Northfield Bank Foundation Executive Director Diane Senerchia and Board Member Susan Lamberti toured Eden II today. They were greeted by Eden II participant, Billy, who provided a tour of classrooms and facilities at the agency’s Granite Avenue location. At the end of their tour they presented Executive Director Joanne Gerenser with a check for $25,000 to support the new building at 15 Beach Street.
Northfield Bank Foundation Executive Director Diane Senerchia and Board Member Susan Lamberti toured Eden II today. They were greeted by Eden II participant, Billy, who provided a tour of classrooms and facilities at the agency’s Granite Avenue location. At the end of their tour they presented Executive Director Joanne Gerenser with a check for $25,000 to support the new building at 15 Beach Street.
“Northfield’s support and investment in the mission of Eden ll is a testament to their dedication and commitment to our children and the Staten Island community. We are grateful that they believe in the work that we do,” notes Gregg Iliceto, Capital Campaign Co-Chair and parent of an Eden II participant.
The expansion of physical space and services is urgent, with the dramatic increase in autism over the past decade. Eden II has been serving children and adults living with autism on Staten Island since 1976. But today, the number of children born with autism has grown so dramatically, that it is estimated 1 in 88 children born will have some form of autism. Eden II already has more than 400 families waiting for services here on Staten Island. This waiting list will only continue to grow until the agency can expand.
The new school has an innovative approach to helping children and young adults with autism that moves away from a typical classroom setting. Part of the agency’s mission is to build independent life skills to provide a better quality of life and to maximize participants’ potential.
The classrooms throughout the building will have both school and real‐life settings that include: an apartment with a bedroom, living room, kitchenette, and bathroom; a barber shop; a computer lab; a woodworking shop; an office; a café; an art lab; and a teaching kitchen. Eden II’s mission is to provide individuals living with autism specialized, community-based programs and other opportunities, with the goal of enabling them to achieve the highest possible quality of living across their life spans. Eden II strives to provide the maximum help possible to the autism community through education, adult day programs, residential care, family support, respite, and a number of other services.
“We are so appreciative of Northfield Bank Foundation’s support of autism and our plans for the new building at Beach Street. To recognize their donation, we will name a classroom at the new building in their honor.,” shares Dr. Gerenser.
For more information on the plans for 15 Beach Street or to make a gift, contact Erika Hellstrom, Director of Development at 718.816.1422 x156 or ehellstrom@designapprovals2.com.
