Highlights 2025
- CEO Message
- Upcoming Event: Rally in the Valley
- So Much Good Happens Here Video
- Early Childhood Graduation/Summer
- IGNITE Mentorship Success
- Recaps and Highlights
- Watch the 2025 Virtual Gala
- Become a Monthly Sustainer
A Message from Randi Rios-Castro
Happy Holidays!! As we come to the close of another remarkable year at Jawonio, I am filled with deep gratitude and pride for all that we have accomplished together. This year reminded us of the power of community and collective action.
Our Rally in the Valley at the NY Boulders Stadium brought more than 2000 voices from every corner of New York State together in a powerful way, amplifying awareness, strengthening partnerships, and reinforcing our shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and opportunity for the people we serve. We continued to move forward with innovation and purpose.
The growth of our MOVE Program expanded access to meaningful services and empowered individuals to take confident steps toward greater independence. Our mental health peer-based recovery program continued to offer connection and hope on their recovery journey with dignity and compassion. Our PROS program will also be moving into a new home in the fall of 2026. Our new PROS building is a transformative space that will expand behavioral health services and create new pathways to recovery and wellness.
Across our programs, we continue to change lives every day. Our Day Services Staff in both Rockland and Westchester provided supports with excellence and impact. through site-based programs and throughout the communities we serve. In Yonkers, we hosted a first-ever family engagement celebration bringing together Day Services participants and families to celebrate the extraordinary dedication of our staff and the impact of these programs.
A continued success and true treasure in the community, Brick It Again remains a powerful expression of our mission. Through its focus on vocational training and employment skill development, Brick It Again continues it’s tremendous retail success, while at the same time creates meaningful opportunities while promoting sustainability and inclusion. This impact was further amplified by Brickapalooza, a joyful community event that brought people together and shined a spotlight on the creativity, talent, and purpose behind the program.
From employment services that promote opportunity and purpose, to residential programs that provide stability and dignity, to care management and our Social Care Network that ensure coordinated, person-centered support—our teams meet people where they are and help them thrive.
Our Early Intervention and Preschool programs laid strong foundations for our youngest learners and their families, while our Summer Program created moments of joy, growth, and connection during this magical 6 weeks.
And just this month, one of the biggest highlights of the year was our annual Jawonio Foundation Gala, which featured the incredible work of our staff, the individuals we support and families through truly touching stories. Our livestream gala also brought our community together in honoring Pat and Anne Byrne, Donna Silberman and Tiffany Mason. If you haven’t seen the gala, you can watch it by clicking on the gala section below. We also wish to thank more than 570 donors who helped us to raise more than $260,000 dollars this year which will provide more opportunities for the people we support.
None of this would be possible without our dedicated staff, committed Board of Directors, generous donors, and trusted community partners. Your belief in Jawonio fuels everything we do. As we look ahead to the new year, we do so with optimism, momentum, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child, teen and adult has the opportunity to thrive.
Finally, I want to wish everyone a joyous and happy holiday season and a safe and healthy New Year! Thank you for being part of the Jawonio community and for standing with us every step of the way.
With Gratitude,
Find Out Why So Much Good Happens Here
UPCOMING EVENT - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Rally in the Valley 2026 – We are RALLY READY for it!
Please join us and thousands of advocates for this critical event. Join more than 30 sister agencies fighting for our future, our staff and the people each of our organizations support.
Recaps and Highlights Q4
Advocacy: Rally in the Valley
The Jawonio Rally in the Valley in March, brought together more than 2000 advocates from across New York State to send a clear message to federal and state leaders that provide sustainable funding, living wages to support staff, and policies that reflect
disability rights are human rights.
Reminder – March 13, 2026, Rally in the Valley Rockland Community College 11am.
MOVE Program
The MOVE Program at Jawonio empowers individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to build independence & confidence. By focusing on mobility, vocational exploration, social connection, and personal growth, the program allows individuals to stand, rise up and literally take steps.
Watch our MOVE Program in action HERE
Our Youngest Generation
Graduating from Jawonio’s Early Intervention and Preschool programs is a momentous milestone for children, families, teachers and clinicians alike. For the children, it marks a celebration of growth, learning, and new beginnings as they move confidently to the next stage of their educational journey. For families, it’s a joyful acknowledgment of their child’s progress and the nurturing, and caring partnership with our dedicated team.
A beautiful culmination of guidance, support, and encouragement for each child to be inspired to reach their highest potential
More Graduation News
2025 also saw the development and implementation of the IGNITE program — the new and powerful six-month mentorship program. IGNITE: Inspiring Growth, Nurturing Impact, Transforming Excellence The goal is to identify emerging leaders at Jawonio who will strengthen cross-departmental connections and provide pathways to invest in the professional growth of each member. Each monthly session was experiential and interactive, sharing mission moments in collaborative and authentic sessions. Thank you to Sara Trowers, Chief Program Officer for designing this inspirational initiative and congratulations to our first graduating class!
Brick-A-Palooza
BrickApalooza was a high-energy, community-powered celebration that brought people together around creativity, connection, and purpose. With more than 1,000 people in attendance, the event powerfully amplified the impact of the Jawonio Brick It Again Store, shining a spotlight on its mission to build vocational, employment, and life skills through creativity and teamwork. Featuring hands-on LEGO® builds, interactive activities, and joyful moments for all ages, BrickApalooza was more than an event—it was a vibrant celebration of inclusion and community connection.
Jawonio Art Exhibit
The Rockland Industrial Development Agency proudly hosted a Jawonio Art Exhibit celebrating the extraordinary talents of artists from our Day Services, PROS, and Care Management programs. This beautiful showcase was a powerful example of community inclusion in action, highlighting creativity, self-expression, and the importance of creating spaces where everyone’s voice and vision are valued. We are deeply grateful to Steve Porath and his team at the Rockland IDA for their partnership, hospitality, and commitment to uplifting the talents and contributions of the people we serve.
Last Minute Holiday Shopping? Something fun for the New Year
Think Jawonio Merch!
Powered by the Jawonio Foundation, here is a fun and meaningful way to show your pride while helping advance our mission. Our high quality items include: apparel, accessories, and holiday cards that reflect Jawonio’s spirit and purpose. Shopping the merch store not only lets you wear your “fit” with style, it also directly benefits the programs and services that empower individuals with disabilities across the Hudson Valley. Shop now, give the gifts that keep on giving HERE.
CP State Award Winners 2025
We were thrilled to celebrate our four honorees this year at the CP State Awards Dinner in Saratoga this past October. Congratulations again, to our 2025 outstanding staff members: Judy Florsheim, School Psychologist; Maggie Lindor, Multi-site Supervisor, Community Living Services; Susan MacKay, Employment Counselor, Community Employment Services; and Tamara Salmon, Program Director, Day Habilitation Services, Yonkers.
We are so proud of your dedication, compassion and hard work on behalf of the individuals
you support every day.
Wellness and Innovation: Jawonio Sensory Rooms
Our new Snoezelen Rooms provide calming, multi-sensory environments designed to support regulation, relaxation, and engagement for the both our children and adults. These thoughtfully designed spaces offer gentle lighting, soothing sounds, and tactile experiences that meet people where they are and support learning and growth. Thank you to former Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski for the funding the new room in our preschool.
(Left pic) Randi joined Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, staff, families and participants to “cut the ribbon” on the new Snoezelen Sensory Room in Yonkers. The equipment and room development was made possible by a grant from the Senator. (Right pic) We are also thrilled to have secured funding from former Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick for our Early Intervention program.
We thank all of our government partners past, and present for these special enhancements.
Fun for All:
The Rockland County Department of Mental Health Community Recreation Grant
Thanks to a generous grant from the Rockland County Department of Mental Health, individuals aged 18 and up who are OPWDD-eligible have been able to participate in engaging, social, and monthly recreational events. From bowling nights and holiday parties to dances, bingo, and many more activities, these events have provided meaningful opportunities for connection, fun, and community engagement. Attended not only by participants from Jawonio, but also from our sister agencies and the broader community, these programs have fostered inclusion, friendship, and a sense of belonging for all involved. The program activities continue through March, 2026.
The Jawonio Foundation 6th Annual Gala
If you haven’t watched the gala or viewed our digital journal, please view where the magic happens for our 6th Annual Gala HERE
We were so proud to have honored Friends Award recipients:
Anne and Pat Byrne and Donna Silberman, Rockland County Clerk
and to Tiffany Mason, our 1st Annual Sandy Sewell Self-Advocacy Award recipient.
Cole's Smile Says It All
Be the reason someone smiles today, with your monthly gift.
For just $15/month ($180 annually), you can support the Jawonio Foundation and make an immediate impact providing resources for social, creative arts, recreational and community-based activities for our children and adults. Sustainers receive a branded thank-you gift at the $30/month level and above. |
Now more than ever, especially since we are facing difficult cuts from the federal government, we need your support.
