InterAgency Council Collaboration of Members Benefits Many

The IAC with 48 member agencies was established in 1971. The primary mission is to enhance the delivery of human services through collaboration and communication, and to provide mutual support among community agencies through sharing and networking. With this in mind, AHRC's Lifestyles Program has set out to affirm this collaborative concept and is presently engaged in nine (9) agencies in the organization. The Lifestyles Program serves adults of 21 years and older who meet daily at the Glen Cove AHRC hubsite. Specifically, the volunteer work program provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to integrate into the community while learning and improving social and vocational skills.

The community-based work program offers a variety of work experiences, and the volunteers are free to choose what they want to do. Among the choices are: Delivery of 39 weekly Meals on Wheels routes, assist in a Thrift shop, do mailings at nonprofit organizations and food shop for a house bound senior. These are important and necessary functions and while the focus is on the delivery of services, the individuals participating allows the Activities Coaches, who accompany the small groups to the site, to train them to travel on public transportation among other social skills. As the individuals gain experience they are preparing to enter the competitive workplace, while they act as ambassadors for all adults with developmental disabilities, demonstrating that they can make an important contribution to the workplace.

For the more experienced volunteers, the "program without walls" encourages individual assignments that reflect personal preferences. Two IAC membership organizations have a "program without walls" participant, they are: The Center for Parents and Children and Glen Cove Senior Center. Small groups participate at: Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, La Fuerza Unida, Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, North Shore University Hospital, School for Language and Communication Development and Visiting Nurse Association of Long Island. We caught up with AHRC's gardeners at Melillo Center where they have been active planting a variety of seasonal flowers and plants as well as maintaining them throughout the spring, summer and fall. What is remarkable about this group is that they did some fundraising in order to purchase the plants and flowers. According to Dr. Daniel Vogrin, executive director for Melillo Center as well as president of IAC, "The groups efforts have added a great deal to our environment and we are deeply touched by their commitment and generosity."

IAC member agencies are encouraged to have a representative attend the monthly meetings. Check out our website at www.IACGlenCove.org.

Photo (l to r) are: Seen here Dossie Reminick, Glen Cove AHRC site coordinator, Stacy Cusumano, activities coach, Carrie Savino, AHRC community activities developer. Front row (l-r) Nancy Shafferman, Jeffrey Knoll, Robert O'Shea and Jeane Inglese.

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InterAgency Council Collaboration of Members Benefits Many