarence Smith to book a day for the BTG team to visit their respective site.
  • Personalized birthday cards are made using the computer.
  • A horoscope is developed, based on the generic horoscope on the computer and printed up for each individual, which is an easy read; focuses on positive characteristics of the sign.
  • Staff and consumers purchase decorative bags, birthday helium balloons, and gift items at a local venue in the community. Staff and consumers wrap the gifts and place in decorative bags with helium birthday balloons attached.
  • In addition, bracelets designed by consumers from the Art Group have been contributed as BTG gifts.
  • When the BTG troupe arrives at the respective site Clarence introduces the troupe as the”360 Birthdays to Go.” He also brings his portable keyboard, the troupe serenades the consumer(s) by singing `Happy Birthday’ while the members distribute the birthday gifts. All consumers at the site are asked to join in on the celebration.
Diane Deada, Donna Umpenhour, Clarence Smith, Lisa Marino and Ric Swierat.

Third prize

Andrea Langston - Accounting
Andrea Langston suggested that the agency organize a tree trimming event to include staff and consumers at Hawthorne. A small committee was organized and Andrea shared her idea on how nice it would be to host an event in the new building. She was willing to utilize her community connections for items that could not be purchased due to budget restraints. Andrea was also very generous with her personal time and used her own funds to purchase items for consumers. With the support of Andrea’s contacts, we were able to host an event that was both meaningful to staff and consumers and cost effective.

Andrea was so willing and successful in reaching out to her community contacts for donations. Andrea met with staff from Country Bank and secured a donation for $350 for the purchase of a Christmas tree, ornaments, and a tree skirt. She shopped on her own time and was also able to purchase a menorah and kinara for Kwanzaa; these items were displayed in the lobby.

  • Many staff baked their favorite holiday desserts.
  • Andrea secured a donated cheese platter from her local supermarket.
  • She recruited an "in house" Santa who gave each consumer a small gift.  Andrea purchased gifts with her own funds.

We hope this is just the start of an annual event!

Andrea Langston with Ric Swierat.