Reach for the Stars Learning Center’s beneficial dinner

Reach for the Stars Learning Center recently held a beneficial dinner at the beautiful home of Isaac and Marjorie Gindi.

In 2005, Barbara Matalon and Nancy Levy, while working with autistic children in a Sunday program, saw the community’s need for a school for children with autism. Their husbands, Dr. Bob Matalon and Alan Levy, assisted in raising the necessary funds to get the school started. Through their hard work and dedication, Reach for the Stars Learning Center became a reality.

Harry and Eric Adjmi were the emcees for the evening. The keynote speaker for the evening, introduced by Dr. Bob Matalon, was parent Elliot Chalom, whose daughter Randy was one of the first students to attend the school. Elliot poignantly and passionately spoke of the road he and his wife Lauren took to help their daughter.

“We heard of a school for children just like Randy. We enrolled her when she reached the minimum age of 2 years and 9 months. The progress that she made in her first year at Reach for the Stars Learning Center was nothing short of miraculous. Her life and the lives of everyone around her changed dramatically. In the first few years at the school, she was able to do things that were beyond our wildest hopes,” said Elliot.

“As a parent of a child with autism I’ve learned to appreciate how difficult it is for her to learn to do things that other children discover for themselves naturally. Every time she accomplishes something, no matter how small, it’s an exceptional feeling, both for us and for her. We can see it in her eyes—she is proud of herself.”

“The journey of a million miles begins with one step, and because of you and the wonderful teachers at Reach for the Stars Learning Center, Randy is well on her journey. Please continue to support, provide encouragement, and have a place in your hearts for the children of Reach for the Stars Learning Center that need you so much.”

This heartfelt speech is just one testimony of the school’s many accomplishments. Walking through the halls of the school, and watching how each child is cared for specifically to their needs, you can feel the warmth and dedication throughout. Of the original nine students that were enrolled, five have been fully  integrated into community schools.

Reach for the Stars Learning Center would love to take more students and are in need of a new site, since they are outgrowing their space. Anyone with information regarding available property or funds, please contact Nancy at (718) 677-0797 or email alevy24@aol.com.

Many thanks go to Isaac and Marjorie Gindi for opening their home, and for all of their hard work in putting together this wonderful evening, and to Kessler’s for the delicious buffet dinner. Thank you to Mark Greenberg for supplying the pictures.
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Randi Shomer is a freelance writer, mother of four children, and a community member.