Resilience in Focus

NEW YORK (DATE) — Birch Family Services, a leading provider of education and community support services for people with autism and developmental disabilities in New York City, will host its annual gala on November 10. The event will celebrate the resilience and accomplishments of the Birch Family Services community and honor the heroic frontline workers providing uninterrupted care and critical residential, educational, employment and community services to individuals and their families throughout the pandemic.

“This year has been a challenging one for us all, but the Birch Family Services community has come through stronger than ever,” said Matt Sturiale, President & CEO, Birch Family Services. “This is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible strides our children and adults with disabilities have made this year in achieving their goals while honoring the essential workers — our frontline staff members — who have been supporting them every step of the way. Throughout the pandemic, this group of essential workers have been teaching in our classrooms, providing training and support in our residences, keeping individuals safe and engaged, helping people get back to work, and maintaining a sense of normalcy for our individuals and their families. We salute them and celebrate their dedication and resilience.”

Since its inception as one of the city’s first not for profit special education schools over 45 years ago, Birch Family Services has helped establish innovative programs and practices that have dramatically improved the quality of life and success of people with disabilities in New York. The organization is dedicated to not only fighting for the fundamental rights of people with disabilities but also for their long-term educational, professional, social and emotional success and well-being. Today, Birch Family Services supports more than 2,000 individuals and their families across more than 30 schools, group homes, employment and day habilitation programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

On November 10 at 6:00 pm Birch Family Services will host its annual gala at The Press Lounge in Manhattan. Throughout the evening, Birch Family Services will recognize and celebrate the various individuals and corporations whose vision, leadership and actions are central to the 2021 Gala theme — “Resilience in Focus.”

The Birch Family Services Voices of Hope Award will be presented to TD Bank for its steadfast support to empowering people with autism and developmental disabilities. Accepting the award is TD Bank Senior Vice President, George Andreozzi. George has been a key supporter and participant of the organization’s Corporate Advisory Network, a community of New York City companies dedicated to
diversity and inclusion advancement in the workplace. George has also assisted multiple individuals in finding meaningful employment opportunities through the Birch Family Services New Frontier program. The Heroes Award will be presented to the outstanding frontline staff of Birch Family Services who put the needs of those they support first and are champions in helping people reach their fullest potential.

The organization welcomes all members of the community to join the celebration and support Birch Family Services educational, employment and social support programs. The Resilience in Focus Gala will be hosted in accordance with all New York City COVID-19 safety guidelines. For more information and to make a donation, please visit www.birchfamilyservices.org/gala/. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

About Birch Family Services
Birch Family Services empowers individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. From preschool to graduation, employment and beyond, Birch Family Services offers fully integrated programs to support individuals in achieving their goals throughout their lifetime. For over 45 years, Birch Family Services has been a leading provider of education, employment, and residential programs in New York. Every year, the organization supports more than 2,000 people with disabilities across 30 locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. For more information, visit www.birchfamilyservices.org.

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