Welcome to the July 2021 TCFD Newsletter!
Friends,
Our expansive, successful work with the most medically complex individuals is impacting communities and disciplines far beyond our area.
In July, we educated people around the country about autism, stress, and emotional and mental wellness. We actively sought joy and found it – in the most natural of all places.
We learned how to S.M.I.L.E. again. And how infectious that can be!
Want to join us? Please take a look at some of our highlights from July:
Children’s Specialty Hospital Update
This coming fall, The Center will take a giant leap forward toward transforming the health and wellness of not only our complex residents and students, but all those across New York State and beyond.
We broke ground on the Children’s Specialty Hospital in early July with the support and participation of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer as well as local and state representatives. Later on that same month – the bid was awarded to begin construction.
As the details of the construction timeline are ironed out, please spread the word with family, friends and business associates. Our goal for this first-of-its-kind Specialty Hospital is to help individuals and their families in ways simply not possible within a traditional hospital or clinic structure.
There will be many wonderful philanthropic opportunities at the hospital to leave an indelible mark of compassionate, cutting-edge care for those who need it the most.
For more on the ground-breaking, please visit our website: https://thecenterfordiscovery.org/the-center-for-discovery-breaks-ground-on-the-regions-first-childrens-specialty-hospital/
To view the Press Release on PR Newswire, please visit: https://bit.ly/TCFDGroundbreakingPR.
TCFD CEO Patrick H. Dollard Discusses 2021 Mental & Emotional Wellness with National Panel
“We need to learn how to keep loved ones together during a crisis like COVID-19,” our CEO, Patrick H. Dollard, told a recent panel on post-pandemic mental wellness.
Patrick has become a frequent contributor to the prestigious panel – sponsored by America Salutes You and Entertainment Industries Council Inc. The non-profit organization, America Salutes You, produces star-studded music concerts to honor and raise awareness of issues faced by veterans, service men and women, first responders, and their loved ones.
He told his colleagues he worries about worldwide post-traumatic stress – an issue that frequently affects members of the service, veterans, and first responders. During Covid-19, quarantining in homes and isolation of the sick and disabled in hospital wards and residential and nursing facilities took an obvious toll.
“This pandemic also points out that there is no border,” Patrick said, “We all have so much in common with each other…there’s nothing dividing the disabled from the elderly and those with PTS. The more we can collaborate – the more everyone is going to be better.” He urged architects, medical and science professionals to come together to design hospitals and other facilities to better serve these individuals. “I think we need to emphasize how to keep loved ones together during the most difficult times,” he said, “and if we can figure that out, we’ll be in a much better shape if this or any other pandemic comes around again.”
The entire roundtable discussion “Planet Earth Reboot – Our Mental Wellness as We Emerge from Covid-19” can be found here: https://bit.ly/ASYVideoPanel2021.
The latest America Salutes You benefit concert will be posted on the website this month: https://americasalutesyou.org/.
Dr. Terry Hamlin Explains the TCFD Pursuit of Health to Radio Audience
Our President, Dr. Theresa Hamlin, was the recent guest of pediatric cardiologist Dr. Eric Fethke on his podcast, “The Pursuit of Health.”
During the 45-minute broadcast, Terry explained in great detail the evolution of The Center, the true definition of autism, and our HealthyE6® medical model. “I think what we have here is a lifestyle preventative medicine model,” she said, “We know how to help people. And, I think it’s our job now to share this model.”
We know our model leads to a deeper understanding of each child and adult. Terry said she’d now like to see that all “kids are treated fairly – that there’s an appreciation for who they are as an individual – an appreciation for their differences in biology, differences in mental health – that treatment programs understand that – that individuals understand that, and can be helped so their lives are transformed.”
Terry told Dr. Fethke she ultimately would like to see technology developed that could help every person understand their own personal health. “I think the ‘pursuit of health’ for me means taking control and not being afraid to understand how you function from every perspective. And – really taking the time to think about yourself and your health and what you can do to enrich your life.”
If you would like to listen to the entire podcast, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNzzsG0I2vk.
Our Impact Outside Our Borders
It has always been our goal to transform lives – inside and outside of our campus here in Sullivan County, NY.
Now we have proof our dedication is working! Life here is vibrant! Our private and public partnerships and investments are increasing job opportunities, creating new and different educational, cultural, creative, and recreational possibilities, and improving our infrastructure.
Even before the COVID-19 exodus from New York City, TEConomy Partners LLC estimates we generated $194 million of economic activity in the county alone, and $1.7 billion in the state of New York, between 2010 and 2019! And we are only just beginning!
If you have not yet read our Economic Impact Study, here is the link: https://bit.ly/TCFDEIS2021.
Our 2021 Campaign is Still Live
As you take in some end-of-the-summer fun with family and friends, please help us sing the praises of our incredible staff. Their creativity, devotion, and compassion is second to none, but a lot of the programming they create is privately funded.
Because there are still no in-person fundraising events this year, any donation to The Promise Ahead campaign is critical. Here is the link: http://tcfd.org/thepromiseahead,/u>. Thank you!
A Summer of SMILES
After a year and a half of COVID-19 quarantining and restrictions, our Education Department has turned up the volume on summertime fun for students and residents! What better backdrop to emphasize the joy of learning and teaching than in our giant stunning outdoor classroom in the Catskill Mountains?!
The Education team named it a summer of SMILES: Spontaneous, Memorable, Inclusive, Learning, Experiences. The lessons are as vast as the imagination of our teachers – from taking care of the animals to fishing, cycling, porch yoga, Olympic Games, and pop-up concerts and sound healing exercises.
Farm Bounty
The Thanksgiving Farm® CSA, long a staple in Sullivan County, is enhancing the health of hundreds of families with beautiful, organic and biodynamic produce!
The Medici Healing garden with lots of herbs and medicinal flowers is stunning in this drone picture, but even more soothing when visited on foot!
There’s Always Magic in Hurleyville – An Update on the Hamlet
Hurleyville, NY, home to our Thanksgiving Farm® and Community School, is truly transformed!
Once a small hamlet in need of a lot of assistance, it is now bright, beautiful, and booming!
The sign is up on the new Collaborative College High School (CCSH), a forward-looking educational endeavor between the Homestead School and SUNY Sullivan. CCSH will open its doors in September. The tracks of study include some of those most important to us: healthcare, environmental sustainability, and graphic design.
The Hurleyville General Store has become the place for a great cup of coffee, homemade crumb cake, and unique purchases – many of them made right here at The Center, like soaps and dryer balls (note: you can also get your hands on some TCFD swag!) Here’s a link to a lovely article in the Sullivan County Democrat about how the store was born and what it means to our community: https://www.scdemocratonline.com/stories/a-shop-and-coffee-bar-that-welcomes-everybody-to-hurleyville,49799.
If you are in the mood for more than coffee or a quick bite, try the new Tango Café – a venture by TCFD friend and lifetime supporter, Janet Carrus, and renowned chef, Tom Valenti. The café is now open Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00- 8:00 p.m. with gourmet small plate options.