FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM APRIL 20, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 23 Life’s WORC gets $25K grant to help people with developmental disabilities BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI [email protected] @smont76 A local nonprofi t that off ers services to more than 1,500 people with developmental FREE Eye Exam WITH PURCHASE OF COMPLETE PAIR OF GLASSES OR EYE EXAM ONLY – $25 (REG. $85) Dr Lee is here every Friday for Exams from 12-6pm COMPETITIVE PRICES 20% OFF ALL PURCHASES ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Varilux no-line bifocals �������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������ $170 ������������������������������������ �������������������� �������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ 2 Pairs of Eyeglasses (Frames & Lenses) $99 ������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������ �������������������� �������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ We Honor Most Competitor’s Coupons WE ARE A LOCAL FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS, NOT A CHAIN���������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ HUGE SELECTION! 50% OFF non-prescription sunglasses. Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� Clifford ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Optical 38-19 BELL BOULEVARD, BAYSIDE ������������������������������ OFFERING THE LOWEST PRICES ON CONTACT LENSES WINTER SAVINGS 10% OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only.�� Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount.�� Excludes Repairs, Re�� nishing, Rewiring. Exp. �������������� disabilities and autism received a major funding boost in Little Neck last week. Outside of the Life’s WORC Geraldo Rivera Residence on April 13, state Senator Tony Avella presented the nonprofi t group with a $25,000 grant. Th e funding will be used mainly for renovations at the organization’s four homes within the lawmaker’s district. “We’re so thankful to Senator Avella,” said Janet Koch, executive director of Life’s WORC. “Th ere’s tremendous wear and tear on the homes … so this money will go towards capital improvements.” “I know this funding will go to the upkeep of the building, which then, of course, helps the residents,” Avella said. Victoria Schneps, who founded the nonprofi t in 1971, said the Little Neck residence, which was the organization’s fi rst, almost didn’t exist. Aft er being sued in 1977 by a group of locals who said the nonprofi t was not within their legal rights to settle in a residential neighborhood, the organization won the fi ght and were able to off er a supportive home to individuals coming from the former Willowbrook State institution, where residents lived in deplorable conditions. “Th is was the fi rst home that was being planned for children with disabilities,” Schneps said. “And we went to court and we won the right to be in residential zones.” Th e residence is named for Rivera, who exposed the problems at Willowbrook State as a reporter for WABC-TV. Today, Life’s WORC operates multiple residential locations providing supportive homes to over 250 people, day programs, customized employment opportunities, family support and more. “It’s a beautiful place to work,” said Paulette James, an employee at Life’s WORC for 17 years. “You really have to love people to do this because there are all diff erent individuals here, so we have to be able to have patience and be loving and kind. We’re a caring company. We like to see that the individuals are taken care of a quality life.” To learn more about Life’s WORC, visit lifesworc.org. Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS State Senator Avella presents a $25,000 check to nonprofi t Life’s WORC.
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