The Center for Family Support, Inc.

10/30/2026

The Center for Family Support proudly participated in the 2026 NYDA In-District Legislative Engagement Challenge, closing out with an incredible 51 points!

Throughout the challenge, our DSPs and advocates got out into the community, visited legislative offices, participated in meetings, and connected with elected officials to raise awareness and advocate for the rights, inclusion, and opportunities of the individuals we support.

Thank you to all the Senators, Assemblymembers, legislative offices, and teams who welcomed us and took the time to engage with our advocates and staff. These connections are an important step toward building stronger partnerships and ensuring the voices of the IDD community are heard. We’re proud of our team’s dedication to advocacy and community engagement!

Below is the list of legislators and offices we engaged with throughout the challenge:
- Liz Krueger
- Joseph P. Addabbo
- Alex Bores
- Jose M. Serrano
- Carl E. Heastie
- Gustavo Rivera
- Amanda Septimo
- Tony Simone
- Khaleel M. Anderson
- Rebecca A. Seawright
- Kevin S. Parker

10/29/2026

Last month, we welcomed Anna Torres, a Brazilian children’s book author, artist, and musician, to CFS for a special workshop for individuals with developmental disabilities.

On September 10, Anna launched the English edition of her book The Autistic Cicada, along with its companion CD and animated short film, and she sang for everyone in the room. The story follows a cicada who is autistic, an artist, an ecologist, and an altruist, and who dreams of becoming a professional singer.

Inspired by her own family’s experience, Anna’s project carries a message we love: “The harmony of the world is exactly in our differences.”

Thank you, Anna, for sharing your story, your music, and your voices with our community! Thank you to the Marble Collegiate Church for helping us enable this workshop!

Read Anna’s Story Here: https://www.cfsny.org/singing-inclusion-into-the-world-meet-anna-torres/

10/27/2026

🏠 Discover a place to call home! Join us for an Open House Tour at one of our CFS residential homes. See how CFS provides safe, supportive, and welcoming homes that promote independence, community, and quality of life.

📍 Somerville, NJ: Wednesday, October 28
📍 Morristown, NJ: Thursday, October 29
📍 Port Monmouth, NJ: Monday, November 2
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at each location

During your tour, you’ll:
🏠 Tour a CFS residential home
👥 Meet our dedicated residential team
📋 Learn about individualized supports and services
🌱 Explore community engagement opportunities
🤝 Discuss current residential openings

Tours are by appointment only. Reserve your spot today by contacting Alba Schwarz at 201-468-1465 or [email protected].

10/21/2026

🗣️ Make your voice heard! Join and New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) for a rally to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities and the people who support them!📣

🗺️Location: New York State Capitol Building, War Room, 2nd Floor (State St. and Washington Ave), Albany, NY 12224
🗓️Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
⏱️Time: 11:00AM

‼️ RSVP to Join the CFS Contingent:

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM Location: New York State Capitol Building War Room, 2nd Floor State St. and Washington Ave Albany, NY 12224

10/20/2026

🗳️ You’re invited! Lunch & Learn webinar: What’s on the Ballot This Year?

Join the InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc. (IAC) and NYC Votes for everything you need to know before the general election.

📅 Thursday, October 29 at 12:00 PM
👥 All NYS voters and those supporting them. Not just for NYC!
📋 We’ll cover NYS voter rights, voter accessibility, how to vote, and a breakdown of what’s on the ballot, including the 5 NYC ballot proposals.

👉 Register here: https://iacny-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/d5C3IKUCSreL8hhJQxPMcQ

Please share with your families, staff, and community members!

📍 Voting in New Jersey? These resources can help:
✅ Disability Rights New Jersey: nonpartisan voting-rights education and help if you hit a barrier at the polls. Voter hotline: 866-493-0023 or [email protected]: https://disabilityrightsnj.org/how-we-help/areas-of-assistance/voting-and-census/
✅ NJ Division of Elections: voter rights, accessible polling places, and how to report accessibility concerns: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/voter-rights.shtml
✅ NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities: registering, finding your polling place, and learning about candidates: https://njcdd.org/voting-rights/
✅ The Boggs Center’s “Voting: It’s Your Right”: a clear-language guide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, available in English and Spanish: https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/resources/publications/voting-its-your-right

10/15/2026

🎭 Meet Jackie, one of our CFS Advocates, and a future star in the making! ✨
Jackie dreams of being a singer, songwriter, performer, and actor, and she’s already making it happen.🌞

Watch our short teaser, then join us next Thursday to see the full video at the 2026 CFS Awards Dinner: An Evening Together for Opportunity. 👇

Jackie’s story shows what becomes possible when people have the support and opportunity to pursue their dreams. Every ticket, sponsorship, and gift helps CFS create more opportunities like this for more than 1,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across NY and NJ. 💙

⏰ One week to go. This is your last chance for tickets!
📅 Thursday, October 22 | 6:00-10:00 PM
📍 Midtown Loft & Terrace, 267 Fifth Avenue, NYC
🎟️ Tickets, sponsorships, and donations: https://www.cfsny.org/dinner26/

10/14/2026

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month at CFS! 🎉

On October 8, the Center for Family Support hosted a workshop in honor of , and it was an inspiring day!

💼 Empowering Abilities at CFS
Our very own Tamiko Hill and Yolanda Rodriguez gave presentations on empowering abilities in the workplace and beyond.
⚖️ Right of the Month: The Right to Education and Work
Our advocate Jazmin Mixon led this month’s presentation, sharing her personal experiences and perspective on why these rights matter.
🛍️ Advocate Entrepreneurs
Two of our advocates showed off their creativity and business skills. Crystal sold her handmade beaded bracelets, and Kasheena sold her handmade keychains. Thank you both for sharing your talents with us!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event so special! 💙

10/13/2026

Standing ovation for Amoako! 👏🎶🎨

Musician and artist Amoako – who receives support from CFS’ Self-Direction program – was featured on CBS News New York as the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music opened its new Park Slope campus and Music Therapy Institute. The expansion is expected to bring music therapy to an additional 8,000 people. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso shared how moving the performance was for him as a parent of an autistic child. Amoako’s talent has taken him from the Met to the United Nations Headquarters Gallery, and we couldn’t be prouder of him!

▶️ Watch the segment: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/brooklyn-conservatory-music-therapy-services-nyc/
🎨 See Amoako's artwork: artistamoako.com and learn more about him!

The new 12,000-square-foot campus in Park Slope is expected to allow an additional 8,000 people to access music therapy and will also provide affordable studio space for musicians.

10/12/2026

Interested in exploring programs and resources designed to support individuals with disabilities of all ages? Join Massapequa High School's Special Education department and SEPTA for the Blueprint for Your Future Fair!

Learn more and register: https://grapegamersgames.my.canva.site/blueprint-for-your-future