| Our History Nearly 31 years ago, a group of parents here on Long Island founded the Friendship Connection Foundation. These parents joined together in response to the unique needs of people like their children—developmentally delayed individuals who experience shyness, awkwardness in social situations, rejection from peers and loneliness. With the help of a professional therapist, the Friendship Connection was designed to offer a nurturing environment where emotionally and socially immature people could develop positive and healthy social skills and build lasting friendships. Our Mission The Friendship Connection Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization which provides social opportunities and social learning experiences for adults who are developmentally delayed or have learning disabilities. The program offers a nurturing and accepting environment where friendships can develop and social maturity is fostered. The ultimate goal of these activities and experiences is to enrich the lives of the participants as they improve their self-esteem and find greater confidence in their social interactions both within the group and in their homes, work and school. Our Professionals Stephen Weitzman, received an M.S. in Education degree from Hofstra University, an M.B.A. from N.Y.I.T. and an M.S.J.S. degree from Spertus Institute in Chicago. He retired as a full-time classroom teacher from the Smithtown School District on Long Island in 2004 and continues to substitute teach in the district. In addition to Smithtown and Yeshiva Ch’san Sofer in Brooklyn he has taught at Hofstra University, C.W. Post College, Jersey City State College and Newark State College, been a teacher and the Principal of a synagogue supplemental school and spent many years teaching at summer camps in Massachusetts. He is the author of numerous articles and blog posts on education, camping and synagogue management. Stein, Diana, Graduated with a B.A, from Hofstra University. She is an L. M.S.W and received her degree in social work from Fordham University. She previously worked at Steinway Child and Family Services as a psychotherapist. She believes in the importance of encouraging others to promote self-esteem.. Some of her hobbies include: Baking. Water Sports, Reading and Theatre Our Independent Consultant Eliran Eliaz, PhD, RDT, currently volunteering his services, as a consultant, to the Friendship Connection, he began his tenure as Executive Director of the Friendship Connection Foundation in 1993. In addition to earning his PhD from New York University, he has extensive experience training in Israel, England and the United States. As a pioneer in the fields of Drama Therapy and Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Eliaz has taught and published on these subjects, and has applied his knowledge to both children and adults in a variety of settings. He has developed progressive programs for the Learning Disabled and is an expert in EEG Biofeedback for Attention Deficit Disorder and related syndromes. Dr. Eliaz has been practicing Psychotherapy since 1976. |
About Us
| Board of Directors The directors, parents of members and a professional, are all volunteers. Paluch, Indra: Current President and Parent. She is a labor management administrator for a NYC agency and a board member for the agency suggestion program. Indra also served as the Human Resources Administrator and advocates for the disabled at her work location. She was the class parent for her sons in their schools and an active soccer-basketball mom. Indra has been volunteering with The Friendship Connection since 2005. Berent, Jonathan: L.C.S.W. He is the professional consultant to The Friendship Connection. He has pioneered psychotherapy for social anxiety and is the author of “Beyond Shyness: How to Conquer Social Anxieties” (Simon & Schuster.) He is the director of www.socialanxiety.com. Blattmachr, Betsy: Parent and past President. She has been involved with The Friendship Connection since 1990, when her son became a member, and she served as its board chair for three years. She is a former high school English teacher, past president of the PTA of the Center for Community Adjustment (BOCES), and a past board member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island. Healy, James: Parent and past President, has been volunteering with The Friendship Connection over ten years since his son become a member. He is a 30 year veteran, retired New York City Firefighter, living in Baldwin, Long Island since 1973. He worked with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Special Education PTA. He also ran for a seat on the local school board. Debehar, Jack: Parent and treasurer of The Friendship Connection. He is a civil engineer by training and for the past 37 years has been active in the hospitality industry. Gershowitz, Steve: Parent and current secretary of The Friendship Connection has been volunteering since his daughter became a member in 2006. Steve is a Systems Engineer specializing in large scale system integration. An active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years, former PAL and Little league baseball coach. A native New Yorker residing in Wantagh for over 30 years. Rusnak, Nina: is the newest member of the board. She grew up in Queens. She holds a B.A. from Queens College and a J.D. from NYU school of Law. She worked for the Unified Court System for 32 years and she presently is a Court Attorney - Referee in Bronx Supreme Court. She volunteers for Courageous Cats Rescue. Her nephew Jeremy is a member of Friendship Connection. |
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The Friendship Connection Foundation, Inc.