The Cortlandt Hills Group Home Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

On December 9th, the Cortlandt Hills Group Home celebrated its 25th anniversary.  A luncheon was held at Piazza Roma.   All of the consumers, their parents, their family and relatives attended, as well as staff and clinicians.  It was a moving and emotional time, especially when the parents were asked to speak.  Most of them cried tears of joy.  One parent could not find words. Another one spoke for the group saying that for 25 years they knew their children were safe and they did not have to worry.  Bonnie Hiller, our Board President, attended as well as Doctor Hertzig who pioneered the group home with Anita Zatlow.  Together we identified appropriate consumers for our first group home.  Lee and Verna, our longest staff members were given gifts with our gratitude for their commitment and dedication for all of these years.  Dr. Hertzig who was a veteran participant with Anita opening Cortlandt Hills and discussed our beginnings and how much positive growth the consumers had made.  Bonnie Hiller, our Board President, and mother of Emmons who lives at Corlear shared a letter she wrote to her friends:

12/20/06

Dear Friends,

The other day, I was at a luncheon celebrating the 25th anniversary of SCFU’s first group home.  One of the parents, whose child had lived there for a quarter of a century, stood up and said to the agency’s Director, “Because of you, I sleep at night.”  She spoke from my heart, too.

When you have a child with a disability, all you want is to know that no matter what happens to you, the child will be all right.  Our children have found a second home, a second family, a second, ongoing support system for living, life skills, job training and support among people who care for them almost as much as we do.

I know you select the charities you support carefully and it may well be that you’ve made your choices for this year.  If you haven’t or if you have a little extra, please consider giving to Special Citizens.  It’s away of passing along a good night’s sleep to another parent.

Thank you!