Thanks to our partnership with the National Cristina Foundation, more than 100 computers have been donated to YAI for families and individuals who receive support from our agency.

Victor Ordde, Assistant Social Worker with the Manhattan Crisis unit, and Dan Flanigan, Senior Manager of Enterprise/Innovation, have worked to ensure the computers get put to good use. Many of the computers have been donated to families and individuals through our Clinical and Family Services system. Marianne Ardito, Assistant Director of CFS, and the Medicaid Service Coordinators have helped identify families in need of computers since the partnership began in 2001. Other recipients include families and individuals served in our Project Intervene with assistance from Justin Stanford, Senior Assistant ABSS, Project ASSIST and our Crisis programs. Self-Advocates, some individuals in our residential system and New York League for Early Learning families have also benefitted.

The foundation distributes recycled computers and promotes the use of technology to enable people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons to be given the opportunity, through training, to lead more independent and productive lives.

"It provides our families with a sense of relief," Ordde said. "OPWDD is changing all the time and not all families can go to the local DD Council meeting or a support group. The computers are helping families stay in the loop, as well as see what services are available for their children. This empowers the families in so many ways."

Clarissa, the mother of two adult children who have received services from YAI for years, said said she and her daughter are constantly using the computer to search for jobs.

"The families are so appreciative," Ordde said. "I remember delivering a computer to one family who didn't have a desk or table to set it up on. I thought it was just going to sit there and collect dust. But they said, 'no, let's hook it up right now, right here on the floor so we can use it immediately.'"