_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
.jpg)
For forty-five years, IGHL has been a leading provider of comprehensive, compassionate support for Long Islanders living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Annually, IGHL provides residential, day habilitation programs and training and employment services to more than 1,200 adults. IGHL has created a robust and innovative support system that offers individuals in the IGHL family an opportunity to live their best life, for life.
Philanthropy is an essential component of our work. It impacts every aspect of our mission to provide lifetime support and innovative services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Smile Farms at IGHL affords employment opportunities to people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing meaningful work and the satisfaction of receiving a paycheck. To better understand the impact that our employment programs have on the people we support, we would like you to share the story of two special people -- Cheryl and Thomas.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cheryl began working at Smile Farms in 2008 and was excited to make new friends. As a very outgoing person, having friends and making new ones was essential. As a result of her employment at Smile Farms, Cheryl now has many friends, even some that she likes to talk with after work. With her paycheck, Cheryl likes to buy things for other people. She does this because it makes her happy.
Thomas started working at Smile Farms in 2012 and was excited to start making and saving money! His family owns a home in Greece, where he visits at least once a year. Thomas has become more independent since starting his job at Smile Farms and can now pay for his travel expenses to Greece which makes him feel good. His goal is to spend the entire summer in Greece with his parents, seven siblings and his nieces and nephews.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We could not impact the lives of people like Cheryl and Thomas without philanthropic support.
In this season of Thanksgiving, we ask that you become an IGHL Philanthropic Partner so we can continue to offer support for people who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________