It is no secret that Susan Constantino, past President & CEO of CP Unlimited, made a big impact on the entire Agency and the many people we support. On Thursday, September 29, at the Cora Hoffman Center in Staten Island, we gathered persons supported and staff to present a choral performance to thank Susan and recognize her commitment to us.
The legacy of The Willowbrook State School is one marked by horror and change- with a history that has taught valuable lessons on how best to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. On Saturday, September 17, providers, allies, and former residents gathered at the Willowbrook campus to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the closing of Willowbrook and celebrate the inauguration of The Willowbrook Mile ...
Though the legacy of The Willowbrook State School is one that no one who works in the I/DD field can ever forget, a new initiative honors the memory of its former residents and celebrates the progress made in the 35 years since the facility was shut down for good.
Each year, the Agency looks forward to Direct Service Provider (DSP) Recognition Week—in 2022 from September 11-17—as an opportunity to honor these truly essential workers. In addition to being indispensable to our mission, DSPs make up more than half of our total workforce so this period of appreciation also affords an opportunity to consciously demonstrate our core values of respect, care, and support.
Last Friday, on a balmy evening perfect for baseball, the Staten Island Ferryhawks took on the Lancaster Barnstormers in a bat-cracking extravaganza. In the stands, over 100 CP Unlimited friends, families, colleagues, and people supported cheered on the Hawks, as each ticket also helped support our Agency.
Persons supported have been growing their confidence and muscles simultaneously at CP’s West Farms program! Ralph Gonzalez, Activity Coordinator, has been holding exercise classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the morning for several months.
(August 23, 2022, New York, NY): CP Unlimited announced today that Mr. Brian Litten and Mr. David Solomon have joined its Board of Directors, strengthening the organization’s abilities and network in the healthcare and legal fields.
CP Unlimited supports hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New York City. Part of our commitment to them is maintaining their wheelchairs so they work as intended to ensure mobility, independence, and safety.
Susan Constantino, President & CEO of CP Unlimited from 1989-2022, was honored by a group of local officials and organizations in Hudson Valley on July 31, 2022. The event, held at the Elks Lodge in Brewster, NY, was an opportunity for people supported by various area agencies to enjoy a cool dip in their sparkling pool while noshing on delicious cookout classics!
"We look forward to welcoming nurses who want to make a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CP Unlimited has a long history of advocacy, effective, compassionate care and support with helping people live quality lives. This is the right place for you to practice with excellence and compassion, and to have a voice. I encourage dedicated nurses to take the next step and join us at our recruitment event on August 23, 2022 in Manhattan!"
-Emmanuel Cineus, VP of Nursing at CP Unlimited.
Dear Friends,
I was honored to be selected to lead CP Unlimited and advance its vital mission. Our work means that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our care receive the best support in every way possible.
Constructive Partnerships Unlimited announces a major leadership transition as Susan Constantino, President & CEO, retires from her role on July 1. After an extensive search process, Joseph M. Pancari, current Executive Director of Metro Services, has been selected by the organization’s Board of Directors to become the next President & CEO.
Susan Constantino can never be forgotten and her work has had a monumental impact on the field and among the people we support. She has worked both locally and legislatively to ensure more comprehensive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to live fulfilling lives.
At CP Unlimited, we are always looking for ways to recognize employee achievement. One such initiative is the Employee of the Quarter that highlights team members who are making a special effort to carry out their work. As Susan Constantino, President & CEO, said about the winners, “I am in awe of who you all are…it is so important to support each other, and this award really recognizes your commitment.”
Last week, people supported at the Day Habilitation Program at CP’s Cora Hoffman Center (CHC) in Staten Island harvested over six pounds of fresh, healthy produce to sell at the new farmer’s market at NYU Langone Hospital in Mineola, Long Island.
CP Unlimited is fortunate to have many people who have left an indelible mark on the field among its family and history. Two such individuals, Duane Schielke and John Horvath, were honored at a special dedication ceremony on June 9 as CP Unlimited and Metro Community Health Centers named the MCHC clinic at 979 Cross Bronx Expressway for Mr. Schielke and the rooftop garden space at the same building— part of CP Unlimited’s West Farms Day Hab program— for Mr. Horvath.
CP Unlimited always looks to find new opportunities to help people we support live fulfilling lives. One of the most recent additions to our range of available Day Hab support services at the Cora Hoffman Center in Staten Island is the introduction of the M.O.V.E. (Mobility Opportunities via Education/Experience) program, formally launched last year on June 16, 2021.
People supported at CP Unlimited’s West Farms Day Habilitation program are getting fired up with creativity, as we proudly announce the return of our Ceramics Club!
CP Unlimited has formed a team to participate in the Sunday, June 26 race / charity walk and we would love to have you join our team. As a team member, you will receive complimentary registration and some cool swag- so lace up your running shoes and fill up your water bottle because it is time to R U N!
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn … and flowers and vegetables are blooming in Queens! Over at our site at 45-57 211 Street in Bayside, Queens, new tulips, roses, and other colorful plants now beautify the front of the building while the backyard is bursting with edible plants making our plates greener and our smiles brighter!
Open interviews are happening on Wednesday April 6th, 2022 from 2-3pm EST via Zoom
We are hoping to encourage more of our friends, families, community members to sponsor gifts for the people that we support from our Amazon Sensory Room Wish List.
We are thrilled to announce Ms. Blanca Mercado as the recipient of the Healthcare Heroes Award which was received on Thursday, 12/9 at the Community Care Rx Pharmacy event to recognize DSPs at the Mutton Town Country Club. Ms. Ms. Mercado views her role as a DSP as her mission to her two daughters who passed away from medical complications, each of whom had Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Ms. Mercado's son Noel works with us at the West Farms Center.
On Thursday, December 2, 2021 the students from the Adult Education Series enjoyed a night out at the PNC Bank Center in Holmdel, NJ.
Thank you to everyone who helped us commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS at our Annual Conference from Oct. 25-27!
The conference is a wonderful way to share information and celebrate staff from our Affiliates. We hope you found it valuable and enjoyed yourselves.
Once again, #GivingTuesday is upon us. Beginning in November and through the end of the year we are seeking donations to help provide the individuals we support with the necessary equipment and technology to help them live independently and continue to meet with success in all aspects of life. Since COVID-19 our traditional services had to be improvised, but we have come up with innovative ways to deliver these services to the people we support.
A VERY Special Thanks to those who helped to make this day and event such a fun and memorable one for those we support. From the catering to the staff, Thank You all. Both the staff and individuals were so very happy and excited for this wonderful surprise. Everyone had such a great time!
Tell Your Personal Story and ask Governor Kathy Hochul to RISE UP for DSPs! There are NO Services without People to Staff Residences, Day Programs, offer Respite, Comm Hab, and be Job Coaches.
Susan Constantino, CEO of CP Unlimited and President and CEO of CP of NYS, joined other executives, advocates, DSPs, and individuals with I/DD at a public hearing to evaluate the current workforce challenges of the I/DD service delivery system on Tuesday, September 14.
"What has the impact of our workforce crisis been on the people we support? Less staff who know and can provide the highest quality care/support to meet people's unique needs ...
CP Unlimited held their first virtual 10-week cooking course this past spring. It was a packed class of 10 students who took the class very seriously and learned how to navigate the kitchen, use multiple appliances, use a variety of kitchen tools, practice kitchen safety, follow a recipe, create a grocery list, go shopping and most of all they learned how to prepare healthy foods independently.
We are thrilled to announce the opening of Smile Farms 9th campus: Smile Farms at Constructive Partnerships Unlimited!
Local Artist, Josue Mendez painted a mural at CPU/The Cora Hoffman Center. He is an active member of Staten Island's Giving Circle and recently volunteered his time and talent to paint a mural of a butterfly for our MOVE program. The butterfly is the logo of MOVE and signifies the transformation people go through when they participate in MOVE.
The Cora Hoffman Center is very thankful to the Giving Circle for honoring our staff today in such a beautiful way as well as for contributing so much to our staff and to the people we serve. The Giving Circle is a circle of people who give to others; their main goal is to help others.
The Good Neighbor Organics program, located at our day program in Staten Island, The Cora Hoffman Center, have partnered with Smile Farms. We have developed a joint project in growing hot red peppers on site. Once harvested, they would be utilized for a boutique hot pepper sauce developed by Smile Farms. Our Day Hab individuals will have a unique opportunity to work on this process with Smile Farms and acquire skills needed to meet the challenges in the workplace. We are literally “growing” together.
The Good Neighbor Organics program, located at our day program in Staten Island at the Cora Hoffman Center, was originally preparing to develop a joint project in growing peppers on site. Once harvested, they would be utilized for a boutique hot pepper sauce developed by Smile Farms with the support of Brooklyn Grange horticulturists and our day habilitation participants.
Constructive Partnerships Unlimited (Formerly Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State)
40 Rector Street, 15th Floor New York, NY 10006
