Still Connected: An Eden II Programs Update
An Update From Erin Sparacio-Archibald,
Director of Long Island Administration and Outreach
Our Outreach Department has taken on a new look and feel since mandatory closure of schools took place. Our biggest challenge has been the transition to the way we interact with our students. Our staff has shown innovation and persistence to make sure learning doesn't stop.

Our Long Island Behavior Clinic Staff have been working very hard to keep our students engaged in learning through these unsettling times. Switching from in person to virtually learning in less than a week was not an easy task, but our teachers, coordinators and speech staff were able to start working remotely utilizing the Google Classroom platform without missing a beat. Our behavior specialists bravely put themselves on the frontline, going into the homes of our students to support them and their families through this pandemic. We are pleased to say that have been able to support a majority of our behavior clinic students during this time.

Our In-Home program has had a slow start in providing services due to learning curve of virtual learning for many of our students. Now that we are a few months into virtual learning and the majority our students and our staff are more comfortable with the platform, we are able to engage our students in their home services. Hopefully, very soon, we will be up and running as we were before the Covid-19 pandemic. Our teachers and behavior specialists have been so creative in their planning and are able engage our students; some with pretty challenging behaviors, with fun learning activities that keep them engaged. Thank you for your selfless commitment while encouraging our students, supporting them and for caring about them the way you do.

All of our Directors and Coordinators have been working tirelessly to put together much needed webinars and trainings on topics to guide our families, direct support staff and colleagues in the field during these trying times. Topics range from stress management, eating-sleeping-toileting issues, managing behaviors using visual strategies, functional behavior assessments and many more. Starting this month, we are implementing a parent support series for anyone who feels they need to be connected with others who are going through the same struggles they are; coping with the disruption in routines, feelings of increased anxiety as well as living with the challenges of autism during a pandemic. This will be a great opportunity for many to share their concerns as well as any ideas that have worked for them. A big shout out to those who volunteered on such short notice, the feed back we have received has been very positive. 

One of our newest Outreach programs developed during this pandemic is the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training. We will be offerings the 40 hours of coursework to anyone interested in becoming an RBT. We already have interest in the program; a Long Island school district inquired about having all their one to one aides complete the trainings. We are very excited to be able to offer this training sequence. Please share with anyone you think may want to complete the course. 

We are in the process of creating a bridge program for those individuals who are graduating from high school but who are currently struggling with approval from OPWDD for adult services. This virtual program will focus on the skills necessary to participate in a program after graduation. Courses may include but are not limited to: Strategies for Post-Secondary Success, Effective Social Connections/Communication, Wellness, Personal Hygiene, Self-Advocacy, Strategies for Time Management and Safety in the Community during a Pandemic.

Our goal is to support our families as well as outside families who are struggling for placement and have no services during these uncertain times.  

So, to ALL of you working so hard to make all this happen, the simplest way to thank you is also the easiest way – just say thank you. So, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. It’s often not only what we teach in the classrooms, but in our personal interactions with students and their families that we accomplish the most. Your dedication, commitment and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration.
Join Us For A Virtual Pampered Chef Demo!
You are invited to a live, virtual Pampered Chef cooking demo! This free demo is open to all, please invite your family & friends to this fun Zoom event!

Demo will begin promptly on Thursday, June 11th at 7:15pm EST-you may log on as early as 7pm EST.

Instructions for viewing the demo: 
Visit www.zoom.us and click on "Join A Meeting"
(if on mobile you will need to download the Zoom app)  

Meeting ID: 571 327 6621
Password- 4Lmb4m

You do not have to rsvp or purchase items to attend, but if you are planning to join us please email mhiggins@eden2.org so we have an idea of how many devices will be logged on.
Show Your Support For Frontline Workers with a Lawn Sign
Proudly display your gratitude for all hard-working essential frontline workers!

Price: $20 each

Lawn signs MUST be pre-purchased with a credit card.
No cash or checks accepted at this time.

Curbside pick-up will be available in front of the following locations Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am-12pm.

600 Newbridge Road, East Meadow, NY 11554
15 Beach Street, Staten Island NY 10304

Arrangement for pickups MUST be confirmed with Development after purchasing.

For any questions please contact Kara Lamendola at klamendola@eden2.org or Maureen Higgins at mhiggins@eden2.org.
Thank You For Supporting Our Amazon Wishlist!
We are thankful to everyone who has purchased items from our residential wishlist to help keep the participants in our group homes engaged and entertained while they practice social distancing.
Aaron
Andrea (Jimmy's sister)
Bryna 
Michelle & Daniel (Friends of Rosengarten)
Steven Anderson
Phyllis Attianese 
Julie Azuma
Lauren Baker-Anderson
Denise Bianchi & Family
Nick Block 
Rochelle Basovitch
Diana Caputo
Keith Chambery
Jennifer Chabus
 Jamie Coen-Scholfield
Sarah Collins 
Dawn & Ken Doherty
Fran Enia 
Stephen Fine
Stephen Gavosto
Sandy Gagstetter
Melissa Gavinelli
Deborah Goldschmidt
Adriana Grimaldi
Eileen Hopkins
Sue & Andy Jacobs
The Jensen Family
Deanna Jones
Cindy Kaplan
Judith Kaplan
Ruth Kestenbaum
Irene & Marty Kofman
Charles Kramer 
Matt Lamendola
Jennifer Leyendecker
Angela Natale
Nina Novie
The Paulsen Family 
Sherie Pennino
Denise Perciballi
Lenore Puleo 
Susan Ribaudo
Mindy Rosengarten
Yigal Rosengarten
Stephanie Russo
Christian Salinas
Lisa Seraté
Lisa Sclafani Sorrento
William Stanley
Valerie Tucci
Joe & Claudine Votto 
Olena Zaretska
Zuppardi Family

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our front line campaign!

If you do not see your name listed please contact info@eden2.org. We apologize in advance for any missing names.
Michael Ackerman 
Pamela Adamo
Nancy Ambery 
Mercy Anjorin
Erin Archibald 
Jamie Arnold 
Julie Azuma 
Patti Barker
Elisa Belcastro 
Maidelle Benamy
Marc Benanti
Marissa Bennett
Robert Berkowitz
Sharon Berkowitz 
Denise Bianchi 
Richard Boehm 
Matthew Brander 
Stephen Brewi
Terry Burn 
PS Burns 
Ross Burwasser
James Caldarella 
Lisa Caldarera 
Susan Canny 
Chrisie Canny 
Marissa Capizzi
Acela Carlin 
Sue Carter 
Jason Casano
Stephanie Cassas
Anthony Castiglione 
Irene Cavanagh 
Robert Cavanagh 
Donna Ceman 
Maureen Chalos 
Keith Chambery 
Georgia Christoforou
Rick Chou 
Frank Cicero 
Chris Citarrella
Jeanette Collins 
Sarah Collins 
Maria Contino
Michael Contino 
Jill Cornell
Sharlene Corrigan 
Rob Croccito 
James Cronin 
Dan Cunningham 
Julie Debernardo 
Geoff Debery 
Lorelai Dee
Paula Delfino 
Michael DeMaio 
Anna DeMeo 
Joanne D'Esposito 
Maria DiGiacomo
Marietta Dimina 
Ronnie Dineen 
Darren Diprima 
Dominic DiPrisco
Christine DiTomasso 
David Dobell 
Jan Downey 
Beti Duli-Tale 
Shirley Dunn
Andy Dunscombe 
Stephanie Dussel
Samia El Moslimany
Matt Emmer 
Carly Emmer 
Lauren Epifanio 
Nancy Everett
JoAnn Farrell
Corinne Farrell
Marlene Feinberg 
Barbara Ferrante 
Pier Fetz 
Marisa Filupeit 
Lorenz Fish 
Cynthia Fisher 
Eileen Fitzpatrick
Rob Fodera
Angela Fuschetto 
Malki Gartenberg 
Gerald Gartner 
Geri Garvin 
Karen Gates 
Melissa Gavinelli 
Toni Gennuso 
Joanne Gerenser
Michael Giangregorio
Nick Gilbo 
Laurie Giordano 
Joanne Giuliano
Ariel Glaubach 
David Glick 
Barry Goldberg 
Lori Gray 
AnnMarie Grieco
Adriana Grimaldi 
Janet Grosser 
Moe Hageko 
Lauren Hakim 
LouAnne Haley
Faye Hamid 
Gail Hansche 
Melissa Hess
Maureen Higgins 
Patricia Hincken 
Hannah Hoch 
Denise Holzka 
JoAnn Hope 
Eileen Hopkins 
Jackie Huey 
Patty Hutton
Hope Iliceto 
Thomas Iliceto 
Dyane Irvine
AnnMarie Itgen 
Lyudmila Ivanova 
Linell Iversen 
Donald Johnson
Alexander Jones
DeAnna Jones 
Michael Joseph 
Susan Kaplan
Michael Kaplan
Loretta Kennedy 
Barbara Kenny
Steve Kirschbaum 
Jessica Klein 
Rosemarie Klingele 
Maryann Korn
Charles Kramer 
Mark Krinsky 
Eugene Krupatkin
Janet Lamantia 
Kara Lamendola 
Marcia Langaigne
Stefanie Lavelle
Pat Leahy
Jessica Leather 
Sandy Levine
Jackie Libretti
Alison Lipshin
Kristine Lombardo 
Vivian Lynch 
Laura Maguire 
Christopher Maher 
Alfred Mahoney 
Elena Maldonado 
Patty Marceante 
Nancy Marchese 
Paula Marocchi
Valerie Martin 
Ann McDermott
Mary McDonald 
Joanne McDougall 
Janet McGill 
Meaghan McGoldrick 
Beth McLoughlin 
Kevin McShane 
Nicole Memoli 
Dan Miran 
Linda Mitchell
Janet Moley 
Julie Morawek 
Barbara Morello 
Maria Mucciarone 
Richard Murdison 
Mutual of America
Angale Natale 
Paula Neenan
Ashley Nicole 
Cathy Nicoletti 
William Nolan 
Nina Novie 
Despina Novie
Chris Nuzzi 
Debra Ochs 
Marge O'Neil 
Rita Ormsby 
Olivia O'Rourke 
Toni Ann Pabon 
Bernardo Pace 
Lisa Padla
Bonnie Patala
Larry Paterno
Ken Paulsen 
Christopher Pekoff
Sherrie Penino
Nancy Phillips 
Sandina Popper
Christine Porizio 
Richard Portello 
Brenda Principe
Ellen Proszak
Frank Pugliese 
Denise Purcell
Daniel Rauch 
Shanx Ravisankar 
Brooklyn Re
RoseMarie Reel 
Susan Ribaudo 
Anjail Rice
Joseph Rinaldi 
Sulma Rivera 
Celia Roche
David Roll 
Yvonne Roman 
Mindy Rosengarten
Joshua Rosengarten 
Susan Rotsztajn 
Mary Rowan
Sharyn Ruggiero 
Donald Russo
Breeda Ryan 
Carolyn Sagnelli
Leonard Scandaglia
Ada Schechtman 
Wendy Schmidt 
Robyn Schneider 
Bonnie Schneider 
Anne Seifried 
Lisa Seraté
Joanne Sgambati 
Katherine Sgarlato 
Victoria Shurott 
Michele Sileo 
Kimberly Smith 
Sophie Sophororos 
Lisa Sorrento 
Anna Spadafora 
Denise Sperduto
Tamio Spiegel 
Jaime Sposito 
Maria Stabinsky 
Kathleen Stanley
Marianne Stanley 
Rosemarie Stavola 
Irene Stefas 
Harvey Stein
Wendy Stynes 
Christina Swiderski 
Terry Tarangelo 
Eve Taranto
Veronica Taura 
Nicole Tibaldi
Michelle Tittel
Sheila Tjon
Valerie Tucci 
Gretchen Turner 
Shannon Viggio 
Teresa Visconti 
Ben von Doussa 
Keith Ward 
Denise Wiatre
Linda Williams 
Alexis Yarmolowitz 
Steven gives a big "thumbs up" while working on his assignments at home!
Michael recently celebrated his birthday, and, wanting to show his appreciation to our staff, donated his birthday money to our frontline campaign. Michael, we hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration and thank you for your generous gift!
Thank you to the Genesis PTO for the “I am Essential” shirts for our staff made by  Spectrum Designs . The staff miss their students so much. They were grateful to have the opportunity to drop off prom goodie bags to their students! ❤️
Cecil had a great time painting with items purchased from our Amazon wishlist!
Donate Supplies or Funds Today!
Our residential staff are working around the clock to take care of our participants, and are doing an amazing job! We currently have supplies for all of our locations that need them, but with a surge in demand, we are being proactive and looking to increase our current supply. If you or someone you know have any of the following items available to donate, please contact info@eden2.org to arrange a dropoff.

Powder free exam gloves
Medical isolation gowns
Chemical splash goggles
Hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer wipes
Surface sanitizer wipes
Disinfectant spray
N95 face masks

Thank you to those who have generously donated PPE for our staff:

Borough President James Oddo
Senator  Andrew J. Lanza
Assemblyman Michael Cusick
Assemblywoman  Nicole Malliotakis
Assemblyman  Mike Reilly
Assemblyman Charles D. Fall
Councilman Steven Matteo
Councilman  Joe Borelli
Councilwoman  Debi Rose
District Attorney Mike McMahon
-
Steven Anderson
Clara Azadegan
Lauren Baker-Anderson
Anthony Castiglione
Amy Hume Bellisano on behalf of The Woodbridge Center
Denise Bianchi
Brooklyn Home Foundation
Debbie Burwasser
Joe Caldarera
Stephanie Cassas
Sabrina Rose Dallas
Denise Eget
Dr. Ryan Galligan
Hatteras
Audrey Hassuer & other
Metuchen residents
Dr. Jane Howard
Magnacare
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis
Shelley Chi Mawhinney, Metuchen
Randy McArthur
Joe McCormack
Making Waves Foundation
Medtrak Rx
Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America
Sue Reek
Rab's Country Lanes
Rescuing Families, Inc.
Sulma Rivera
Staten Island Elected Officials
Staten Island Glove & Safety
Elizabeth Thomas
Westpoint Home
Oscar Valera, Metuchen
Amazon Smile is a free and easy way to help support Eden II. Simply select Eden II as the charity of your choice, and Amazon will donate a percentage of every purchase made back to Eden II when you shop through Amazon Smile. Click here to select Eden II.