Robert Devine, a longtime friend and supporter of our organization, celebrated his 75th birthday with 80 family members, friends and residents of our Bay Shore, Wheatley Heights and Centereach homes and their staff on Oct. 29. In honor of his commitment to people with disabilities, we renamed our Bay Shore home the Robert Devine Residence. The residence, which opened in 1995 and was our first to open in Suffolk County, is home to seven individuals.

"Although my name is on this plaque, there are thousands of staff members who work for YAI and without them there wouldn't be any house," he said after receiving a plaque dedicating the home in his honor. "I only wish that all their names could
fit because they are all deserving."

The location of the newly named home is particularly meaningful, as Mr. Devine’s daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter have all lived in Bay Shore over the last 35 years.

"The dedication of this home as the Robert Devine Residence symbolizes his commitment to people with disabilities. We are grateful for his support, friendship and partnership in helping people to see beyond disabilities, and recognize the unique talents of every person we serve," said Thomas Dern, C.O.O. of YAI.

"Before I came to OPWDD, I worked many years in other levels of government (the mental health and chemical dependency fields)," said Jacquelyn Best, Director of the Long Island Developmental Disabilities Regional Office. "The compassion, the energy and the drive that I see with the developmental disabilities community, the providers, the families, the advocates . . . I can honestly say nobody beats this field."

"This is just a magnificent house," said Michael Mullaney, a parent. "We can't say enough to praise the staff in this house. This is a home. This is my son's home. My wife and I are relieved to know that he will be cared for in a very loving and nurturing way for the rest of his life. It's the people who work with him who make this house a home."

Robert Devine has been a director and the Chief Executive Officer of Babylon-based Chemtainer Industries, Inc., for more than 20 years. Chemtainer Industries manufactures and distributes commercial and consumer products, including chemical tanks, water tanks and material handling solutions, nationally and internationally with eleven plants in nine states from coast to coast. He has been with the company since 1964. He is also a director of Rototron Corp., which manufactures plastic materials, in West Babylon, and Tracey International, which designs and manufactures boat seats, boarding stairs and boating accessories. He has been a member of the non-profit Mental Health Association of New York City Board of Directors since 1995.