Our Mission is to provide services that facilitate an Independent and
Productive Life Experience for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
including Mental Retardation and Autism.
Beginning as Womens Organization for Retarded Children, WORC, a group of volunteers offered their time at the Willowbrook State School, an institutional setting for children and adults with developmental disabilities. In 1971, Vicki Schneps whose daughter resided in the Willowbrook State Institution met a dedicated and aggressive young journalist and together worked to expose the horror of Willowbrook. It was brought before the public eye through haunting images of abuse and neglect broadcast on the nightly news by Geraldo Rivera, an aggressive reporter, who opened the doors of Willowbrook in a comprehensive exposι.
Ms. Schneps was convinced that individuals such as her daughter needed a more nurturing home environment which could not be provided through institutional settings. She rallied her friends, political contacts and Geraldo Rivera to help advance the cause of people with developmental disabilities. WORC became known as Working Organization for Retarded Children and began educating the public to the needs of people with disabilities, working closely with Geraldo Rivera. Mr. Rivera began an organization, One to One, and lobbied for funding and better quality supports and services for these children. After many years of fund raising, meeting with community leaders and educating the public, a donation from One to One funded the down payment on the purchase of a home in Little Neck, Queens. This first group home in the Borough of Queens for individuals with mental retardation was opened in 1977. The residence was home to eight individuals who had all resided at the Willowbrook State School. The home was dedicated with a ribbon cutting and a plaque which read:
Ms. Schneps was convinced that individuals such as her daughter needed a more nurturing home environment which could not be provided through institutional settings. She rallied her friends, political contacts and Geraldo Rivera to help advance the cause of people with developmental disabilities. WORC became known as Working Organization for Retarded Children and began educating the public to the needs of people with disabilities, working closely with Geraldo Rivera. Mr. Rivera began an organization, One to One, and lobbied for funding and better quality supports and services for these children. After many years of fund raising, meeting with community leaders and educating the public, a donation from One to One funded the down payment on the purchase of a home in Little Neck, Queens. This first group home in the Borough of Queens for individuals with mental retardation was opened in 1977. The residence was home to eight individuals who had all resided at the Willowbrook State School. The home was dedicated with a ribbon cutting and a plaque which read:
WORC continued to develop new homes throughout the Borough of Queens and in many communities throughout Nassau-Suffolk counties on Long Island. In 2000, as we entered the new millennium, WORC began a multi-year long process of empowerment. At the request of our stakeholders we changed our name to Lifes WORC and we no longer identified the supports or services of the agency by a disability. The diversity of services and resources offered to the individuals and families we support continued to evolve to include, LifeLinks Day Habilitation, Art & Music Therapy for children with autism, Lifes Connections Through Music, At-Home Residential Habilitation and many other much needed Respite / Recreation Programs along with continued expansion in Residential Opportunities.
Responsibility to the Individuals We Support:
To live this value, staff must commit to placing the needs of the people the agency supports first and foremost in the work they do. Advocating and assisting in the personal life plan of every individual.
Quality:
To live this value, staff must consistently put forth maximum effort to achieve excellence. Strive to be go above and beyond expectations.
Creating and Maintaining A Team:
To live this value, staff must be equally vested in their co-workers success and create a fun, supportive place to work. Building and energizing a group of people who work for a common purpose and share a strong sense of community
Staff Development & Recognition:
To live this value, staff must share the responsibility of recognizing unique talents of each team member and support them in reaching their fullest potential. Supporting staff members in meeting their fullest potential.
Communication:
To live this value, staff must communicate respectfully in an honest manner, with genuine interest in reaching a mutual understanding. Effective and respectful exchange of information.
To live this value, staff must commit to placing the needs of the people the agency supports first and foremost in the work they do. Advocating and assisting in the personal life plan of every individual.
Quality:
To live this value, staff must consistently put forth maximum effort to achieve excellence. Strive to be go above and beyond expectations.
Creating and Maintaining A Team:
To live this value, staff must be equally vested in their co-workers success and create a fun, supportive place to work. Building and energizing a group of people who work for a common purpose and share a strong sense of community
Staff Development & Recognition:
To live this value, staff must share the responsibility of recognizing unique talents of each team member and support them in reaching their fullest potential. Supporting staff members in meeting their fullest potential.
Communication:
To live this value, staff must communicate respectfully in an honest manner, with genuine interest in reaching a mutual understanding. Effective and respectful exchange of information.
July 1977 Volumne 6, Issue 9
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1501 Franklin Avenue Garden City, New York 11530 (516) 741-9000
