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From left, Deb Thivierge, Katie Padgett, Jason Harris and Greta Guarton. Photo courtesy ELIJA Foundation

ELIJA — known as Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism — is launching Woof Wednesday at its new ELIJA Farm marketplace. Every Wednesday, the marketplace will feature handcrafted dog biscuits made at the ELIJA Farm in Huntington Station. Sales from these biscuits will support autism services and aid for people experiencing homelessness in Nassau and Suffolk counties. In collaboration with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, this initiative highlights the impact of pets on our lives and serves our communities.

Katie Padgett and Jason Harris holding dog biscuit packages. Photo courtesy ELIJA Foundation

The initiative, created by Katie Padgett, 21, and Jason Harris, 25, both Long Island residents, was enthusiastically adopted by Deb Thivierge, ELIJA’s CEO and executive director, with support from ELIJA Farm’s baker, Kelly Saphire.

The treats, made with natural ingredients such as oats, peanut butter and pumpkin puree, cost $10 per bag of 30. Out of the proceeds, 50% will go to ELIJA Farm, and the other 50% will be donated to Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. Treats can be purchased at the ELIJA Farm marketplace at 43 Foxhurst Road, South Huntington, while supplies last, or preordered through the ELIJA Farm website. Orders for pickup must be placed by Monday for the following Wednesday.

Padgett and Harris, who met about a year ago and share a passion for helping others, created Woof Wednesday to support their communities. Padgett said, “You won’t only be giving dogs delicious treats, you’ll also be funding educational opportunities for people on the autism spectrum and assisting those affected by homelessness. Every little bit counts.”

With support from Woof Wednesday, Long Island Coalition for the Homeless aims to expand its offerings through its “Boutique,” which provides clothing, essential items, nonperishable food, toiletries and housewares to individuals exiting homelessness or at risk. The coalition hopes to extend its outreach beyond the 6,000 individuals and families it currently serves annually.

“I love the idea that Katie and Jason came up with to further our commitment to making a meaningful difference in both human and canine lives,” Thivierge said. “We are excited to support our clients living with autism and help the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless through their Boutique initiative. This is just the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Greta Guarton, executive director of the coalition, added, “I want to thank Katie, Jason, Deb and ELIJA Farm for this amazing opportunity. People with disabilities, including those with autism, are at greater risk of homelessness. Often, people who are homeless and have pets avoid shelters because animals are not permitted. This partnership draws attention to the issues impacting our diverse communities.”

For more information or to pre order, visit the ELIJA Farm website at www.elijafarm.org/events or email [email protected]. For more on the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, visit www.addressthehomeless.org.

ELIJA (Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism) officially opened its marketplace at ELIJA Farm, paving the way to employment and a pathway to adulthood for individuals with autism.

The marketplace will be staffed by individuals with autism, that ELIJA hires from funds raised during its Pave the Way to Employment campaign, which will continue through Mother’s Day. This exciting new venture will increase and enrich vocational training beyond current farming operations. Employees will learn how to prepare and store food, develop customer service and learn other skills that will get them ready for future work opportunities and assist them with living independently.

ELIJA Founder and CEO Deb Thivierge led the ribbon cutting, and was joined by ELIJA Board President Joann Scanlon, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr., New York State Senator Mario Mattera and Assemblyman Steve Stern, Suffolk County Legislators Steve Flotteron, Rebecca Sanin and Tom Donnelly, Huntington Town Clerk Andrew Raia, Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, Huntington Deputy Town Supervisor John McCarron, and Kelly Smith on behalf of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce. Also in attendance were representatives from the offices of District Attorney Ray Tierney, Congressmen Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino, and Huntington Councilwoman Theresa Mari.

A press conference to recognize and celebrate April as Autism Acceptance, Awareness and Action month, immediately followed, with remarks delivered from Thivierge and her son Jason, a 25-year old with autism that inspired ELIJA, County Executive Romaine, Sheriff Toulon and Legislator Donnelly.

In addition to creating meaningful employment opportunities, ELIJA prides itself on supporting individuals with autism throughout their lifespan and educating persons responsible for their care.

The ELIJA Foundation and ELIJA’s Transitional Programs and Services (TPS) will be hosting an inaugural conference on pathways to independence for individuals with autism, at Hofstra University on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. A network of experts will connect families for housing and employment initiatives, and talk about a variety of topics, including but not limited to transition processes, self-direction, housing, special needs trusts, and guardianship.

If you are an advocate, educator, agency, school professional, family member or other individual, navigating the pathway from school services to adulthood, then this conference is for you!

To register now or to learn more about the conference presenters, please visit: https://www.elija.org/events/view/A-Pathway-To-Adulthood-Using-Self-Direction-Transitioning-To-Independence-2024-05-11/.

“We are chipping away at the estimated 80% unemployment rate amongst individuals with autism, one person at a time,” said Debora Thivierge, Founder and CEO of ELIJA. “We all play a vital role throughout their lifespan, helping them to develop skills and preparing them for adulthood, so they can live independently.”

ELIJA Farm is located at 43 Foxhurst Road in South Huntington. For more information, call (631) 423-2379 or visit www.elijafarm.org.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Michael Kessler embrace at a press conference on April 19. Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

By Iryna Shkurhan

Advocates, lawmakers, developers and tenants gathered at ELIJA Farm in South Huntington on Monday morning to announce new inclusive housing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) reported that an additional $10 million in funding will go to the development of 10 new housing units in Riverhead through the county’s inclusive housing pilot program.

“We’ve now funded more inclusive housing units in Suffolk County than we have seen in the state,” Bellone said. 

He first announced a pilot program in 2019 to fund projects designed to meet the regional need to develop new housing opportunities. After a successful trial run that saw a necessary demand, the program will now be permanent. A sum of $2.5 million dollars will be allocated every year for the next four years to fund inclusive housing projects for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

The announcement came during Autism Acceptance Month, which Debora Thivierge, executive director and founder of The ELIJA Foundation, called “Autism Action Month.” It also falls under Fair Housing Month, celebrated every April. 

Thivierge founded ELIJA Farm as a nonprofit project in 2016. The farm’s Community Supported Agriculture program offers methodical opportunities for diverse populations and integrates members into the life and community of the farm. 

“For us its original purpose was to empower Long Island’s journey through autism and today couldn’t be a more significant day to kind of mark that mission,” Thivierge said at a press conference in Huntington last week. 

According to the New York Housing Resource Center, there are more than 25,000 adults in Suffolk County with intellectual or developmental disabilities and 63% of them live with family caregivers. Of those caregivers, 25% are over the age of 60.

Ten units in Riverhead were completed earlier this year and are now fully occupied by individuals eligible to receive services through the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. 

Gateway Plaza, developed by G2D Group, was bought as a 64-unit apartment building in Huntington Station. Part of those units will be devoted to people on the autism spectrum. 

It is the only apartment building in Huntington with a doorman and its ground floor has about 14,000 feet of commercial space.

“We’re doing everything we can so that all the individuals in our community and across our country have the opportunity to live their best lives, to reach their full potential and that they have equal opportunity to do so,” Bellone said.

Developers believe that the quality of life will be much better for these individuals if they live in an accessible and walkable area of town. With opportunities even on the first floor, residents will be exposed to integration efforts as opposed to living in a remote place and being isolated from their community. 

Jason Harris, 22-year-old son of Thivierge and self-advocate moved to one of the Huntington units in February. 

“It’s been the greatest experience I’ve had so far, and it feels like I have my independence,” he said. “But I’m not feeling alone.”

The ground floor will have a cafe and office space where residents will have an opportunity to work and be integrated in the community as well as the commercial side of Gateway Plaza. 

“This is a game changer for people with autism, and intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Patricia Calandra, master housing navigator at the New York Housing Resource Center. “We are so grateful to be able to start this bigger, better model of acceptance and inclusion for our loved ones in the local community.”

Calandra is the mother of Joey and Jenna, who are both on the autism spectrum, and have lived independently in a community apartment complex in Coram for the last four years. 

She mentioned all the ways her adult children have gained independence and a sense of community from living alone, despite their disabilities. They’ve built relationships with neighbors, taken on work opportunities in the community, and gained the confidence to get out of their comfort zone and venture out on their own, she said. 

“Autism Awareness Month is now Autism Acceptance Month,” Thivierge added. “And ELIJA really feels that it’s ‘Autism Action Month’ because we have to start doing things that are really going to make change.”