2024 Grantees - Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism

Cardinal McCloskey Community Services

Cardinal McCloskey is a non-profit agency that provides care and day habilitation opportunities to many individuals with autism, including some of our children. The pandemic’s passing has allowed for reopening of many volunteer opportunities and a resurgence in Day Habilitation attendance, so that individuals with autism have resumed their skill acquisition.

FECA made several Grants to Cardinal McCloskey over the past few years which have contributed to physical plant improvements at their residences and we also established a staffing protocol that addresses the need for deeper understanding of autism and training that will contribute to a better quality of life for people with autism. In 2023, Cardinal McCloskey honored Elise & Phil Orlando at their Annual Wine Tasting Benefit, for their contribution to the autism community and their ongoing support to the agency and people affected with autism.

Recently, the agency’s Grant request to FECA to establish an ABA-based program to train staff more thoroughly and improve the quality of life for people in their care.

A Grant from FECA in 2023 allowed for many physical plant improvements to their residences. Pictured is one of their residences before and after.

Cardinal McCloskey Annual Wine Tasting Gala – May 2023
FECA Board members (L-R) Phyllis Lombardi, Terry Pirraglia, Elise Orlando and past FECA Board members Gina DeCaprio & Rita Bigelow

Cardinal McCloskey employees attending Autism Science Foundation’s Annual Day of Learning in April, which is Autism Awareness Month, to kick off their newly established ABA-training program for staff.

Residence Before

Residence After

Shames Jewish Community Center/Extended Family/Devereux Adult Program (Tarrytown, NY)

This newly launched program offered FECA the opportunity to further embrace our mission of encouraging and supporting collaborations between and across the organizational landscape. The Shames JCC/Tarrytown launched a weekly hiking program for adults on the IDD spectrum and soon after invited participants in the Devereux Day Habilitation (DAP) program to join. Next the opportunity to invite the extraordinary program, The Extended Family (TEF) presented itself and the three organizations began their collaboration which looks to further expand in the future.

TEF is an extraordinary program initially established by two dynamic women, Laurie Cameron and Susan Disbrow to create art programs for participants in the IDD community. The program quickly and significantly expanded to provide the opportunity for now hundreds of participants to embrace their communities with creative contributions to food pantries and throughout the Covid pandemic, gifts to essential workers.

After an morning hike, participants adjourn to the expansive JCC facility for lunch and work on the EF projects, largely created for local food pantry donations which will then be delivered by the DAP participants.

Camp Shutaf Inclusion program (Israel)

FECA was introduced to this wonderful program in Israel and readily agreed to support their mission. The Camp Shutaf Inclusion programs in Jerusalem offers year-round inclusive informal education experiences for children, teens and young adults all all abilities. Camp Shutaf is a driving force in inclusion-innovation, with year round information education programs for nearly 250 participants, ages 6-30 of diverse needs and backgrounds committed to providing quality services for all participants of all abilities, regardless of labels, financial limitations and cultural and religious differences. Clearly they live up to their Hebrew name which means partnership and companionship.

Shames Jewish Community Center Vocational Program (Tarrytown, NY)

The Shames JCC on the Hudson is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, welcoming community that enhances the lives of its members through social, recreational, educational, social action, wellness, cultural and supportive programs and resources. To that end the JCC has inaugurated a program to address the shortage of job opportunities and vocational support for individuals with disabilities. The first of a three pronged initiative, training in childcare, was launched in the fall with support from FECA. Custodial and food services training programs are to follow. FECA provided funding for job coaches who through their training of participants will enhance their acquisition of credentials that will make possible further training internships and inclusion on resumes and job applications to reassure employers that candidates have mastery of relevant skills.

The Nicholas Center (Pleasantville, NY)

The Nicholas Center was created on Long Island thirteen years ago by two parents of children with autism. Their mission was to create and provide their soon to be graduating young adults with community programs to foster work training, employment support and provide further learning and social development The program has since expanded to a second site in Pleasantville in Westchester County. Across both locations, TNC supports over 60 young men and women in paid jobs or internships across nineteen different business enterprises. FECA provided support for the expansion of TNC's "Pathway to Employment" program at the new site to further their assessments, coursework and internships to help participants further discover what types of employment or volunteer opportunities are best suited to them. Prepared meal kits are assembled and delivered to local food pantries.

Select Connects (Pleasantville, NY)

The Select Human Services program in Pleasantville opened a new program called Select Connects last year with the mission to "challenge ourselves to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities." Dedicated staff bring participants out into their communities in a variety of programs both recreational and educational. In order to make this possible, FECA purchased one van and successfully worked with the national Toyota company to access their donation of a second van.

FECA Awards Grant for Eagle Scout Service: Henry Druckenbrod Begins His College Career

FECA proudly continues our support for Henry, who is attending his first year of college!

"I didn't realize how lucky I am to have lifelong friends and a great family. I guess I expected to connect with people to connect with people on a similarly deep level right away. But I get along well with my roommate and the last month was better because I joined two clubs. So I think things will improve in the second semester."

FECA wishes Henry all good things for his next college adventures!"

Devereux Adult Program Music Class

FECA has been a long time supporter of a variety of entertaining and educational classes for Devereux Adult Program participants. This year music was a popular choice.

The Nicholas Center and The Extended Family

A second Nicholas Center FECA grant will provide funding for a start-up partnership that promises to expand vocational training and community service opportunities for young adults with autism. The partnership focuses on two key initiatives: meal kit preparation and Arts with a Purpose both designed to provide valuable skills to participants and address critical community needs.

Lahaina (Maui, HI)

The deadliest wildfire in the US in over a century resulted in the total destruction of the beautiful town of Lahaina on Maui in Hawaii. In addition to the horrific loss of over 100 residents over 2,000 homes were destroyed as well as most schools and businesses. Maui resident, Susan Varsames, a longtime FECA advisory board member and dedicated professional serving the autism community has served as our partner in our mission to help the Lahaina autism community by providing Ipads and supporting computer equipment directly to one of the schools serving the autism community.