Guild For Exceptional Children

THE GUILD'S AND ITS AFFILIATES' MISSION IS TO HELP EACH INDIVIDUAL REACH HIS OR HER MAXIMUM POTENTIAL AND TO HELP FAMILIES COPE WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING FOR A DISABLED FAMILY MEMBER AT HOME.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES: THE GEC RESIDENCE SERVICES PROGRAM INCLUDES 20 HOMES LOCATED IN THE BAY RIDGE/DYKER HEIGHTS SECTION OF BROOKLYN, NY. THE GEC RESIDENTIAL DIVISION CONSISTS OF FOUR INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES (ICFS) SERVING 40 INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD AND TWELVE SUPERVISED INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL ALTERNATIVES (IRAS) SERVING 75 INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD WHICH ALL PROVIDE 24/7 CARE AND STAFFING TO ENSURE OPTIMAL CARE IS GIVEN. IN ADDITION, GEC PROVIDES SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN ITS FOUR SUPPORTIVE INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL ALTERNATIVES (APARTMENT IRAS) SERVING 8 INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD. GEC RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OFFER A VARIETY OF THERAPEUTIC, MEDICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES TAILORED TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THOSE RESIDING IN THE HOMES. PERSON CENTERED PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICES ARE STRESSED AND VITAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF EACH PROGRAM.

PRESCHOOL: OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES 175 STUDENTS AGES 3 TO 5. THE PRESCHOOL PROVIDES NYS LICENSED TEACHERS, TEACHER AIDES, SOCIAL WORKERS AND THERAPISTS DURING BOTH THE REGULAR AS WELL AS EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR. THE CENTER IS LOCATED IN AN AIR CONDITIONED SCHOOL BUILDING EQUIPPED WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE MATERIALS FOR CLASSROOMS AND THERAPY ROOMS AS WELL AS AN ONSITE OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND. SPEECH, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY IS PROVIDED AS MANDATED ON EACH'S STUDENTS IEP. BILINGUAL AND ESL SERVICES ARE ALSO OFFERED FOR STUDENTS. THE COMBINATION OF SERVICES PROVIDES AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL AND PREPARE FOR RICHER, FULLER LIVES.

DAY HABILITATION: GEC'S SIX DAY PROGRAMS PROVIDE DAILY SUPPORT, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 52 WEEKS A YEAR TO APPROXIMATELY 250 ADULTS LIVING WITH INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER DISABILITIES ANNUALLY. WE SERVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER BROOKLYN (AND A FEW PEOPLE FROM QUEENS AND STATEN ISLAND) WHO ARE RECENT GRADUATES AS WELL AS SUPPORTING PEOPLE LIVING INTO THEIR 80'S IN OUR SENIOR RECREATIONAL DAY PROGRAM, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. WITHIN OUR SIX MODELS, WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE EXTENSIVE ASSISTANCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF DAILY LIVING, AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO ARE INDEPENDENT IN SOME AREAS BUT NEED ASSISTANCE WITH OTHER AREAS. PEOPLE WHO ATTEND THE GEC PROGRAMS BENEFIT FROM A FOCUS ON WELLNESS, SKILL ACQUISITION, ART AND CERAMICS, HORTICULTURAL THERAPY, COMPUTER LITERACY, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, RECREATIONAL OUTINGS TO ALL THE GEMS NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN HAVE TO OFFER, AND OVER 25 COMMUNITY WORKSITES WHICH PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, TO VOLUNTEER AND TO ACQUIRE WORK SKILLS. EVERY PERSON IS CHALLENGED TO LEARN AND TO GROW BASED ON HIS/HER INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES. STAFF EFFORTS ARE AIMED AT ENSURING EACH PERSON IS OFFERED CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE NEW EXPERIENCES, GAIN SKILLS AND REACH GREATER LEVELS OF INDEPENDENCE AND HAPPINESS.