Bethpage-Headquarted ACLD Wins 2017 Long Island Imagine Award

May 17, 2017; Bethpage, NY – Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD), a leading Bethpage-headquartered not-for-profit agency devoted to supporting the pursuit of an enviable life for children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities, recently received the 2017 Long Island Imagine Award for Innovation at the awards reception held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY. The Innovation award, sponsored by Empire National Bank, is presented to a nonprofit that has been innovative in adopting new platforms that have led to a significant increase in the organization’s ability to meet its mission. ACLD’s Executive Director, Robert C. Goldsmith and RewearAble’s staff member Samantha Sheehy of Levittown, NY accepted the award. Sheehy was the first person to be hired as a telemarketer and receptionist at ACLD’s RewearAble.

ACLD received a $5,000 grant to support its RewearAble program, a green program created by ACLD to provide sustainable employment for people with developmental disabilities by collecting used and unwanted clothing, fabrics and accessories.

“Earning my own living was something I always imagined happening,” said Sheehy. “Being in a wheelchair and having a disability doesn’t mean I don’t have dreams of working. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to earn a living, live independently or go on a vacation. Before working at RewearAble, I never had a job. I tried to get a job for two years, but because of my disability it was difficult, but it didn’t stop me.”

From the initial pick up, sorting, sanitizing and packing of materials, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities perform the tasks. RewearAble is addressing all the components of ACLD’s mission by giving people with special needs who want the chance to work the ability to obtain steady, secure employment, which in turn provides them with income to help them live more independently.

This was the fifth anniversary of the Long Island Imagine Awards. The program was created as a way to showcase the nonprofit sector and all the good work that it does, as well as provide opportunities for deeper collaboration within the sector.

Here is a video link to ACLD's Long Island Imagine Award Innovation Category nomination explaining its ReweareAble program featuring Sheehy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXl8RJRB-ag&feature=youtu.be

For more information about ACLD’s RewearAble program, or if you would like to schedule a clothing pickup, please call (516) 822-2099, or visit us online at www.rewearable.org

Founded in 1957, Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2017, the organization continues to provide opportunities for children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, increase independence and foster supportive relationships within the community. ACLD employs more than 1,100 people and operates 80 different program sites including group homes and apartment programs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Service programs include early childhood services, day habilitation, residential alternatives, vocational training and job placement, recreation programs, respite, family support services, Medicaid service coordination, and medical and behavioral health services. For more information visit www.acld.org

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Photo 1: Pictured at the Long Island Imagine Awards from left to right holding ACLD’s Long Island Imagine Award for Innovation are Thomas M. Buonaiuto, CPA, President & COO, Empire National Bank; Samantha Sheehy, RewearAble; Robert C. Goldsmith, Executive Director, ACLD; and Kenneth Cerini, CPA, Managing Partner, Cerini & Associates.

Photo 2: Pictured at the Long Island Imagine Awards holding ACLD’s Long Island Imagine Award for Innovation from left to right (top) ACLD Staff Janet Carney, Aimee Keegan, Jennifer Zeitchek, Rose Valdes-Romero, Sabine Maynard, Karen Romanelli with (bottom) Robert C. Goldsmith, Executive Director, ACLD; Kenneth Cerini, CPA, Managing Partner, Cerini & Associates; and Samantha Sheehy, RewearAble.