Fall 2010 Newsletter

NNA neewsletter fowwr the friends of FEssCA • Foundation for Educating Children with Autism • Fall 2010 FECA Celebrates the Future and DMLC Celebrated Honors the Past Three June Graduates Over a decade and a half ago, a weary they emerge into the larger world. Our With nary a dry eye in the gym, three but stubborn group banded together on a spring cocktail party event honored a 15- young men gleefully celebrated their hope and a dream that became the reality year partnership with Devereux, which graduation from DMLC this past June. of FECA. Two years later, a partnership ultimately made that future possible. Andrew Finder, Pratik Ravichandran with Devereux New York turned the Our fall event, held November 7 at the and Brett Schaffran had long shared dream of a school into a reality when Rye Town Hilton, celebrated their teachers, their classroom and the the decade of the 70s with the vans that drove them to their various multipurpose theme of worksites. They seemed delighted to “Staying Alive ”. A Saturday share this last ceremony signaling their Night Fever themed disco completion of one journey and their provided the backdrop for first steps into the larger world of work renewing the collective com - and community. mitment of the participants to keeping the mission of FECA not only “alive” but also thriv - ing. Continuing the long tradition of fun and conviviality, partic - ipants came adorned in the fabulous fashions of the time. FECA Honorees, Neil Boyle (center) and Members of the Village People Melanie and Drew Schaffran mingled with bell bottoms DMLC opened its doors in 1996. Fifty and sequins, joyfully dancing from dance (L to R) Pratik Ravichandran, Brett Schaffran and students now receive an exemplary edu - floor to the fabulous array of silent auc - Andrew Finder, FEC A’s 2010 Graduates cation through the enormous skill and tion items, which were anchored by our dedication of a legion of teachers and first ever “on line” auction. The web- Brett Schaffran, who entered DMLC at staff over the years. Last summer, five based auction, which began a month age six in the first class of students, is young men boarded vans the son of FECA founders and first and one morning and headed current board presidents, Andrew and out into their future as our Melanie Schaffran. In an emotional partnership with Devereux dedication, his mother thanked the again opened doors with the staff and teachers who had contributed establishment of our adult to Brett’s growth and success. Pratik’s program; this summer four father, Ravi, spoke movingly of his more young citizens, includ - son’s decade-long tenure at DMLC ing two recent graduates of finally finding a home where he distin - DMLC, Andrew Finder and guished himself as the first student to Brett Schaffran, added to garner his own office at his work site, their ranks. Bethel Nursing Home. Andrew’s FECA's Friends of the father, Ed, told the audience of his son’s The theme for the 2009-2010 Bethel Nursing & Rehabitation Center dual struggle with not only autism but event calendar framed both before the event, included an adventure also with leukemia, the latter of which the future and honored our past. At our package to Alaska, dream vacations to he conquered after many years of treat - annual fall dinner we honored a beloved Anguilla and St. Croix, fabulous get - ment. Andrew has also made great staff member and an esteemed employer aways to California, New York City and strides in the world of work. who have each made a tremendous con - the Adirondacks and a tour of the new tribution to the future of our students as Brett and Andrew joined the ranks of continued on page 4 continued on page 3 And The Emmy Goes To… As you watched the glitz and glam at 2009 FECA Annual the Emmy awards this year, you may Stayin’ Alive Gala have noticed something extraordinary: Emily Gerson Saines accepting an Emmy for her role as Executive Producer of HBO’s “Temple Grandin”. The film tells a real-life story of the best - selling author and groundbreaking agri - cultural scientist who struggled early in Emily Gerson Saines and Temple Grandin proudly embrace with Emmy in hand. life to learn how to cope with autism before it was more widely known. “Temple Grandin” certainly made an impact with the Academy, taking home five Emmys for the evening. Emily Gerson Saines, together with her husband Andy, is the proud parent of DMLC student, Dashiell. DMLC Celebrated Three June Graduates continued from page 1 the Devereux adult program in July and Pratik will continue his growth and success in a program across the river closer to his home. Congratulations graduates!!! Pratik Ravichandran and DMLC Vocational Director Neil Boyle celebrate! 2010 FECA Spring in the Park Gala 2009-2010 Events: FECA Celebrates the Future and the Past In Memoriam: Autism continued from page 1 Pioneer, Esteemed FECA Yankee Stadium guided Advisor O. Ivar Lovaas by a former Yankee. Our world has lost an esteemed leader The festive occasion and colleague who, over his long and dis - gave FECA an opportu - tinguished career of over 50 years, nity to celebrate and contributed enormously to the lives and honor those who have well being of countless children with given so much of their autism and their families. Many of us talent, time and energy came to know of Dr. Lovaas in a state of to furthering the future crisis as we grappled with the enormous of our students. challenges of our young children. Bethel CEO Bruce Dr. Lovaas ’ pioneering treatment Bradigan and beloved was based on the Volunteer Coordinator principles of applied Jean Kulesa received the behavior analysis DMLC Student Pratik Ravichandran accepts donation from which became a tribute on behalf of the CVS representatives Jason Tretton and Anthony Riccardo. standard best prac - Bethel Nursing and tice and, ultimately, Rehabilitation Center, which has long auction, chaired by Liz Finder, Peggy Wedin and Melanie Schaffran, was changed the lives of been a cornerstone of DMLC’s thriving legions of children. vocational program. Neil Boyle accepted a great success. The dinner journal, chaired by Monica Haugh and Lalitha Reached effectively our heartfelt appreciation for his enor - and early in their mously produc tive efforts to ensure Ravichandran, was particularly creative and rich with meaningful tributes to lives, children were able to change the brighter futures for the students under course of the debilitating effects of this honorees, DMLC staff and students alike. his charge through his wise and creative neurological disorder. guidance as DMLC’s Vocational Director. It Our spring cocktail event held May 25th Dr. Lovaas is particularly beloved in the was fitting that the CVS Caremark at the Bryant Park Grill provided a per - FECA community. His participation as Charitable trust chose this evening to fect opportunity to pay tribute to a the centerpiece of our first conference 16 present FECA with a $15,000 grant for 15-year partnership between FECA and years ago not only helped the 1,500 par - our vocational training program. Devereux New York which resulted in ticipants attending but its success the establishment of the enabled our ability to fund a school, Devereux Millwood which became a reality one year later. Learning Center and, Dr. Lovaas continued on as a valued most recently, the cre - member of the FECA Board of Advisors. ation of an adult pro - We considered him the rock star of our gram that continues to world. FECA sends heartfelt condolences make possible greater to the family of Dr. Lovaas. opportunities to young adults with autism. FECA President Melanie Wedding Bells And A FECA Schaffran paid tribute to Donation the Devereux staff who have, over the past Christina decade and a half, pro - Miele, a vided dozens of chil - teacher dren, many of whom are at the now young adults, with Holistic a future of greater possi - Learning Devereux President Bob Kreider (center) accepts award from FECA President Melanie Schaffran and Board Member Phil Orlando. bilities as a result of their Center, dedication and hard and her Melanie Schaffran and her husband, work. Devereux President and CEO Robert fiance, Drew, both original FECA co-founders, Kreider accepted the award. Michael were stunned and delighted when pre - The event, chaired by Donna and Rob Guarniero, sented with a surprise Lifetime Clarfeld, Gina and John DeCaprio, Elise decided that Achievement Award offered by Ann and Phil Orlando, and Kimberly and in lieu of tradi - DiChiara on behalf of the board. Melanie James Schwab, raised over $170,000. t i o n a l w e dding favors for their October is the current president and Drew was wedding, they will make a $500 donation FECA’s first. The silent auction, always a fantastic to FECA. Thank you Christina and creation, was ably co-chaired again by The event, chaired by FECA Treasurer Michael and congratulations on your Elise Orlando and Gina DeCaprio. Ann DiChiara and Secretary Heidi Lee wedding! raised $120,000. The silent and on-line Devereux Adult Day Program Marks Autism Speaks Inclusion Funding Yields New First Anniversary Opportunities The Devereux Millwood Adult Day passing such diverse duties as clerical Habilitation, Without Walls/ Supported work at a financial services company, Through the leadership of founding Employment program marked i ts first food preparation and restocking at board member Kevin Murray, year of operation this past July. Terry two local pizzerias, and janitorial duties Autism Speaks provided $60,000 in Pirraglia, FECA Board Member, devel - at a non-profit organization. These fortu - funding support to promote commu - oped this unique service model in con - nate Westchester employers are reaping nity and school-based inclusion junction with the Devereux Foundation.

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