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 contact:
Mellissa Lang
Director of Marketing and Public Affairs
phone: 914.949.9300,
ext. 4618
fax: 914.997.2985
or 914.428.0322
mlang@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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Press Release

Donors to Kids with Disabilities Honored

Westchester Arc Pre-School Celebrates its Friends

White Plains, New York, May 9, 2005 — Over 70 guests, including Westchester County legislator Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh) and Jennifer Schaffer, commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, gathered at The Children’s School for Early Development on May 5 for a reception recognizing the generosity of longtime supporters. The event was co-sponsored by The Children’s School and the Westchester Arc Foundation. The Children’s School offers services to children from birth to five years of age who have speech and language delays, autism, mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Westchester Arc is the largest organization in the county serving people of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“The Children’s School is a model for the inclusion of special-needs children in community-based classes,” announced Fran Porcaro, assistant director of educational services. “Tonight is about celebrating those who have helped us become a leading provider in educational, social and support services for these children and their families.”

Westchester Arc President Mohan Mehra and Westchester Arc Foundation President Katharine Wilson Conroy unveiled 21 new gold and silver stars bearing donor names that had been added to a mural symbolizing the role private gifts play in making dreams come true.

Master Chris Berlow and instructor Laura Giacovas of the United Martial Arts Center were honored for helping kids with disabilities build strength and confidence through tae kwon do. Master Berlow and Ms. Giacovas have established an annual Kickathon fundraiser on behalf of the pre-school.  The event features youngsters with disabilities performing martial arts alongside their typically developing peers. Gavin Checci, a former student at The Children’s School and current UMAC member, paid tribute to his instructors with a martial arts demonstration at the May 5 donor reception.

Established over 50 years ago, Westchester Arc is a family-focused agency that has long advocated social inclusion for people with disabilities because of its wide-ranging benefits to the entire community. Westchester Arc is funded through both public and private means.