Senator Flanagan Visits AHRC Of Suffolk

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently toured the Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC) Suffolk Chapter's Work Center in Bohemia.  Senator Flanagan's was invited to the facility by AHRC vocational participant Cristen Mich and AHRC Suffolk Executive Director Joseph P. Mammolito.

Suffolk AHRC is a not-for-profit organization which provides a lifetime of programs and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Currently, there are more than 2,500 children and adults receiving educational, vocational, residential and respite services through AHRC's 35 facilities.

AHRC work centers, including the one in Bohemia, provide job training and simulate work conditions for more than five hundred adults with developmental disabilities.  They work on projects that come from subcontracts with local businesses.

While at the facility, Senator Flanagan was given a quick tour of the facility’s gift basket section, AHRC Suffolk Baskets for All Occasions, which was started in May of 2004.  The baskets are created through the hard work of the AHRC workers and filled with quality products, many of which are manufactured right here on Long Island.

Each gift basket sold from AHRC Suffolk Baskets For All Occasions creates paid opportunities in assembly and packaging jobs for adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.  For more information on the gift baskets, residents should either call 631-585-0100 extension 535 or visit their web site at www.ahrcstore.com.

"I wanted to come back here to show my support for these impressive hard-working men and women and thank them for their hospitality.  This amazing partnership of public and private entities is a great example of how we all play a role in expanding the lives of the people in our community.  Everyone who has taken the time to contribute to this program – by either working with the AHRC or buying one of their baskets – should know that they have played a role in building lives and should be proud,” stated Senator Flanagan.

For more information about AHRC, please call 631-585-0100 or visit their web site at www.ahrcsuffolk.org.