2024 Year End Appeal

“I have never met a person whose greatest need was anything other than real, unconditional love. You can find it in a simple act of kindness toward someone who needs help. There is no mistaking love, it is the common fiber of life, the flame that heats our soul, energizes our spirit and supplies passion to our lives.” - Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

A Holiday Message

My Dear Friends of the Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC), I would like to begin by extending my warmest wishes to you, your families, and friends throughout the Holiday Season! I hope that we all get the opportunity to celebrate a bit with loved ones; to laugh, and come together. It’s also a good time to count our blessings, and you are and have been a blessing to the people supported by The Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC). So as The Golden Girls would say “Thank you for being a friend!”

It’s been a tough year for friends, and for some families. Our society has become so divided that much of the rhetoric has become angry or sarcastic. Civility seems hard to come by, but kindness is the way through. That’s why the message from Ms. Kubler-Ross resonates. There are profound acts of kindness happening every day, at GEC and elsewhere. We may not hear as much about them, but they are happening. Perhaps more important now than ever, kindness always matters and it is my belief that unconditional love shall have the day!

I would like to share with you a few quick stories that will hopefully provide a snapshot of the work we do at GEC.

Mastronardi Day Habilitation Volunteers Honored by Sunset Senior Center

Individuals who volunteer at The Sunset Park Older Adult Center were honored on Thursday November 7th by the staff and patrons they assist each day. The group was served a delicious lasagna lunch, presented with a beautiful fruit basket and plaque acknowledging their hard work and dedication, and lauded with speeches by administrators and Center regulars. Site supervisor Derin Martinez gushed, “We appreciate you so much. We suffer when you are not here. That’s how much a part of us you are.”

Pictured: Mastronardi Day Hab participants and staff being honored by Sunset Park Older Adult Center

The individuals from GEC’s Mastronardi Day Hab have a long history of volunteering at The Older Adult Center. In years past, they were involved with the Meals on Wheels program, but now they engage in a different job: helping the senior citizens who attend the program by bussing and washing their trays during lunchtime. Ms. Martinez goes onto say, “You make a world of difference.”

The proud volunteers listened attentively to the speeches applauding them. They certainly get just as much fulfillment and joy from working there as the Center does from having them. Several of them even made speeches of their own. Michele: “I love everybody very much. It is a joy to work here.” Ajuwon: “I want to thank everyone here at The Senior Center. We put our heart and soul into everything we do here.” Ann Marie: “Thank you for everything! And thank you Guild for Exceptional Children!”

The individuals had an amazing day full of good food, warm feelings, and even a dance party! Many of the seniors were able to show them a thing or two on the dance floor! We thank Derin and The Sunset Park Older Adult Center from the bottom of our hearts and look forward to continuing to foster our strong relationship in the years to come.

Vincent: An Old Friend Finds a New Home

Vincent had attended a GEC day program for many years until his mother’s death in the 1990s. Since then, he lived independently with support from a family member. He knew people in his local community in Bensonhurst, but had few friends. He reconnected with GEC in 2016, and asked for help when his family member fell ill. He wanted to continue to live independently, with support from GEC staff who assisted with money management and medical oversight. They also secured home health aides who could provide support and companionship to him regularly. Vincent had remained interested in remaining in his apartment, so he was supported in that desire. During this time, Vincent experienced several medical issues that caused him to be hospitalized and in rehab. A significant fall in November 2022 turned into a long-term rehab stay. During this time, Vincent realized he couldn't return to his apartment of more than 60 years. The challenges of the steep stairs and need for a higher level of care were too great. Being a creature of habit made it difficult for him to make the decision to leave the rehab for the unknown of group residential living, but it was clear to him and those supporting him that he still had so much more of life to experience. His care management team worked to get him approved for residential services and when an opening became available, he was ready for it. After several visits, he eagerly anticipated the day he could move into Narrows Residence. He did so this summer.

Pictured: Vincent in his early days with GEC, and now, as a pirate and with Narrows Residence staff on vacation

Since his move, Vincent has made connections with his new housemates and staff. He also attends GEC's senior day hab and has extended his new circle of friends even more. Life has changed significantly for him. He bought a new wardrobe and went to Hershey Pennsylvania on his first vacation in over 30 years. He ordered a pirate costume and wore it to perform in the Halloween show at his day program. He has housemates with whom he watches his favorite TV shows, like Bewitched and his beloved, I Love Lucy. He felt immediately welcomed and part of the residence and day habilitation and has not looked back.

Gregory Thrives at GEC’s New Day Habilitation Program in Mill Basin

Gregory was a long time GEC Day Habilitation participant throughout the 2000’s. A talented artist, he worked with our art program and his work was featured at art shows in Brooklyn and Manhattan. When COVID came along it hit him as it did so many people, and drove him into isolation. For over 4 years, Gregory faced many obstacles to his return. Finally overcoming them, he has been adapting well and is now flourishing at Fischetti Center on Ave. N. Gregory has discovered a sense of purpose within the program, and has taken on a leadership role, becoming a mentor for new program participants and those visiting from other parts of Brooklyn. He has been a big support of co-programing activities. Not a shy person, Gregory’s personality and voice make him an ideal “announcer” and “emcee” for the program. His progress in this supportive environment has been remarkable, and he now looks forward to attending the program each day.

Alex Reaches For His Fullest Potential At GEC Preschool

Alex, a happy and thriving preschooler, enjoys his learning and fun activities with providers and peers at Carrie Mastronardi Early Childhood Education Center with the GEC. Ms. Lin, his parent, chose this school under another parent’s recommendation who emphasized the individualized and attentive education that the school provides. Alex, who was basically non-verbal before entering the GEC preschool, has built a large expressive vocabulary; and is starting to use sentences and singing songs through the help and instruction of GEC therapists and teaching staff, all within a year of enrolling. Ms. Lin appreciates the ongoing communication and support from Miss Lili, Alex’s teacher, in helping him to achieve his potential. With Alex’s progress and her experience with the preschool, Ms. Lin has referred other families to seek enrollment. Ms. Lin is also an active member with the Caring Parents, a voluntary parent led group to support the preschool community through event planning and advocacy with elected officials.

Pictured: Alex, attentive in his classwork

Why GEC Needs and Appreciates Your Support

I want to tell you a little bit about why your support is so desperately needed. We do get most of our funding from the government. GEC is also very fortunate in that we own many of the buildings that are utilized as residences and day habilitation programs for the people we support. Many of these buildings are now nearly 100 years old, and as any homeowner will tell you, upkeep can be very costly. This has been a big year for GEC in improving our infrastructure. We did a huge project in four of our residences in order to make them safer for the individuals who live there. They are now fully sprinklered. This was done through a grant. We expect to come up about $100,000 short in reimbursement for the $1 million project. In addition, many of our buildings have needed structural repairs & systemic work including roofing, foundation work, electrical and plumbing, HVAC, & fire alarm system upgrades. Several facilities have also needed modifications to make them more accessible to our individuals with ambulation challenges, such as bathroom modifications and the addition of lifts and/ or ramps. For these repairs GEC has spend nearly $350,000 this year, of which we can count on reimbursement from the State for about $100,000. The funds we raise through our outreach efforts this year will be used to close the gap in these expenses, in the interest of keeping our buildings safe, comfortable, and accessible for the people we support. We are hoping that you will join us in this effort!

Kindness Matters

So, one more story: Last spring, I met a remarkable young lady. My Mother had passed away several years ago and we were finally getting around to clearing out her place. I put a notice up in Facebook marketplace for her used furniture-free to whoever wanted to pick it up. Some of the items went right away, but we still had a number of heavy items including a bed, sofa, and recliner. When this young lady came by her eyes lit up. She said she would like to take all of it but couldn’t fit it in her car. She decided she would rent a U-Haul to take it. In conversation I found out that the furniture was not even for her but for an elderly, reclusive man in her building who “had nothing”. She was willing to spend her own money renting a truck to supply furniture to someone in need. This was becoming interesting! My brother, sister and I arranged the transport and when we arrived at the building it was all true. The old man had nothing. He slept on an air mattress on the floor. He told us how this young woman, who couldn’t be much older than 20, had helped so many people in their building. He called her a God send. It turns out that the young woman was following her grandmother’s fine example (in my opinion the best way to teach is through example) in caring for her neighbors...and now, due to this chance encounter, she’s also caring for some of our folks because she now works at GEC.

We start by helping one person, and you never know where it will lead and how many people’s lives will be brightened, or what kind of movement you’ve become part of. Let’s make kindness go viral, and it starts with a simple act that sets a fine example.

“How do we change the world? One act of random kindness at a time” - Morgan Freeman (portraying God, in Evan Almighty)

Finally, a word about “unconditional love”. I thought I knew the meaning of that term, but never understood its depth until I came to work at GEC. I see it in the faces of the people we support, and in the care provided by our dedicated staff. Let this be our legacy! Let 2025 be the year that kindness prevails!

Thank you for your interest and support! I hope you all have the brightest and happiest of Holiday seasons! May God bless you all!

Gratefully Yours,

Joseph L. Riley
GEC CEO/Executive Director

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