Claire J. Friedlander Family Foundation President Peter J. Klein, a Huntington-based chartered financial analyst, presented a $20,000 grant on March 16 to the nonprofit Life’s WORC in Garden City.
Klein who is chief investment officer and founder of Aline Wealth in Melville, had previously presented a $25,000 grant to Life’s WORC at their Annual Gala on Dec. 12. At that event, he announced he would offer Life’s WORC an additional $20,000 in the form of a challenge grant. He invited patrons attending the dinner to donate a minimum of $1000.
“My investment client, the late Claire J. Friedlander would have liked very much how I have been trying to issue grants which become a call to action,” Klein said. “By this approach, we motivate people from within Life’s WORC, encouraging them, inspiring them to take part in our fundraising efforts. By the gift of these patrons, this latest $20,000 grant from the Friedlander Family Foundation, grows to $40,000. These donors see that they are making an important impact through this opportunity.”
The response was enthusiastic and successful. The contributors were invited to a celebration luncheon at Bryant and Cooper Steakhouse, Roslyn, hosted by its Proprietor George Poll. George Poll and his brother Gillis were guests of honor at the annual Life’s WORC golf tournament about ten years ago. These Long Island restaurateurs have been generous to the organization.
Life’s WORC is a nonprofit organization launched 55 years ago by Victoria Schneps, the founding president of Schneps Media, which is the parent company of the Long Island Press and dozens of other publications across the New York Metro area. This organization provides a variety of services to some 2,000 people with developmental disabilities and autism. Life’s WORC owns and operates a network of 45 group residences in Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, and Manhattan.
Such donations are more needed than ever, according to the group’s leaders.
“The developmental disability sector has faced more than a decade of insufficient investment, with funding increases often failing to keep pace with inflation and rising operational costs,” Life’s WORC CEO John Pfeifer said. “Providers across New York are experiencing a serious workforce crisis, with about 13.9 % staff vacancy rates and over 32% annual turnover among DSPs (Direct Support Professionals). Low wages and funding pressures have made it difficult for nonprofit providers to compete with state operated programs or other industries for workers.”
