News & Events
News|1.23.20
The Art of Bird Watching With Ms. Dore
Whether heading out with a pair of binoculars to bird watch in front of the school or combining state-of-the-art technology and historic methods of stone polishing to create jewelry from stones found on a Queens beach, Dorreta Poris’s art class at the Phyllis L. Susser School for Exceptional Children is anything but typical.
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News|1.21.20
OPEN HOUSES: SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAM AT SPRINGFIELD GARDENS EDUCATION CENTER
Come visit our new school-age program and sit down with the Birch Team to discuss what we can offer, such as Small class ratios, smartboards, iPads, sensory materials, full-sized gym, separate lunch room, full-time nurse, and the following related services.
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News|1.16.20
Safety First: Shamaine Bernard Keeps Her Cool in a Tense Situation
When a bomb scare stops traffic right outside her door, the manager for Birch Family Services Queens Day Hab Program keeps the focus on the safety of her staff and the people they support.
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News|1.2.20
A Season of Giving at Our Pelham Bay Early Childhood Center
Students, families, and staff at Birch Family Services' Pelham Bay Early Childhood Center (PBECC) in the Bronx learned first hand what the Spirit of Giving is all about -- with a little help from the St. Theresa's School, Kris Kringle, and the United States Marine Corps.
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News|12.19.19
Matt Sturiale Recognized as One of City & State New York’s Responsible 100 Leaders
We’re thrilled to announce that Birch Family Services President & CEO Matt Sturiale has been named to City & State New York’s Responsible 100 list .
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News|12.17.19
Home Comes to Luis for the Holidays
When Luis became too sick to attend last year’s holiday party at his residence in Washington Heights, his friends made sure the party came to him.
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News|12.16.19
Susser School Science Fair: A Great Time Asking the Great Questions
Last week, students at Birch Family Services' Phyllis L. Susser School for Exceptional Children participated in the Flushing, Queens-based program's annual Science Fair.
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News|12.10.19
Meet Kayden, a Kid Who Is Full of Surprises
With support from Birch Family Services Special Education Preschool program, this new kindergartener on the autism spectrum transitioned to a general education public school classroom at his local public school.
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News|12.9.19
Birch Family Services Fall Food Drive Supports School Communities
Birch Family Services’ recent Fall Food Drive provided a bounty for New York City students and their families over the Thanksgiving holiday.
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News|12.3.19
Giving Tuesday: Dylan's Story
Meet Dylan, a nineteen-year-old student at Birch Family Services' Phyllis L. Susser School for Exceptional Children with multiple diagnoses who never fails to bring a smile that lights up a room.
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News|11.26.19
Jason's Story
While he completes his degree, Jason, who is on the autism spectrum, works as a sales associate three to four days a week at Uniqlo in midtown Manhattan, a position he was able to acquire and keep with the support of his job coaches Deborah and Juliette at Birch Family Services’ New Frontier program.
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News|11.22.19
Now Accepting Applications: Springfield Gardens Education Center School-Age Program
Our school-age program for children ages 5-11 focuses on the development of students’ abilities and uses a strengths-based approach in a supportive environment.
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News|11.19.19
Support Birch Family Services Through AmazonSmile!
Put a smile on your face and help Birch Family Services empower people with autism and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives when you shop on AmazonSmile!
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News|11.15.19
Match Game: Lloyds Bank and New Frontier Continue Mentorship Program
Since 2017, volunteers from Lloyds Bank have partnered with the Birch Family Services New Frontier program to provide valuable interviewing skills and workplace-readiness advice to young adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
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News|11.12.19
There's Still Time to Contribute and Make a Difference!
The 7th annual Birch Family Services 5K Halloween Fun Run and Walk was an amazing success, but much remains to be done. That’s why we’re still accepting contributions until Friday, November 15!
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News|11.8.19
Birch Family Services in the News: Read for the Record at Pelham Bay Early Childhood Center
News 12 New York was on the scene at Birch's Pelham Bay Early Childhood Center in the Bronx yesterday morning to capture the program's Read for the Record festivities, just one of the many held at all of our nine early childhood and school age education programs.
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News|11.7.19
Read for the Record, Birch Family Services Style
Every year, Birch staff, Board members, friends, and volunteers have a blast participating in Jumpstart's Read for the Record. This year was no exception!
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News|11.6.19
Birch Family Services Expands Board of Directors
Justin Bachman, Sameer Gadre and Nicholas X. Jerez Bring considerable nonprofit marketing and financial expertise to the organization.
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News|11.1.19
Eye of Newt, Dash of Cute
Students around Birch Family Services's Early Childhood Education and School-Age programs celebrated Halloween and the harvest moon with a whole lot of fun and just enough scary.
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News|10.31.19
The Power of Reading with One Voice
VOLUNTEER AT BIRCH: Each year, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record brings together millions of adults and children around the world each year to read the same book on the same day in order to raise awareness about the critical importance of early literacy.
Read MoreNews|10.30.19
When It Rains It Pours: Thank You for an Overwhelming Success!
This year's Birch Family Services 5K Halloween Fun Run and Family Day raised more unrestricted funds than any of our previous 5Ks, exceeding our goal of $100,000 and all of our wildest expectations.
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News|10.23.19
Paint, Sip, and Repeat: All for a Good Cause
Birch's own Nicole Hilalgo hosted a wine glass painting party in Brooklyn in support of the 7th Annual Birch Family Services 5K Run and Family Day to be held on Sunday, October 27th in Manhattan's Hudson River Park.
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News|10.22.19
Corporate Advisory Network: Update
Today, CAN members are engaged at various levels from securing “buy-in” for supporting employees with disabilities at their companies to considering volunteer or paid internships to creating full-time job opportunities to significantly impact the lives of young adults we support through our employment programs.
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News|10.21.19
Autumn Mix
Residents from our 53rd Street house getting into the season on Saturday at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Harvest Festival.
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News|10.18.19
Jumpstart's Read for the Record: 'Thank You, Omu!'
Each year, Jumpstart's Read for the Record brings together millions of adults and children around the world each year to read the same book on the same day in order to raise awareness about the critical importance of early literacy.
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News|10.2.19
October Is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month was enacted in 1945 by Congress to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities and highlight the fact that many Americans with disabilities are capable of making meaningful contributions to the workforce.
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News|10.1.19
Job Interviewing 101: Virtu Financial and the New Frontier
Acing the interview is essential for anyone searching for a new job. While a strong resume may spark an employer’s
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News|9.23.19
A Boonoonoonous Morning
Award-winning Jamaican-Canadian author Olive Senior and acclaimed Bronx illustrator Laura James visited preschoolers at Birch's Soundview Early Childhood Center to read from their books critically acclaimed children's books.
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News|9.17.19
Volunteers Needed for 7th annual Birch Family Services 5K Halloween Fun Run and Walk
We are seeking volunteers to help manage specific Race Day task as we raise critical funds to support children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities!
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News|9.9.19
2019 DSP Recognition Week: Embracing the Core Competencies
Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This is what a Direct Support Professional does every day. Every time you embrace one of the Core Competencies you are living your most authentic life by serving others.
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News|9.8.19
National Direct Support Professionals Week - A Message from Matt Sturiale, President and CEO
September 8-14, 2019 is National Direct Support Professionals Week. This is part of a national movement to bring attention to the critical role of DSPs supporting individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to lead the lives that they want as contributing members of their communities.
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News|8.12.19
There's No Place Like (a Newly Renovated) Home
It's been a long six months of hotel living, but after six months of renovations, the folks from Birch's 183rd Street residence in the Bronx are happy to be home!
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News|8.8.19
Chain Reactions: Integrating STEM to Encourage Creativity and Problem Solving in Early Childhood Education
Recently, Birch Workforce Training and Development Coordinator Margaret Chiara conducted a workshop devoted to incorporating STEM-based learning across early childhood curriculum.
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News|8.6.19
Run, Walk, and Celebrate at the 7th Annual Birch Family Services 5K Run and Family Day
We invite you to join us at this important event as individuals we support, their families, our staff, board members, and community partners run or walk to raise critical funds to support our mission of empowering people with autism and developmental disabilities lead fulfilling lives.
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News|7.30.19
New Frontier: Interacting with Law Enforcement
Yesterday at the July meeting of our New Frontier program's Monthly Employment Group, NYPD Sergeant Omar Velez paid a visit to our offices to discuss safety in the community, what to do if you find yourself in an unsafe environment or situation, and how to best to interact with law enforcement.
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News|7.29.19
Ms. JoAnn's House in Pelham Bay
Birch Family Services staff, board members, and friends joined about 800 others from the New York City disabilities community last night to celebrate the 2019 Sapolin Accessibility Awards.
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News|7.26.19
Birch at the 2019 Sapolin Accessibility Awards
Birch Family Services staff, board members, and friends joined about 800 others from the New York City disabilities community last night to celebrate the 2019 Sapolin Accessibility Awards.
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News|7.15.19
Birch at the 2019 NYC Disability Pride Parade
Since 2008, this dedicated and compassionate employee has worked tirelessly with students at the Riverdale Early Childhood Center in both our early childhood and structured teaching classrooms.
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News|6.17.19
Birch Community Services Annual BBQ
On Saturday, individuals from Birch’s Burnett Street, Flatlands, East 53rd Street, and 94th Street residences; staff; friends; and families turned out for music, games – and food – for the Birch Family Services annual BBQ at Canarsie Park in Brooklyn.
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News|5.28.19
Bierka Cornielle Brings Passion and Achievement to Birch Riverdale
Since 2008, this dedicated and compassionate employee has worked tirelessly with students at the Riverdale Early Childhood Center in both our early childhood and structured teaching classrooms.
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News|5.21.19
Birch's Gladys Tavares Burns the Midnight Oil
With nearly 25 years at Washington Heights Education Center, this Early Education teacher represents everything we aspire to at Birch Family Services.
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News|5.20.19
Birch Family Services Celebrates 44th Annual Spring Gala
On May 9, 2019, we came together at the Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan to celebrate our many achievements over the past year and to help build a meaningful future for the people and families that we support.
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News|5.17.19
Karen Esposito: Teacher, Mentor
This Mill Basin Early Childhood Center veteran and "life-long learner" eagerly shares what she's learned over 18 years of Special Education knowledge with her colleagues.
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News|5.14.19
Teacher Appreciation: A Letter from Zabir's Parents
The teacher and teaching assistants at Birch's Long Island City Early Childhood Education Center received a wonderful note from a
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News|4.22.19
Birch Family Services Announces 2019 Spring Gala Honorees
Join us on May 9 at the Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan, as We Honor Long-Time Friends and Supporters at our Annual Spring Gala: Empowering People. Building Futures.
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News|4.21.19
Corporate Advisory Network: Focus on Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
On April 16, guest speakers, Eric J. Felsberg, Esq. and Craig S. Roberts, Esq., of Jackson Lewis P.C., presented on Ensuring Successful Diversity and Inclusion Practices in the Workplace, with a focus on people with disabilities.
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News|4.5.19
‘Determined’ Jasmine Speaks Up and Moves Up
But it hasn’t always been easy for this “kind” and “determined” preschooler on the autism spectrum.
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News|4.2.19
Bridging Research and Clinical Practice in Language Instruction for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
This professional development training session offered both ASHA CEUs for Speech Therapists and CTLEs for Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and Educational Leaders.
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News|3.19.19
Join Birch Family Services at Our Spring Gala
During the evening, we will recognize individuals and organizations whose vision, leadership, and endeavors are central to our Gala focus — Empowering People. Building Futures.
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News|3.15.19
Springfield Gardens Renovations: Before and After
Before and After pictures of the much-needed renovations to our Springfield Gardens Education Center in Queens...
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News|3.11.19
What About Us: Birch CEO Calls for Cost of Living Adjustment at Manhattan DD Council Legislative Breakfast
Matt Sturiale called on the NYS Assembly and Senate to add to each of their house bills a 2.9% Cost of Living Adjustment to this year’s budget.
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News|3.5.19
Birch Family Services, Corporate Partners Kick Off Read Across America
Birch staff, families, board members, and volunteers from Lloyds Bank and Cooley LLP read their favorite Dr. Seuss books to students in honor of the beloved children’s writer’s birthday.
Read MoreNews|2.28.19
Ava's Turnaround
Since attending East Flatbush Early Childhood Center, Ava has shown a new enthusiasm for learning.
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News|2.18.19
Michael, the Budding Scientist
This school-age science leader helps younger classmates make the leap into the unknown.
Read MoreNews|2.15.19
Welcome From the CEO
President and CEO Matthew Sturiale welcomes visitors to the new Birch Family Services website.
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