A MONTH OF DISCOVERY MAY 2023 – The Center for Discovery

TCFD: A Month of Discovery

Friends and Supporters,

Welcome to our TCFD Newsletter. Recently, our campus has exploded with color, energy, and creativity as we head into the warmer months.

We hosted a high-level delegation from our state’s largest healthcare provider, and updated state leadership on the development of our Children’s Specialty Hospital and the overall needs of our community.

We stepped back into the spotlight with our first major stage production since the pandemic.

In addition, we learned at every turn – and took full advantage of the great weather to get moving in all sorts of ways.

Here is a brief look at our very full, healthy, and joyous month of May:

Masks Off

Major Northwell Health Delegation Visits the New Children’s Specialty Hospital

We were very honored to host a large group from Northwell Health’s prestigious Human Resources team here on our campus.

Twenty-five Northwell staff met with our President, Dr. Theresa Hamlin, and got a tour of our new Children’s Specialty Hospital. They also visited the Health Clinic and met our Medical Director, Dr. Philip Wilken, drove through revitalized downtown Hurleyville, and heard a brief talk about our eggs and chicken operation at the Big Barn by our Director of Herbal Education, Eve Minson.

It was a full day for the tour participants. Their team tirelessly manages 84,000 employees across the healthspan for Northwell Health, and yet, they were so impressed by The Center that they are proposing a “day of service” in which they would come back and volunteer. This says mountains about the work our employees do.

TCFD CEO Patrick H. Dollard in Albany to meet with department of budget leaders

We’re Back on Stage at the Big Barn

With a lot of faith – trust – pixie dust – and moxie, our TCFD actors took to the BIG STAGE at the Big Barn for a live full-production of Peter Pan. In the works for more than six months, it was our first post-pandemic in-person production.

“It was so great to be back LIVE in the Big Barn,” commented TCFD Senior Director of Music Therapy (and Peter Pan Director and Executive Producer) Conio Loretto, “With this show, we introduced several challenges to our actors – many had much more to do than they have ever done in our previous shows.”

The result? Not only did they “rise to the occasion, they exceeded expectations,” Conio added, “Everyone was in awe and humbled by the courage and heart of our residents and students.”

Any production – from elementary school to Broadway – takes a village. Ours involves the staff in every corner of The Center. Dayhab coordinators and support staff help residents make props and scenery with special equipment. Other staff members coordinate the painting of backdrops and arranging costumes that are comfortable and adaptable to our actors. Speech therapists meticulously edit scripts with pictures that are easier for our actors to read. Occupational, Behavioral, and Dance therapists guide them through their movements on stage. Educators help them rehearse their lines and songs daily in the classroom and in their homes, and get them to rehearsals on time. The Music Therapy team makes up the amazing orchestra. And, over the course of many weeks, each actor learns how – just like Peter Pan – to “jump on the wind’s back” and fly.

“I am also so grateful for the entire team that makes our shows happen,” said Conio, “So many people, from so many departments, lend a helping hand and without their efforts the show really couldn’t go on. Our dramatic arts program is truly a multi-disciplinary celebration of the best of our TCFD community!”

Because of it – our students and residents shine. Peter Pan was pure wonder.

Perhaps the highlight of the performance was when one student sprung into the audience to plant a kiss on his mother’s cheek. Proud is an understatement!

To view the full performance, click here.

Hurleyville Update

The Wonders of Our Wildlife – Our Animal Assisted Intervention Education (AAIE) Department

While we continue to expand our Dog Therapy program within our Animal Assisted Intervention & Education (AAIE) department, we thought we would give you a glimpse into some of the other great work the AAIE team is doing inside and outside of the classroom.

We start with the Imaginarium this month – our own little zoo and education center. Like a zoo, lots of care-taking goes on behind the scenes at all hours.

Meet Squirt, a baby (born in December) ferret – and buddy to Bubbles. They sleep up to 18 hours a day, but it’s their awake time that gets them into trouble. Ferrets need attention, as we know! The classrooms on the South Campus help Lisa Yaples (Teacher Associate, 0utdoor Educator, and keeper of the Imaginarium) feed the duo and keep them out of mischief with enrichment activities – a ball pit, pom pom box, and lots of tubes.

That’s the fun stuff. Then there’s the cleaning of their litter boxes at least three times a week and training. Yes, you read that right. Squirt and Bubbles had to be potty-or-litterbox trained!

The Imaginarium is such a beautiful mix of AAIE and Education. Stop in any time and you will see Lisa Yaples, joined by AAIE’s Nikki Blanton, Shannan Rooney, and Tami Mercier taking care of all the animals and teaching very creative lessons like “The Great (Goose) Migration,” a board game Lisa created from the Project Wild curriculum book. The kids were captivated!

Thank you to our Education/AAIE teams for making the Imaginarium a one-of-a-kind, uniquely Center experience!

Conference sign up

Season of Renewal – Support TCFD Today

Our Season of Renewal – Spring & Summer Campaign is in full swing. Please share with your network of family and friends our gold standard of work.

In the coming weeks, you will be getting a peek inside our World Team Sports weekend, sponsored by the Dolber Family Foundation, as well as a deeper look at our Imaginarium animal center. Please share these short videos as well!

Contributing to our mission is just an easy few clicks via this link.

Thank you – our wonders here begin with you!

CSA Pickup Reminder

Our 2023 growing season has begun! We are so excited for the nearly 50 different vegetables planted this year.

For our CSA members, pickup has started on the following days and at these locations: