A MONTH OF DISCOVERY OCTOBER 2025
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Dear Friends, Fall at The Center for Discovery has been a season of connection, collaboration, and celebration! From our cherished Harvest Festival and Discovery Festival to exciting partnerships and outreach across New York and beyond, it’s been a time to reflect, grow, and come together as a community. Whether sharing our story at the Sullivan County Legislature, appearing on national news, or welcoming guests from the Governor’s Office and Italy, The Center’s mission of compassion, creativity, and innovation continues to inspire. And right here at home, every celebration — from our farm gatherings to music-filled afternoons — reminded us of what makes this place so special: the people. Read on to see how The Center for Discovery is making an impact this fall — locally, nationally, and around the world. |
Spreading the Word: TCFD in Action
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From our local area to statewide, TCFD continues to make an impact. At a recent Sullivan County Legislature Board meeting, our President and CEO Dr.Terry Hamlin shared our updated Economic Impact Study, including plans to grow our workforce to over 2,000 employees in 2026 and strengthen communities across NY. |
Terry Hamlin, appeared on MSNBC’s The Weekend to discuss the headlines on autism and acetaminophen use. During the segment, Terry emphasized the importance of supporting families with real science, trusted clinicians, and clear guidance – noting the difference between association and correlation, and the need for proven answers. Watch it here.
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In a recent New York Times article, reporter Azeen Ghorayshi explored whether there should be a distinct diagnosis for Profound Autism. TCFD parent, Alison Singer, shared her perspective, alongside her daughter Jodie, a resident here at TCFD. Read the article here. |
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The Center for Discovery, Sullivan County’s largest employer with over 1,800 staff (expected to reach 2,000 in 2026), is raising awareness about the local shortage of affordable, high-quality housing. Currently, 73% of their workforce lives locally, but many staff members struggle to find homes. Dr. Terry Hamlin shared that housing limitations are one of the greatest barriers to recruitment, retention, and expansion of services. “We have staff who want to build their lives here, raise families, and contribute to the local economy, but they can’t find attainable options,” Hamlin said. The Center is actively exploring solutions to address this challenge and support the local community. Read more about the discussion here. |
2025 Harvest Festival: A Day of Gratitude and Celebration at The Center for Discovery This past weekend, The Center for Discovery gathered for one of our most beloved traditions – the Annual Harvest Festival. Each year, this special day brings together residents, families, friends, and staff to celebrate the season and the extraordinary community that makes The Center so unique. Held at our Michael Ritchie Big Barn in Hurleyville, the event was filled with warmth and laughter as guests enjoyed an afternoon of music, food, and connection. Mr. Willy’s Catering provided an incredible seasonal spread, while our Recreation Therapy team offered apple cider tastings featuring apples from our very own organic orchard. Our goats from Sweet Hill Farm delighted everyone with a visit, and guests sampled our signature goat cheese, lovingly made by TCFD students and residents. The day also included photo opportunities, lawn games, and a moving musical performance from our Music Therapy team and residents, who shared a beautiful rendition of “Nothing’s Impossible.” This year’s Harvest Festival also served as a moment to honor three remarkable individuals whose leadership and commitment have helped shape our mission. The Thomas P. Morahan Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the late Senator and friend of The Center, was presented to Congressman Josh Riley of New York’s 19th Congressional District. Congressman Riley has demonstrated unwavering support for people with complex disabilities and their families, working tirelessly across party lines to strengthen Medicaid funding, protect family farms, and expand access to care. Like Senator Morahan before him, he leads with both heart and head, a true champion for those most in need. |
| The Green Shovel Legacy Award was presented to Master Chef Cesare Casella, TCFD’s Chief of DNA: Food & Farming. Chef Casella has transformed how The Center approaches nutrition, teaching us that food is medicine, and that the meals served to our residents are not just nourishing, they are therapeutic. His visionary leadership has brought a world-class culinary program to our campus, one that blends art, science, and compassion in every dish. His work has opened doors for our teams, connected us with master chefs from around the world, and elevated the standard of care through food and farming. |
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Finally, the afternoon featured a heartfelt tribute to Michael Rosen, Executive Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Strategic Communications, who will be stepping down at the end of this year. Since joining The Center in 2018, Michael has been a tireless advocate, helping grow our fundraising efforts and elevating national awareness through outlets such as Good Morning America, CBS News, CNN, The New York Times, and MSNBC. Michael has not only helped countless people understand the depth of our mission but has also inspired a belief that what happens here matters everywhere. As he transitions back to his role as a TCFD parent, supporter, and advocate for people with autism, we thank Michael for his visionary leadership and lasting impact. His influence will continue to be felt across our community for years to come. The day was, above all, a reflection of everything that makes The Center special: connection, compassion, and the support of our mission. Each smile and conversation was a reminder that while our work is deeply local, its impact continues to grow far beyond our hills. |
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A Special Visit from the Governor’s Office
We were honored to welcome Pavan Naidu, the Director of Hudson Valley Intergovernmental Affairs from Governor Hochul’s office, to The Center campus. Pavan, who also joined us in August for the ribbon cutting at The Children’s Specialty Hospital with the Governor, visited the South Campus, Hurleyville and then enjoyed spending time with our residents in Sweet Hill. There they toured him around the farm and taught him the art of goat cheese making. He said the Sweet Hill Goat Cheese was some of the best cheese he had ever had! |
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Global Collaboration in Action: A Visit from Italy We were thrilled to welcome a group of highly regarded professionals from Italy to TCFD. Dr. Serafino Corti, Dr. Paolo Meucci, Dr. Roberto Keller, Dr. Cristina Cereda, and Dr. Leonardo Zoccante, experts in the disability field in their home country, joined us to learn about our SynergE6 Healthspan Model and see first hand how we combine nutrition, farming, research, clinical services, and innovative care to help individuals with complex conditions thrive. This visit marks the second delegation The Center has hosted at the direction of Italian Minister of Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, the head of the Italian Government Agency of Disabilities. It was an important exchange of ideas, filled with shared learning, inspiration, and deep connection. We are so grateful for this new global collaboration and extremely excited about the possibilities ahead. |
Discovery Festival Brings Families Together
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Our second annual Discovery Festival was a joyful celebration of community, creativity, and connection for our pediatric residential families. The day was filled with music, apple cider tasting, and hands-on fun from building flower bouquets and birdhouses to visiting with our friendly Sweet Hill goats. Families also had the chance to unwind and experience peaceful moments during sound healing sessions. We loved celebrating together and can’t wait to welcome families back next year! |
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A Celebration of Collaboration, Craft, and Taste at The Center for Discovery The Center for Discovery was proud to host this year’s Cuvee Day – a wonderful celebration of collaboration, creativity, and connection through taste. Led by balsamic master Andrea Bezzecchi, the workshop brought together a diverse group of food and wine professionals from New York and Montreal, including chefs, gourmet importers, distributors, and wine experts. The focus of the day was shaping the Special Cuvée 16th Edition, a unique blend that bridges American and Italian culinary traditions. Participants worked side by side to combine apple cider vinegar sourced from Upstate New York with Traditional Italian Balsamic Vinegar aged over 16 years, creating a distinctive and meaningful expression of both craft and culture. The process involved two guided tasting sessions – first, selecting the best four barrels of aged cider vinegar to form the “core” of the cuvée, and then choosing from ten aromatic “finishers” to complete the final blend. Between sessions, guests toured The Center’s campus, learning more about our innovative programs and our holistic approach to care, health, and sustainability. It was a truly special day of learning, connection, and shared inspiration – and another example of how The Center for Discovery continues to bring people together around purpose, passion, and community. |
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Celebrating Our Farm Team
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The Center for Discovery’s farming program is at the heart of our mission to nourish and sustain our community. Recently, our People Operations team hosted a special appreciation breakfast to celebrate the incredible individuals who make this work possible.
From planting and harvesting to caring for our animals and nurturing the land, the Farm Team’s dedication fuels every part of our Food is Medicine® approach – providing fresh, nutrient-rich food that supports the health and well-being of our residents, students, and staff all year long.
We are deeply grateful for their commitment, teamwork, and care – helping The Center grow stronger every season.
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Nourishing our Community with Affordable Fridays This fall, The Center for Discovery launched Affordable Fridays – a new staff meal program designed to make it easier for our team members to bring home healthy, nourishing dinners for their families. Prepared by our DNA team, each meal reflects the same principles that guide our SynergE6® model – especially the Eating and Nutrition component – extending The Center’s commitment to wellness beyond the workplace and into the daily lives of our staff. By offering fresh, organic, and delicious meals at a fraction of the cost ($5 per meal), Affordable Fridays helps ensure that those who care for others have the time and nourishment to care for themselves and their loved ones, too. |
Exclusive Hotel Discount for TCFD Staff and Families
We’re happy to share that the Hampton Inn in Monticello is offering a 10% discount for families visiting loved ones at The Center!
To take advantage of this offer, families may book directly through the Hilton websiteat any available rate. After booking, simply call the hotel’s front desk at 845-513-8400 (press 0) to have the discount applied – the team is aware of this rate plan and will be happy to assist.
Please note:
- Reservations made under LVO (BAR Rate) or LHHH1P (Hilton Honors Discount) codes can be updated to include the 10% discount.
Prepaid reservations or those made through third-party sites (like Expedia or Booking.com) cannot be modified for this rate.
Scenes from Around The Center
