Fridays 10:00am - 11:00am (EDT)
WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?
Understanding programs and services offered at Winters Center for Autism. Learn more about an untapped talent pipeline of capable and motivated workforce. Get involved and support our work.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
About Christine: Christine Ponzio, M.S.E.d., is the Winters Center for Autism Executive Director. She has been working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as their families, for more than 30 years. She began her career in the field in 1989 at Developmental Disabilities Institute’s (DDI’s) Children’s Residential Program as an instructor, what is now known as a direct support professional(DSP).
About Org: Winters Center for Autism, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit affiliated with the Winters Family Foundation, was established in 2020 after years of thoughtful planning and development. Joe and Michele Winters, native Long Islanders, have been strong advocates for high-quality services for people with autism since their son Sean's diagnosis in 1996. They have long believed that employment provides people with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Today, autism affects 1 in 36 children in the United States.The Center is a dynamic partnership of dedicated people working together to enhance the lives of adults with autism through job creation, training and placement to address the excessive unemployment rate among people with autism.
Although there are many programs that provide excellent services for children and teens, there is a huge gap in the number of services and opportunities for adults with autism. The Winters Center for Autism addresses that need by identifying skills and talents of our participants and matching them with businesses and organizations open to creating jobs for capable and trained employees; creating a kinder and more inclusive Long Island community.The Center also provides fitness, recreation and social programs to assist participants in achieving their goals.
Name of your organization:Winters Center for Autism
Website: https://www.winterscenterforautism.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WintersCenterforAutism/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winters_center_for_autism/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/winters-center-for-autism
KEY WORDS: #autism #autismawareness #autismspeaks
Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
Tommy D commences the program with an insightful exploration into the rationale behind the unconventional spelling of the show's title, opting for "PH" instead of "F." He proceeds to introduce distinguished guests Lisa Lee and Christine Ponzio. During the engaging conversation, Christine Ponzio articulates the mission and objectives of her esteemed organization. Subsequently, both Christine and Lisa delve into their respective professional backgrounds, sharing the compelling narratives that led them to their current roles within the organization.
Christine elaborates on the organization's inception, delving into its foundational history and acknowledging the individuals who played pivotal roles in its establishment. She expresses her personal drive to contribute positively to the challenges faced by individuals with autism, thus motivating her active involvement in the cause. Furthermore, Christine and Lisa engage in an insightful discussion, exploring various strategies and initiatives implemented by their organization to provide valuable assistance and support to individuals living with autism.
Lisa discusses the many challenges that individuals with autism encountered during the pandemic, highlighting the proactive measures undertaken by the organization to offer assistance amidst these trying circumstances. In an engaging dialogue, Lisa, Tommy D, and Christine elaborate on the comprehensive training provided to their staff, enabling them to adeptly support individuals with autism. Emphasizing the significance of soft skills for individuals on the autism spectrum, they affirm their organization's commitment to imparting these essential competencies. Furthermore, Tommy D passionately advocates for improved societal treatment of individuals with mental illness, championing the cause for greater compassion and understanding in contemporary society.
In the final segment of the show, Tommy D facilitates an engaging lightning round discussion. Christine takes the opportunity to shed light on her other business endeavors and friends who actively employ individuals with autism, underscoring the importance of promoting inclusivity in the workforce. Furthermore, she shares information about upcoming fundraising events organized by the organization, furthering their mission to support their cause. Demonstrating a commitment to fostering open communication, Christine graciously provides her contact information, inviting the audience to reach out with any inquiries they may have.
00:00:24.670 --> 00:00:37.609 Tommy DiMisa: Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness! Shout out everybody that's from little off! And any movie, if you don't remember one of my favorites all time, I'm Tommy D, the nonprofit sector character. The show is called Philanthropy
00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:43.009 Tommy DiMisa: in focus, and I skipped over that i' Tommy, the the nonprofit sector
00:00:43.140 --> 00:01:04.100 Tommy DiMisa: connector. I want to do that. But I I was feeling like Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness! I am so fired up today, and it's not even the fact that there's a lot of caffeine in my body. I'm just fired up for the topic. I'm fired up to my friends that are in the virtual attic with me today I'm fired up in the stories we're going to tell. I'm fired up for this shirt. If you're only listening. Think, leprechaun tuxedo t-shirt. if
00:01:04.316 --> 00:01:20.350 Tommy DiMisa: you're watching, just tell me how great the T-shirt is right on. Where can you watch you go? Watch this on Linkedin. You can watch this on Facebook. You could watch us. I think we're on. You watch the show live on Twitter. Now, what is going to help me out. If that's right, we're all over the place. The show is philanthropy and focus. If you need to get to your boy.
00:01:20.350 --> 00:01:31.430 Tommy DiMisa: go to Instagram. That's really my spot right now, Tommy, d dot Nyc. On Instagram, if you need to send me an email, if you need to, you'd like to. It's Tommy d at philanthropy and focus. Phos.
00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:44.349 Tommy DiMisa: Why, ph, oh, c us, Tommy d. Well, here's it in comedy. D let me tell you that he's having a conversation with himself again. Yes, he is. I think there was 3 to me in that conversation, so let's try and dial it back for a second.
00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:56.059 Tommy DiMisa: The reason it's pho, C. Us. Is because I think it's cute. I like alliteration. Philanthropy starts with the Ph. My focus starts with the Ph. I grew up in a generation where used to say it word fat.
00:01:56.370 --> 00:02:12.020 Tommy DiMisa: and it had nothing to do with someone's size. It's welled. Ph. And I said this to I I told my 8 year old the other day, it's like, yeah, this is why I do this show that way. Because fat and he goes. Yeah, yeah. So what it felt mean? I said, what would come in? Some was cool, or like trending, or whatever. And I was like. But
00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:29.849 Tommy DiMisa: but hold on a second. Don't start like going around saying that's fat or he's fat, if you like, somebody or something you're doing, because the people are not going to know that you don't mean, you know, that someone is overweight, anyway. Didn't know I was going to tell you all that today, but that is the reason why the show starts with a Ph. All right.
00:02:30.160 --> 00:02:33.179 Tommy DiMisa: bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back.
00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:40.029 Tommy DiMisa: I had a cousin, Linda Anne Cunningham and my cousin Linda. She had special needs, or, as we say, right now.
00:02:40.030 --> 00:03:04.830 Tommy DiMisa: intellectual and developmental disabilities. We founded the Lindy Loo Foundation. I should take that back my an Ellen and my cousins found that it. They just said to Tommy, D. Hey, you got a big mouth. People pay attention to what you're doing. People like you, and they do like me because I feel like I need to be like. So I make people like me. But that's a whole. Another thing. I'll talk to my shrink about that later next week. But here's the thing about it. The Loop Foundation has been giving back to nonprofit organization serving as very.
00:03:04.830 --> 00:03:28.129 Tommy DiMisa: very special community, and people might not understand why I got so involved in nonprofit, or why I got so involved specifically to organizations like the spirit of Huntington Art Center, where I now a board member or stability, where I am now a board member, right? Because they serve very important and special population to me, and a population that we must continue to support and bring them resources. So here's the thing
00:03:28.130 --> 00:03:48.610 Tommy DiMisa: I have this great opportunity to meet with this morning 2 friends of mine, Chris Ponzo and Lisa Lee. I'm going to play with that name, I said. At least, I said in the virtual green room. But, Lisa Lee, I don't. I just it's something about it. It just I mean it. The the older name, the name you used to have that you told me before, would it wouldn't have float as nicely, although I do. The
00:03:48.610 --> 00:04:06.910 Tommy DiMisa: that's Benzenegger, because my name is Denisa. Everybody knows me is Tommy D. It's a brand. Now, the non-profit sector connected to me the 8 brand a little. Maybe I'll put a little t at trademark next. Right? That's it. So look, we're going to have some fun today. We're going to talk about. We're going to talk about a word that I I want to say specifically.
00:04:07.850 --> 00:04:20.510 Tommy DiMisa: opportunity and access opportunity and access specifically to our community, our community of folks with intellectual developmental disabilities. I am so tired of the fact that we for years
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:43.039 Tommy DiMisa: focus on what people don't have an ability at where they are not strong. And and then we put people in the categories. I promise you this, you might think I have some relative success in my life. If you watch the show. My show. Not just this program, but I mean my show. This time. You do show my life, I would tell you this. There's a lot of stuff that I am not good at.
00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:54.520 Tommy DiMisa: I like a lot of stuff, and or I don't have the ability to complete and do right if we focus on all the things I wasn't good at, or if everybody wasn't good at nobody would do anything.
00:04:54.550 --> 00:05:07.410 Tommy DiMisa: Got it sound like Tony Robbins. For a second I was like Tony Robbins was. No one would do anything. My point is, we accentuate people's abilities, we offer access. We find out where people are strong.
00:05:07.410 --> 00:05:32.020 Tommy DiMisa: and then we go and serve them and give them those opportunities. One in 36 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder it is a spec trump. Okay, I've shared on the show before. I have recently received my own diagnosis of Adhd, which probably blows the minds of anybody who's met me before. I think that's a joke, because most people go. Really no kidding, I said. I know I was the last one to know?
00:05:32.020 --> 00:05:42.460 Tommy DiMisa: Like, really talk, do you have, Adhd? Is that why we see you doing 15 different things all the time? Yeah, it's part of the the point is everything in life, I believe, whether it be mental health or disabilities. Or
00:05:42.470 --> 00:06:02.969 Tommy DiMisa: you know, we're certainly other cognitive impairments. It's a spectrum. It is not the same. We are all individuals. I will try to get off of my soapbox. Let me step down. Okay, my, so box, and I will try to not rant because I have 2 friends here, and I'm going to let them rant. And really I'm going to let them tell the great special stories about the accomplishments 2 weeks ago.
00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:11.630 Tommy DiMisa: Well, 2 weeks ago this happened 3, 4 weeks ago. My friend Chris reached out to me, Chris Pasio, executive director of went to center for autism, and he said.
00:06:11.880 --> 00:06:13.409 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, Thomas, you say you?
00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:24.279 Tommy DiMisa: I'll translate. I thought you said, Yeah, tell me the I don't. You have like like your dad, if somebody is like in the ice cream business or something like that. And I said, My dad, the original to me.
00:06:24.970 --> 00:06:43.840 Tommy DiMisa: owns Ralph. Italian Isis in Huntington, on New York Avenue with this doesn't mean anything if you're finding this in in Portugal, but if you ever make it a Long Island. It will hook up a lot of Italian ice from Portugal, but it, if you know anything about Long Island, Huntington, the paramount theater. There's a little rouse. Italian, is there? That's my dad's store. My dad has really
00:06:43.850 --> 00:07:03.759 Tommy DiMisa: help support my efforts as a nonprofit sector. Can I to help support in my efforts to do 60 days of service, even just up till yesterday, when I went out to sunken Metal Park and scooped Italian Iis for girls Inc. Of Long Island. Because, my friend Renee Daniel Flagler, I I didn't even finish the story with Kristin. Yeah, my friend, would a Daniel Flagler
00:07:03.760 --> 00:07:17.700 Tommy DiMisa: asked me what 5 years ago we talked about, that she wanted to have a golf event for the girls this week was middle school girls. Golf camp next week is high school girls golf camp. So if you want to Italian ice, meet me at 3, 15 sunken Metal Park next week.
00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:24.419 Tommy DiMisa: and I'll give you the time I's because I'll be there for so serving Italian license to the High School girls. from girls in
00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:42.680 Tommy DiMisa: they that they'll be going through the camp there anyhow, back to the original story. I think I'm in 2 right now back to the original story, Chris said. Doesn't your dad have like an ice cream store. And I said, yes. So 2 weeks ago I had the opportunity to yeah on. It was like a. It was a cool, breezy day. It was 99 degrees in the shape.
00:07:42.700 --> 00:07:55.639 Tommy DiMisa: and I don't know what was melting faster. The Italian ice, or your boy I don't know. It was a tough day. It was hot. Chris had set up a tent for me which I needed. But, Chris, it was warm, right, wrong.
00:07:55.640 --> 00:08:16.420 Tommy DiMisa: Oh, it! It was sweltering. It was just fun, but it was that. Now look back. In my day, you know, I would have said nothing better than a cold beer, but you know I drink not alcohol. If you. At this point I would have said nothing better than a cold beer on a hot day, but nothing better than Italian ice. On a hot day, especially our rainbow ice, and people seem to take a real sh in the rainbow ice. Anyway.
00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:40.939 Tommy DiMisa: we'll try to leave that all there. I had the opportunity to celebrate with Chris and team because they were celebrating the one year anniversary of Winters Center for autism. What a way to get to a story. To me. It took 9 min to tell a story about Scoop and Italian Isis, but the point is at that event, I learned that just in one year 120 participants have gone through the vocational and training program that winter Center for autism offers. Now
00:08:41.559 --> 00:09:05.099 Tommy DiMisa: 30 of those people that those young people have now got. I've received gainful employment, but there's training we're going to talk about. It goes back to my word, and I hope Chris and Lisa will agree to me. It goes back to this word accessibility, because I always believe it's not about, you know I I I live and see the world from abundance. I don't see the world from scarcity. I think scarcity is shenanigans. Ha! Nice job with the short time.
00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:22.029 Tommy DiMisa: I think that it is shenanigans, and I believe, by the way, just so. You all know I I might look like you know. People say, Oh, you're Italian, or you Greek, or whatever. Actually I'm from Franklin Square. But my, I tell you that thing is because my mother's family is is all Irish, so I'm allowed to wear this I have.
00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:47.370 Tommy DiMisa: There's the Coxes and the Phenies, and the Cunninghams and the Nashes. Those are my people. It's not just a bunch of the nieces. I have a whole. There's all other side of the family. My mother has green eyes, she has blonde hair, we look nothing alike, but I believe she is my mother, because she told me so. That's how you know. Zoom. But you, mom, they say, Hi, I'm your mom. And I said, Hello! I'm telling you she's still to this day calls and pounds. Anyway, I'll try. We're gonna go to a break before I even introduce you guys. So
00:09:47.530 --> 00:09:57.509 Tommy DiMisa: Chris Ponzo, executive director. Really, from the founding of this organization, what I'd like you to do is, first of all, I haven't even let you say Hello. I haven't let Lisa say, Hello! I've just been going on.
00:09:57.650 --> 00:09:58.490 Tommy DiMisa: Chris.
00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:13.700 Tommy DiMisa: Tell me about the organization. If you could succinctly right what the organization is, and then we're gonna dive into your background and leases. But tell me about the organization and how you got there, and then how Lisa came on. I guess pretty early on with you. It's only been a year since the organization's been going right?
00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:40.230 Christine Ponzio: Yeah. So the actual Winter center for autism, our our founder, the amazing late Joe Winters, Michelle and his wife Michelle, have a son, Shawn, who has autism and really inspired, as Joe would tell, to take his blessings in the Winters brothers, waste Systems company that he built and give back in a big way to autism the unemployment rate for adults with autism is 90%. So he really felt
00:10:40.250 --> 00:11:02.999 Christine Ponzio: that he could take his platform at Winters Brothers. he started hiring adults with autism in 2,015, not his son, by the way, because he started this program 4 years before his son ever joined, and then decided that other businesses really didn't know about this. You know. They need to know that they are really talented employees out there. So he wanted to create
00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:14.319 Christine Ponzio: something specifically. Now, the winter center for autism to provide the training to people, but not just that. Be the bridge to also help
00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:34.510 Christine Ponzio: the Long Island businesses to really understand how to help people on the spectrum, get jobs, keep to keep jobs, but also excel. So the story started when they incorporated at the back, you know, was the it was November 2,019, I came on board to say, January 2020,
00:11:34.510 --> 00:11:42.310 Christine Ponzio: and we built the center. We built the campus. We built the building. And we're we're now operating for a year.
00:11:42.310 --> 00:12:06.039 Tommy DiMisa: We're going to dive in the programs. You're going to dive into that bridge that was built. We're going to dive into accessibility. Introduce your friend Lisa Lee. And now, my new friend, lately I I could just say, Lisa, but you know what it's just funny to say that way, and that's what I you know, Tommy D is one word, you know. So, Lisa Chris introduced us to Lisa. I as I look back. I mean, I have my notes here. This has been a, you know, a special education teacher.
00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:30.770 Tommy DiMisa: 33 years of experience you all have met, for you know each other for a long time. I mean I don't I? I don't know what kind of math we want to do here, but you know it's interesting to me, because, you know, when I think about Id. And then I think about Ddi, right? It's very interesting how those those 2 algorithms go together. So, Chris, why don't you tell us what Ddi is, and how you and Lisa originally connected, and that and then at least, it could talk a little bit too
00:12:31.020 --> 00:12:59.500 Christine Ponzio: sure. Ddi is an incredible nonprofit that has been serving children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities from the 1960 S. Lisa and I both got our careers started there in their children's residential program, and I don't know that we knew it then, but I think in the field they refer to us as lifers, you know. Yeah, the people who just start in the field fall in love with what they do and are really committed to staying in the nonprofit world and making a difference.
00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:15.390 Christine Ponzio: So we met back then, and it didn't take me very long after coming here to reach out to Lisa, and say. You know, this is help me build this. So this is my friend, Lisa Lee.
00:13:15.550 --> 00:13:26.550 Tommy DiMisa: I'm talking about that phone call. And it was a kind of like an obvious like, this is my friend. This is my colleague. She's reaching out, and we could do this together.
00:13:26.810 --> 00:13:42.050 LisaLee: Sure, absolutely. So. I had actually spent some of my my time at Ddi doing consultation for for public schools, and really what I I learned and what Kristen I would often speak about is
00:13:42.050 --> 00:14:07.050 LisaLee: services evolving for young children and spending time and secondary. Most specifically, high school is really where I I got to hear families being anxious about what's going to happen after graduation, or or you know, or just we're really worried. Do we go to college route? But college doesn't seem to fit and but we're concerned about getting a job and getting through the
00:14:07.050 --> 00:14:36.030 LisaLee: and that, and that stayed with me and resonated with me. So so when Chris and I were talking about the center, and as it was evolving, and and once an opportunity present was presented to me it was just for me. It was just the ability to to come on board and work with people who shared the same passion and vision and preferred adults. It was a no brainer for me, and I'm just happy to be here and happy to be able to to help to help. adults.
00:14:36.050 --> 00:14:57.330 Tommy DiMisa: I I love that. I mean, this is what it's about. Look, we talk about as our population. And I say to that, like, I say our population, because I feel very connected and committed to the population of people with different abilities. You know divers abilities. Right? I said. We all have different abilities. I'm not trying to, you know, to say that things aren't different for different people. But I think we must focus on that.
00:14:57.420 --> 00:15:10.949 Tommy DiMisa: The individuals right as much as we can. I think the world's much more beautiful place when we focus on individuals instead of putting people in groups. I think if we did that. We solve a lot of problems on this planet, for sure. So you know, I think in terms of
00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:26.159 Tommy DiMisa: our population and the parents with our population. I'm raising 4 kids myself with my wife, not just by myself. It's definitely she's raising 4 children, and I'm helping her because she's still much better job. But there's a certain point where
00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:50.079 Tommy DiMisa: there's this cliff this fall off the aging out, as our young people age out of at 21 years 8, 2021 years of age, as out of the school system. And there is this sort of concern. And what is it going to look like, you know. my cousin Linda was with us for 31 years. you know. Linda worked. She worked at stop and shop. She worked at Cvs. She had a job coach, and she was out there in the community, and her and friends. They bowled a couple of
00:15:50.080 --> 00:16:14.789 Tommy DiMisa: you know. It was like, this is not. Everybody has the same abilities, but people have. You know there is opportunities for all of us. We're going to take a quick break, but when we talk about when we come back, we're going to talk about the programs that the organization has. We're going to talk about training. We're going to talk about being that bridge, and what you said to Chris there about being a bridge and training for Long Island businesses. I sort of got those like hairs on the back of my neck cool. I got my pencil in my long curly.
00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:43.869 Tommy DiMisa: but I got those hands on the back of my next stood up because it was like, Oh, my God, this is our island. It's like 9 million people, or something like that. There's like hundreds of thousands of businesses right? And I believe if we all make this commitment to learn how to make it accessible for different people with different abilities, we'll talk spirit of Huntington because I got a shout out spirit or anything to an artworks today, I must say we'll talk about it back. We'll talk about all the other experience that is a nonprofit.
00:16:44.220 --> 00:17:10.409 Tommy DiMisa: But we'll talk about some of the for-profit businesses, and what I would encourage you to do if you have found this somewhere. If you found me in this program somewhere is connect with Chris and Lisa over at Winter Center for autism. And I was going to get the website real quick. Winter's plural winters center for autism.com. So it's not.org. So right.com so make a note that it's dot com winters center for autism.com reach out to them.
00:17:10.540 --> 00:17:26.510 Tommy DiMisa: If you are a business owner, if your business leader, if you're a manager, general manager, whatever, or if you're just a concerned employee, and you want to make sure that you make your company accessible for other people. Do that. Anyway, we'll be back in a minute. I'm way over on the break. Guess what my show I do, what I want. We'll do right now.
00:19:38.090 --> 00:19:50.750 Tommy DiMisa: The only song in the history of songs about a guy doing a podcast about philanthropy from his attic on Long Island, the only song that references an attic. I mean, there's other songs like toys in the attic. This is more like Tommy in the attic, but
00:19:50.750 --> 00:20:09.829 Tommy DiMisa: Bryan Levy, I love you. I call him Uncle Brandon, Queens, Chamber of Commerce. We route together the other night, which is a handful of consultants. That work with the nonprofit sector. Lee Tucker brought us out to a museum. Lee Tucker, with Clifton Lars and Allen brought us out to to the Taylor Swift Museum at a museum down in
00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:34.840 Tommy DiMisa: right over by Columbus Circle, and it was just like so cool. And Brendan and I took the training my friend Christine desk from nonprofit sector strategies and my name dropping. Yes, I am, because that's part of what I do, because I'm shouting out my friends because I love my people because my people support the nonprofit sector, and that's what it is. So So that was so fun. and Brendan and I wrote that song together, and Brendan sings it. But I can see your nonprofits need connections to move in right direction.
00:20:34.840 --> 00:20:44.739 Tommy DiMisa: I can. I can sing it for you. But I'm gonna pause because I've been doing most of the talking. So let's get into it. Chris Ponzo is here. Lisa Lee is here. The organization is winter center for autism. Leaving out
00:20:44.740 --> 00:21:02.680 Tommy DiMisa: the the the vision of Joe and Michelle. You know. I I really guess, and not to be like to be like arrogant that I know so much about this, but I never met Joe, but I just everything I hear is, he was a wonderful man, and had great vision, and really was part of I I feel like you told me this.
00:21:03.050 --> 00:21:04.960 Tommy DiMisa: Chris, you had said to me like
00:21:05.010 --> 00:21:22.960 Tommy DiMisa: years ago, like when Joe had reached out to you on this. It was like a no brainer, because you had so much admiration for him as a business professional as a man. I mean, there's a back story there, right there, you guys, yeah. So tell me that because I think it's great for people to know, because at the end of the day, what are we talking about? But we're talking about stories of people
00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:29.840 Christine Ponzio: absolutely. And I think, I had the opportunity to meet Joe and Michelle when their son Shawn was diagnosed
00:21:29.850 --> 00:21:50.159 Christine Ponzio: with autism. And just to give you the perspective of of this, like this man, he and his brothers and their families moved up to Vermont to really start their their waste business up there, and shortly after the move, within a year Shawn was diagnosed, and Burlington, Vermont back then didn't have
00:21:50.160 --> 00:22:00.739 Christine Ponzio: services. So he came back to his roots, you know, with his family. Everyone moved back to Long Island, and he came to Ddi, saying, I heard this was the best place that could help my son.
00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:10.749 Christine Ponzio: and you know there was no availability. There was nothing. There was just such a burst in autism diagnoses. So Lisa and I actually work there back then.
00:22:10.750 --> 00:22:34.670 Christine Ponzio: And He asked the director at the time. How do you take your coffee, sir, and he said, why? And he said, because I'm gonna bring you coffee every morning until you have an opening to help my son and do this to me and make me cry my own show. Chris. It's not really allowed. It's it's actually against the rules. you know what though your Dad, Tommy. So you get it.
00:22:34.700 --> 00:23:03.109 Tommy DiMisa: I mean, I I see Joe going there with the cup of coffee, because, you know, he's persistent because he wanted to do whatever he could to get his son the support he needed. Larry Grubler came on the show second ever episode transitional services for New York, New York, and said to me, Tommy D. We only support at different times in life, and I, you know we we say we would go to the ends of the earth for our children, you know, and I I Nap Michelle. I love meeting you in the parking lot at at the
00:23:03.110 --> 00:23:18.369 Tommy DiMisa: Wow at the center last week with you. Telly Nice is again. I didn't know your husband but seems like an incredible man, and and I'm sure he can't bring him a cup of coffee, and eventually they found the spot right. It was either find them a spot, or just have to deal with this guy every morning was probably the thing right?
00:23:18.410 --> 00:23:47.710 Christine Ponzio: Yeah. And and they did. And actually, Lisa was one of Shawn's first teachers. and you know his services were offered at home because we had no space. But what happened is as Joe did, for everyone in his life is once Shawn moved on. He called every year and said, you know. How's your family? Here's what's happening with Shawn. Do you have any thoughts of suggestions in the? You know that last call I had with him? in 2,019
00:23:47.710 --> 00:24:09.700 Christine Ponzio: was, you know, I want to have lunch with you. I have an idea. And this was his idea, and in a way that you know. I understood that he had started something at Winters Brothers. That was pretty spectacular, and I thought, of course, everybody there supports this. The bosses. Kid has autism. What I didn't know that first call was that
00:24:09.850 --> 00:24:27.899 Christine Ponzio: his son didn't work there. It was other adults on the autism spectrum, and it wasn't just because he was the boss. It was because the culture of the company is really a culture that every business should aspire to, and they tapped into these skills, abilities, and talents. And it wasn't charity.
00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:50.300 Tommy DiMisa: It was good for business. It was good for business, right on, I say, hashtag inclusion. What you might not know is, I do sit on the New York City Advisory Board, everybody for best buddies and a National Anthony Shriver. Kennedy found the organization. If you don't know best bodies. Look text me? Well, I'm not going to give you my cell phone right now, but hit me up on Instagram. Tommy, d dot nyc, somebody told me. Reason don't just give the whole world your cell phone number.
00:24:50.390 --> 00:24:56.419 Tommy DiMisa: probably good advice actually. Then I saw you know Kevin O'leary, Mr. Wonderful on
00:24:56.430 --> 00:25:21.429 Tommy DiMisa: what's the show shark tag? You know. I think that you have 2 cell phones. So you have a phone where you give everybody in the world like that your direct reports people. You know that cell phone and they will respect that, and they won't call you. And then you have another phone, which is like the phone for, like the very, very inner circle, I don't know if that's a good move or not, Mr. Wonderful. But anyway, so the thing is, I, I would say, you know, reach out if you want to learn more about best buddies, but reach out
00:25:21.430 --> 00:25:30.510 Tommy DiMisa: out certainly, if you want to learn more about this organization, Winters center for autismcom autism comedy sounded out autism. There you go.com.
00:25:30.510 --> 00:25:34.859 Tommy DiMisa: So, Chris. So you just see Joe's vision, and you go what I'm all in.
00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:37.400 Christine Ponzio: So
00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:53.089 Christine Ponzio: you know, it was to just just put it out there. He showed me these amazing floor plans. He talked about this this vision and this space. And I, I am a believer that you're part of the problem, or you're part of the solution.
00:25:53.190 --> 00:26:01.239 Christine Ponzio: So there was, and still is, a huge problem. it get huge gap in services for adults with autism.
00:26:01.780 --> 00:26:10.010 Christine Ponzio: And I thought, you know I can complain about it, or I could try to make an impact and change it. So
00:26:10.030 --> 00:26:12.600 Tommy DiMisa: in the game, right? Be a doors.
00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:30.209 Tommy DiMisa: I mean, with problems come to be with ideas and solutions and resolution. Right? Let's fix things. That's that's that's that. That was it. And that was the moment, you know, when you when you see. And this was the other piece is that
00:26:30.390 --> 00:26:45.459 Christine Ponzio: you know where, as nonprofits right? We all know that it's hard work, right? Funding isn't always great. But when you get a business, when you get a family, when you get a visionary like Joe Winters, who wants to back something.
00:26:45.500 --> 00:27:09.140 Tommy DiMisa: you you gotta do it, because that's what we all need. We need these corporate champions. We need people to really help us And and let's say it on Long Island. Let's start there. The model. Yeah. And that's a that's a great story. You know, where you can change the really changed, what things look like Lisa from your perspective, from a programmatic perspective. Really, what is the look and feel of the organization for you?
00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:36.140 LisaLee: So from the beginning, when we started to to meet families, and and we met them during we were starting to meet them all at well. The pandemic was still still pretty significant, and just to family after family hearing about their stories, and how so many people have have been, have been home and just wants to get out. But once you get out with purpose, and want to get out and and
00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:46.790 LisaLee: and work and learn and see other people, and and time and time again we heard so many stories very similar. So, as we were moving towards the sensors, one
00:27:46.790 --> 00:28:04.969 LisaLee: opening we were. We were working with some Chinese in businesses, and and really having some nice experiences there and then, really, once once the center opened, leading up to the center, we did a open houses where where the
00:28:04.970 --> 00:28:28.369 LisaLee: where the Chinese would visit the center. Before that we actually opened our doors, and so many beautiful things started to happen, not just being able to provide training, but people had seen each other who hadn't seen each other for years. They went to high school together and didn't even know that they would ever see one another again. And there was plugging in the parking lot, and and parents reconnecting and
00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:50.640 LisaLee: and since and and for our trainees that have been here for a year. Now that's just that just blossomed. there. So there's certainly great work going on in terms of job training and and and and skill acquisition. But what's even more important to that? And you think about ourselves and our own work experiences in our daily lives.
00:28:50.640 --> 00:29:14.080 LisaLee: What makes work good is the connection you have the people that you work with, and just seeing those connections. our, our Chinese connecting with one another, connecting, you know, with with the staff and making plans like. Nothing warms our hearts more than to hear about how now folks got together over the weekend, or we got together one afternoon, and we're doing
00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:23.369 LisaLee: hanging out doing things that that you do when you're an adult, you know, going to restaurants, going to bowling. And and it's really just
00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:52.750 LisaLee: It's just been so beautiful to see and and just working with the businesses and having opportunities for H. Our Chinese to generalize what they've learned here at the center, to those to those employment partnerships and and it's it's only been a year. We're just getting great. So I know you got something to say. But I just want to say we're just getting warmed up. So, Chris, what do you? I see you getting ready to tell me something too. Well, I just like 2 things. Lisa is so modest, but I think one of the things that is
00:29:52.750 --> 00:30:05.100 Christine Ponzio: just been incredible is that I you know we have colleagues reaching out, I people calling me saying, Wait a minute. Are you actually having adults with autism working during a pandemic.
00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:28.139 Christine Ponzio: and I was like, Yes, and they like, Are you nuts? And I said, It's dignity of risk. We had essential businesses that needed people, and we add adults with autism that could be safe and follow Cdc guidelines. So when Lisa started, she really oversaw that whole aspect of having young adults working in essential businesses
00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:40.130 Christine Ponzio: who were were fantastic, and those businesses have since hired more adults on the spectrum and told, you know, the business to business connection is really the word of mouth
00:30:40.130 --> 00:31:00.289 Tommy DiMisa: that has had made us, you know, successful. That's what it is, though. Gang, that's what like. If you're listening, you lead a business. That's what I want you to take from this, you know. Look at this as a model. Look at this is, you know, in Joe Michelle's vision and and winters brothers as a whole. And the and what is center for autism as a as an organization. But think in terms of
00:31:00.290 --> 00:31:15.669 Tommy DiMisa: watch this, watch this story, pay close attention and see what's going to happen. Because I want to be part of this, Chris. I told I texted you the other day, like after the Isis I mean. My hands were all sweaty because I was in my car, and it was 90. It was like 102,
00:31:15.670 --> 00:31:40.669 Tommy DiMisa: I I I I was scoop in the ices, everybody I was texting. I was like dude. I want to be a part of this I want, and I was like emotional about. I was like, want to be part. Look! Should I be on on the board of directors? Not that you're asking me. I don't probably have the capacity to to do that right now, but to be a friend to the organization and align and bring my relationships. Yeah, that's what that's why we're here today. That's why I was like.
00:31:40.670 --> 00:32:03.889 Tommy DiMisa: you absolutely know what I got to come on the show like, can you come on the show next week. That's kind of how I talk. So a couple things I'm supposed to go to break. But here's job training. I want you to take that away, write it down. I want you to write these down these words, gang, skill, acquisition, right, dignity of risk. These are things to be mindful of the last thing I want to shout out is what are center for autism was a finalist in the Long Island. Imagine awards.
00:32:03.890 --> 00:32:23.629 Tommy DiMisa: vanguard benefits, category Rising Star category. They were not the winner. It's other friends of ours here. We share that one. But I mean, look, you know what it's great to be a finalist, and I know winter centers coming right back next year for the Imagine award. So we'll talk about that. I've been on that committee. Shout out to Kent to renew the whole thing. All right. We come back some of the things I want to talk about when we come back.
00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:25.670 Tommy DiMisa: I'll talk about Nellie's
00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:53.869 Tommy DiMisa: gotta talk about Nellie's. Nellie and I have become friends. I'll tell you about that later. So I want to experience to Huntington, and how we could talk about it. Affiliation there, at least, I want to come back and talk day in and day out, what it looks like programmatically, because I really want to get into your side of things. You know what it's like to work with the individuals, what it's like to be training and stuff like that. I am the nonprofit sector. Wait for it. Connector philanthropy and focuses show Winter Center for autism. Chris Ponzio and Lisa Lee and Tommy Dean right back
00:34:54.940 --> 00:35:23.640 Tommy DiMisa: the non-profit sector. Connect to go to this website, please, later on today, right? This second, whenever you get a chance winters center for autism winters center for autism, which is a 5 on one seat, free nonprofit, affiliated with the Winters family Foundation, established in 2,020 after years of thoughtful planning and development. This was founded by a successful business family. Okay, they understand strategy. They understand planning
00:35:23.640 --> 00:35:38.730 Tommy DiMisa: and guess what. Here's the secret. I'm gonna let everybody in on nonprofits or businesses. Okay, they run like business. They have employees and payroll and workers Comp and employee benefits like V or benefits, shout out to my team at Vancouver benefits
00:35:39.540 --> 00:35:57.849 Tommy DiMisa: Joe and Michelle, native Long Islanders, Joan Michelle winters strong advocates for high qualities, for services for people with autism since their son Shawn's diagnosis in 1,996, 1,996 was here. I graduated from Shaman on High School Co. Flyers in the gold. They have long believed that
00:35:57.850 --> 00:36:15.969 Tommy DiMisa: that employment provides a sense of fulfillment and purpose. One in 36 children and us are are affected by offices, you know. You see, you just said that some some things about that, like about the importance of work, the socialization, the folks that are in your training programs that go out hang out together in the weekends. I mean to be honest.
00:36:15.970 --> 00:36:41.010 Tommy DiMisa: you know, March of 20 comes around, and I didn't realize it, but I was sort of mourning not to make a joke for people who did lose people. But I was mourning my old life, you know. March, April, May, June, July, and then 2 years. But I was realizing that I was. I'm a guy who is not usually locked away in an attic. I'm a guy who's usually on the road meeting people hugging people the whole thing right networking connected.
00:36:41.660 --> 00:36:51.869 Tommy DiMisa: Certainly this population was affected by not getting out and socializing because we were all effective, but I think it was even more so. You know. our our population as well as the senior population.
00:36:52.000 --> 00:37:04.330 Tommy DiMisa: but not but. And we find so much connection and socialization through our jobs we find so much fulfillment. Can you speak a little bit about that in some programs, and Chris jump in as as need be, for from your perspective as well.
00:37:05.470 --> 00:37:10.530 LisaLee: So we actually that's right, Tony. We saw a lot of
00:37:10.740 --> 00:37:33.809 LisaLee: of of of what you just described, when we were meeting families in preparation for attending the center concerns about being home for so long, and not having access to even just being able to go to the store or or to go go for walk. Sometimes people were even concerned to do that. And then what started to happen is, if you do that for too long
00:37:33.830 --> 00:37:51.910 LisaLee: transitions can be challenging. So so so much concern was from from the families that we met with had to do with. We want our son, or our daughter, or or individuals themselves, saying, I want to get out, but I'm nervous. And so so we really, when the sensor opens
00:37:51.910 --> 00:38:16.429 LisaLee: when we saw so many families all at once, really would really ready to take that leap and that jump to come to come someplace every week twice a week. Be on time, just appropriately looking forward to learning the skills that they wanted to learn so that they could go to go to their next environment, which would be to be competitively paid. Ed. In a business that that
00:38:16.630 --> 00:38:34.529 LisaLee: that that will open We're welcomed with open arms. So each day here at the center, a trainee comes in and they're met by their job coach, and right away we start with what we would, you would see when we get to work every day. So it starts with
00:38:34.530 --> 00:38:53.949 LisaLee: how you doing. What did you do last night? What did you do for the weekend, and what our job coaches help facilitate our conversations. Conversations? What you? What needs to be said if if somebody needs help with that and and through practice, and using some of the the
00:38:53.950 --> 00:39:18.380 LisaLee: visual supports that we'll use to help facilitate those conversations. What we've been able to to teach over time is being able to diminish some of those visual support and really get more natural conversations with our trainees. And then what's nice about that is that when we make the move to to our employment partners that's already been taught. So it's just generalizing it to the next environment with the next people.
00:39:18.380 --> 00:39:29.129 Tommy DiMisa: If I could stop you one sec. Because I want to visualize it. Okay, gang, I'm speaking what I'm speaking to you all right. Now I'm speaking to you as business owners and business leaders. Listen to what lease is saying.
00:39:29.130 --> 00:39:54.130 Tommy DiMisa: This isn't. We're not, you know, hey? We're not doing anybody a favor. Hire them. These are going to be assets to your organization. And the winner center for autism is training these individuals on the skills that will be necessary in your organization. So talk about transition. These folks are learning real life stuff that they can bring into a business to to, as I say, hit the ground running and be a, you know, a productive member of that organization.
00:39:54.130 --> 00:40:10.510 Tommy DiMisa: right? So that's not skills that not everybody has learned right, you know, because of of differences in in access or ability. Christine, look like you were going to say something there, too. No, I just I was going to share, you know, Echo, at least a said, and I think what what you hear Lisa describing
00:40:10.510 --> 00:40:16.869 Christine Ponzio: is is so important for businesses to understand, because oftentimes
00:40:16.870 --> 00:40:40.899 Christine Ponzio: the folks that we meet and that we do training for whether they want to participate in culinary or food service. They want to do hotel or hospitality. They want to work in garden and horticulture, auto detailing business and clerical skills generally. It's not the tasks that are difficult to learn. It's all of the soft skills, all of those interpersonal skills.
00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:48.679 Tommy DiMisa: And what happens in a work environment is, you know, you can get shot down right at the interview process.
00:40:48.680 --> 00:41:10.809 Christine Ponzio: because it's typically very unpredictable, abstract, conversational. And we will again work on those skills here because the transition program that we offer in order for it to be effective. Yes, we have to teach people all of the safety that you need to become a food handler or all of the skills you need
00:41:10.810 --> 00:41:23.870 Christine Ponzio: to clean a hotel room or to be able to set up Use Microsoft suite, depending on what your training path is, and they choose that. But the most important thing is what happens when the time clock breaks
00:41:23.870 --> 00:41:43.789 Christine Ponzio: and I can't clock in. Who do I go to? How do I get help like? Who are those people, the natural champions and businesses? So so much of of sometimes people here job training. And they think it's like the actual skills and tasks. But so much of it is really those soft skills.
00:41:43.790 --> 00:41:56.290 Tommy DiMisa: the interpersonal skills and being able to have people have stress management and problem solving skills
00:41:56.290 --> 00:42:22.609 Tommy DiMisa: somewhat. I have some, you know. Maybe I don't have challenged abilities or whatever. And I, everybody, if you know me, I mean, it's in love. If I'm using the wrong words. I just just because I'm trying to make a quick point, I could stress that I get super anxiety sometimes, and if I had a job where I was clocking in and the clock didn't work, and I can't find Hr. And I'm like Oh, my God! Now I'm not going to get my money now. I'm not going to get paid. I'm going to go into like I'm going to persuade a little bit me, and I'm going to go into this kind of downward spiral. So I need my own
00:42:22.610 --> 00:42:26.730 Tommy DiMisa: coping mechanisms right, I think. And you know. And again. I've been a
00:42:26.730 --> 00:42:56.399 Tommy DiMisa: working person to some 13 years old. So I built some of these skills, but not everybody has had the opportunity to to get those skills, Chris and Lisa. And it's about, you know. And again, if you could never work before, I still have these challenges as an adult human being, as we all do. Right. you know, waking up at 5 am. And go. Oh, my God! Stressful life! I I all this stuff. So it's having these mechanisms, these coping strategies that I think are super important. And that's so soft skills as you talk about it. I want to ask you a quick thing.
00:42:56.400 --> 00:43:04.030 Tommy DiMisa: Chris, can you please read me the sign between you? But behind you, there on the wall I could read it. But I want you to read it.
00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:13.719 Christine Ponzio: So it actually says, create the things you wish existed. And I saw that sign in the store because Joe had passed.
00:43:13.830 --> 00:43:43.539 Christine Ponzio: people reached out. And you know we're like, do you want to come work here? Because it seems like things will now fall apart and You know our determination was no Joe's vision, and his family, and his business was so committed to this. So that is representative, I believe, of what we do here. We create the things that we all wish existed.
00:43:43.690 --> 00:43:46.149 Tommy DiMisa: People came to you and said, Hey, Chris.
00:43:46.310 --> 00:44:08.950 Tommy DiMisa: maybe this isn't going to go anywhere. Come over here now, and we'll we'll hook you up, we'll get you sorted out. And then your answer was, no way, man like this is this is this man's legacy. This is my mission. Now I'm putting words in your mouth. But this is your mission to take this thing and see it forward, I gathering freakin t this, that over the next 10 years with why, I I'm so excited to be.
00:44:08.950 --> 00:44:33.219 Tommy DiMisa: I'll say, a participant, but certainly a spectator, and what you all are going to be doing, and I want to be an advocate, and I want to lend a little bit of the nonprofit sector, connector. Good juju, I want to lend that to you in your organization, because to me this is my mission is to make the world a better place, and when you tell me, Chris Ponzo and I already knew it. But when you said 90% of individuals with disabilities are out of work. Now, I am going to.
00:44:33.310 --> 00:44:49.779 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, that's bullshit. I don't curse on the show. But that's freaking, ridiculous. It's not appropriate. It's not okay. It's not okay. The way we deal with mental illness in this country. It is not okay that we don't give people with different abilities, access to employment period and a story.
00:44:49.780 --> 00:45:08.279 Tommy DiMisa: I said that I'm your boy, the non-profit sector connector. And I'm pissed off for greatness. Okay, I'm pissed off to make the world a better place. I want to be a part of what you're doing. I want to hang out with the Winters team because you guys are changing the world, shout out to the spirit of Huntington Art Center, where we bring individuals with different abilities and
00:45:08.540 --> 00:45:33.080 Tommy DiMisa: to train them on digital art design. Go to my company's website. Vanguard benefits you. yu.com. I very rarely promote this, but I want you to code for to look at our website because that was done by the spirit of Huntington Art Center individuals with different abilities. They help us with our mission, our vision, our value. And every 2 weeks I'm on a marketing call with the team at the spirit of Huntington Art Center.
00:45:33.080 --> 00:45:57.149 Tommy DiMisa: So I am obviously cranky about this. I we need to continue to make the world a better place, and that's it. Us I don't know. Somebody's telling me on twitch, so we roll window into what you say. Say it louder for the people in the back. Tommy. D look, I don't know you are cerebral, but if I yell any louder. The people on the block are going to get angry over here. Shout out to you, man, man or woman, or person, look forward to connecting with you.
00:45:57.150 --> 00:46:07.160 Tommy DiMisa: I didn't even know I had anybody following me on twitch, shout out to twitch, Listen, Logan! Great job keeping me abreast of who's out there checking in. But we gotta do this as a team. Right, Christine.
00:46:07.220 --> 00:46:08.980 Tommy DiMisa: Chris. Lisa.
00:46:09.150 --> 00:46:10.949 right? I mean, what else is there?
00:46:11.140 --> 00:46:30.849 Christine Ponzio: And we have these tests like we have real people. I could. We could do this for 10 h right like we have a young man who was in a day have Joe Winters gave him a shot and hired him, and he actually worked at Winters Brothers. And then, as we were opening the center, interviewed with us for a position.
00:46:30.850 --> 00:46:54.949 Tommy DiMisa: and you know he speaks very freely and openly. But he's our receptionist. He's I can. I call him out by name. Is that okay, Chris? What's up, Chris. He goes by West Coast Don, he's a rapper, he, when my partner, Ed probes and I came for a visit man. My voice is gone today when we came for a visit. Chris Ponzio, I'm speaking to you. But Chris, whose reception is
00:46:54.950 --> 00:47:18.619 Tommy DiMisa: welcome, this with open arms. Can I get your water welcome in Winter Center for autism. Chris, J. Has to be a friend of yours. You're living out a great life, and you're making an incredible impact. And look, we talked about hip. Hop, you're younger than me. We talk about a tribe call class. We talked about Cyprus sale, you know. I I want to come and see you rap one day we'll deal with that another time. We are way over on a break. But guess what
00:47:18.790 --> 00:47:36.690 Tommy DiMisa: this is my show, and that's how it's gonna go. I'm glad we got the shout out, Chris. We're gonna come back when we come back. We're gonna have the lightning round. I always wanted to be a game show host, and you see, either way I dress. Nothing should surprise you that that's what I always wanted to do when we come back. I want to know what's up coming for the organization.
00:47:36.690 --> 00:47:55.809 Tommy DiMisa: Who are you looking for relationships with? How can we connect you? And I need you to give a shout out to my friend Nellie when we come back and tell who fell everybody who Nellie is. This show is fully under being focused. I'm going to need a nap after this. I feel like crazy, Eddie. If you don't know crazy Eddie his price, I will be right back. They'll be right back. I need to take a breather.
00:47:56.240 --> 00:47:58.240 LisaLee: Oh, go to break
00:49:57.530 --> 00:50:04.349 Tommy DiMisa: in the attic every Friday morning, 10 A. M. Eastern time for this show. My mission philanthropy in the
00:50:04.490 --> 00:50:28.009 Tommy DiMisa: focus. That's what it's about, man. It's about telling stories. I telling you, Logan, you got me my buddy, my producer, Logan, doing these things. He talks to me about twitch in the chat here. I'm Google and Twitch. That's what Adhd is gang I'm like in a deep hole trying to figure out what twitch is while we're on a thirty-second break, so you'll have to teach me about that, Logan, but shout out there to be on twitch, shout out to Amy Fletcher, I love you! I will see you for coffee this afternoon.
00:50:28.010 --> 00:50:37.069 Tommy DiMisa: I appreciate everything. You, the nonprofit sector, harmony, health care, my friend. I will. If I can get Dave Rolls cell phone number for you. Aim. I will. I will text it to you.
00:50:37.070 --> 00:51:00.339 Tommy DiMisa: Amy loves the role from foo fighters, anyway. That's now. Now it's out there like she doesn't put it out there in the world, anyway, I love it so I one other quick shout out, talk about Adhd, my buddy, Steve fry the Smb. Guy will have our friend. Both he and my friend Julie Shulin will be on the show his show that comes on right after me. He's the Smb. Guy. The show is called always Friday, because his last name is Fry, and Fry means free, and Friday and all this.
00:51:00.340 --> 00:51:09.699 Tommy DiMisa: stay here, Steve, hook you up with that? All right, let's get into it. This is the lightning round. What do we need to leave them with talk? Who's Nellie? Okay, quick question, Who's Nellie?
00:51:10.500 --> 00:51:40.409 Christine Ponzio: Nellie is? Nellie's emphasis, is our one of our businesses. We wanted a community hub, not just people with autism. So we have 3 businesses, Nellie Zampon, on. This is one business she started here. She's a guidance counselor by trade she has the best, and bananas and other stuff desserts really amazing. But she also provides job training for our trainees who want to work in food surface restaurant and she's just open to a second location in Deer Park.
00:51:40.440 --> 00:51:58.300 Christine Ponzio: so that just creates more job opportunities, and she is a fantastic to work with. And if you have a meeting here, we host some meetings for different county, you know. organizations different nonprofits we always bring in Nellie's and bananas, and she does a great job.
00:51:58.300 --> 00:52:22.030 Tommy DiMisa: I had one. I met her out of deep roots. I I was out of deep roots, walked up the other way, not too far from where I live. They had this place called Deep Roots Farmers Market, and I was up there. For another thing, I was trying to finagle and connect, and whatever. And I see my friend Nellie. I'm like, Oh, my God, I know, like we're chatting. And then we we have like 3 phone conversations later that day, and she tells me she is all about serving our community, the population. And what an incredible.
00:52:22.030 --> 00:52:41.229 Tommy DiMisa: what incredibly man! I think it was like a spinach! Ricard regard to. I I say it's regard regard to cheese, but it's not even like if you there's a video out there. It shows these people in Italy, and they don't talk like Italian American people talk about, but we'll I could do a whole show on that, because I much it out. No, it's Mozzarella. I don't know what it is, it doesn't matter. So
00:52:41.580 --> 00:52:53.569 Tommy DiMisa: all right, Cobble, cool. Let's keep moving. Here's what we need these people to know, else like what else that we can't leave Lisa. What do you need? Programmatically, Chris, what do you need on the development side? What relationships? Let's hit him
00:52:55.820 --> 00:52:58.969 Tommy DiMisa: all right. I'll go first, Lisa.
00:52:59.010 --> 00:53:21.160 Christine Ponzio: No, that's all right, Lisa. We'll talk about some of the collaborative relationships that you know. Spirit of Huntington you brought up, and great friends of ours, you know, we work together but from a development side, look at the end of the day we all know that the funding from the State for nonprofits doesn't cut it right? You can't run good quality programs. And we also, you know, we write
00:53:21.160 --> 00:53:43.800 Christine Ponzio: for grants. But the truth is, everybody does that. So we actually have our signature event. We have a golf out and coming up October second at old Westbury. It's a third annual Joe Winters memorial golf outing. We have naming and dedication opportunities. The building, you know, every month we're working with different supporters who want to name different spaces in memory of or in honor of
00:53:43.800 --> 00:53:56.840 Christine Ponzio: family members businesses. we do have an event in June at sibonic for for people who are just. Really, I guess they don't like to play best ball at the traditional tournament, so they have a much
00:53:56.880 --> 00:54:10.989 Christine Ponzio: different outing And then we, I would have to have said, Come to our New York jets watch party at paces on September. September seventeenth, but it's sold out this morning.
00:54:10.990 --> 00:54:33.269 Tommy DiMisa: but it's sold out, but it may be if you have a non-profit sector connected, they can sneak in through the kitchen. I'll ask you later. That's all right. We'll talk later. Talk about it. But we got a shout out, spirit of Hans. You didn't want to go back now, Lisa, programmatically. Relationships are there certain that you have your eyes on? And you're like, man. It would be great to connect with Kanak and Manolta here on Long Island, you know, or Henry shine? I don't know. Maybe some names.
00:54:33.270 --> 00:54:57.119 LisaLee: Sure. I actually, I can tell you that that really, Chris touched upon the types of job trainings we have here in food, service and hospitality and and clerical and office work. So just to continue to build upon our business partnerships is fantastic. We also worked collaboratively with St. Joseph's University. They came, and they did a 5 week training on hospitality and working in the hospitality industry, and
00:54:57.120 --> 00:55:03.990 LisaLee: about a dozen of our Cheney's participated in that. And it was just it was it was really amazing.
00:55:03.990 --> 00:55:16.959 LisaLee: all the positives that came out of that. So we are, we are. Our, our emails are always open. Our phones are always open. We we just want to hear from everybody and not leave any stone on. How do they get in touch with you all? Let's do that.
00:55:16.960 --> 00:55:33.400 Christine Ponzio: Sure. I've certainly email, do I? I'll put my cell phone right out there because it's 63141852076314185207. And the reason I do that is because.
00:55:33.400 --> 00:55:49.910 Christine Ponzio: you know, it's a I carry 2 phones for a long time personal and business. And I think that you know it's just kind of simpler to give people a way to reach someone. But our email is a great way. If you have a lot of questions or leave a leave a message, and if you leave a message.
00:55:49.910 --> 00:55:58.659 Christine Ponzio: you know, let me know what you're looking for, because we're here, and I just have to say to add to what Lisa said. We started working Stony Brook medicine
00:55:58.660 --> 00:56:20.400 Christine Ponzio: north. Well, we had a couple of calls with, so we're excited about that. we've done a lot of work with Suffolk County Department of Labor and we're hoping to start a pick and pack area as a training area and partner with Amazon, because certainly they are opening lots of warehouses throughout Long island, and they need a flexible workforce.
00:56:20.400 --> 00:56:24.380 and we we have a call with Ubs arena next week. So
00:56:24.700 --> 00:56:52.199 Tommy DiMisa: really exciting stuff. The businesses have been fantastic, not out to the Queen's Chamber Commerce. Shout out to my buddy, Tom Gretch, maybe you can get us a hook up with Uncle Steve Cohen out at the New York Metropolitan, because I think over at City Field we'll be able to do some work there. Let's talk about that. He's not really my uncle, but we we all call him Uncle Steve. Let's go met by the way, we got to say one last thing, and then we gotta go because we are over time, and I gotta get my buddy, Steve fry his shows coming up next. I want to talk to you both.
00:56:52.200 --> 00:57:14.320 Tommy DiMisa: I don't. I'm only one vote on the Lindy Loo Board, but I'd love to talk to you about doing something in there and in in Linda's memory. Linda, my cousin Linda at the at the Winter Center for autism lately, Chris Ponzo, I appreciate you, Michelle and Joe. I appreciate their vision. I appreciate the entire. With this family I look forward to connecting with all of those folks out there, because I want to be part of the change and do me a favor. Everybody
00:57:14.390 --> 00:57:16.629 Tommy DiMisa: when you're sitting there, and you have an idea.
00:57:16.720 --> 00:57:23.659 Tommy DiMisa: Create the things you wish existed. Make it a great day, your boy. I'll see you later. Have a good one bye.
00:57:24.090 --> 00:57:27.809 Christine Ponzio: Hi, guys, thank you.
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