Northeast Center for Special Care Named 2005 Employer of the Year

Northeast Center for Special Care, a state-of-art rehabilitation program located in lake Katrine, NY was named 2005 Employer of the Year for its work in hiring individuals with disabilities.

(PRWEB) July 5, 2005 -- Gateway Community Industries has named as its 2005 Employer of the Year Northeast Center for Special Care. Gateway Community Industries is a leading agency providing vocational, residential and business services to individuals with disabilities in Ulster and Dutchess County, NY USA.

New York State Senator John J. Bonacic, has also awarded a Certificate of Merit to Northeast Center for Special Care, for it's collaborative work with Gateway Community Industries in providing internship and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Gateway representatives made the presentation of both awards to Northeast Center for Special Care at a ceremony held at Gateway's headquarters on Thursday, June 24, 2005. The awards were presented by Francoise Dunefsky, CEO, William Harper, Senior Vice President for Consumer Services and Beverly Perlman, Employment Services Manager. Ann Belcher, CEO, received the award on behalf of Northeast Center with Joseph Merante, Director of Food Service, Patricia Ricks, RD, Assistant Food Service Director, Kari English, Human Resources Director and Joanne Ligouri, RN, Family Advocate, all of Northeast Center who were in attendance at the presentation representing the four hundred and eighty staff members of the Center.

In 2003, Northeast Center for Special Care initiated an internship to work program in cooperation with Gateway. Since then individuals with Disabilities have participated in a twelve-week internship program at Northeast Center with job coach supports. At the end of the internship participants could elect to apply for a position at Northeast Center. A number of participants have become permanent Northeast Center employees. Over the years Northeast Center for Special Care has been proactive in hiring individuals with disabilities in nursing, clinical and general support staff. A celebration for Northeast Center staff was held on Thursday June 30, 2005 to thank them for their contribution to help make this program successful.

Northeast Center for Special Care is a state-of-art rehabilitation program for individuals with brain injury, neurobehavioral disorders, spinal cord injury, and ventilator dependency. Established in 1999, it is located on a lovely thirty-nine acre campus in Lake Katrine, NY. The mission of Northeast Center for Special Care is rehabilitation, recovery and community reentry for individuals with disabilities. Since its inception, hundreds of individuals have "graduated" from its programs and have moved on to integrated settings in their communities. Among its many accomplishments, the ventilator weaning program has earned great distinction for the Center's success in weaning individuals off of ventilators.

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