Angela's House
Coordination of Complex Home Care Services and Residential Services for Medically Fragile Children

In the News » Newsletter

Fall 2008 Edition
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Message from the Executive Director Bob Policastro

Preparing to write my message this fall made me appreciate even more the support we have seen come our way this year. The economic down turn has hit us all but we have been blessed with new support that is helping us to fill some of the void from our slow economy.

Earlier this year we were successful in expanding our home care programs. We now have two great service coordinators that are assisting families newly referred to us. This is often a very difficult time for parents as they struggle trying to find services and support to help them. The two new service coordinators Colleen Kunkel and Barbara Squillacioti were both previously working with Parent to Parent of NYS. Both Colleen and Barbara have children with developmental disabilities and have a great knowledge of working the system of complex services along with a great sensitivity and understanding of what parents are going through. This addition to our program will be a great asset as they join our intake coordinator Laurie Przystawski, who has been a great asset to parents as they call us. Laurie is also the parent of a medically fragile child and had another son Stephen, who was medically frail and passed away. Laurie had worked for Medicaid for 10 years before coming to us and now assists parents working their way through the Medicaid system.

In the spring we announced that Nassau County approved us to place the Angel of Hope Statue in Eisenhower Park. This monument will be for all parents that have lost a child. We were very excited to see the project move forward. During the summer we had a beautiful groundbreaking ceremony that touched everyone's hearts. The work has started, the Angel was delivered and we hope to have all the construction completed by November.

Both of our construction committee members are United States Marine Veterans; Pat Cassetta and Angelo Ciotta. They have helped to put together a volunteer group that will do all the construction.

 

Thanks to Our Supporters


The volunteer group that will help us with the construction of the Angel of Hope Statue.

We are very proud of Alyssa Policastro who created an internet fundraiser and outreach, and then she wrote several grant requests to help families. She successfully raised $31,000.

Lenny Carlino from Troop 343 completed his Eagle Scout project at Angela's House. He did something near and dear to his family. He made a memorial garden for children that have passed away. His project was in honor of his sister Elizabeth.

The Committee celebrates the success of their annual Cathal J. Scott Surf Cast Tournament and fundraiser benefiting Angela's House.

Jay D'Agostino and William Iaia did a bicycle ride in August from Niagara Falls to Long Island sponsored by Double R Construction.

MAXIM GROUP Edward Rose Vice Chairman and General Counsel (left) greets Bob Policastro and his son Bob Jr. at the Maxim Group golf outing and fundraiser to support children in the community outreach program.

 

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