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Members of the Long Island Wine & Liquor Sales Club (LIWLSC) visited AHRC Nassau’s campus and toured the Brookville Center for Children’s Services schools on March 19 to see firsthand the impact of their support on children and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism. The visit came ahead of the LIWLSC’s 79th Annual Golf & Tennis Outing, taking place June 2 at Garden City Country Club to benefit the AHRC Nassau Foundation.

This year’s honoree, Tim Burns, toured the campus with his wife Christine and fellow Club members, guided by Denise Gaughan, Director of the Children’s Education Center. The group explored classrooms, therapeutic spaces, and transition programs where students are engaged in learning, building skills, and preparing for their futures.

Seeing Impact in Action

The tour began in several classrooms equipped with Smart Boards and a variety of communication supports, including visual schedules and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices—tools that enable each student to learn in a way that works best.

The group then visited one of the two Sensory Rooms.  The rooms provide a calming environment where students regulate their sensory input using bubble tubes, fiber optic lights, and other therapeutic tools. These supports help students stay focused, calm, and ready to engage in the day’s activities.

The tour continued through the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab and adjacent Model Apartment. These two key environments prepare transition-aged students for adult life. In the PAES Lab, students explore job roles in areas such as business, construction, and technology. In the Model Apartment, they learn essential life skills such as meal preparation, cleaning, and organizing routines.

The visit concluded at the Galaxy of Hope mural, where the Club is proudly recognized as an Emerald Sponsor. “It’s because of support from organizations like yours that we can provide opportunities for students to experience educational and enriching activities beyond the classroom,” said Denise.

2024 Outcomes

The LIWLSC has been a long-standing partner in supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism. Recent allocations made possible through the Club’s generosity are helping expand educational, recreational, and community-based experiences for people served by BCCS, AHRC Nassau and Citizens Options Unlimited.

Highlights Include:

• Support for community-based experiences—including visits to museums, restaurants, and sporting events—providing more than 1,000 meaningful opportunities for engagement this year.
• Funding for Pathways to Possibilities, a new pilot program for children on the autism spectrum who live in residential care. This initiative offers structured exposure to new activities that support skill-building, personal growth, and future planning.
• Investment in on-campus enrichment at Brookville Center, bringing interactive programs like live music and petting zoos directly to students who face transportation barriers. These experiences help spark curiosity, joy, and a love for learning.
• Support for a new 10-week program at Wheatley Farms, where children in the Saturday Respite Program participate in hands-on activities with the farm, greenhouse, and arts center—all designed to support developmental and emotional growth.

Generations of Partnership

For decades, children and adults with developmental disabilities were pushed to the margins of society. Today, through enduring partnerships like the one with the Long Island Wine & Liquor Sales Club, meaningful and expanded opportunities for children and adults are being made possible with lasting outcomes.

“We are so grateful to the Long Island Wine & Liquor Sales Club for their nearly eight decades of support for children and adults with developmental disabilities,” said Mary McNamara, AHRC Foundation Director. “Because of their generosity, the AHRC Foundation is able to fund programs and opportunities that make a real difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities—at home, in the community, and beyond.”

For more information, please visit: 79th Annual LIWL Golf & Tennis Outing 2025