New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (left) was honored recently with the 2010 Theresa Award for his outstanding contributions to persons with special needs, presented by Robert Russo (right) member of the Board of Directors of the Theresa Foundation. Harvey Weisenberg has represented Long Beach in the New York State Assembly since 1989. For over 20 years, he has been dedicated to removing barriers, improving access and enhancing the quality of life for all people with physical and mental challenges.
In this spirit of inclusivity, Harvey has decided to contribute his $5,000 dollar award donation to the Theresa Foundation. As a result, The Theresa Board of Directors created a special scholarship program in Harvey’s name so that children in the Long Beach City School District who would otherwise be unable, have the opportunity to attend the Theresa Academy of Performing Arts. “True to his character, Harvey honors us by giving back and we are grateful, and truly excited for this program,” said Robert Russo.There will be half and full tuition scholarships available, thanks to Harvey Weisenberg’s generosity. In September 2009, the Theresa Foundation celebrated the opening of Theresa Academy for Performing Arts (TAPA). TAPA, located in Lido Beach, New York, embraces all of the performing arts. Students are able to take classes in a safe, non-judgmental environment, and create and explore the arts at their own pace to the best of their abilities. Please log on to www.TheresaFoundation.org for more information, including summer camp and class offerings!
Established in 1992, the Theresa Foundation grants funds for arts, music, dance and recreational programs to assist children with special needs so that they may achieve the highest possible level of educational, artistic, emotional, physical and intellectual achievement possible.
Pictured left to right - Susan S. Russo; New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, 2010 Theresa Award Honoree; Robert Russo; Stephen W. Dale, Esq., 2010 Theresa Award Honoree; Vincent J. Russo.
WESTBURY, NY - Vincent J. Russo & Associates, P.C., Long Island's Signature Elder Law, Special Needs and Estate Planning Law Firm, is honored to welcome Ralph Caruso, Former Commissioner of the Department of Senior Citizen Affairs of Nassau County, to the firm as a "Senior Advisor."
"Ralph Caruso has dedicated his entire life, personally and professionally, to helping people, in particular seniors," said Vincent J. Russo, Managing Shareholder, Vincent J. Russo & Associates, P.C.. "His values and experiences will enhance the law firm's ability to outreach into the Long Island Community, making a difference!"
WESTBURY, NY -- Vincent J. Russo & Associates, P.C. proudly announces that Christopher Michael Petillo, Partner, has met the requirements and has been awarded the designation of Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
CELA is the only ABA-approved designation. CELA attorneys are not just authorities on legal issues affecting seniors, they are also familiar with the other private and public vital resources that can help meet the needs of senior citizens, including those with disabilities.
“Christopher Petillo is a fine attorney who has earned his CELA designation,” said Vincent J. Russo, Managing Partner. “As a certified elder law attorney, clients can feel especially confident that the attorney is qualified to advise them on important issues ranging from health and long term care planning to special needs counseling and more. We congratulate Christopher Petillo on this accomplishment.”
Vincent and Susan Russo appear on Telecare's Good News program to discuss Family Comes First, The Theresa Foundation and The Theresa Academy of the Performing Arts.
Click through to watch the full video online.
A New Season of Family Comes First Featured
Vincent J. Russo and Telecare are proud to present the new season of Family Comes First™.
Watch videos online and learn more at www.familycomesfirst.tv.
For the second year, we’re coming to you directly from our Family Room at Telecare with real stories about real families. This year’s topics are: Surviving the Holocaust, Living with a Disability, Children with Special Needs, and Adoption Options.
Each episode:
- Focuses on the challenges real-life families are facing
- Offers resources from leading community organizations
- Features spiritual reflections of Msgr. James M. McNamara
Vincent J. Russo, managing shareholder of Vincent J. Russo and Associates, P.C., recently hosted The Little Blackbird Workshop in Jericho, N.Y.
The event which was opened to the public, saw panelists and consumers in the special needs community gather to discuss issues impacting today’s families. The topic of this workshop focused on financial and legal issues affecting families with special needs.
The Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), the professional organization of attorneys, held its 2nd Annual Meeting in New Orleans March 28th and 29th, 2008. Thanks to the efforts of two of ASNP’s New Orleans member attorneys, Steven Bain and Sheila Moragas, prior to the start of the meeting attendees had a unique opportunity to do volunteer work with Families Helping Families, a local group that helps special needs children get the assistance they need. Following is a report on that effort by attorney Harold E. Gerry, Jr., of the law firm of Vincent J. Russo & Associates in Westbury, N.Y.
Congress is making it a lot tougher to shield assets in order to qualify for government nursing-home coverage. That means more families could face huge bills and wiped-out inheritances.
Congress seems determined to wipe out welfare for the well-to-do -- the practice of seniors artificially impoverishing themselves so they can qualify for government help with nursing-home expenses.
Vincent J. Russo was featured on the July 21, 2008 edition of the “The New Old Age” blog, recently launched by veteran journalist Jane Gross of The New York Times.
Read it here.
