Michelle
12-17-2006, 01:18 AM
Making great strides -- and fries on the side (http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1166265960227580.xml&coll=1)
Disabilities Council lauds the achievements of its many consumers
Saturday, December 16, 2006
By STEPHANIE SLEPIAN
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Christina Gilly makes a killer burger.
She knows it takes the right amount of grilling, perfectly melted cheese and perhaps a few slices of bacon, if that's the way the customer wants it. Her burgers are always made to order.
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The 28-year-old serves 'em up, fries on the side, in the cafe on the grounds of the Institute for Basic Research in Willowbrook.
"I have learned everything from safety skills to how to use a grill," said Ms. Gilly, one of the featured speakers at Celebration of Consumer Achievement, an annual December tradition of the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council.
"And I make a great burger," she told the audience in the Elizabeth Connelly Resource Center, also in Willowbrook.
Ms. Gilly, a consumer with Community Resources in Travis, has been working at the cafe for about two months, but said she is ready to take her next step.
"I want to find a job in the community," she said. "I am very nervous, but this [would make] me even more independent."
Celebration of Consumer Achievement is a single day set aside each holiday season for members of the disabilities community to share their accomplishments of one year and their hopes for the next.
"Whatever struggles they've encountered, our guys and girls have exceeded and surpassed the expectations they had for themselves, their families had for them and we've had for them," said Lorraine DeSantis, chairwoman of the Disabilities Council. "We are very proud of them."
Sherri Ali also works in the Institute for Basic Research cafe, prepping and serving salads.
"I stand before you today to share the positive impact this job has on me," said Ms. Ali, a consumer at the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin, Mount Loretto. "It has helped me to improve my attitude and, by doing so, my social skills have improved. I also feel great helping people."
Also speaking were Mary Pannese of Lifestyles for the Disabled, John Glotzer from On Your Mark, Jessica Martin from A Very Special Place and the crew from the Lifestyles for the Disabled greenhouse, who displayed and sold their creations. Kathleen Broderick, associate commissioner with the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, also spoke.
Rounding out the morning was Team Cuisine, a newly formed catering group at A Very Special Place. While they're not taking private parties yet, they are keeping the agency's directors and staff well-fed.
"The grilled chicken and sandwiches are very good, the salads are very good and the entrées are very good," said team member Ann Marie Sabatino.
Stephanie Slepian is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at slepian@siadvance.com.
Disabilities Council lauds the achievements of its many consumers
Saturday, December 16, 2006
By STEPHANIE SLEPIAN
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Christina Gilly makes a killer burger.
She knows it takes the right amount of grilling, perfectly melted cheese and perhaps a few slices of bacon, if that's the way the customer wants it. Her burgers are always made to order.
Advertisement
The 28-year-old serves 'em up, fries on the side, in the cafe on the grounds of the Institute for Basic Research in Willowbrook.
"I have learned everything from safety skills to how to use a grill," said Ms. Gilly, one of the featured speakers at Celebration of Consumer Achievement, an annual December tradition of the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council.
"And I make a great burger," she told the audience in the Elizabeth Connelly Resource Center, also in Willowbrook.
Ms. Gilly, a consumer with Community Resources in Travis, has been working at the cafe for about two months, but said she is ready to take her next step.
"I want to find a job in the community," she said. "I am very nervous, but this [would make] me even more independent."
Celebration of Consumer Achievement is a single day set aside each holiday season for members of the disabilities community to share their accomplishments of one year and their hopes for the next.
"Whatever struggles they've encountered, our guys and girls have exceeded and surpassed the expectations they had for themselves, their families had for them and we've had for them," said Lorraine DeSantis, chairwoman of the Disabilities Council. "We are very proud of them."
Sherri Ali also works in the Institute for Basic Research cafe, prepping and serving salads.
"I stand before you today to share the positive impact this job has on me," said Ms. Ali, a consumer at the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin, Mount Loretto. "It has helped me to improve my attitude and, by doing so, my social skills have improved. I also feel great helping people."
Also speaking were Mary Pannese of Lifestyles for the Disabled, John Glotzer from On Your Mark, Jessica Martin from A Very Special Place and the crew from the Lifestyles for the Disabled greenhouse, who displayed and sold their creations. Kathleen Broderick, associate commissioner with the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, also spoke.
Rounding out the morning was Team Cuisine, a newly formed catering group at A Very Special Place. While they're not taking private parties yet, they are keeping the agency's directors and staff well-fed.
"The grilled chicken and sandwiches are very good, the salads are very good and the entrées are very good," said team member Ann Marie Sabatino.
Stephanie Slepian is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at slepian@siadvance.com.