McKinley Beacon Assistant Director Sarah Lanza serves as mentor and older sister to eighth grader and program participant who also happens to share the same name.

“I’ve been committed to learning David’s language,” stated Direct Support Professional (DSP) Kendra Brown, who works closely with David, a man with special needs at HeartShare’s Hoffman Day Habilitation Program. The recent college grad learned how to become engaging and playful with David, which helped lessen his changing temperament. Kendra was able to achieve this…

“I want to work. I want to help my family,” said Erick, who started working at MovieWorld in Queens this year. While HeartShare continues to offer its traditional Day Habilitation Programs, the emphasis for staff efforts has been on equipping people like Erick with the skills to succeed on the job. After training and moral…

“No matter who they are or their capabilities, we can make a difference in another person’s life,” shared former HeartShare Direct Support Professional (DSP) and current Assistant Residence Manager Cory Charles, who worked closely with Soo, a woman with special needs at HeartShare’s Union Turnpike Day Habilitation Program. Sometimes, Soo had difficulty joining group activities….

“I’ve never perceived Laquan as having a disability,” observed his mother, Stephanie. Laquan, who is 34 years old, was born with Down’s Syndrome. “He’s had a truly vibrant life due to HeartShare’s services, which allow him to live the most fruitful and independent life possible.” Laquan is an avid cyclist throughout New York City, as…

“It was the most frightening thing to learn and accept that both of your children are on the spectrum,” shared Michelle, who described her boys before and after starting HeartShare pre-school. Five year old Josiah and four year old Jace, she noted, would not have been able to engage anyone in conversation a few months…

“I took that!” exclaimed John, proudly pointing to a substantial digital collection of photographs that he’s taken over the years. At HeartShare, person-centered planning serves as a blueprint for Medicaid Service Supervisor and Coordinator Olga Golubeva to help John achieve his goals, including pursuing his passion for photography. Traveling throughout the city with his refurbished…

“These lessons mean so much to Mariapaz. She pursues her passions without being marked as different,” her mother Yolanda beamed. HeartShare’s Options Project Reimbursement Program offers eleven year old Mariapaz, who has Down Syndrome, the opportunity to pursue a personal interest with both physical and social benefits. With the HeartShare Options grant, Mariapaz took swimming…

“Good job, Tallal,” chimed Speech Therapist Samantha Phillips and Occupational Therapist Kristin Tursky, a source of encouragement to a twelve year old boy diagnosed with autism, who under their watch started to speak for the first time ever at The HeartShare School. When a child is diagnosed as non-verbal, the probability of speaking as the…

Armando Rosado, who has been working as a HeartShare Direct Support Professional for over five years, developed a strong bond with John, residing at HeartShare’s Clinton Residence. “We always went for a morning walk to buy the newspaper and then watched the football game together. It was our Sunday tradition,” noted Armando. With this trust…