Love and Support: Parents of ANGELS
September 28, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Email and blogs have provided me with a more than appreciated, and very much needed, support network as an Autismland mother. But there is nothing like sitting down with other parents and relatives of autistic children face to face and talking. The connection is immediate; the topics seemingly endless. One such support group for the parents of autistic children in New York City is Parents of ANGELS (Autistic Children Need Guidance, Education, Love and Support). Patrice O’Shaughnessy of the New York Daily Newswrites about this group in her column today, Help for parents of autistic kids; she quotes president Kathy Diaz as noting that “‘The first meeting, I was like, ‘Help me!’. We cried so many times.” Parents meet monthly to listen to a speaker on issues ranging from dental care to legal concerns; Parents of ANGELS also oversees a resource center that provides information on autism.
Unfortunately, Parents of ANGELS may lose its meeting place and have to lessen its activities due to a loss of funding from NYC’s Department for Youth and Community Development. Vice-President and father of 12-year-old Nicholas Gerard Petillo has sent out funding letters to numerous city officials. “‘We are a small organization with little political influence,’” he is quoted as saying.
Parents of ANGELS and groups like it may be small, but they fill an immeasurable need. I hope that funding can be found to keep Parents of ANGELS going. I know how alone the parent of an autistic child can feel, and how great a difference groups like Parents of ANGELS can make.
We wanted to thank Kristina Chew for posting this article that appeared in the NY Daily news and raising awareness to the work that our small organization in the Bronx is doing and the hurdles we are facing since loosing funding.
The founders and our board of directors are all volunteers and parents of children with autism. We provide this organization in addition to our full time employment and raising our disabled children. Fundraising in the Bronx is difficult. The funding that we received from the City of New York made it possible for us to provide this organization. We hope that we can get back on track next year and continue to do what we have been for the last 7 years.
Kathy Diaz President
Gerard Petillo Vice President
Jean Alessandro Secretary
Mike Alessandro Treasurer
http://www.bxangels.org
info@bxangels.org
Thank you so much—-I am very honored to read your words. We more than hope that you can receive the funding and resources you need to “get back on track” next year for sure; please let us know what happens.
We would also like to mention in this forum that we are a certified 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization. If anyone would like to make a donation to our organization please contact us.
http://www.bxangels.org
info@bxangels.org
718-931-0515
I just wanted to take this opportunity to invite anyone who will be in the Bronx on Thursday December 21, 2006 to attend the 7th annual Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S. holiday celebration.
For the last 7 years parents and caregivers of children with autism in Bronx New York have celebrated the holidays by getting together at our annual holiday celebration. Food is served and Santa will be there with gifs for the children.
It will take place at 1968 Eastchester road Bronx N.Y. 10461. This event is free. If you are planning on attending Please RSVP at 718-931-0515 so we can properly plan for this event.
For more information please visit us at:
http://www.bxangels.org
or email us at:
info@bxangels.org
I hope your celebration goes well, Gerard. And I hope all your angels are doing well this winter.
*definately won’t be there, is 2 time zones away*
Thanks Kassiane
I hope some day the Parents from my group can get to meet you. I’m sure they will learn allot
Gerard, it sounds like a lovely event—please let us know how it goes and regrets we will not be able to attend.
It sounds like you have a wonderful thing, a group that really supports each other, rather than whines at each other, and that’s really very cool. I’d be honored to meet the parents from your group some day.
And the kids too! Thats the BEST PART of speaking places, is getting to play with the autistic KIDS! Or hang out with the teenagers or whatever age and abilities. SO the best part. Meeting Charlie was the highlight of NYC in October (no offense, Kristina, I liked you too. Charlie was just really cool, just sharing space and a way of being, and red suckers….)
I just wanted to update everyone on the 2006 Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S. holiday party that took place Thursday night in Bronx N.Y.
It was probably one of the best holiday party’s in our 7 year existence.
Once again we had a great Santa who was remarkably well received by the children. I will be updating our website (www.bxangels.org) soon with pictures of the event.
The caterer we used this year did a fantastic job. Everyone commented on how good the food was.
It was great seeing all of the parents. Some who can’t make the meetings any longer still show up every year at the holiday party.
Were looking forward to 2007 with a number of speakers who we feel can educate our parents as well as the autism awareness events that are forthcoming.
Lets hope NYC elected officials can come through next year with funding for our organization.
Gerard Petillo
Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S.
Bronx N.Y.
Just to follow up on our progress (or lack thereof) with obtaining funding:
In September of 2006 our organization sent letters to all of the city council people who represent the Bronx as well as the Bronx Borough President. Additionally we sent letters to Mayor Bloomberg and some of his deputy mayors and commissioners. The letters were 2 pages long describing what autism is, how we have helped families with autism for the last 7 years, our plans for the future, and that we are asking for assistance with funding. I included a 30 slide power point presentation including images as well.
Thanks to the publicity we received from Patrice O’Shaughnessy of the NY Daily News as well as Bronx Channel 12, Mayor Bloomberg was instrumental in setting up a meeting with his deputy commissioner of health and mental hygiene Mr. William Lopez. Mr. Lopez and members of his staff met with our organization in November. They were incredibly resourceful and helpful however, we did not get any funding. I have to say, NYC is very fortunate to have person like William Lopez in the position that he is in.
As far as the Bronx goes, to date councilman Vacca has met with our organization and promised to help. I have just been contacted by a representative of Maria Arroyo (D-Dist 17 Bronx). We will be meeting in the near future to see what can be done for our organization.
Incredibly, No other Bronx elected official has responded to our letter. I just can’t believe that an organization representing parents of disabled children requests assistance from local elected officials and we don’t even get a return phone call! I am Shocked!
After the New Year we will be breaking down our member list by district and sending another mailing to the elected officials in the Bronx informing them of how many people in their district have autism that we have helped.
All of this extra work just to keep our organization alive is a strain on our time resources. This ultimately takes away from the progress our organization could be making.
Gerard Petillo
Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S
Bronx N.Y.
1/11/07
I have a parent interested in attending the next meeting. When and where is it?
Martha Hosang, Social Worker
Martha
Back in November I tried to respond to your post but had some technical difficulties. I apologize for the delay.
Please visit our website at:
http://www.bxangels.org
or our other website at
http://autism.meetup.com/294/?gj=sj5
for a list of speakers through June and our location.
If your questions are not answered please call us at 718-931-0515 and we will call you back.
Gerard Petillo
Parents of ANGELS
Bronx N.Y.
I just wanted to update everyone in this blog on our progress.
In September of 2006 we had reached out to Bronx Council Member James Vacca for assistance in obtaining funding for our organization. Although Mr. Vacca could not give us immediate assistance he promised he would help us.
We learned today (3-5-07) from Mr. Vacca’s office that with the help of Council Speaker Christine Quinn, James Vacca has procured funding for Parents of ANGELS through the end of the year.
We are grateful to Mr. Vacca and Ms. Quinn for their support.
Gerard Petillo
Parents of ANGELS
Bronx N.Y.