Center sees hope for an abandoned space

by Lisa A. Fraser

 

Tender Care Human Services has been located on 165 Street and Jamaica Avenue for three years. And for three years, they've been harboring a well-kept secret.

Since the early 1900s, a huge space of an abandoned roman-style theater remains nestled behind a doorway, away from the organization's space and bustle of the shopping district below – serving as a remnant of Jamaica's historical heyday.

Although its walls are crumbling and the paint is peeling off of old horse heads and human faces, the vast theater, covered in cobwebs, is a hidden treasure inside the connected building that boasts quite a few variety stores on its facade.

But it is more so a symbol of hope for Yolanda Vitulli, the founder of Tender Care Human Services.

The nonprofit, which has been in existence for nine years, offers programs like medicaid service coordination, day habilitation, respite and residential habilitation, but there is one unique program that is threatened by lack of funding – the art and music therapy program.

Vitulli sees a connection between this empty theater space and the music therapy program. She envisions the theater renovated and alive with music and entertainment once again. She hopes to see it rebuilt to benefit the many low income families with autistic children that Tender Care serves.

“I go there when I'm stressed just to think,” Vitulli said. “I see that place where the kids can come and perform.”

Vittulli has been forced to offer the art and music therapy programs once a month, down from once a week a few years ago. The program gets its donations from private donors even though Tender Care's other programs are funded by the state. The economic downturn is one reason why it has been hit so hard and now Vitulli and her staff are doing everything they can to save the program.

Now, Tender Care is hoping that more funding can come in and that an arts, or a theater group or even a private individual can help revive the program and even the theater.

“This is really a dream that we hope one day will come to fruition,” said Annette Scalise, director of development at TCHS. “If only we could have a theater group or someone to get behind us to say that they’ll help us with funding to be able to restore this place.”

Art and music programs have been successful in reaching autistic children, enabling them to communicate effectively, and it's one that facilitated a breakthrough with Vitulli's son at the age of the nine.

“Music is a way to help them communicate, calms them down and makes them pay attention,” Vitulli said. “They’re mesmerized by music. Some start singing the words.”

The art and music program enables the children to paint and play instruments like the piano and drums. Vitulli, a former nurse, implemented the program three years ago after seeing the effect it had on her son, Michael.

After she started taking him to music therapy, he began to understand speech and one day told her that he loved her with an understanding of what it meant.

After that breakthrough, Vitulli made it her duty to bring a program like this to the underserved autistic children and now, to keep the program going they are also planning a fashion show in the spring to raise funds.

The music and art program, which is free, currently serves 14 children and there is a waiting list. For many of the children, it is the only way that they can have enrichment while learning how to communicate.

That’s why it is the theater space that both Vitulli, Scalise and other staff are counting on for hope.

“When you are with these children it's contagious, you'll find things they can do you'd never imagine,” Vitulli said. “You take one of them over there they'd be singing and dancing.

“I’d like to have it and open it for music and art and have the community come in and see that these kids can learn if you just give them the tools,” she added. “It's a space that's wasted and if only we can have it repaired and start something, that would be great.”

Read more:Queens Examiner - Center sees hope for an abandoned space

New Jamaica-Base Thrift Store Collaborates with Autism Agency to Keep Music And Art Therapy Programs Alive For Children.

Jamaica, Queens, New York, May 18, 2011– A non-profit agency that provides support and services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities is raising funds for its Music and Art Therapy Programs through a partnership with a new Thrift Store set to open in Jamaica on June 18, 2011.

Jamaica, Queens-based Tender Care Human Services, created in 2001 by the parent of an autistic son, provides a range of services to individuals with autism, and other developmental disabilities throughout NYC and Long Island. Through the agency’s collaboration with Heart & Home Thrift Store – created by Yolanda Vitulli – TCHS aims to keep alive its Music and Art Therapy Programs: The Laura Vitolo Pastina Art Therapy Program and The Heather on Earth Music Therapy Program.

Individuals with various stages of developmental disabilities who attend TCHS’ Day Service Without Walls Program, will man the new Thrift Store, as volunteers.

“It is important that these individuals learn and grow and gain a sense of accomplishment through volunteerism, and the Thrift Store is providing them with that opportunity,” said Ms. Vitulli. “They can’t wait for the store to open. They feel a sense of pride to be part of the Grand Opening of the Thrift Store.”

“We work hard to provide a Saturday Music and Art Therapy Program. Many of these families have a difficult enough time putting food on the table, and otherwise would certainly not be able to provide the enrichment of music and art therapy for their loved ones with developmental disabilities.”