Rockland Independent Living Center to Host Annual Awards Dinner

Imagine feeding thousands of people in need, training people with disabilities and Veterans for better careers through work readiness programs, assisting those with developmental disabilities to learn to use computers, helping teens learn skills they thought they would never master, opening three new businesses to employ Veterans and individuals with disabilities, and increasing accessibility at shopping and dining facilities for those with disabilities. Those are a few of the things RILC has accomplished over the past year alone. They are the only Independent Living Center in Rockland County and a strong voice for those with disabilities in the community.

“Forward Motion” is the theme of RILC’s annual dinner this year. The idea that moving forward translates into progress is what the winners of this year’s RILC awards have focused on through their various contributions. This year’s dinner, which will take place on Thursday, October 1 at the Nyack Seaport at 6pm, will recognize:

The Honorable Thomas P. Zugibe, Rockland County District Attorney with the Senator Thomas Morahan Independent Living Award and Mark Ridgeway, District Manager-NYSED/ACCES/VR with the Spirit of Independence Award.

In his role as Rockland County District Attorney, Thomas Zugibe has restructured the office bringing an active presence into the community. He has been a leader in developing alternatives to incarceration programs to promote treatment and reduce recidivism. District Attorney Zugibe led the way for the creation of the Victims’ Rights Center at Good Samaritan Hospital to safeguard victims of sexual assault.

Mark Ridgeway is retiring after a lengthy career in public service. He has dedicated his life to assisting people with disabilities in gaining independence by pursuing employment and vocational training through ACCES-VR.

In addition to live music, this year’s gala will feature a wheelchair dance exhibition led by Roll Call Wheelchair Dance with RILC employee Zackary Masters.

The event is a major fundraiser for RILC and journal ads can be secured by sending an email to lgreenwell@rilc.org. Prices vary from $50 - $500 and sponsorships from $250 to $5,000 are available. Tickets to the dinner can be purchased for $125 each or couples at $225 or tables of ten for $1,150.

The mission of Rockland Independent Living Center is to provide advocacy and leadership in the creation and development of an accessible and integrated community for people with disabilities, so that they may pursue lifestyles of their choice. They recently established Connections Contact Center (CCC), a for-profit call center that helps small and midsized businesses follow up on sales calls, appointment reminders, event reservations and the like. CCC employs Veterans and people with disabilities. They will open the Independence Cafe Kiosk in the Rockland County Courthouse in the fall which will also employ Veterans and people with disabilities, and they have established the Workforce Development and Training Center which will offer various training classes to help with work readiness.

For more information about the services provided by RILC visit www.rilc.org or call 845-624-1366.