la esquinita (li'l corner)

On today, hashtag #GivingTuesday, make a tax-deductible donate to Sinergia and bolster our efforts to support our incredible work for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disability.

In that spirit, we are proud to not only recognize and celebrate, but also nominate one of our very own Ms Mary Young, a direct support professional (DSP) who embodies this tenet day in and day out, for the 2024 Community Care Rx Healthcare Hero Award!Supporting our individuals wholeheartedly and selflessly in our Residential department since 2013, Ms Mary's person-centered approach and performance epitomizes quality and humanity with her empathy, compassion, humility, and respect. Her communication skills, in particular, are exceptional--leading by listening first and making those she connects with feel seen, heard, and appreciated. In doing so, she offers choice with honor, dignity, and integrity.Her steadfast application and dedication go beyond what we could ever expect from a direct support professional and her respect for others' beliefs while setting her own aside is remarkable. She will often take a more personalized approach by crafting a birthday cake from scratch rather than buying one from the store.

Before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted, individuals with disabilities faced widespread discrimination. They could be denied basic services such as dining in a restaurant or shopping in a grocery store, and employers could refuse to interview or hire them based solely on their disability. The ADA, passed in 1990, marked a significant turning point by prohibiting such discrimination, ensuring that all Americans—regardless of ability—are given an equal chance to participate fully in society. The ADA has helped to create a more inclusive environment, allowing individuals with disabilities to live, work, and thrive with dignity and fairness.  

¡Queremos escuchar tu voz! 🗣️OPWDD lo invita a asistir a un Foro del Plan Estratégico 2024. Este es tu espacio para conocer los avances hacia las Metas Estratégicas y compartir tu opinión sobre cómo crees que están progresando.📅 Fecha: 9 de septiembre de 2024🕒 Hora: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.📍 Lugar: Facultad de Salud Pública y Política de Salud de CUNY, 55 W 125th Street, Auditorio del 7° piso, Nueva York, NY 10027¡Tu participación es esencial! Regístrate aquí: RegistroPara más detalles, consulta el Plan Estratégico 2023-2027 aquí: Enlace al Plan      

🎉 Celebrating 34 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act! 🎉Today, we proudly honor the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the ADA has been a cornerstone in the fight for civil rights and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.The ADA has: ✅ Promoted accessibility in public spaces and buildings ✅ Ensured equal opportunities in employment✅ Enhanced access to education and transportation ✅ Fostered greater inclusion in all aspects of community lifeWhile we celebrate the progress made, we also recognize that much more work needs to be done. People with disabilities still face stereotypes, discrimination, and barriers that prevent full participation in society.Let's continue to advocate for equality, accessibility, and respect for all individuals, regardless of ability. Together, we can build a more inclusive world for everyone.Here's to celebrating the achievements and continuing the work toward a fully inclusive world! 🌍💙#ADA34 #Inclusion #Accessibility #EqualityForAll #EndDiscrimination

Project SHINE partners are excited to share with you the launch of the Your Sexual Health Toolkit! (también disponible en Español) This online resource was created with and for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our Toolkit is full of important information about sexuality topics to help young people make informed decisions about sexual and reproductive health. Every page seeks to center youth with disabilities. Featuring an illustrated glossary, video testimonials from self-advocates, a resource hub, and our inclusive and engaging online sexual health game, Our Stories, Our Journeys, the Toolkit’s content provides many opportunities for fun and education. 

Front Door Information Session Videos Now on OPWDD Website, in multiple languages including Spanish!!For the last two years, the Metropolitan Parent Center of Sinergia, collaborated with OPWDD and its partners for this project. Our team engaged families, who were fundamental providing recommendations that guided our work to ensure cultural and linguistic authenticity of the project. We extend our gratitude to all families who were instrumental in this project, and to Tatiana Calderon, our Autism Initiative Coordinator, who did a fantastic job narrating the videos!!!! #gracias!You can view Front Door Videos in Spanish here: https://opwdd.ny.gov/access-supports/spanish-front-door-videos

In late November, Commissioner Kerri Neifeld of OPWDD paid a visit to our central office. During her visit, our team members and Day Habilitation clients had the chance to interact with Commissioner Neifeld and her team.

Creativity is required in any person-centered approach for those we support and serve, as underscored within the first pillar of the Justice Center's Code of Conduct.    Here at Sinergia and throughout the years, our very own Efrain Nater exudes this in every aspect of his work as one of our esteemed DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) who is an integral part of the Sinergia team where he currently serves as the Art Specialist within our Day Services team. His leadership, ingenuity, and selflessness modeled daily is so impactful and noteworthy that his achievements were recently recognized at this year's annual Community Care Rx gala!    

Advocacy groups say a workforce shortage is causing group homes helping Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be understaffed.