357 Main Street • Armonk, New York 10504 • (914) 277-5350 www.opengateinc.org

Volume 4; Issue 1January – February 2018

Striving for excellence…recognized by New York State as an emerging Compass Agency

Chris Hill Donor RecognitionWe are always proud of faithful Opengate donors who step up to the plate when we are challenged financially, or when funds are needed for routine maintenance, supplies, or unforeseen reasons. Bedford, NY resident, Chris Hill, is one such donor who bestowed Opengate with a sizeable gift this year.

Chris is the brother of Arthur Hill who has lived at Opengate for over 20 years and currently resides at Grasso house. Chris also has had the opportunity to interact with most of the other Grasso House residents over the years. Chris recognizes the positive personal outcomes for his brother as well as other long-term residents.

When asked what inspired him to make such a generous donation, he replied that his primary reason was to help increase the quality of life for Opengate residents.

“I want to thank Opengate and all of the efforts stemming from their selfless, loyal, dedicated

staff who do their best to create happiness for our friends and loved ones. This is not easy work and often overlooked by greater society. I feel lucky

and blessed to be in a position to give back in this life, specifically to Opengate where the impact can

affect an incredibly deserving group of people.”

As we begin another new year, Opengate continues to have essential needs for our residents that are not covered by regular funding sources such as community events and outings, health and safety products, and educational activities to name a few. We are thankful to have family members who are willing to assist us financially to provide the best life experiences for our individuals.

Thank you, Chris Hill, for your generous support! ❧Grasso House

In Memory of Paula Desperito, Opengate Board MemberPaula Desperito passed away on January 2, 2018. She served on Opengate’s Board of Directors for a period of 3 years. She was brought onto the Board by her good friend Lia Grasso and took an active interest in the Board and the functioning of the agency. Paula was very interested in the individuals that Opengate serves. She wanted to see firsthand who they were and what Opengate did to provide them with needed services. She attended an Opengate Holiday party, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of our residents enjoy such a festive event. Paula’s ready smile will be missed. ❧ Lia Grasso, Paula’s granddaughter and Paula Desperito

2 www.opengateinc.org Striving for excellence…recognized by New York State as an emerging Compass Agency

CEO’s Message

Dear Friends of Opengate,

Beginning a new year, we always look forward to positive change. One of the changes for 2018 is the transformation of services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the State of New York through the formation of Care Coordination Organizations in preparation for Managed Care. Care Coordinators will develop individualized life plans and coordinate all health, wellness, personal care and behavioral health services to provide innovative person-centered care management to the individuals we serve.

What will this mean for our individuals and families? By integrating services, we will be better able to utilize planning for person-centered care management as well as assist families and individuals to access well-rounded resources. This transition will also allow for better continuity between all care providers.

The staff at Opengate feels this transition will support our mission to provide the best care possible for our individuals and their families and acknowledge each individual’s needs.

We realize there will be questions as Care Coordination rolls out. Additional information will be mailed to families once Care Coordination agencies are selected by OPWDD. We are available to answer any questions you may have. In addition, you can access the OPWDD website https://opwdd.ny.gov/ which provides details on Care Coordination.

Our Opengate staff invites you to join with us in welcoming positive change and bright beginnings for the future in 2018.

Sincerely,

Brian Hulten, LCSWChief Executive Officer

Holiday PartyAs you can see by the pictures, this year’s holiday party was full of fun and joy! Santa is listening closely for all the holiday wishes. Dinner and dancing is always great fun for Opengate residents, and this year was no exception. Dressed up in their party clothes, everyone had a wonderful time. ❧

Platinum Donors Mr. Eric AuerbachTrust of Harold AuerbachMrs. Shirley AuerbachMs. Naomi AzrieliMs. Ellen BurkettDr. Carol L. DimondMr. Christopher HillMs. Geraldine MajorMs. Claudia MarksDr. & Mrs. Roger RoseMr. & Mrs. Peter Sickinger

Gold DonorsMr. & Mrs. William ConveryMr. & Mrs. Stanley KronbergDr. Daniel PilowskyMr. & Mrs. Peter RollaMr. & Mrs. Angelo SantiniMs. Deborah SternMs. Kim L. TchangRobert Sanders Rev. TrustMark R. Sanders Trust

Silver DonorsDr. Lisa AaronAnonymousMs. May Bigelow

Ms. Karline BohneMr. & Mrs. Stephen CanterMr. & Mrs. Marino CapulliMs. Catherine ChannonMr. Eric ChuMs. Judith DonohueMr. Jeffrey FeinsilverMr. Robert GabrieleDr. Karen GennaroMs. Lia GrassoMs. Martha GuilfoyleMr. Thomas GuilfoyleDr. Claudia Sickinger-Harris & Mr. Roger HarrisMs. Gertrude HirschornMr. Brian HultenMr. & Mrs. Leonard JardineMr. & Mrs. Walter JarvisMrs. Patricia Johansmeyer-LarsenMr. & Mrs. Arthur LeeDr. & Mrs. Thomas J. LesterForchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo, Terrana LLPMr. John NicolichPanaTech, Mr. Henry Fiorentini

PCSB Community FoundationMr. & Mrs. William R. PuckhaberMr. & Mrs. Ron ReidMs. Randi Rios-CastroMr. Robert RosenthalMrs. Deborah RosenthalScarsdale Oral SurgeryMs. Mary M. SeigleMr. & Mrs. Robert SugarMr. Romuldo S. Tadena & Mrs. Maria ParedesMr. & Mrs. James VreelandMr. & Mrs. Frank Zingaro

Bronze DonorsAmazon SmilesAnonymousAtelier McDonnell, LLCMr. Delbert AurayMr. James Bakal, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLCMr. William T. BarnesMr. & Mrs. Robert BartlettMs. Susan BatenMr. & Mrs. Stephen BeatusMr. David BigelowMs. Rita Bigelow

Thank you to all our supporters for your generous donations. You make things happen at Opengate!

3Striving for excellence…recognized by New York State as an emerging Compass Agency

DONOR WALL

Each month Opengate plans improvements, additions, or modifications to our infrastructure. We also purchase items for our individuals’ use, such as computers, greenhouse tools, etc.

Your donations make our work possible!

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PCSB Community FoundationMr. & Mrs. William R. PuckhaberMr. & Mrs. Ron ReidMs. Randi Rios-CastroMr. Robert RosenthalMrs. Deborah RosenthalScarsdale Oral SurgeryMs. Mary M. SeigleMr. & Mrs. Robert SugarMr. Romuldo S. Tadena & Mrs. Maria ParedesMr. & Mrs. James VreelandMr. & Mrs. Frank Zingaro

Bronze DonorsAmazon SmilesAnonymousAtelier McDonnell, LLCMr. Delbert AurayMr. James Bakal, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLCMr. William T. BarnesMr. & Mrs. Robert BartlettMs. Susan BatenMr. & Mrs. Stephen BeatusMr. David BigelowMs. Rita Bigelow

Mr. & Mrs. Marco BiscegliaMr. Philip C. BonannoMr. & Mrs. Gregory BourisMr. & Mrs. Robert BraileyMs. Miriam BrennerMr. Romeo BrunoMr. John CampbellMs. Stephanie CarnavallaMr. Ben CarterMs. Louise CashmanMs. Julie ChavezMs. May CheungMr. & Mrs. Luke ClarizioMs. Regina CoggeshallMr. John ComiskeyMs. Vivien CordMr. James A. CunninghamMs. Patricia A. DattiloMs. Victoria DeRoseMs. Jacqueline DeVittorioMs. Susan DeyoMr. & Mrs. George DrapanMr. & Mrs. Robert DrewesMr. Charles Esposito & Ms. Celia ScaglioneMs. Helaine FendelmanMr. & Mrs. Steve Flink

Mr. Jeffrey D. ForchelliFranchina & Giordano, P.C.Mr. Matthew GaierMr. Douglas GoodMs. Lisa GoodrichDr. Joseph GosciloGrand National Curling Club of AmericaMr. & Mrs. Gregory J. GrassiMr. Adam GrossMr. & Mrs. David GrossMs. Joanne GuildMs. Paula A. GuilfoyleMr. William GuilfoyleMs. Maria HealyMs. Susan HellerMr. & Mrs. Gilbert HenochMs. Barbara HickeyMs. Norma HillMr. Ronald J. HoffmanMs. Betty HoubionMs. Robyne HuberIBM ResearchKalope G. JamessonMr. Ho Joon KangMs. Gail Katz & Mr. Jackson Katz

Ms. Joan M. KendallMr. & Mrs. Peter L. KramerMr. David LiebermanMr. & Mrs. Robert LifsonMs. Susan LohmannMs. Celestine LynnMr. & Mrs. Joseph ManganaroMr. Harvey MannMs. Teresa M. MarchokMr. & Mrs. Frank D. Marino, Jr.Ms. Deborah Mayo Ms. Florence McCueMs. Elisabeth S. McDonaldMs. Ann McDonnellMs. Cornelia McKeigeMr. & Mrs. Ernesto MercadoMr. Mark F. MeyerMr. Richard G. MichaelMr. & Mrs. Ron NeretinMr. John NevesMs. Lori O’SheaMr. Thomas PapainPayPal Charitable Giving FundMr. & Mrs. Christopher PekoffMr. & Mrs. Angelo PelosoMs. Jean Petrofesi

Dr. Walter PizziMr. Marijan PredovanMs. Mary Prevosto & Ms. Lucy CibarelliMs. Patricia Reed & Ms. Courtney ClaverieMr. Max J. RehfeldMs. Susan RichmanMs. Jane RippyMr. & Mrs. Benjamin RobertsMs. Susan RussonMs. Blanche RyanMr. & Mrs. Robert SandlerMr. & Mrs. Charles SchaudelMs. Lisa SchoenfeldMr. & Mrs. Howard ShallerMs. Kathleen ShawMr. Steven SilbertDr. Robert J. SperberMr. Martin SullivanMr. Gregory TaylorMs. Helen TredwellMs. Dana VogelMr. & Mrs. Lloyd ZbarThe Fund for Charitable Giving

Thank you to all our supporters for your generous donations. You make things happen at Opengate!

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357 Main StreetArmonk, New York 10504

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Opengate is pleased to be a recipient of Amazon Smile donations that are a percentage of sales. Sign up at amazon.com or visit our website at www.opengateinc.org for a click through link.

A Walk of HonorWe would like to remind everyone of Opengate’s ongoing program which honors or memorializes a special someone from Opengate, our communities, or those committed to our mission with a memory brick or bench.

Funds acquired from the purchase of bricks and benches is another avenue

to sponsor projects which are not covered by our regular funding sources. Some of the projects we are faced with are updating and maintenance of our homes, customized furniture to meet the needs of our residents, sensory products, as well as special events and outings.

As you can see in the photos, the bricks are located on a path leading up to the Gazebo located at our

Somers location. Benches are spread around the property and add a beautiful touch to the grounds.

We hope you will join us in honoring those who are committed to the mission of Opengate and the individuals we serve.

To purchase bricks or a bench in memory or in honor of someone:

8×8 Engraved Brick – $500 Up to 4 lines of text with 20 characters per line (including spaces and punctuation).

4×8 Engraved Brick – $250 Up to 3 lines of text with 20 characters per line (including spaces and punctuation).

Engraved Bench – $2,000 Text is limited to 3 rows of text with a maximum of 31 characters per line.

To purchase a brick contact Lynn Marbach at (914) 277-5350 extension 1102 or email at: LynnM@opengateinc.org ❧