Michelle
11-17-2006, 10:22 AM
Home For Disabled Celebrates 30 Years (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17444812&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574907&rfi=)
by Colin Gustafson, Assistant Editor
11/09/2006
(YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities) Former supervisor Perry Samowitz, center, celebrates the 30th anniversary of Rego Park’s Lefrak Residence.
The borough’s first group home for people with mental disabilities is celebrating its 30th year this month.
When it opened in 1976, the Lefrak Residence, located at 97 30 57th Ave. in Rego Park, became one of New York City’s first homes for residents with autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.
Housing seven residents today, the home was originally founded by YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities in an effort to give mentally disabled people an alternative to Staten Island’s hellish Willowbrook State School, which warehoused more than 5,000 disabled children and adults.
Supervisors at the Lefrak program said their goal is to not only provide assisted living services to their residents, but prove they can lead dignified and productive lives in the community.
“When we first opened, we wanted to give people a good home and a good life,” said Perry Samowitz, the home’s first supervisor. “There is nothing more gratifying than the impact we have had on these people’s lives—nothing else is close.”
by Colin Gustafson, Assistant Editor
11/09/2006
(YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities) Former supervisor Perry Samowitz, center, celebrates the 30th anniversary of Rego Park’s Lefrak Residence.
The borough’s first group home for people with mental disabilities is celebrating its 30th year this month.
When it opened in 1976, the Lefrak Residence, located at 97 30 57th Ave. in Rego Park, became one of New York City’s first homes for residents with autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.
Housing seven residents today, the home was originally founded by YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities in an effort to give mentally disabled people an alternative to Staten Island’s hellish Willowbrook State School, which warehoused more than 5,000 disabled children and adults.
Supervisors at the Lefrak program said their goal is to not only provide assisted living services to their residents, but prove they can lead dignified and productive lives in the community.
“When we first opened, we wanted to give people a good home and a good life,” said Perry Samowitz, the home’s first supervisor. “There is nothing more gratifying than the impact we have had on these people’s lives—nothing else is close.”