A MONTH OF DISCOVERY APRIL 2024

TCFD: A Month of Discovery

Dear Friends,

It’s been a busy, yet incredible, few weeks here at The Center and we absolutely love the feeling of spring in the air! Students, residents, and staff are enjoying the great outdoors and the smiles are everywhere.

The Center for Discovery visited the Capitals of New York State and the nation, hosted the annual Evening of Discovery Gala, beautified campus grounds during Earth Week, and so much more.

TCFD Board Chair Ed Sweeney Honored at our Evening of Discovery Gala, – Our Most Successful in History

We’re still on cloud nine after our Evening of Discovery Gala held on May 7 at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City. There was a tremendous show of appreciation to our Gala honoree, Edward C. Sweeney, our Board of Directors, our Co-chairs, Gala Committee, and the entire Center staff for helping make this year’s gala the most successful in history! Thank you, also, to each and every one of you who attended this year’s event. It was the first gala since before the COVID pandemic, and we were thrilled to share the evening with our extended community.

It was certainly a night to remember – from moving remarks made by legendary actor and Oscar winner Robert De Niro, to a captivating live performance by Grammy winner Phillipa Soo. There was also a powerful presentation about the profound impact of our work from TCFD President & CEO, Dr. Terry Hamlin.

Because of our passionate community of families, friends, donors, and other supporters, we were able to raise more funds than ever before and that will directly benefit our most transformative programs, along with support benefits for our staff.

There is so much more to share but for now, head on over to our website for more details on the extraordinary event! Visit here.

A Visit to Washington D.C. to Share TCFD’s Priorities

Our President & CEO Dr. Terry Hamlin, Board Chair Edward C. Sweeney, and Executive VP of Marketing, Development, and Strategic Communications Michael Rosen, visited Washington D.C. to share The Center’s latest updates, along with the organization’s goals and priorities for the near future with Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer and our great partner on our Children’s Specialty Hospital, the USDA.

TCFD Heads to the State Capitol

It was a very important visit to the State Capitol in Albany, where Dr. Terry Hamlin met with the Commissioner of OPWDD Keri Neifeld, the New York State Budget Director, Sullivan County’s own Blake Washington and the Commissioner of the Department of Health James McDonald. The TCFD team focused on advancing the organization’s mission, key priorities and worked on developing strong collaborations for the future.

School Scene Spotlight on TCFD

There’s no better education program to spotlight than the one right here at The Center! We were absolutely thrilled to be included in the Sullivan County Democrat’s special School Scene edition, highlighting so many of our unique program areas like Integrated Arts and Animal Assisted Intervention and Education, Assistive Technology (and its use in school settings), and our HealthE6 ®Model.

Sit back, grab a refreshing beverage, and dive in. View it here.

A New Way to Shop is Coming Soon!

Stay tuned – a new shop is coming to TCFD. Family members will now be able to shop for our coveted swag items right from the Tea Room at Carrus. Shoppers can choose from a selection of What Happens Here Matters Everywhere pennants, Seed to Belly® t-shirts, Thanksgiving Farm® maple syrup, Acetaia del Sole vinegar right from Hurleyville, NY, and many more items that will change month to month. Initial hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11am-1pm, Tuesdays from 3:15-5pm, and Saturdays from 10am-12pm. If you’re visiting on Saturdays during the summer, come shop at the store and then make way to the Clinic field for our Summer Concert series – more on that, coming soon.

Stay tuned for the official store opening AND even more news coming soon about an online swag shop.

Announcing our REI Cooperative Action Fund

Our TCFD Research team is thrilled to be partnering with Cornell Human Ecology on a REI Cooperative Action Fund grant! This summer, we will be conducting research on how pre-classroom nature exposure influences classroom engagement and help young people with profound autism increase their focus. Additionally, we’ll explore the barriers and benefits to getting those with profound autism outdoors.

We’ll be providing more updates as research progresses.

TCFD Greened up and Cleaned up!

And for what it’s earth…it was a good one!

So many of our staff members, residents, and students, helped to transform TCFD during Earth Week. Our President and CEO Dr. Terry Hamlin even joined in on all the fun. From cleaning up outside debris and litter plucking, to planting and sweeping, they did it all. There’s always so much joy in collaboration here at The Center, and we are so proud to love and care for our earth.