Lynbrook's Human First’s hosts first annual Thanksgiving celebration

Courtesy Human First Inc. Staff and residents of Human First enjoyed the Thanksgiving feast. Top row, from left, were Monique Rowe, Elizabeth Tendler, Ciha Cherrey and CEO Wafa Abboud. Seated, from left, were Ruel Davis, Elizabeth Lewis and Dominick Heath.

Courtesy Human First

Human First’s Day Habilitation Center in Brooklyn was bursting with excitement on Nov. 18, as the staff and administrators celebrated Thanksgiving with their friends and families from the with Day Hab and OPTS (Options for People Through Services) after school program. Human First’s main office is in Lynbrook.

The staff had decorated the facility with fall harvest haystacks, pumpkins and leaves, and photos of the participants lined the walls, with what they were most thankful for written underneath. People mingled in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

The stars of the night were the 16 Day Habilitation and 10 OPTS participants, who shared what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving. They expressed gratitude for the program and shared how much fun they have every day.

Needy Constant said she was most thankful for her family and friends, while Orinthia Lewis mentioned the center’s after-school and music programs.

Parents had the chance to tour the facility and see the artwork their children had created throughout the year. They expressed their gratitude to staff members for the good the program does for their children — and for taking the time to bring families together for special events like this one.

Attendees enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and clearly enjoyed seeing one another in a different setting than the center’s daily programs.

Four participants and staff members won $25 gift certificates in a raffle organized by the center’s associate executive for quality assurance, Frank Pennucci.

As the celebration came to a close, the participants danced to music played by Michael D’Andrea, the director of the music program.

Lasana Rayside, the center’s New York City director of community services, said that she was pleased with the turnout. “It was wonderful to hear the things that the participants were thankful for,” Rayside said. “It was also great to hear the beautiful words … from the families about the job the program is doing and how great it was to see their children enjoy the event.”