PEARL RIVER, NY – Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presented a check for $40,000 to the Arc Rockland at the organization’s 26th annual “Taste of Rockland” fundraiser event Monday night. The funding, which the Senator secured in the 2021-22 state budget, will support the creation of a paved patio space for use by individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities attending the Day Habilitation programs at The Arc’s new Valley Cottage facility. The area will have seating and a space for individuals to garden.
State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “The Arc of Rockland fights for people who are too often overlooked and under-resourced, and they have been helping improve the quality of life for people in the intellectual and developmental disability community for decades.”
“When I went to Albany for my first legislative session and budget battle this year I knew I had to deliver for organizations like the Arc, which provide so much for some of our most vulnerable community members”, Reichlin-Melnick continued. “I was proud to negotiate a $40,000 line item in the New York State Budget that will go directly to improving facilities for the Arc Rockland to keep doing excellent work right here in our community.”
The Arc Rockland CEO Carmine Marchionda said, “The Arc Rockland was so excited to purchase the 210 Route 303 building in Valley Cottage in February of 2021, the future home of Arc’s new state-of-the-art day habilitation center. During the planning of the renovations, we determined that an outdoor patio, garden and recreation area was needed to enhance the lives of the people we support. Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick met with the Arc team and quickly offered his assistance in making the outdoor patio a reality. The Arc Rockland is so appreciative to the Senator and his team for providing a $40,000 legislative grant to make Arc’s dream come to fruition and looks forward to the Senator’s visit when the project is completed.”
Senator Reichlin-Melnick was first elected in November of 2020 and has served as State Senator for Clarkstown, Orangetown, Ramapo, and Ossining for only the past nine months.
The Arc Rockland was founded by a small group of dedicated parents in 1954, as the first non-profit organization of its kind in Rockland County. Today, The Arc Rockland provides supports and services to nearly 800 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and is a key resource for information and referral regarding supports and services throughout the county, state and country.