Changing Seasons, Changing Lives
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Changing Seasons, Changing Lives 2014 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the Chief Executive Officer Board of Directors This year, as the nation saw the number of individuals Steven R. Lewis, Chair affected by autism rise to 1 in 68, the Center for Autism Founder & CEO, experienced an unprecedented increase in the need Steven R. Lewis & Associates, LLC for evaluation and treatment services. Thanks to our John C. Bickel, Vice Chair supporters, staff and Board of Directors, the Center made President, Devon Construction Services significant progress in a number of areas. Howard A. Burde, Esq., Secretary OUR MISSION is to improve First, we were able to increase the number of children Principal, Howard Burde Health Law, LLC and families we serve. The Pre-K Program opened a new the quality of life for individuals treatment room at the Grant Avenue location, growing its Joseph F. Nolan, Treasurer Retired, Vice President of Finance, with Autism Spectrum Disorder capacity from 96 to 104 children. Additionally, due to the need for services for adolescents and young adults, we Independence Blue Cross and their families. We continually increased the capacity of the Saturday Program from 12 to 24 individuals. We Michael J. Barker make every effort to grow our programs to help as many families as possible, Vice President, CB Richard Ellis, Inc. strive to be the premier resource for and recognize that there are more people affected by autism every day. Our goal for the future is to reach these families through an array of services at locations Silvana Battaglia specialized autism services in the extending beyond Philadelphia. Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, ARAMARK Philadelphia region by providing The Center also gained new leadership. The Board of Directors welcomed John Bickel, President of Devon Construction Services, to the position of Vice Chair, David J. Falcone, Esq. programs that meet the needs of Associate, Project and Resource and Michael D. O’Mara Esq., Partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, Development, Saul Ewing, LLP each person affected by autism. as a member. We were also pleased to welcome Patricia M. White as our Chief Administrative Officer. The expertise that John, Michael and Patricia bring to the George W. Gannon Center is invaluable to our future growth. Retired, President and CEO, AmeriHealth Administrators, Inc. In the areas of special events and fundraising, we had another successful year. The Center again hosted its Winter Classic Charity Hockey Game and Annual Kelly S. Jones ARIANA Golf Classic, both of which helped us garner new friends, donors and funds Vice President Human Resources, My name is Ariana. I am 10 years old. I that will support our services for the community. The Center was also approved Business and Industry Sector, ARAMARK have been attending the Outpatient as an Educational Improvement Organization under Pennsylvania’s Educational Craig Lichtman, MD, MBA Program at the Center since August Improvement Tax Credit Program. Our sincere gratitude is extended to the Family Business Consultant and 2013. My favorite activities are coloring, numerous individuals, groups, businesses and foundations that made Psychoanalyst, Private Practice drawing, blowing bubbles, listening to contributions to our organization this year. You have certainly made an impact Ariana Grande and anything that has to and have empowered our success. Michael D. O’Mara, Esq. do with fashion. When I first started at Partner, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young the Center, I used to get upset when I As I look to the Center’s future and the upcoming 60th Anniversary in 2015, I am confident that we will serve more individuals and their families in innovative Robert J. Murphy, Jr., Esq. heard loud noises or when my siblings President, Assigned Counsel, Inc. would cry. Now I do relaxation ways. Our dedicated employees bring a unique passion to their work, and exercises daily and take a break when our loyal donors continue to make our mission possible. I thank you for Jim Murray my siblings or classmates are making a your continued support of this outstanding organization and for your shared President, Jim Murray, Ltd. lot of noise. I used to have trouble commitment to creating better outcomes for the many individuals and families expressing myself verbally. Now I use impacted by autism. Bertram A. Ruttenberg, MD Founder, The Center for Autism my words to express my wants and needs and comment on my Margaret C. Souders, PhD, CRNP surroundings. I really like my therapist Assistant Professor of Human Genetics, and I enjoy attending the Center. I can’t University of Pennsylvania School of wait to make more progress! Nursing & Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia David M. Maola, Esq. Chief Executive Officer Timothy A. Vecchiarelli, CPA Audit Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP 2 1 DONORS Our Donors July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 Annual Fund continued Mr. David J. McCourt Mr. and Mrs. John F. McIntyre, Sr. Ms. Rosemarie C. Miller The Center for Autism Mr. and Mrs. James F. Mitchell III sincerely appreciates the Network for Good New Media Technology generous contributions that Charter School Improving the quality of life for individuals Mr. Joseph F. Nolan help us continue to provide Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Ochotny, Jr. better outcomes for life. with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Mr. Michael D. O’Mara, Esq. Painting By Peacock Each donor is extremely families since 1955 Ms. Ashley Peffall important to us and we Mr. and Mrs. Hale T. Peffall, Jr. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Family Involvement Ms. Michelle Pfeil apologize for any errors or Ms. Cheryl M. Progin CHRISTIAN omissions on this list. Autism Spectrum Disorder affects each • Participate as full partners in the Ms. Gloria M. Pugliese DONORS My name is Christian. I am 6 individual differently and to varying degrees. therapeutic process Mr. and Mrs. Vincent D. Quinn years old and attend the It appears in early childhood, and is marked Ringing Rocks Elementary School Annual Fund • Receive support and education Rittenhouse Hotel Abraham Lincoln High School by impairment in communication and social Outpatient Program at the RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve Mr. James Gordon Allen • Learn to navigate systems and Ford Road location. This is not interaction, as well as repetitive behaviors Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rosenbluth Anonymous advocate for the future my first time at the Center. I and/or restricted interests. While there is Mr. Ronald Rubin Ascensus no known cure, the Center for Autism is • Collaborate with agencies to ensure a Mrs. Gail Sciolla Mr. Jeffrey W. Barker attended the Pre-K Program focused on improving the quality of life for comprehensive approach Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Shane Mr. Peter A. Benoliel last year. Everyone at the Mr. Matthew Snyder Ms. Tanya Brockenbrough Center knows me because individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Ms. Gwendolyn Stapler Ms. Mary Bucher by providing specialized services and Services to Meet Varying Needs I’m really friendly and love engaging with others. Some State Correctional Institute at Caffe Aldo Lamberti grown-ups call me the “Mayor of the Center!” I thought this treatment programs. • Evaluation & Assessment: offered Cambridge Springs Ms. Maureen Calabretti was really cool. Since I started here, I’ve gained a lot of Stonehenge Advisors, Inc. Canon Solutions America to people of all ages to determine an How We Help Mrs. Janet Stotland, Esq. Mr. Adam Caryll skills. I now have a communication system and independently initial diagnosis or confirm a previous Mr. John Subacus Mr. and Mrs. Cummins speak in full sentences. I remember when I first started I did The Center for Autism is a non-profit organi- diagnosis, identify additional conditions/ The Safegard Group, Inc. W. Catherwood, Jr. not have a good way of communicating my wants and needs. zation that was founded by renowned child disorders, assess level of functioning, Mrs. Linda Thompson Ms. Denise Ciatteo Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill, NJ psychiatrist Dr. Bertram A. Ruttenberg, and My vocabulary has grown a lot! I have also learned how to and make appropriate recommendations Mr. and Mrs. A. William Vamosi Mr. Christopher S. Collins donated $6,500 to the Center as a result of make friends my age and I am able to play nicely with the is the oldest autism treatment center in the for services. Mr. P. Sean van Zijl Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Converse raffle tickets sold during the holidays for a kids in my kindergarten class, which is a big step for me. I do country. As a leading provider of services Mr. Marvin Washington Mr. and Mrs. Michael Costonis chance to win a Balthazar bottle (12 liters) • Pre-K Program: an intensive, half-day a good job remembering rules and try to follow them. I can’t in the Philadelphia region today, the Center Mrs. Sharon Yoh Ms. Bernadette M. Daniel of Tommasi Winery’s American Vintage or full-day program for children ages 2-5 knows that each person with autism is Dr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Dellheim 2009. David Maola, CEO (left), accepts the wait to learn more skills and to be the best that I can be! years old that improves communication, unique and tailors its programs to the Mr. and Mrs. John J. Dougherty donation from Aldo Lamberti, Founder of disruptive behaviors, self-regulation and Mr. Patrick J. Eiding needs of each person and family. Caffe Aldo Lamberti (center), and Karen social interaction. Dr. John R. Ferrari Dempsey, raffle winner, from The Crowley Quality of Care Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Fox • First Friends Program: a half day Maritime Corporation (right). BRANDON • Comprehensive and continual Mr. George W. Gannon treatment program that is focused on assessment of needs Mr. Laurence P. Genuardi Hi! My name is Brandon, and I improving socialization and communi- Mr.