Ribbon Cutting for New Old Bethpage Resource Center

A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held at the Harvey Weisenberg Resource Center for autism and other developmental disabilities. The Resource Center is the first center of its kind, which will provide information, assistance, resources, training and guidance to families and individuals who are dealing with autism and other developmental disabilities. The center represents the collaborative efforts of Lifespire, Inc. and Old Bethpage's Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc., (FREE) not-for-profit agencies that have served individuals with disabilities for many years on Long Island and in New York City.

Pictured (L-R) Julian Palmo, Board of Directors, Secretary, Lifespire, Inc.; Mark vanVoorst, Chief Executive Officer and President, Lifespire, Inc.; Robert Krakow, Esq., Chairman of the Board, Lifespire, Inc.(back); Robert Budd, Chief Administrative Officer, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc., Jill McGinn, Director, Long Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office (LIDDSO); Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine; Barbara Townsend, Chief Executive Officer, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc., Steven Labriola, Oyster Bay Town Clerk (back); Ellen Weisenberg; Actress Cathy Moriarty-Gentile (back); Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg; Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt (back); Joseph Galante, Assistant Comptroller, Office of the State Comptroller (back); Mark Bonilla, Hempstead Town Clerk; Monique Medina, theater day program participant at Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.

The Harvey Weisenberg Resource Center, located at 191 Sweet Hollow Road in Old Bethpage, will be a much-needed asset to assist the families of Long Island and New York City deal with the issues of raising a disabled child. The goal will be to empower parents with information, education and guidance to be effective advocates for children.

The Harvey Weisenberg Center is named in honor of Assemblymember Harvey Weisenberg, who in his almost 2 years of service in Albany, has been recognized as a leading advocate in New York state government for people with disabilities.

A grand opening will be scheduled for late fall.