Showcase your individuality by giving a personalized throw pillow made by Love is a Pillow. Choose an image of family, pets, child’s art or your own artistic vision and we will hand-make each one locally in Westchester County. Create a unique keepsake to cherish and share. Share the Love.
Archives for November 2014
FECA Broadens Scope as Autistic Children Become Young Adults
By Debra Hand
On its 20th anniversary, FECA is expanding its mission.
On Saturday, November 15th, 2014, the Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism celebrated its milestone with a gala fundraising evening of dining, dancing, casino games and a silent auction at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. Attended by 225 FECA benefactors and their guests, the “Back to the Future” themed event honored the organization’s accomplishments and looked ahead towards its new goals of expanding employment and volunteer opportunities for young adults with autism. FECA also holds a large fundraiser every spring in New York City, where it has a number of dedicated corporate sponsors.
“FECA’s work has been so profound over the past 20 years that we have begun to inspire the next generation of autism advocacy among our young people,” noted emcee Philip Orlando of Chappaqua, one of FECA’s founders and a foundation Director, as he introduced the Presidents of the Horace Greeley High School Autism Awareness Club and Fox Lane High School Autism Speaks Club.
An Original Need for Education
FECA was founded by eight Westchester families in 1994 as the Foundation for Educating Children with Autism, with a mission to create a school to provide the most proven effective one-on-one therapy based on Applied Behavior Analysis. At that time, the diagnosis of autism was 1 in 10,000; in 2014, alarmingly, one of every 68 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The resulting Devereux Millwood Learning Center, opened in 1996 to 12 children and now educating 48 students between five and 21, emphasizes vocational training and community integration to prepare them for adulthood. In 2009, FECA again partnered with Devereux to establish the Devereux Millwood Adult Program, which currently transports 18 young men in vans to job and volunteer locations across Westchester.
Employment for Young Adults With Autism
This year, in recognition of the maturation of the group FECA was formed to serve, the organization has both changed its name and launched new initiatives to broaden opportunities for autistic adults with an eye towards fuller community integration.
The Opportunity Network for Employers and Employees (“ONEE”) reaches out to local businesses and non-profit organizations to identify and match autistic individuals with specific skill sets to such opportunities, and Extraordinary Ventures New York (“EVNY”) will create small businesses to provide meaningful employment for autistic adults suited to their skills and interests.
With its evolving mission, FECA will continue to change many lives by translating what young people with autism spectrum disorders are interested in into lasting productivity and lifelong fulfillment.
To learn more about FECA or support its mission, visit www.fecainc.org
Debra Hand is a longtime writer and editor for Inside Chappaqua.
For Those in Need…
At holiday time, many of our residents are involved with donation drives and work overtime to bring a special season to those most in need.
The idea to consolidate Chappaqua collections was the idea of residents Dawn Greenberg and Jessica Reinmann. Houlihan Lawrence came on board as a central collection point. At press time, collections of goods and funds are on tap for April’s Child (formerly Child Abuse Prevention Center), Making Headway, Make-a-Wish of Hudson Valley, The Cottage School, the Ossining Children’s Center, The Guidance Center and the Food Bank of Westchester.
Soon delivering: Truckloads of new housewares to April’s Child, college prep books to The Guidance Center (operating in high need high schools in lower Westchester) and gift cards to help patient families working with Making Headway. States Greenberg: “Giving is always the right thing to do, whatever the season.”
In the Spirit of Coco Chanel…
At a packed Greeley House in November, Yulia Omelich–projecting Chanel-like elegance and intelligence–entertained attendees with tales of Coco’s astounding successes and her later life challenges in a fashion world dominated by men. She spoke of male journalists who jumped at the chance to undermine a woman light years ahead of her time.
There was even insight into Chanel’s more amorous adventures! That Chanel created a compartment in her classic pocketbook “for a woman’s secret love notes,” for example, elicited more than a few giggles. So did recalling her friendship with Winston Churchhill (who had intervened on her behalf when she was arrested in France) during one of history’s darkest periods. Chanel creations were passed around, from a black and white Tweed with her signature crystal buttons (Chanel buttons alone command $150 or more among Chanel enthusiasts, said Omelich) to a stunning black silk scarf with dangling “gold coins”…and expert advice about Chanel authenticity. We learned about Chanel lipstick, her first bathing suit, the “little black dress,” and finally, my personal favorite, Chanel’s contribution to womankind: Chanel #5!
Omelich, a former international diplomat, is the owner of CoutureDossier in Chappaqua, where Chanel objets d’art and items from multiple designers can be found for purchase or trade. I do believe her shop’s motto: “Manage your Fashion Portfolio” and her presentation would have made a certain kindred spirit, proud.
–Grace Bennett
IDF Officers Share Experiences with Community
Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester welcomed seven IDF Officers to the community beginning October 19th for 10 days. They met with adults, children, teens and seniors at venues ranging from Parlor Meetings at people’s homes, public and private High School visits, Hebrew schools, Synagogue Shabbat services, study sessions, and more.
There was a High School Teen Event at Grand Prix, a Middle School Challenge, Café Joe at Temple Beth El where all seven spoke about their experiences in front of 250 people, and their annual Comedy Night where 200 people attended to raise funds to bring the program back again next year.
The Officers speak about their lives and their experiences to approximately 2,000 people while they are here.* This year, all seven participated in Protective Edge, the situation in Israel this past summer. Each officer has a host family and a buddy family in the community. These relationships are forever.
This is the eighth year that Tzahal Shalom has brought the program to our community. The Co-Chairs of the program are Anita Greenwald, Michele Kraushaar, Randi Kreisler, and Alisa Emanuel.
*Over ten synagogues in Westchester participated in hosting the IDF officers; the program is not exclusive to any one synagogue community but rather a gift to the community at large.