Photo by Naftoli Goldgrab
New Facility Houses a School, Adult Day and Vocational Program, and More!
The Long Island branch of Yachad held an open house on September 11th with a celebratory kickoff for the newly opened school, adult day and vocational program, and other services and resources for people with disabilities and their families in the Five Towns and neighboring communities.
Photo by Naftoli Goldgrab
Community members, caregivers, local rabbis, and parents of children with disabilities attended the event, which highlighted the school, the adult day and vocational program, parent support group, and social and recreational programming at the community center. It’s located in Ohr Torah, 410 Hungry Harbor Road, North Woodmere, where Yachad houses their school, offices, adult day and vocational program, a therapy room, and an open area for programming and support groups.
The open house was a warm and welcoming evening, with sushi and refreshments for family and friends of Yachad, where those new to the program had a chance to tour the facility and meet staff.
Rabbi Ahron Rosenthal, the Director of NY Yachad, gave a short presentation and a brief recap of how the Long Island branch was established. “We were approached by families in the community about ten months ago seeking a number of needs, including an elementary school, adult day and vocational program, and local programming,” Rabbi Rosenthal said, “and we were able to put those programs and service together in under a year.”
Photo by Naftoli Goldgrab
Dr. Lichtman, the International Director of Yachad, then spoke about the broader vision and mission of Yachad, which is to ensure that every individual has a place in the community. “They are our children and we want them to be a part of our community,” he said.
“We are now a community resource for the Five Towns and surrounding communities and are here for the community and responding to their needs, whether the school or adult day and vocational program or as a center for the community,” Rabbi Rosenthal concluded.
The Long Island branch of Yachad is open and operating now and is a welcome place for all members of the community. If you would like more information on the school, adult day and vocational program, or any of its programs, contact Meira Samet at sametm@ou.org or 516-730-9255, or call the main number for Yachad, 212-613-8229.
This article was written by Amy Lerner, Yachad Content Writer.