Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...
For more information about donations, please contact:
Anne Sweazey
Executive Director
Westchester Arc Foundation
phone: 914.428.8330,
ext. 4625,
fax: 914.997.2985
asweazey@
westchesterarc.org
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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Dear Friends,
I want to introduce you to my three wonderful children. From left to right: Zachary, age 7, Aaron, age 9, and Rebekah, age 9. Aaron was diagnosed with severe Autism at age 2. Rebekah is his twin sister. Zachary, aka Freckle Face, is our baby. These three children, although siblings, are very different from one another, with very different needs. They have all benefited, and will continue to benefit, from Westchester Arc.
Aaron is a beautiful child, with a smile that lights up a room. He has worked so hard since his diagnosis to improve his functioning. He has done remarkably well, given his prognosis. However, he continues to need one-to-one supervision, is in a self-contained school program, and has behaviors that are sometimes beyond toleration. In order for Aaron to be able to remain at home, where we want him to stay so very desperately, he qualified for respite and residential habilitation through the Medicaid Waiver program. Because of his behaviors and hyperactivity it was difficult to find a provider to work with Aaron. We were so relieved to learn that Westchester Arc was able to provide these services for Aaron. Because of Westchester Arc, Aaron will be able to remain at home and participate as an active and cherished member of our family.
Rebekah is a “typical” 9 year old. She is beautiful, bright, and an all-star athlete. However, Rebekah has unique difficulties because her twin brother is not “typical.” Aaron usually does not communicate with Rebekah at all, embarrasses her in front of her friends, and constantly causes us to have to leave fun activities mid-way because of his behaviors. As a result, Rebekah does not always get the attention she deserves. At Westchester Arc’s first Family Resource Day, I attended a panel discussion by adult siblings of people with developmental disabilities and heard them discuss the challenges they faced. This was the first time I was able to have a glimpse into Rebekah’s world. After this event, I immediately started paying attention to Rebekah’s “special needs.” At the most recent Westchester Arc Family Resource Day, Rebekah participated in a facilitated “sib-shop” and was thrilled to have found companionship and understanding.
My youngest, Zachary, has developmental issues of his own that, although not as severe as his older brother, were unique and difficult to address when he was younger. Zachary was lucky to be assigned a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) while he was attending a typical preschool through
Westchester Arc’s Children’s School for Early Development. The progress he made in preschool was nothing short of remarkable. He entered kindergarten in a mainstream public school with the skills necessary to do well in school and make friends. While he still requires some support, Zachary is well beyond grade level academically, has friends, attends a typical summer camp, and is a kind, well-adjusted and empathetic child. The Children’s School gave him the necessary skills so that he can and will reach his full potential. I will be forever grateful.
Three children, each one different, each having benefited from Westchester Arc. And each will continue to benefit from Westchester Arc!
We must ensure that this caring organization continues to be there as Aaron, and children like him, age. We must ensure that the innovative and person-centered programs at Westchester Arc remain strong, and that Westchester Arc continues to lobby for the rights of children and adults with disabilities. We must ensure that siblings, like Rebekah & Zachary, always have a place to turn to for help with their brother, especially when my husband and I are no longer here.
Please make a gift, as we have, to support this worthy cause. Government funding will not be enough to ensure that these programs remain strong. Thank you.
Sincerely,
 |
Sheryl Frishman— for the Frishman/Rosman Family
Sheryl, Rob, Aaron, Rebekah & Zachary
P.S. Westchester Arc needs your support and your investment in its future and the future of the people that it serves.
Enrich a life
To make gift to the
Family Pledge Appeal,
call Elyse Fowler,
Director of Individual Giving, 914.428.8330, ext. 4515, efowler@westchesterarc.org, or click below to make a secure online donation.
