Dec. 2009

On Thursday, October 29, 2009, gray skies and the last-minute absence of Guest of Honor Diana Jones Ritter, New York State OMRDD Commissioner, couldn’t dampen the excitement in the air at Hamaspik of Orange County.

The exciting morning began as staff began arriving in fives and tens shortly before 10:00 a.m., walking up the landscaped Hamaspik Way beneath the new building’s towering façade.

A giant welcome banner was draped across the building’s face. A huge bouquet of flowers stood beneath it. At the head of the sweeping outdoor staircase leading up to the row of glass front doors, a table bearing a pair of giant ceremonial scissors heightened the excitement. Completing the atmosphere of anticipation, a bright, wide red ribbon was strung across the entryway, awaiting the ceremonial cutting that would mark the official moment of opening.

It was the long-awaited Grand Opening Day of Hamaspik’s biggest-ever building, and as Hamaspik staff and consumers joined New York State officials at the gala grand opening luncheon in Kiryas Joel, even the sun came out.

Sinking new roots

The striking three-story edifice allows Hamaspik of Orange County to realize its long-time dream of expanding its current Day Hab program and provide ample, custom-built spaces for other existing and new programs. The building also serves as Hamaspik’s new administrative hub.

As the crowd slowly grew as the ten o’ clock hour neared, officials were seen chatting with Hamaspik leadership, staff and employees, many of whom have enjoyed mutually beneficial relationships for years. Smartly dressed waiters also circulated through the crowd, distributing delightful cookies and program schedules.

“So, what’s your next project?” one official was overheard tastefully teasing Executive Director Mr. Meyer Wertheimer. “Or are you taking a rest?”

On a more somber note, what with possible budget cuts casting a pall across the entire state human-services industry, the official was also heard remarking, “Now’s a good time to adjust priorities.”

As ten o’ clock arrived, the Gazette chatted briefly with Sheila Warren, the Orange County Health Dept.’s Director of Intervention Services, about the communal position and impact of Hamaspik of Orange County’s EI program—a program that, testifying to its success and popularity, comprises a surprisingly large 5% of the entire EI population of the whole Orange County.

Hamaspik of Orange County’s EI program “makes sure that families are trained,” said Warren. “The most important thing is the family.”

The crowd then gathered on the front steps for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, with employees taking up positions to the sides while the dozen or so officials took the top landing behind the ribbon.

Orange County Mental Health Commissioner Chris Ashman, a long-time Hamaspik friend and supporter was honored by Mr. Wertheimer with the cutting of the ribbon. Stepping forward to take up the oversized shears, Ashman deftly sliced the crimson strip. Spunky applause erupted from all sides.

The impressive bow marking the ribbon’s midpoint was separated from the strip with a quick second cut and then presented to Ceylane Meyers, Director of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs, who was filling in for Commissioner Ritter.

The group of officials was then invited by Mr. Wertheimer to step down to the building’s front lawn, where a small pit for a ceremonial tree-planting had been dug. Three shovels stood at the ready.

The group took turns retrieving loose soil from the pit, symbolically representing the groundwork necessary before the “planting” of “new roots”—i.e. the new building.

As Mr. Wertheimer personally wielded the shovel blade to expand the small cavity between officials’ turns, Commissioner Ashman joked, “Meyer, can you come to my house?”

The group of five officials then lifted an adjacent fresh sapling and inserted it into the hole, symbolizing the opening of the new center with the planting of a new tree.

Representing her superior, Ceylane Meyers was then asked to unveil a small plaque on a stake before the newly-planted tree—a plaque the Commissioner would have personally unveiled had she been able to attend.

Gingerly tugging at a small ribbon, Meyers released and pulled back an elegant shroud to expose a sign reading, “This tree was planted on October 29, 2009 by Honorable Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of OMRDD, to Commemorate the Grand Opening of Hamaspik of Orange County Administration/Day Habilitation Building.” The surrounding crowd clapped.

As the officials slowly headed back to the building, Hamaspik of Rockland County Director of Operations Joel Bernath half-jokingly remarked, “You’ll have to come back to water it.” The symbolism was not lost on the officials.

The group then moved into the building’s lobby to begin a tour of the Day Habilitation program.

Love and learning

“I’ve known Hamaspik a long time,” Orange County Community Development Coordinator Bill Flanigan said to the Gazette as the group found its way to the first of several Day Hab activity rooms. “There’s been a ten-fold expansion—when Hamaspik started, there was no day program in the community.”

Inside the room, several consumers grinned gleefully as a group of four officials crowded around their activity table to admire their handiwork. Along one wall, Hudson Valley DDSO Director Jill Gentile was seen admiring a painstakingly decorated “Happy Birthday” bulletin board, while Team Leader Eileen Wood struck up an animated conversation with a thrilled consumer. Wood then complimented the program’s supplies on hand. “Nice organized closet,” she said, referring to neatly arranged rows of items.

“Can I see?” earnestly asked Commissioner Ashman in the next room down the hall, where consumers were decorating hand-crafted tote bags. The consumer responded in kind, a genuine smile wreathing her face as she pushed forward her handiwork for Ashman to inspect.

“They have so much to share!” one official remarked to another as they headed out to the hallway.

In the next room, Mr. Wertheimer conversed with Meyers about a particular consumer who, upon arriving in Hamaspik’s program, was transferred to the agency with ominous diagnoses. Among other things, the girl was non-verbal and was not expected to ever talk. But defying expectations, Hamaspik patiently and diligently worked with the young lady, and within one year, the agency succeeded where others had predicted failure—empowering her to speak.

“You must be very proud,” Meyers remarked.

Traversing the first floor to observe the second wing, the group looked in on several additional activity rooms. “You have nursing staff?” asked one official of Mrs. Chaya Miriam Landau when shown a private medical room. Mrs. Landau nodded, affirming Hamaspik’s attentive professional care of its precious charges.

“You don’t realize how much math is involved in cooking!” Meyers commented as Mrs. Landau showed several officials the wing’s kitchen, explaining that consumers learn not only how to cook, but how to use basic math skills in working with ingredients. “And then you get to eat it!” quipped another official. Everyone laughed.

In another room on the wing, consumers gladly held out their math workbooks, allowing officials to see what they’ve been recently studying. This same room, and the same consumers, was visited by officials in August, with Eileen Wood jokingly recalling how one particularly personable consumer is the “mayor” of Hamaspik’s Day Hab.

In a third activity room, this one for low-function consumers, officials exulted in the carefully decorated “Noah’s Ark” built out of three stories of cardboard and festooned with working lights and even a menagerie of animal figures. “That’s really cool,” said one. “Thank you!” replied one of the animals, sending the official running.

Across the room, an excited consumer expressed the natural love that he and many of his peers, unencumbered by social inhibitions, feel for others by spontaneously hugging Rockland County Day Hab Manager Zishe Lowy.

The entourage of officials visited the last room on the wing, a well-equipped exercise room complete with treadmills and stationary bicycles.

“It’s always a joy to come here and see them so excited,” remarked one official to another as they headed out to lunch. “They’re always trying to make it better.”

Food for thought

After guests had spent several moments tucking into fine fare around the dining hall’s elegantly set tables, affable Project Coordinator Mrs. Brenda Katina, one of Hamaspik’s “main engines,” took the podium.

First welcoming the crowd, Mrs. Katina delivered an icebreaker to welcome officials Jackie Spring, Chris Ashman, Ceylane Meyers, Jill Gentile, Vivian Street, Eileen Wood, Melissa Marcone, Bill Flanigan, Sheila Warren, Megan Hawk, Debra Scuadroni and Denise Thomas.

Architects and contractors Peter Cirillo, Timothy Ryan, Joseph Gingrich and Kevin Babcock were also welcomed.

Mrs. Katina then presented a special gift to Commissioner Ashman, first remarking that Hamaspik had once given him an ornamental candy dish that the public servant keeps outside his office door to this day. Mrs. Katina then called upon Ashman to accept another gift.

As the crowd cheered, Ashman pulled a cloth away from a tall object, revealing a tall Plexiglas cylinder brimming with candies. “This will last until 2010,” Ashman wryly estimated. In case it wouldn’t, Mrs. Katina completed the gift by presenting several bags of “refills” as the crowd chuckled.

The Emcee then welcomed several friends of Hamaspik: Orange County’s Sheila Warren and several of her lieutenants, Initial Service Coordinators Meghan Hawk, Debra Scuadroni and Denise Thomas.

“Thank you all for being here,” she said. “Maybe we’ll have an Early Intervention program in this building. Who knows?”

Acknowledging the expertise invested in designing and building the new center, Mrs. Katina publicly lauded the contributions of architect Peter Cirillo and assistants Timothy Ryan and Kevin Babcock, whose long-time relationship with Hamaspik has spanned the building of several facilities, most recently the new center.

The story is told of a father and son on a long-distance fishing trip, Mrs. Katina related, setting up her next set of remarks with a little humor. After miles and miles on the road, the exasperated little boy finally asked his father, “Will I still be four years old by the time we get there?”

“This building was a dream for years,” pronounced Mrs. Katina. “And here we are, celebrating our new building at last!” The crowd cheered heartily in approval.

But such monumental human achievements are not possible without a Higher Power. Mrs. Katina thanked Hashem (the traditional Jewish phrase for G-d) for helping Hamaspik arrive at this day.

Continuing with another trademark story, the experienced crowd-worker recounted how a wise old professor asked a former student “What are you doing?” three times, rejecting his disciple’s replies and explaining that business success and a wonderful family are G-d’s doings, not Man’s.

“What are you doing for the community?” the professor explained—a point that Mrs. Katina tied into Hamapik’s community work as a human-services agency.

With another anecdote, Mrs. Katina diplomatically compared consumers to diamonds whose superficial scratches are turned into etched roses, rendering the diamonds as valuable as any others.

An emotionally evocative video was then screened, with the crowd cheering each time a familiar consumer or staff member appeared. “That’s just a glimpse into the treasure chest of diamonds etched with roses,” said Mrs. Katina when the video ended.

The proceedings then took a brief intermission for the luncheon’s main course.

Notes of praise

During lunch, the Gazette struck up a conversation with Rabbi [FIRST NAME HERE] Litt, a Hamaspik parent and virtuoso violinist who would later perform. In contrast to previous generations which feared exposing their children with special needs to the public for a number of reasons, “You don’t have to keep it in the closet” today, Rabbi Litt told the Gazette, what with the growing understanding and mainstreaming of MR/DD children. Still, he pointed out, “You can’t go it alone—parents need each other.”

This community of support is why the South Fallsburg, New York educator is an avid fan of Hamaspik, which services the Litts’ own son. “Hamaspik is a family. They do their homework—and they call you” to inform consumers of available programs, Rabbi Litt added. “You don’t call them.”

The Emcee resumed her position at the podium to continue the program. Mrs. Katina noted that the regrettable last-minute absence of Commissioner Ritter. “We’re sorry she couldn’t be with us here today,” said Mrs. Katina. “She’s in Albany, fighting for all of us.”

Mrs. Katina then delivered a delightful play on words revolving around the “upturn” of the “economic downturn” and other puns that left the crowd equally amused and confused. “It should be noted that a slowing up of the slowdown is not as good as an upturn in the downturn,” she said, “and finally, the inflation of the recession would turn the recession into a depression while a deflation in the rate of inflation would give the impression of a recession of the depression.”

Hamaspik parent Mr. Chaim Reisman followed Mrs. Katina with a few personal words of gratitude.

“I thank Hashem for giving me and my wife the wisdom and strength for handling our challenges,” he began. “It would not be possible without Hamaspik!”

Explaining that gratitude is an essential part of being happy, Mr. Reisman conveyed special thanks to Mr. Wertheimer for founding Hamaspik. “And G-d bless America and its people for enabling him to create it!” he added.

Mr. Reisman then shared some wisdom from legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who famously said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”

The village water carrier, Mr. Reisman next related, was asked why he insisted on keeping his old, leaking bucket. “Get one that doesn’t have a hole in it!” the villagers insisted. “You can only fill it up half way!” The water carrier replied, “I don’t get a new one because the fruits that grow from the trees watered by my leaky bucket are worth much more than the profits I could make from a complete bucket.”

“Even a broken bucket has its value,” said Mr. Reisman as he concluded the telling analogy. “It produces such beautiful flowers!”

Mr. Reisman then introduced his son Shloime, a beloved Hamaspik consumer. In his brief but powerful remarks, Shloime thanked Hamaspik “for helping me live a full life!” Mr. Reisman concluded by thanking his supportive wife and life partner, saying, “The mother is everything!”

Rabbi Litt then stepped forward, violin in hand, to offer several rousing renditions. The Star-Spangled Banner came first, with the crowd rising reverentially for the National Anthem, followed by the classic G-d Bless America and Broadway favorite If I Were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof.

Mrs. Katina publicly acknowledged Hamaspik’s receipt of a large garland of flowers from the Kiryas Joel School District. Attached to the garland was small note reading, “Dear Hamaspik Staff: Mazel Tov!”

A Hamaspik of Orange County Day Hab consumer then took the mike to share a few simple but effective words. “One behalf of the Day Hab Program, where I live: welcome!” he said. “When I came here, I was lost. Now I am a secure and confident adult.”

“That was one of the best speeches today,” Mrs. Katina aptly remarked. Mrs. Katina then called upon Mr. Wertheimer.

A present for the past

Mr. Wertheimer first thanked all the previous speakers.

“Today is a very special day—a special day personally to me,” Mr. Wertheimer continued, pausing to weigh every word. “In our two decades, we have celebrated many, many affairs, but this is something out of the ordinary. This is really a dream come true. This is a milestone that we envisioned, and it took a lot of hard work, a lot of diligence… It is a special day for the special people we serve, and it is a special day for special families, done by special people… We have to recognize and thank those people who were involved, and continue to be involved, because it doesn’t end here. We need to continue to try, flourish, and fulfill our mission.”

The Executive Director then thanked a list of Hamaspik’s loyal friends, beginning with Commissioner Ritter herself. “Commissioner Ritter called me the other day and said, ‘Meyer: I was called on duty,’ ” Mr. Wertheimer remarked. “In the Commissioner’s words: ‘I’m in full advocacy mode.’ ”

Addressing the absent Commissioner on behalf of a grateful Hamaspik family, Mr. Wertheimer said, “Commissioner: You’re on duty, and you work for us.” The crowd robustly cheered.

Mr. Wertheimer pointed out that the New York State Senate’s Finance Chair had just admitted that the proposed budget cuts would hurt the state’s most vulnerable population. As such, Mr. Wertheimer continued, “We feel we have a true representative staying in Albany and making sure that we should be able to continue. This building, as nice [as] it is, needs support to be able to continue to provide those supports. So not only [do] we understand, “we appreciate the Commissioner’s staying in Albany and advocating.”

However, he added, the Commissioner did send Ceylane Meyers; applause broke out as he acknowledged her presence.

Comparing the numerous government officials present to family, Mr. Wertheimer went on to thank them by name along with words of appreciation. These included Hudson Valley DDSO Director Jill Gentile, Deputy Director Jackie Spring, and Orange County Team Leader Eileen Wood.

Many people in the Hudson Valley DDSO have left or retired over his two decades of involvement, Mr. Wertheimer observed. “The only one left is our dear friend: Bill Flanigan!”

To pay tribute to Hamaspik’s long-term relationship with the long-time DDSO official, Mr. Wertheimer called up Mr. Flanigan to accept a golden honorary Master Key to the new complex. Mr. Flanigan gratefully accepted his inscribed gift amid spunky applause.

Though Mrs. Katina had already thanked Chris Ashman, Mr. Wertheimer mentioned him again, noting that the Orange County Commissioner “has been our advocate for the past ten years.”

“We always talk about prevention, how a person should stay healthy and not enter the DDSO system,” then said the Director. “Preventing them at the beginning is one of the utmost [priorities of] importance. We run today a successful program which is called ‘Early Intervention,” but I would say, ‘Early Prevention.’ [As such,] we must recognize [Orange County Director of Intervention Services] Sheila Warren.” The crowded clapped.

He then listed the Director’s staff: Meghan Hawk, Debra Scuadroni and Denise Thomas.

Hamaspik could not have built anything without the “constructive” input of Habig and Cirillo, PC, the contracting company with whom Hamaspik has shared a relationship that spans several building projects. “We thank you so much,” said Mr. Wertheimer to Messrs. Peter Cirillo and Tim Ryan, who were both present, “and we appreciate all you have done.”

The Executive Director then paid tribute to several employees involved “day and night” in the raising of the new building, as well as Hamaspik’s ongoing operations:
• Director of Development and Planning Moses Wertheimer
• Access to Home Coordinator David Daskal
• Development Coordinator Joseph Meisels
• Office Manager Aron Rubinstein
• Group Home Maintenance Manager Samuel Falkowitz; and
• PACE Coordinator Shaya Brach.

Mr. Wertheimer finally shared some special words of thanks for the indefatigable Mrs. Brenda Katina, Hamaspik’s endlessly devoted Project Coordinator, pointing out that he received a Hamaspik-related e-mail from the unstoppable Coordinator at 1:57 a.m. that morning. “That shows you her dedication, and I thank her for all her work and devotion,” said Mr. Wertheimer.

Mrs. Katina returned for the last time to the podium to deliver closing remarks that bore the event’s theme of trees, warmly thanking Commissioner Ritter and Team Leader Wood once again and presenting brooches to both officials.

Director Meyers then rose to deliver remarks representing the Commissioner. ““I’m really honored to be here on behalf of Commissioner Ritter… on this very special occasion,” she began. Congratulations! I can’t say that enough. It’s obvious that you all have such a generous, loving heart for the consumers,” she continued. “And to walk around today and see the activities and the smiles on their faces, to see the video, to hear from the families… it’s wonderful, the work that you do in Hudson Valley and it’s wonderful, the partnership that you have with Jill and our team here in the Hudson Valley. And again: Congratulations on behalf of Commissioner Ritter. This is a very special day, and I’m hoping that you don’t just celebrate today but continue to celebrate for a very long time. Thank you.”

In conclusion, Mrs. Katina presented Mr. Wertheimer with a new wallet, joking that everyone would get something out of the gift. The crowd strongly cheered, and the event drew to a close.

Just another day

Within ten minutes, the crowd had dissipated, heading out to the parking lot where their vehicles waited to carry them off to the rest of their days.

Meanwhile, on the third floor, a beehive of activity could be found as Service Coordinator buzzed about their cubicles tending to their daily duties. For the guests departing downstairs, it was the close of a special day. But for Hamaspik’s hardworking, loving employees, it was just another day—and while the last attendee was ending his or her visit, they were already back at work.