Sometimes, all it takes is a single individual to inspire an entire community. This is the kind of person that brings people together to achieve a positive, enduring outcome. In other words, they are a catalyst for change. Oscar Segal, one of the members of our community, is one such individual! Oscar is on a

The Center for Family Support has been working with Benjamin and his family in our Self-Directed Services program since 2014. “The skills and compassion of the CFS staff are unparalleled,” says Maxine, Benjamin’s mother. “Thanks to their unwavering support, we have had the freedom to hire a variety of people to support Ben and guide

Who doesn’t love music? But what about the power of making music…together? CFS’ The Magic of Music program is convening in person for six special weeks to jam together and come up with a CFS theme song! Since the pandemic began, CFS has been hosting a Magic of Music program on Zoom as a way

For the third time, the Center for Family Support has been accredited as an organization with Person-Centered Excellence by the Council on Quality and Leadership, a leader in working with human service organizations to define, measure, and improve the quality of life for all people, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “We’re ecstatic to

Jack recently turned 40 – a big event for all of us. He’s one of our advocates living at Cary Avenue, one of CFS’ Residences in Staten Island. Tamara is the CFS Residence Manager where Jack lives and has been working with Jack since 2017. When Tamara realized Jack’s 40th birthday was coming up, she

Throughout the year, Oscar was able to apply to many film festivals with his short film, The Oscar Show. The Oscar Show is based on a YouTube show that Oscar began during the height of the pandemic and has continued with Oscar interviewing people who are important to him. The show is also called the

At the Center for Family Support, we’re honored to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with our staff and participants! We are lucky to have so many cultures represented at CFS. It truly makes all our lives richer having people with backgrounds from all over Latin and Central American working with us and participating in our

In the summer of 2021, more than a year into COVID, everyone in New York was ready to get out of their houses and explore their communities again. It was then that Kevin, who has been receiving support from The Center for Family Support for many years, started walking around New York City with other

Debra Powers is an Innovative Planning Specialist in CFS’ Innovation and Advocacy Department. Here is her journey of how her approach to her work changed – in her own words. About working at CFS and Personal Outcome Measures I started working at CFS in 2011 as a Medicaid coordinator, with a caseload of about 35

A few years ago, Veronica and her 21-year-old daughter, Jackie, were living in a small, crowded apartment in a neighborhood in the Bronx. That’s when the Center for Family Support (CFS) started advocating for Veronica and Jackie. Today their life is vastly improved. “CFS has changed my life,” explained Veronica. “They helped us find a

April is Autism Awareness month, aimed at promoting understanding, acceptance, love, and support. Oscar is just one of the many individuals with autism supported by CFS programs. Like many we work with, he lives in his own apartment, has a job, explores interests, and is a tireless advocate for those in his community. He’s also

It’s Saturday, 12:30 in the afternoon, and you’re in Chuck E Cheese’s. You’re surrounded by singing robots, a bunch of beeping video games, and more children than you can count. But you feel right at home. You are Keith Myer. Keith Myer is a young man with an infectious smile and an eye for detail. He

Elisanta Medina Has Always Aspired to Further Her Education While the last couple of years has closed doors for many, Elisanta Medina, CFS Community Habilitation and ISS Service Recipient, has taken this time to build upon a dream. Prior to the pandemic, Elisanta was studying at her local library in the hopes of obtaining a

“LUCKY” We are LUCKY to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. We are LUCKY to decorate with family and friends. We are LUCKY to eat Irish Soda Bread, Corn Beef and Cabbage. We are LUCKY to watch the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. We are LUCKY in green searching for four leaf clovers. We are LUCKY to see

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) honored Melissa Hanna for her many accomplishments as a Direct Support Professional. Melissa was selected as the “2021 New York State Direct Support Professional Of the Year”. Melissa works within the Community Habilitation Department supporting several individuals in the community as well as virtually. Melissa is

When Emmanuella first came to CFS, she was a shy nineteen-year old who had been living at Kings County Hospital for almost a year since she didn’t have a home to return to. As our program staff got to know her, they saw that Emmanuella was smart, articulate, and ambitious. Her wish? Her own place one

The Center for Family Support celebrates its 5th year writing letters to others during the holiday season. This year, although things are a little different, advocates came together on ZOOM to craft a letter for Lincoln Hospital Cancer Research Center. In October 2021, Lincoln Hospital held a Breast Cancer Awareness workshop with CFS that left

Here’s a glimpse into the relationships between the individuals with disabilities that The Center for Family Support serves, and our staff, how they – together – have been persevering and continue to do so.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and in addition to Making Strides, the walks CFS is participating in, our Coffee Clutch workshop group is standing with breast cancer survivors. They selected the words and created the picture you can see above. And, at the same time, the CFS Poetry Club has penned a poem, Conquer, to also stand

October is National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month. The theme for 2021 is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, The Center for Family Support has strongly emphasized the importance of employment. “Keep It Moving”, an employment specific virtual support, was established at the start of the pandemic in April 2020. We are proud