Winter 2010 TAPA: From Vision To Reality By Vincent J. Russo he Theresa Academy of Performing Leo simply stated, “I will do what I can” Arts (TAPA) for Children with and gave us The Center’s commitment to TSpecial Needs became a reality this Theresa and TAPA. past September. Susan, Theresa’s mom, had Reality a vision, and The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, Inc. (The Center) Since that day, we proceeded to start have been instrumental in making it a shared with us the goals of The Center and up the program which came to fruition reality. let us know his door was open for us to in September 2009, eighteen months seek their assistance. A steering committee after our meeting with Leo. We are all More Than a Vision was formed consisting of Susan, Elizabeth very excited for the future of TAPA. To At the Theresa Awards Dinner in 2008, Einhart, Marvin Rachlin, and Robert date, The Center has donated $75,000 we were privileged to honor NAELA Past and Laury Gelardi. The committee put and committed to continue to support President, Becky Morgan with the Theresa together a two year plan to get TAPA up TAPA in 2010. These funds will allow us Award. In attendance was a very special and running, but the big question was: to continue building our program, while person, a friend and supporter of Becky “What about funding?” paying for necessary construction and and Stetson University College of Law. At salaries for staff and faculty. the end of the evening, Leo Govoni, co- The Center Leo loves his family and loves helping founder of The Center, introduced himself The Center, headquartered in others. Through The Center, he has and shared with me that he was touched Clearwater Florida is a 501(c)(3) non- provided vital support to people with by an angel, and that Theresa’s eyes spoke profit corporation and the nation’s largest disabilities all over the country. At a time to him of love and giving. At that moment provider of pooled trust and special needs when charitable organizations have found he made a very generous donation to the trust administration services. The Center’s shortfalls in funding, we have been blessed Theresa Foundation on behalf of The charitable mission and purpose is providing by an angel who just so happened to have Center. Little did I know that this was just comprehensive services to the entire met our little angel on a very special night. the beginning! community of people with disabilities. Leo We thank all of you who have helped The next morning Susan and our family Govoni and attorney John Staunton are the us get started down the path of making met with Becky, her husband Jay, and Leo founders of The Center. our vision a reality, especially in these for breakfast. Susan spoke of her vision tough financial times. We will need your to provide dance, music, art and drama The Meeting continued support classes for children with special needs and In the fall of 2008, we travelled to their siblings. Without hesitation, Leo Florida and met with Leo. The start- up of TAPA would require a significant amount of funds. We were worried about asking Leo for assistance; the stock market had just crashed and our nation’s economic outlook was bleak. I opened our conversation with Leo stating the obvious: this was probably not the best time to ask for funding. Leo politely replied, “This is a great time to start up a wonderful program.” Boy was I relieved to hear those words! We shared with Leo how excited Patti Finkelberg, her daughter, Sydney and we were about starting this project and music teacher, Heather Olsen at the TAPA THE TAPA Faculty Open House 16th Annual Theresa Awards Introducing Our 2010 Award Honorees Stephen W. Dale, Esq. New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg TEVE DALE, founder of his law firm, VER SINCE his election to the the Dale Law Firm, P.C. in Walnut Creek, State Assembly in 1989, Harvey (as California, is dedicated to providing he’s know to his constituents) has Squality estate planning. Steve is also a celebrated Edistinguished himself as a staunch advocate disability rights advocate who spends much of for people with disabilities. As a former his time attending disability rights activities, lifeguard, police officer, school teacher, such as legislative hearings, and serving on administrator and City Council Member boards and committees of several disability- in the City of Long Beach, and now as rights organizations. He regularly teaches Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the State courses to financial professionals, attorneys and Assembly, Harvey has dedicated himself to the general public on removing barriers, special needs trusts and improving access, trust administration with and enhancing a special emphasis on the quality of life achieving independence for people with while maintaining physical and mental essential government challenges. He has benefits. He also teaches secured hundreds continuing education of thousands of courses accredited by dollars for agencies the California Department of Insurance and and organizations that work with and the California State Bar on estate planning, provide services to adults and children with special needs trusts, pooled trusts, and tax physical and mental disabilities, and has planning. Through his work, Steve has received numerous awards and honors from after Harvey and Ellen Weisenberg’s committed to serving the disability community many organizations and institutions for his own special child, is a symbol of the through activism, advocacy and education. tireless work on behalf of the special needs gratitude of those who cannot always Recently, he has committed his time to the community. He created the Ricky Awards speak for themselves. Harvey holds National Academy of Elder Law’s (NAELA) to recognize the tireless contributions of degrees from New York University, Special Needs Law Section. Steve holds a J.D. outstanding medical professionals and direct Hofstra University and C.W. Post from Armstrong Law School and an LL.M. caregivers who work with children and University. He and his wife, Ellen, have in Taxation from Golden Gate University. adults with mental and physical disabilities. five children and six grandchildren, He, and his wife Terri, reside in California. This meaningful award, which was named and reside in Long Beach, New York. Let All The Children Play! Thank By: Judy Murdaugh-Jackson Yous HE GROUNDBREAKING while there were quite a few “sliding board” ceremony for the Let All the posters, they may have been outnumbered We’d like to thank the following Children Play Foundation’s all- by the “swings;” the children’s excitement groups and people for their Tinclusive playground at Eisenhower Park was contagious and everyone was smiling generous donations to TAPA: in Nassau County, New York had all the ear to ear! fanfare that one could hope for, and more! New York State Assemblyman Harvey Pilates for Everybody – art supplies Despite the rain on a cool October day, Weisenberg (2010 Theresa Award the smiles from the children’s faces and Honoree), who secured funding for the Dana Michielini, Garber, Atlas, Fries the attendees were positively radiant. The playground, had the crowd cheering for and Associates – art supplies children stood with signs indicating their this wonderful and long awaited project playground equipment preferences, and to become a reality. The momentum Fred and Marcia Friedman continued with then-Nassau County (Clinipix Corporation) – Canon Executive Thomas Suozzi, who was also Power Shot Digital Camera instrumental in securing funding. David Weingarten, Executive Director of the Kristie Arden – art supplies Let All the Children Play Foundation, recognized the Theresa Foundation for our The Brodwin Family – iPod docking station support in his speech. His exuberance was only matched by the excitement in the Katherine Lapelosa and Family crowd as this long awaited dream took one – iPod docking stations (2) giant leap toward fruition. Jay Goldstein/The Barbizon School – iPod docking station TRAVELS WITH TAPA Barbara Fischkin – art supplies UR goal for TAPA this spring is January 2010 to double our enrollment and SEPTA- Rockville Centre, New York/ Oprepare for a wonderful summer Exhibitor camp experience. To do this we have been Kulanu Camp Fair- Cedarhurst, New York/ travelling around Nassau County talking Guest teaching artists about our wonderful program and teaching Kulanu Respite Program- Cedarhurst, Master classes. On the right is a list of a New York/Guest teaching artist few places visited and events attended, SEPTA- Oceanside, New York/Guest including some upcoming. If you know of SEPTA- Long Beach, New York/Speaker a program or a SEPTA (Special Ed PTA) in February 2010 your area, please tell them about TAPA. We Lindell Elementary School “Food, Fun and can visit your school or SEPTA meeting! Fitness Fair,” Long Beach, New York/Guest Teaching Artists - February 5th Kulanu Respite Program- Cedarhurst, New York/ Guest teaching Artist- February 7th March 2010 BOCES- Carmen Road- Massapequa, New York/ Lecture and demonstration of wheelchair dancing Susan Russo with the Amato Family Special thanks to Bennett Russo at the Oceanside SEPTA Meeting for hanging our dance mirrors Save the Dates! 16th Annual Theresa Awards Theresa TAPA April 30, 2010 Golf Outing Summer Camp The Bridgeview Yacht Club, June 24, 2010 Island Park, NY 11590 Westbury NY Westbury Permit #17 Permit 11561-5015 PAID 250 Lido Boulevard Lido Beach, NY NY Beach, Lido Boulevard Lido 250 US POSTAGE US Theresa Foundation Theresa Non-ProfitOrg..