Assembly speaker visits the Five Towns

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) visited the Five Towns and toured the Kulanu Academy, a school for children and young adults with special needs in Cedarhurst, and Lawrence-based Achiezer, an umbrella organization that helps to provide services in emergencies, on Sept. 1.
Heastie was invited to tour the two entities that are both on Central Avenue by Assemblymen Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) and Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway). County Legislator Denise Ford (R-Long Beach) and Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock, also took part in the tour.
Kulanu currently serves more than 200 students from preschool through age 21 in educational, recreational and vocational services, said Beth Raskin, Kulanu’s executive director. They are working to extend their services to young adults up to age 25 in a vocational setting, placing them in local businesses to receive on-the-job training and learn life skills.
“As part of the process to receive funding for school projects, Todd Kaminsky and Phil Goldfeder wanted to show Speaker Carl Heastie what Kulanu provides for special needs children and young adults,” Raskin said.
Kulanu relies on fundraisers such as the annual Kulanu Mile Run, held on Sept. 20 this year at North Woodmere Park at 10 a.m. They also hold an annual community fair, scholarship dinner and quarterly seminars to raise money for the school and its center.

“In terms of government assistance, we get none,” she said. “Because of Kulanu’s vocational programs being recognized for appropriateness and special needs youth to get jobs, we are looking at potential applications to several government agencies for assistance. It’s flattering to Kulanu and the services we offer that government agencies are considering support of our programs.”
At Achiezer, the focus is on medical services, whether it’s seeking health insurance or finding a doctor; finding mental health services or elder care. They also help provide meals to those sick in the hospital and legal services.
Established in 2009, local rabbinic and community leaders saw a need for change at the time. Their mission goal was to create one master organization, helping those in need in several different capacities during times of strife or stress. Achiezer also relies upon donations form the community it serves. People can donate generally, in someone’s memory, or in honor of a specific person.
Achiezer founder and president Rabbi Boruch Bender said he met Heastie in Albany, where Heastie vowed to visit the facility. “He’s learning about the organizations in our community,” Bender said. “This is a big deal to us. It’s a real honor he visited, and he’s pledged his support.”
Heastie said he was impressed with both Kulanu and Achiezer during his visit. “So far, I’ve seen two wonderful organizations,” he said. “This visit was a great introduction — one with a focus on children with special needs, and one organization trying to help holistically for a person’s entire life. When people speak about these organizations and their needs, visits such as this confirm them. This gives a visual to things.”
For more information about Kulanu, visit the website www.kulanukids.org or call 516-569-3083. For Achiezer, visit their website at www.achiezer.org, or call 516-791-4444.