2023 June Newsletter

Greetings from Our Executive Director

We are starting our June news update with so many exciting events for CIDA families! CIDA has invited NYS OPWDD for the housing presentation. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the comprehensive information about various housing options available for adults with developmental disabilities. The workshop will be held on June 16 and 30. Please attend both sessions if you are individuals with a developmental disability or a family member.

CoSpire, CIDA’s work readiness program, will complete its second cohort training soon with great outcomes. The next work readiness program will begin in the middle of August. CIDA is also preparing an Annual Gala in October with a special guest! Please stay tuned for more information!

Young Seh Bae, Ph.D.
Executive Director

What’s Up at CIDA

 IMPORTANT!!   NYS OPWDD Housing Workshop – 2-Day Series

CIDA invites OPWDD to present comprehensive information on housing opportunities for persons with intellectual & developmental disabilities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the various housing opportunities available throughout New York State. The presentation has two parts:

• Workshop Day 1 (June 16, 1pm-3pm) : Types of Housing, Shared Living, Planning for a Change in Housing and OPWDD Housing Subsidies and Transition Stipends
• Workshop Day 2 (June 30, 1pm- 3pm) Finding Affordable Housing, Accessing Residential Services in a facility certified or operated by OPWDD

Workshops will be interpreted in Korean and Mandarin.

CIDA Summer Picnic with Solomon Agency

We are excited to invite CIDA families to the Summer picnic at Alley Pond Park. Solomon Agency is sponsoring and volunteering for this event with food, fun activities and gift bags. We hope all families have a good time and make fun memories. We also thank Solomon for their generous gifts and volunteerism!

CoSpire’s Thrift Shop was a great success!

CoSpire opened the 2023 Spring Thrift Shop on May 26 and 27 and it was a great success. We appreciate all families who donated and shopped at our Thrift Shop. The goal of the Thrift Shop was to create an opportunity for our job trainees at CoSpire to experience a real-life retail business. In this Thrift Shop event, the members raised $1,100 with the support of many people. CoSpire members will make a collective decision on how this money will be used.

CIDA offers the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program!

We are very excited to announce that CIDA has been approved to offer volunteer hours as credit for the President’s Volunteer Service Award Program. The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an opportunity to honor our most outstanding volunteers and recognize the impact they make. We will offer various volunteer opportunities including assisting individuals with disabilities, social media management, and art programming.

Please register using the following link. The details of each volunteer opportunity will be sent out to those who register. (Registration link) https://forms.gle/fwBKVhPSWQeQRXg4A

2023 Self Determination Academy

Our annual youth program, Self-Determination Academy, is back again this year!
The program will start on June 29-30, 2023. Self Determination Academy invites high school students with disabilities to identify their strengths, advocate their transition goals and plan for life after high school. This is a small class size program, and seats fill up quickly. The registration link will be provided soon.

Be Ready for our Annual Art Festival, “Color the World”

CIDA’s Annual Art Festival is coming soon. The theme of the 2023 Art Contest is “Color the World” to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the CIDA community and our young artists’ unique visions and imaginations. This year, art contestants can submit their completed arts to CIDA Community Center between August 17 and 21. The award ceremony and art exhibition will be held at St. John’s University in September. Please stay tuned for more information!

Events