Fridays 10:00am - 11:00am (EDT)
EPISODE SUMMARY:
✨ Why listen?
• Learn how QCP supports individuals across all stages of life
• Hear what’s changing—and what must change—in the field of disability services
• Be inspired by a legacy of advocacy, inclusion, and hands-on leadership
🍫 This Friday on Philanthropy in Phocus with Tommy DiMisa #InTheAttic
We’re joined by Terri Ross, Executive Director of Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), a pioneering organization empowering people with developmental disabilities for over 75 years. From preschoolers to older adults, QCP’s programs support more than 1,500 individuals in living full, independent lives. 💼💙
This week’s episode, “Progress with Purpose,” explores the evolving landscape of disability services and what it truly means to foster inclusion, dignity, and joy in our communities.
🕙 Tune in Friday, July 26th at 10 AM EST to hear how QCP continues to lead with compassion, adaptability, and person-centered care.
Organization: Queens Centers for Progress
Website: www.queenscp.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com\Queenscp
Instagram: @QueensCP
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/queenscp
#QueensCentersForProgress #DevelopmentalDisabilities #InclusionMatters #InTheAttic #CommunityEmpowerment #DisabilityRights
Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
Philanthropy in Phocus host Tommy DiMisa highlights the vital work of nonprofits like Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting community inclusion and meaningful lives. In this episode, Tommy connects with QCP’s executive director, Terri Ross, who shares her inspiring journey from special education teacher to nonprofit leader, emphasizing the importance of purpose, joy, and dignity for those they support. The conversation also touches on upcoming community events, ongoing collaborations, and the broader mission to end stigma around mental health and disability, encouraging nonprofits and supporters alike to engage, learn, and connect.
Tommy DiMisa and Terri Ross of Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) discuss the importance of recognizing individuals’ unique abilities beyond labels, emphasizing that everyone has strengths and challenges that make them who they are. QCP’s group homes and day habilitation programs provide personalized support for people with diverse physical and developmental needs, helping them engage fully in community life—including volunteering and recreational activities—while fostering dignity and inclusion. Their conversation highlights how meaningful community involvement and tailored support empower people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives, inspiring nonprofits and supporters to continue advocating for compassionate, individualized care.
Tommy DiMisa and Terri Ross highlight Queens Centers for Progress’s comprehensive services that support individuals with developmental disabilities across their entire life span—from early intervention and preschool to adult day programs and group homes. They emphasize the organization’s focus on community inclusion, skills development, and meaningful activities like volunteering and theater, which empower individuals to live fulfilling lives. The conversation also showcases the diverse career opportunities within nonprofits like QCP, encouraging those interested in meaningful work to explore roles that make a difference every day.
Tommy DiMisa and Terri Ross spotlight exciting upcoming fundraising events for Queens Centers for Progress, including a Disney marathon run and a multi-course golf outing, encouraging supporters and runners to get involved and contribute to this impactful cause. They emphasize the vital role of community fundraising and personal advocacy in sustaining essential Medicaid-funded services that support individuals with developmental disabilities. As budget pressures rise, Tommy and Terri urge listeners to contact legislators to protect nonprofit funding, highlighting that nonprofits are the frontline providers of these critical human services and need ongoing support to continue their mission.
00:00:48.630 --> 00:01:05.380 Tommy DiMisa: Love to hear that song, especially when I hear it on a Friday morning. It means that I just made the journey 2 flights up from the kitchen, where I get my coffee just below the roof of my house. That's right, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, everybody in the world.
00:01:06.100 --> 00:01:21.550 Tommy DiMisa: children of all ages like they used to say at the circus, you know, man like the you know, like the ringmaster, I've been called the ringmaster at different times in my life. Shout out to Jerry Springer, Talk about the ringmaster! But this show is called philanthropy and focus, and every week I make this track
00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:44.589 Tommy DiMisa: all the way up to 2 flights of stairs to the attic just below the roof. As we just said, philanthropy and focus is the name of the show. Tommy D is the name of the nonprofit sector. Connector Terry Ross is the name of the executive director. A lot of rhyming of Qcp. Tommy d. Qcp. Terry Ross. What is going on? Good morning, my friend. How are you.
00:01:44.780 --> 00:01:49.180 Terri Ross: Good morning. I am great, and I thank you so much for having me on today.
00:01:49.180 --> 00:02:13.510 Tommy DiMisa: You are very welcome. You are very welcome. Well, before we even get into your conversation or your story, and the conversation around Qcp. Queen centers for progress and the legacy and the lineage. There's a couple things I have to do. 1st of all, before I take a little bit of a break and tell some stories about something I'm going to say this shout out to my friend for many, many years, Wendy Faccionero! Wendy's always hooking me up. We do cool things together. The big taste which we'll talk about it
00:02:13.510 --> 00:02:35.570 Tommy DiMisa: that Qcp. Always does love that event. I work very closely with the Queen's Chamber of Commerce shout out to Tom Gretch and Brendan Levy and the team and Shari air Hussein over at the Queen's chamber. Love, love, love the Queen's chamber. I'm involved with a bunch of committees there, not your grandfather's chamber, I would say. You know what I'm talking about, everybody. But we'll talk about the Queen's Chamber, we should get Tom Gretsch back on the show. It's been a bunch of years since he's been on the show.
00:02:35.570 --> 00:02:48.969 Tommy DiMisa: so we'll get into that. We'll get into kind of the taste and all the big events that's going on. But talk about oh, it's funny you should say that, Tommy D, because talk about big events. There's actually an event coming up September 26th of 2025. Yes, that's this year
00:02:49.460 --> 00:03:14.359 Tommy DiMisa: I am being honored at the death of a gangster, a 19 twenties, Mafia, marriage, murder, mystery brought to you by options for community living which serves thousands of people experiencing homelessness, living with HIV and aids going through challenging mental health struggles. Here's a persistent mental illness, and what I always say. You know, I talk about ending the stigma around mental health.
00:03:14.440 --> 00:03:29.610 Tommy DiMisa: general mental health. What are the details, Tommy D. Well, that's funny, Tommy. D. Let me tell you. The Bayview House at Captain Bill's, 1, 22 Ocean Avenue, Bayshore, New York, from 7 Pm. To 10 pm. Your boy will be honored, and as I've made a bit of a joke if you watch your mafia movies
00:03:29.610 --> 00:03:49.070 Tommy DiMisa: hopefully, your boy is not the one who gets whacked in this in this show. In this party I am wearing, and I'll show when we go back to full screen. But you'll see here I'm sharing. Go to options. cl.org slash events, and you'll see this logo here. Death of a gangster if you don't see this because you're only listening, hit me up on email, Tommy D. At philanthropyandfocus.com
00:03:49.070 --> 00:04:14.730 Tommy DiMisa: or hit me up on the Instagram, Tommy Dnyc. Or the nonprofit Sector Connector on Instagram, or ending the stigma together on Instagram. But you'll see there's opportunities to buy a ticket, always you know there's a nonprofit as well. Right? So there's always opportunities to sponsor. And then there's a great old picture of your boy right there, Tommy, the nonprofit sector connector. All right, all right, all right. Back to business. That was business. A different kind of business. Now, Tommy, all right. So a couple things we got to jump into.
00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:35.530 Tommy DiMisa: Not that anybody's counting except me. But this is the 220 second episode of philanthropy and focus, which was only simply an idea for a while that I went around telling people about my encouragement to you all. Listening when you find this somewhere, find this episode somewhere is if you want to do the thing, just do the thing, try it out. See what happens?
00:04:35.880 --> 00:05:03.899 Tommy DiMisa: It might work exactly like you thought probably won't, but it might work out and you learn something new, or you'll experience something different. Try it out. 222 episodes. I don't know much about numerology, Terry Ross, but I googled it right before the show started. In numerology and spiritual context, the number 222 is often referred to as an angel number, and is associated with themes of balance, harmony, and new beginnings, balance, harmony, and new beginnings.
00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:21.590 Tommy DiMisa: I didn't even know I was going to bring this up today, but since I did it says, seeing the number 222 can also indicate a need for balance in relationships both romantic and Platonic, and can be a sign that new connections are on the horizon. Of course they are. I'm the nonprofit sector connector. So of course, new
00:05:21.590 --> 00:05:35.359 Tommy DiMisa: new connections are on the horizon. They are always on the horizon, and they're always on the horizon for all of us. But today, especially so, Terry Ross, you get the awesome opportunity to be number 2 2 here on philanthropy and focus, who knew 2, 2.
00:05:35.890 --> 00:05:45.360 Terri Ross: That is cool. That really is cool. A new connection with Tommy. And you are cool, Tommy, and thank you for doing this for me and for Qcp.
00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:45.810 Tommy DiMisa: You know.
00:05:45.810 --> 00:05:50.760 Terri Ross: All of of the nonprofits around. We we need you.
00:05:50.760 --> 00:06:15.609 Tommy DiMisa: Well, I appreciate that. And I need you all really, because you all make me feel good before we get into your story in Qcp, one last thing, if you are watching the video folks, I'm wearing a shirt that says, best actor options for community living because the 1st ever murder mystery event, your boy, the one and only I won best actor. So when Yolanda Romano Gross, my friend, and CEO of options, called me up like late on a Tuesday one night. She's like, Hey, we're texting. Can you talk?
00:06:15.700 --> 00:06:25.190 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, not till 9. Okay, we'll talk at 9. Cool calls me up like Tommy. D, listen, we're having the next murder mystery event. We'd like to ask you to be our visionary volunteer, Honoree.
00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:31.789 Tommy DiMisa: and I thought for a moment which was like 10 seconds. It was a 10 second moment, and I was like Yolanda.
00:06:32.090 --> 00:06:46.989 Tommy DiMisa: I'm in. But I go back to like conditional statement from like when I was in kid in school like, if I do this, will I still be able to do that. So I said, Yolanda. I accept on the terms of as long as I can. Still, if I deserve it.
00:06:46.990 --> 00:07:11.979 Tommy DiMisa: still win best actor, even though I'm the Honoree. And she said for you, Tommy D. Absolutely so. I'm not saying I'm going to be best actor that night, but I will be doing my best to be the best actor, doing my best to be the best. So, anyway, I already have a T-shirt to prove it gang, so I won the 1st ever. I couldn't make it to the second ever. So this is the 3rd ever options for community living in it. All right enough. Put it aside. You want to know more about that. September 26.th Reach out to
00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:19.110 Tommy DiMisa: hit me up on the email, Tommy, Df philanthropy and focus, or on the Instagram, or whatever, or just Google, Tommy D. I'm sure you'll get me. All right, Terry Ross.
00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:22.320 Tommy DiMisa: this is your life. Remember that. Show.
00:07:23.200 --> 00:07:25.949 Terri Ross: Yes, yes, I do. I'm old enough to remember that.
00:07:25.950 --> 00:07:35.737 Tommy DiMisa: Would have like the 3rd grade teacher there. He'd be like your mailman from when you lived in Ozone Park. Queens. That's my game show voice. So
00:07:36.410 --> 00:08:01.660 Tommy DiMisa: I want to know about you. I want to know about your story. Of course we're here to talk about queens, centers for progress, and all the great work Qcp. Does I find myself. It's funny because I have like I wanted some prizes. I have like all these like golf shirts that. Say Qcp. On the sleeve and like people like, where'd you get that? I must have won some raffle baskets? I think it was during Covid you guys had raffled off. Wendy and Team will remember, but I remember showing up on my car like
00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:18.260 Tommy DiMisa: double parked in front of the building, and somebody like rolled out a cart of these prizes I won, and some of them are some of the shirts I had to give away, because, you know, at best I fit a large golf shirt like I put on a medium golf shirt the other day, and it fit pretty good. I think I'm shrinking, Tommy. Focus on the show. Okay.
00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:20.239 Tommy DiMisa: are you having fun?
00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:20.950 Terri Ross: Where you going?
00:08:20.950 --> 00:08:26.360 Tommy DiMisa: Are you having fun yet? Are you having fun yet? You love where I'm going. It'd be cool if you could tell me where I'm going, because I'm.
00:08:26.836 --> 00:08:27.313 Terri Ross: 4.
00:08:28.010 --> 00:08:30.490 Terri Ross: I'm glad I'm going with you. I don't know. I'm going with you.
00:08:30.490 --> 00:08:48.379 Tommy DiMisa: Let's go. Let's get out. So so I got all this gear and I got all cool. Qcp. Stuff. Golf outing, I know, is a big one you got. You have a big, you know, big, not international named company. That does a lot of support for your organization. We don't need to bring it up, but I know there's a big golf outing, so I have some of the swag.
00:08:48.560 --> 00:09:05.020 Tommy DiMisa: So let's talk about how did you get into this work, I always want to know, like, did you always say, like as a kid where you're like, oh, I want to be the executive director of a nonprofit in queens that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I'm guessing you probably didn't know that as 7 years old no.
00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:11.079 Terri Ross: I. Actually, I wanted to be a movie star at 7 years old. But that kind of didn't work out.
00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:18.779 Tommy DiMisa: All right. Well, not everybody can go to Hollywood. Go to Hollywood, not everybody can, I mean, go on vacation. So why did you want.
00:09:18.780 --> 00:09:19.589 Terri Ross: Anyway.
00:09:20.400 --> 00:09:21.880 Tommy DiMisa: Why, why do you want to be a movie star.
00:09:21.880 --> 00:09:29.800 Terri Ross: I. Actually, I wanted to be a Broadway star, not really a movie star, but that didn't work out either, somehow. But so I went to.
00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:32.420 Tommy DiMisa: Sorry there's still time. There's still time.
00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:36.376 Terri Ross: Oh, really, I I can sing. I'm a little off key, but I can try.
00:09:36.640 --> 00:09:40.070 Tommy DiMisa: That's the thing about it. So there's a so do you know, my friend.
00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:48.270 Tommy DiMisa: I already dropped some names. I talked about Tom Gretch and Brendan Levy from the Queen's chamber. Do you know, Brendan Levy, because I know you probably know Gretch, Tom Gretch right.
00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:49.080 Terri Ross: Sure.
00:09:49.080 --> 00:10:09.970 Tommy DiMisa: Brendan does business development for the Queen's chamber, Brendan. When we come back from our 1st break, which, if I don't stop talking, it'll be here before we know it. But when we Brendan and I did the song for my show right the theme song, so when we come back from break. You'll hear Brendan singing that, and then maybe, you know, maybe when we get together one day you and I can do a duet or something like that, we could sing.
00:10:09.970 --> 00:10:11.980 Terri Ross: You got it, you got it!
00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:14.880 Tommy DiMisa: Go to Broadway. You what happens.
00:10:15.110 --> 00:10:33.540 Terri Ross: Well, I went to college, and I decided that. And in those years the only thing that women could do really that girls could do was either be teachers or nurses. Nursing wasn't for me, so I decided to become a teacher, and I got very excited
00:10:33.640 --> 00:10:35.800 Terri Ross: about special education.
00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:51.730 Terri Ross: and when I graduated I got a job working with my 1st job, was working for an agency like ours, called Ahrc. At the Time Association for the help of retarded children use that word anymore.
00:10:51.730 --> 00:10:56.669 Tommy DiMisa: Do not use that word anymore, though right? But that was the that was the vernacular. That's what we said.
00:10:56.670 --> 00:11:06.459 Terri Ross: Absolutely. And I actually, I fell in love with it. I was a teacher, and I stayed with it. That was back in 1973,
00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:18.190 Terri Ross: and I stayed with it, and I worked my way up. I ended up working for another agency a couple of years later and opening a day program
00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:30.590 Terri Ross: for this other agency and helping out to open up a couple of group homes. And I just went on and on with the field. I loved it.
00:11:30.770 --> 00:11:33.434 Tommy DiMisa: What was it? Yeah, what? What was it that?
00:11:33.790 --> 00:12:01.409 Tommy DiMisa: you know you, you say you want to? You decide to become a teacher. What was it that drew you into working with our, as I like to say, this population people with intellectual developmental disabilities? And, as you said, we used to use another word back in the day. I still I personally, I end up in special needs or Idd. And I you know anytime I say, Idd, I feel like I have to explain. Idd, so it becomes like a whole bunch of words.
00:12:01.810 --> 00:12:03.420 Tommy DiMisa: You're right, you're right.
00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:03.860 Terri Ross: Right.
00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:05.489 Tommy DiMisa: You know what I'm saying, but.
00:12:05.490 --> 00:12:06.060 Terri Ross: I.
00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:06.700 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, tell me.
00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:16.060 Terri Ross: Yeah, I wanted to work with little kids, and I wanted to work. Geraldo Rivera was was the thing at the time. Willowbrook.
00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:18.770 Tommy DiMisa: You must have a connection with Vicki schnapps, and this whole.
00:12:18.770 --> 00:12:19.170 Terri Ross: Apps.
00:12:19.170 --> 00:12:20.909 Tommy DiMisa: Life's work, and and all.
00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.450 Terri Ross: Absolutely, absolutely. We're all connected.
00:12:23.450 --> 00:12:24.399 Tommy DiMisa: Of course. Yeah.
00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:34.389 Terri Ross: All on boards of provider agencies and members of provider agencies, and we all advocate for our field.
00:12:34.390 --> 00:12:34.900 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah.
00:12:34.900 --> 00:12:45.670 Terri Ross: And at the time I wanted to work with little kids, and because the field was so saturated because schools were so saturated you couldn't get a job as a teacher in those years.
00:12:46.378 --> 00:12:49.880 Terri Ross: I took the job the 1st job that I could get.
00:12:50.130 --> 00:12:57.159 Terri Ross: and I was kind of terrified to be working with adults. I didn't know what to do on my 1st day.
00:12:57.300 --> 00:13:02.060 Terri Ross: and I walked in, and there were 12
00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:16.130 Terri Ross: people with developmental disabilities in my new classroom, and I fell in love with it after the 1st day. I just these were people. Most of the people grew up in Willowbrook.
00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:22.799 Terri Ross: and they had personalities that you could just just make you smile.
00:13:23.150 --> 00:13:28.080 Terri Ross: and I stayed with it. Since then. That was September of 1973.
00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:55.279 Tommy DiMisa: I love that you know what I love to like. You're you don't care about the dates some people will get. Oh, my God! That's so many. Look that years ago I'm dating. My no, I don't. I love that, though I mean because that's just really it is. That's part of your story. That's part of the legacy gang. If you don't know about Willowbrook, I'm not going to take a tangent on that one right now. Google Willowbrook Google, Geraldo Rivera, Google, Vicki schnapp. You'll get that backstory. And then what you do is if you're listening to this, and it's not live. You pause this.
00:13:55.280 --> 00:14:09.810 Tommy DiMisa: go. Do your research come back? Because that's a very important history and part of the history of how individuals in this community were not given the services, and it gets much worse than that. But you guys do the work, do the research, check it out.
00:14:09.810 --> 00:14:32.790 Tommy DiMisa: And that really from my. And I was born in 78. So I don't remember that I remember seeing that stuff. And you know I've known Vicki Schnepp's for many, many years way back to Bayside queens, where I used to work for adp payroll services. I used to handle her payroll for her companies. The Courier Vicki did not have as many papers and media outlets that she has now. But that was
00:14:32.850 --> 00:14:59.799 Tommy DiMisa: 22 years ago, when I used to meet with her on Bell Boulevard, shout out to Bell Boulevard shout out to the Bayside Business Association, where I'm on the board of directors, actually keep an eye out for a new thing I'm going to do. It's called Hashtag. Meet me on Bell. It's gonna be me going out and interviewing people in Bayside. And that's because that's very important to me. So yeah. So I didn't have all that context in the story. But I've done the research and the work, and you know it's it's not, in my opinion, and correct me if you're if you think I'm wrong. But it's not dissimilar
00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:16.850 Tommy DiMisa: from the Mh. The mental health space where folks were on being able to access medication, and folks were now being brought back into the community. So these 2, the Dd. And Mh. Mental health space similar. I think, Terry, in a lot of those ways. What do you think.
00:15:16.850 --> 00:15:26.109 Terri Ross: Absolutely, absolutely. And when you say, being in the community, that's really number one, that the people that we support
00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:36.379 Terri Ross: do so well in the community. And they're members of the community and respected members. And they're just like everybody else, just living their lives.
00:15:36.380 --> 00:15:36.770 Tommy DiMisa: Yes.
00:15:36.770 --> 00:15:40.850 Terri Ross: And what we do is to help them live their best lives.
00:15:40.850 --> 00:15:41.190 Tommy DiMisa: Yes.
00:15:41.190 --> 00:15:48.500 Terri Ross: And with purpose, with joy, and, you know, have a have a good life, that's what it's all about.
00:15:48.500 --> 00:16:16.469 Tommy DiMisa: I love it. I love it. Here's what we're going to do. We're going to take a quick break when we come back. What we're going to do is I want to talk about the next step in your in your kind of evolution of your story, because you said you helped create some group homes and some day have. And I want to talk about that because people like you and me who are like in this work all the time we talk about without walls. And we talk about all these different programs and being in the community, I want to kind of get people to understand that who might not understand that. And it's so funny. There's a guy who connected with me on Facebook. I
00:16:16.470 --> 00:16:30.349 Tommy DiMisa: we haven't seen each other probably in 20 years. I used to be a bartender. I knew when we were kids. Right. And he goes, Tommy DI see you're interviewing Terry Ross. I see all the work you do in the Dd population, and I see that's so important to you. He goes.
00:16:30.370 --> 00:16:47.509 Tommy DiMisa: I think, he said. His his wife's family is very involved in smile farms. And I hit him back on Facebook, which I'm really gang. If you hit me on Facebook messenger, I'm absolutely terrible at that. So find some other way to get to me, because I don't even remember to look at that. It's too many ways to communicate. But
00:16:47.600 --> 00:17:01.429 Tommy DiMisa: so I said to him. It's funny you should say that I'm actually being interviewed on a podcast in affiliation with smile farms and 1 800 flowers next week. So with Isabel Landano, who's my friend, who used to be at best buddies because I'm involved with best buddies, you know.
00:17:01.430 --> 00:17:24.669 Tommy DiMisa: So what I want to do is just say, not everybody has that context and familiarity with our space with this work. So if we can talk about that when we come back, Terry, about group homes about Day House about without walls and and collaboration. By the way, if you're not watching, you can't see what I could see. But, Terry, I'm looking over your left shoulder if I do the work and try to turn around. Yes, your left shoulder. That painting. What's the story with that painting before we go to a break.
00:17:25.310 --> 00:17:31.120 Terri Ross: That is a painting that was made in our day program. That was actually our
00:17:31.330 --> 00:17:47.300 Terri Ross: the people that we work with love to do art and photography. And and we've got so many creative individuals and so many creative staff. I see you've got a great picture over your shoulder.
00:17:47.300 --> 00:18:10.709 Tommy DiMisa: Can't see what else is going on in the attic. I've taken a lot of stuff to my office and put it up. I'm on the Board of Directors for Spirit of Huntington Art Center, which I don't know if you've been out to the art center, but I know some of the folks have overlapped, and things like that. I would not say I'm a great artist, but I think I'm a great singer. We will be on that note people just left. They just left the show. They just hung up, they said, I'm not listening to him sing anymore.
00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:21.640 Tommy DiMisa: We will be right back. I love that painting behind you I might convince you to like. Let me write a check and take it from you. All right. We will be.
00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:21.980 Terri Ross: Right.
00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.509 Tommy DiMisa: Right back.
00:20:34.650 --> 00:20:35.150 Tommy DiMisa: Right.
00:20:36.040 --> 00:20:57.240 Tommy DiMisa: Levy, my uncle, Brendan Levy. I texted Brendan. So Brendan runs business development over the Queens Chamber, and I texted and called him yesterday afternoon, because I had a friend who wants to join the Queens, Chamber of Commerce, etc. Etc. And I was like Dude. Listen, I love you, and if you start to hear that I told, like 12 people in a meeting that I call you Uncle Brendan, and they start calling you Uncle Brendan. Sorry.
00:20:58.110 --> 00:21:22.729 Tommy DiMisa: because I love the man, and I call him Uncle Brendan because he's like family. And I say, like, you don't look anything like me, so I can't call you, Dad. He thinks it's an old man joke, and it kinda is. But don't tell him I said that. But anyway, I'm texting with Wendy, she said. You're doing great. I just texted, she said. Awesome. You guys are doing great. So she's fired up. Wendy factionaro, my friend Wendy, appreciate you. So we were going to get into a little bit about
00:21:22.730 --> 00:21:34.590 Tommy DiMisa: group homes and day habs and stuff like that, as it relates to your journey. So you realize you go into the room and you go. Oh, my goodness, maybe I'm a little intimidated. I don't know what I'm going to do. I have these adults with different abilities.
00:21:34.590 --> 00:21:39.280 Tommy DiMisa: and right away it was where you were supposed to be. Is that right?
00:21:39.430 --> 00:21:42.200 Terri Ross: And and I love the way you say different abilities.
00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:48.040 Tommy DiMisa: That word specifically, and as I said it just now, I real, I almost like put an asterisk and say, that's how I talk.
00:21:48.870 --> 00:21:51.429 Tommy DiMisa: Because I really believe look
00:21:51.540 --> 00:22:14.220 Tommy DiMisa: labels are not really great right? In my opinion, labels are not great, because, like so like, I got this thing called Adhd, which I love, and I embrace it right. I have other people in my world who have the same thing called Adhd. It is not even the same. It's not even the same breed. It's a completely different thing, right? So I say different abilities, because now I understand some people have
00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:28.869 Tommy DiMisa: more severe challenges and or needs right, whether it be in the Mh. The mental health space hashtag ending the stigma together, or whether it be in the Dd. Space. But I really honestly believe Terry, like
00:22:28.910 --> 00:22:49.989 Tommy DiMisa: each and every one of us, has some level of quote unquote wrong word already. But deficiency or challenge right. So I say different abilities because we all do. There are not to be self-deprecating. There are a whole slew of things I'm really not good at, and some things I just straight suck at. Okay? So.
00:22:49.990 --> 00:22:50.810 Terri Ross: Everybody.
00:22:50.810 --> 00:23:17.279 Tommy DiMisa: Right. That is my point, and the more we can pour in to somebody's ability and their interest. I already mentioned it once, but shout out to the spirit of Huntington Art Center, because I'm on the board there. That's not why I'm shouting them out, but because they have an artworks program. And when our individuals, at age 21 age out vocation is a critical thing, not everybody's gonna go to work. We know it not. Everybody's gonna go to college. We know that right?
00:23:17.280 --> 00:23:33.209 Tommy DiMisa: 1st of all, don't get me on the college tangent, not everybody should go to college, no matter of your different ability. Okay, there's plenty of folks who. Anyway, I got 4 kids. I don't know that I'll have 4 college graduates because we need people in the trades shout out to the trades, all right. So
00:23:33.250 --> 00:23:42.260 Tommy DiMisa: when you, when you talk, talk about that, I got a whole tangent on on different abilities. Right? What what do you think
00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:47.930 Tommy DiMisa: resonated with you when you 1st started engaging with these adults? Where you go? Oh, my God! This is my life's passion.
00:23:48.880 --> 00:24:11.189 Terri Ross: I think the personalities that I encountered I mean, I just felt like the guys that I worked with that 1st year and and going on in the future. That was 50, some odd years ago. So you just I mean, just like great human beings.
00:24:11.820 --> 00:24:23.320 Terri Ross: a lot of innocence, a lot of of a sense of humor. You know a lot of them have a lot. Everybody has a gift
00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:35.120 Terri Ross: and gifts that I saw in the people that I worked with, and the people that I work with now are just amazing. I mean, even our staff.
00:24:35.280 --> 00:24:35.630 Tommy DiMisa: Yes.
00:24:35.630 --> 00:24:46.299 Terri Ross: The people we have. We have 450 staff who work with our with our individuals, and I can't tell you how amazing.
00:24:46.550 --> 00:24:53.160 Terri Ross: Our our staff are are just kind, talented, just
00:24:53.530 --> 00:24:57.390 Terri Ross: fabulous people, good people doing good work.
00:24:57.390 --> 00:25:10.020 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, yeah, thank you for that stuff. So so take me to like, let's set the stage a little bit, because your organization, you mentioned group homes in in kind of the past history of your your journey. But Qcp. Has group homes as well.
00:25:10.020 --> 00:25:11.060 Terri Ross: Yes. What is it?
00:25:11.150 --> 00:25:17.000 Tommy DiMisa: Let's let's let's make this like kind of basic, you know, fundamental for some folks who might not have context. There.
00:25:17.520 --> 00:25:22.240 Terri Ross: Okay, so we we have 9 group homes.
00:25:22.910 --> 00:25:50.959 Terri Ross: some with 10 beds and in queens. They were built specially. Each group. Home was built specially for people with physical needs. We used to be, or we are, united. Cerebral palsy of queens. We have a lot of people who have cerebral palsy and many other disabilities. And there's that word again.
00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.930 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah.
00:25:51.930 --> 00:25:53.669 Terri Ross: Well, oh, challenges! Let's see.
00:25:53.670 --> 00:26:22.689 Tommy DiMisa: We're gonna rebrand it. We're gonna different abilities or different challenges. Again. I mean, you know what it is, too. And and you're not doing anything wrong. I'm not doing anything wrong. We're trying to figure it out. But the thing about it is like words have meanings, and like, when we put ourselves in these little boxes, or whatever it's like. Well, then, you know, like, but maybe I'm not in, I shouldn't be. And again, if you've met one person with a disability, or you met one person neurotypical, not sure what that means. But if you met a neurotypical, I don't even know what typical is.
00:26:22.690 --> 00:26:46.069 Tommy DiMisa: But if you met a neurotypical person, you've met one person. If you've met one person with a disability, you've met one person, individuals. If you've met one Italian person, one African person, one white American person. You've met one person. The less we can do with groups the better. I'm just leaving it there. I'm not looking for a discussion gang. I'm just telling you. That's how one guy feels. One guy who's in his attic feels that way. All right.
00:26:46.070 --> 00:26:51.970 Tommy DiMisa: God, I'm I'm I've either had too much caffeine today, Terry, or I don't know what it is. So
00:26:52.410 --> 00:26:54.610 Tommy DiMisa: where were we going? You said you like.
00:26:54.610 --> 00:26:57.690 Terri Ross: We were going all right. So you wanted to know about a group home.
00:26:57.690 --> 00:26:58.600 Tommy DiMisa: Please tell me.
00:26:58.600 --> 00:27:03.247 Terri Ross: Like in a group home. So some of our group homes
00:27:03.890 --> 00:27:11.990 Terri Ross: have, or were specially built so that wheelchairs, people using wheelchairs that are huge.
00:27:11.990 --> 00:27:12.570 Tommy DiMisa: Yes.
00:27:13.125 --> 00:27:13.680 Terri Ross: Yeah.
00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.840 Tommy DiMisa: Ways, right.
00:27:15.170 --> 00:27:24.849 Terri Ross: Lots and lots of space, and the and we work again when you talk about an individual.
00:27:25.110 --> 00:27:50.560 Terri Ross: many of our group homes work with people who have, who are medically frail, who are physically challenged, who have cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, who have down syndrome and other disabilities, and some of our group homes are for people who have profound and severe disabilities.
00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:55.450 Terri Ross: Others are able to go out to work
00:27:55.620 --> 00:28:16.909 Terri Ross: who are able. Everyone is able to use the community. I mean, we go out and and just like you do, we enjoy restaurants and we enjoy bowling, and we enjoy all kinds of recreation and volunteerism in the community. We volunteer all over the place in the community.
00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:21.920 Terri Ross: Some of our group homes are for people who can travel on their own
00:28:22.150 --> 00:28:36.969 Terri Ross: and or with minimal supports. And that's the way you know, other agencies have people work with people who are in apartments. We don't have those, but who can live on their own with some supports.
00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:40.959 Terri Ross: So the field, like every place else, is diverse.
00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:48.729 Tommy DiMisa: It is diverse. Yeah, you know, you made me think of something. You made me think of another friend of mine who runs an organization called Destination accessible.
00:28:48.730 --> 00:29:11.540 Tommy DiMisa: So go to it, says, Know, before you go, my friend Tommy, come on, get it together. So I'll share her website, real, quick destination accessible which really Roberta's been on the show. And it's really an exploration of places. People can go who might have mobility issues or other issues that would challenge them from going to places
00:29:11.540 --> 00:29:18.359 Tommy DiMisa: something that stood out that you just said, excuse me, something that stood out. Oh, that website gang is destinationaccessible.org.
00:29:19.250 --> 00:29:27.357 Tommy DiMisa: You talk about our folks volunteer, of course, because they're human beings who just do things a little bit differently. Right? There was
00:29:27.810 --> 00:29:48.100 Tommy DiMisa: There was some very close with Dr. Chris Rosa, who's the CEO of Viscardi? I used to be very involved in the Cuny system, and I remember this story about a young man. He was in a wheelchair. I don't want to say what he has, because I don't remember. But you know his point was like.
00:29:48.190 --> 00:30:12.569 Tommy DiMisa: listen, I could do everything you could do. I just do it differently, or I'm going to do it slowly. And if we think like that from a level of compassion and love and go all right. I get that. I have a cousin who has Spina Bifida, and my cousin is in a wheelchair, and she just does things differently right? And she's got an incredible personality. And I love her. And she's so fun. And she's in a wheelchair. Okay, right? Like.
00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:27.439 Tommy DiMisa: you know, like this is, this is just some we people live in the world differently. That's that's just what it is I want to hear about, like, you know, you mentioned got into the dayhab work, start a little bit of day, have? Then we'll go to a commercial break and come back.
00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:41.440 Terri Ross: Okay. So you, you talked about volunteering our day hubs. We have 2 day hubs in the community. One on 100 and 64th Street, and one out in our Bellrose location.
00:30:41.610 --> 00:30:42.330 Terri Ross: And
00:30:43.330 --> 00:30:54.809 Terri Ross: one of the things that we do is volunteering. We we are out in the community all the time. If you walk into one of you know some of our day hips, there's nobody there.
00:30:54.810 --> 00:30:55.689 Tommy DiMisa: These are out!
00:30:55.690 --> 00:30:57.950 Terri Ross: Rooms. They're out, they're out doing stuff.
00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:02.329 Terri Ross: And volunteering is something that
00:31:02.850 --> 00:31:07.890 Terri Ross: people get a lot of self satisfaction out of. I mean.
00:31:07.890 --> 00:31:10.639 Tommy DiMisa: You're telling everybody our secret, Terry. You're
00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:18.059 Tommy DiMisa: everybody our secret gang. It is a little bit selfish to do volunteer work because it feels really good when you help.
00:31:18.060 --> 00:31:27.699 Terri Ross: Feels good. Yes, it feels good, and it feels good. We work with food pantries. We work in the parks. We're we're all over the place.
00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:29.300 Tommy DiMisa: Work with book fairies.
00:31:29.930 --> 00:31:34.720 Terri Ross: No, I well, I don't know, but I I don't know who they are, but that's.
00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:58.459 Tommy DiMisa: So I know they book fairies. I know they do a lot of work with the Dd. Population. They book fairies is in Freeport. My friend Eileen Minogue. She's great. She's a CEO. If you're not already connected at another level in your organization, we'll make that happen, and they provide books about 5 million books that have gone into the hands. Let's start slowly of children
00:31:58.460 --> 00:32:13.870 Tommy DiMisa: in need, and I know a lot of our population goes out and picks up the books with the vans, etc. Etc. Pick up the books, bring the books, and it's volunteer work. However, it's also a great way to spend a day, you know. So we.
00:32:13.870 --> 00:32:14.719 Terri Ross: Can do that.
00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:29.460 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah. So if you're not, I know they do a lot with the other agencies. So if you're not there, we'll talk offline. This is part of my show. I'm like, I forget that I'm actually not just on a regular Zoom Meeting, and it's you and me talking that like people are listening, and I'm like trying to run a networking call right.
00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.340 Terri Ross: Why why not?
00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:37.100 Tommy DiMisa: This is how it goes. So so those folks get out into the community. That's really part of the without walls, right.
00:32:37.150 --> 00:32:47.259 Terri Ross: Well, we don't call it without walls. At Qcp. We just we are with that. We we have walls. We don't have walls depending on the minute of the day.
00:32:47.260 --> 00:32:48.280 Tommy DiMisa: We are right? Yeah.
00:32:48.280 --> 00:32:59.110 Terri Ross: We're we're yeah, exactly. So we're out this, the book fairies, you know. Another volunteer opportunity for us sounds amazing. We can do that.
00:32:59.110 --> 00:32:59.680 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, we will.
00:33:00.390 --> 00:33:12.640 Tommy DiMisa: We will get that connected. And they do great work. Certainly. You know, it's very fulfilling for for the population to get involved with. All right. So let's let's take a quick break. And I mean you've been at
00:33:13.010 --> 00:33:14.980 Tommy DiMisa: Qcp. For for how long.
00:33:15.130 --> 00:33:16.380 Terri Ross: 37 years.
00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.859 Tommy DiMisa: 37 years. Huh?
00:33:18.330 --> 00:33:25.090 Tommy DiMisa: Come back, you know. Where? What role did you come in at? Tell me now and then we'll keep them on the edge back.
00:33:25.090 --> 00:33:28.889 Terri Ross: I came in as the quality, assurance, coordinator.
00:33:28.890 --> 00:33:29.340 Tommy DiMisa: Okay.
00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:35.300 Terri Ross: And that is to help us stay in compliance with state and local regulations.
00:33:35.300 --> 00:33:54.509 Tommy DiMisa: Well, that sounds like certainly a trajectory. Not that you knew you were going to end up at, you know, kind of at the top of the organization, but it makes sense, that quality, assurance, making sure things flow well, and things are compliant, etc. Etc. That really gives you a good scope of what's going on around in and out of the organization. Yeah.
00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:58.830 Terri Ross: Yes, absolutely. And I worked before that for the State for a little while.
00:33:58.830 --> 00:33:59.630 Tommy DiMisa: So you kind of knew.
00:33:59.630 --> 00:34:01.167 Terri Ross: So I, yeah.
00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:04.210 Tommy DiMisa: Not kind of you knew exactly what what they want. Yeah.
00:34:04.210 --> 00:34:05.170 Terri Ross: They were looking for. Yeah.
00:34:05.450 --> 00:34:30.189 Tommy DiMisa: 100% quick, break philanthropy and focus. I'm extra fired up. Don't know why. Maybe I'll figure it out around 7 o'clock tonight because I'm just keep going. Terry Ross, you and me. We got 2 more to go 2 more segments right back. I still got to figure out what you're going to charge me for that for that painting behind you, Tommy D. Is lost today. This is philanthropy out of focus. Maybe today in focus, baby, right back.
00:36:28.030 --> 00:36:44.409 Tommy DiMisa: Due to static. Join me in the attic. All right. Check it out. So really quick. We're going to talk about events and upcoming things later in the show, you know, before we before we leave, before we part. Parting is such sweet sorrow, Terry Ross. I don't know what's going on today I'm extra. I'm a little extra.
00:36:44.410 --> 00:36:45.820 Terri Ross: Oh, that's great!
00:36:46.630 --> 00:37:15.540 Tommy DiMisa: You are a little extra today, Tommy. D. Thank you. That's a compliment, all right. So let's let's get into kind of a day in the life and and programs and things like that. Because I want to make sure we're having a we are. I know we're having fun together. But I want to make sure we drive home services and things like that that. The organization really provides it. I just was sharing the website again gang. If I didn't tell you the website is queenscp.org Queenscp dot org. By the way, just a shout out to Karen
00:37:15.540 --> 00:37:26.620 Tommy DiMisa: and the team over at Cp. NASA, which is a client of vanguard, benefits one of the 1st inductees into the vanguard benefits. Hall of fame, employer awards you got Cp NASA.
00:37:26.620 --> 00:37:51.610 Tommy DiMisa: You got rise. Life services! Shout out to the team at rise. You got my buddy, Bert Lurch and his team at Ecm. Medical management, and you have sunrise credit services. So those are the 1st 4 ever in the history of the world. Vanguard benefits Hall of Fame employers, and we're right on the precipice of the 2025 opportunity for employer groups, companies to learn about how to become a vanguard benefits hall of fame employer, anyway, that's aside.
00:37:51.610 --> 00:37:57.630 Tommy DiMisa: Little bit of commercial commercial break reach out to Tommy D. That one is just hit me up at Tommy d
00:37:57.865 --> 00:38:02.099 Tommy DiMisa: at philanthropy and focus, and I'll get you sorted out on the whole vanguard thing. All right. So
00:38:02.140 --> 00:38:26.600 Tommy DiMisa: tell me about like, I just showed the website again, queenscp.org and preschool pre-k. And then really, the full life cycle for individuals, I mean, you know, I know I've been out 1st of all, Wendy. I know you're listening. I want to come out for another tour. So let's 1st of all shout out to Bellrose, my whole community growing up, and stuff is from Bellrose. Queens shout out to Bellrose. I got a lot of people from Bellrose. My cousins, a lot of our friends
00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:33.579 Tommy DiMisa: shout out to Bellrose. But, Wendy, I want to come out for a tour. So let's talk about the kind of the life cycle, though, Terry from.
00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:51.149 Tommy DiMisa: you know, young children, early intervention, you know, when somebody learns about diagnosis, whether it be Cp. Or autism, or down syndrome, whatever it is. You know how how your organization supports these families kind of from that place into the future.
00:38:51.880 --> 00:39:06.069 Terri Ross: Well, we start with our children's center, which, by the way, I think you've been there, it is just I mean these, these beautiful 3, 4, and 5 year old kids thinking about
00:39:06.210 --> 00:39:09.169 Terri Ross: one child who couldn't lift her head up.
00:39:09.510 --> 00:39:21.389 Terri Ross: And you know, when she was ready to move on to the next step. After a few years she was doing great, I mean, I go in there every once in a while, just to get
00:39:21.530 --> 00:39:36.349 Terri Ross: my heart pumping because I watch the kids working with therapists, with physical therapists and occupational therapists and speech therapists. And it's just beautiful teachers. It's just beautiful to watch them learn and play.
00:39:36.580 --> 00:39:48.840 Terri Ross: and we go all the way through to adult services. The oldest person in one of our group homes just celebrated his 99th birthday.
00:39:49.200 --> 00:39:49.559 Tommy DiMisa: Okay.
00:39:50.605 --> 00:39:51.350 Terri Ross: Tommy.
00:39:51.350 --> 00:39:56.380 Tommy DiMisa: His name is Tommy. Yo happy birthday, Tommy, man, listen.
00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:56.980 Terri Ross: Yeah.
00:39:56.980 --> 00:40:02.660 Tommy DiMisa: Just celebrate his 99.th I would love to, just maybe like if there's a party for his 100th I'd love to come like give him.
00:40:02.660 --> 00:40:04.620 Terri Ross: You're you're definitely gonna be there.
00:40:04.620 --> 00:40:05.720 Tommy DiMisa: That would be brilliant.
00:40:05.850 --> 00:40:06.350 Terri Ross: So.
00:40:06.350 --> 00:40:13.850 Tommy DiMisa: Tommy and Tommy. Listen. I mean, that's just so fun like. So you can literally say from 0 to 99. That's who you.
00:40:13.850 --> 00:40:21.620 Terri Ross: Right, that's right. And and I again, I attribute it to the good care that our staff takes of people.
00:40:21.860 --> 00:40:48.490 Terri Ross: and and that allowed this this guy 37 years ago he was in our group home. I met him for the 1st time, and he's lived there ever since, and he is just. He's very special, as are the people, the the 1,500 people that come here for various reasons. So you asked about our day programs, our day and employment programs. So we have the day programs
00:40:48.540 --> 00:41:06.609 Terri Ross: are for learning the kinds of skills that you and I take for granted how to shop, how to cook how to use the community. We do it in a fun way with art. We just developed. Thank you. Wendy, who helped us develop a theater program.
00:41:06.610 --> 00:41:17.840 Tommy DiMisa: Oh, my God! That's how this all started when he called me, or text me about that last week, and then I was like dude. I think she asked me. It's like Terry should be on your show, and I was like, I know we've been talking about it for years. So tell us about the theater program.
00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:32.610 Terri Ross: Oh, my God! 400 people came to us to see 2 different, you know. 2 2 shows Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka kids. And it was the 1st time we did it, and I can't tell you
00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:53.240 Terri Ross: the the actors, the the individuals who were acting acting. They did the sets. We partnered with a group called Aha Broadway, and it was just the actors felt like it was their time on Broadway, you know. I wanted to do they? They did.
00:41:53.240 --> 00:42:10.200 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, no kidding, you know what? Which just goes to show you all kidding like. And I'm gonna we don't know each other that well, but I'm gonna give you a little push like I have never been like a singer, but a bit of I call. I think I'm a bit of a showman myself. Kind of like. You know. Pt. Barnum, maybe, but
00:42:10.200 --> 00:42:19.949 Tommy DiMisa: but I think you know honestly, Terry, you know, until we're gone we're not gone until we, you know, so like I've threatened years ago that I was going to take
00:42:19.950 --> 00:42:44.500 Tommy DiMisa: singing lessons. In fact, one of my daughters is a singer, and she takes singing lessons, and I asked her if we could share her singing teacher, and she said, Absolutely not so, Hello, everybody. Hello, world! Talk about connecting. I'm looking for a singing teacher because I think I could be a crooner like I love Tony Bennett, I mean. Of course we like Sinatra. But Tony Bennett was absolutely the guy. I saw Tony Bennett at a Indian reservation Casino out
00:42:44.500 --> 00:43:06.750 Tommy DiMisa: between La and San Diego so many years ago, and you know, at the time I was younger than I am now, and we're like rocking out dancing. It was outside. It was beautiful. Tony benefits it, but I found an article just now in Q. And S. Which is Queens, and it's talking about Qcp. Debuts. Inclusive theater program with joyful staging of
00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:20.580 Tommy DiMisa: Willy Wonka kids. So I will. What am I going to do? Why don't I just share my screen? So you all can see that. Tell me about that experience for for you. My point was, I don't think I finished my point. You can sing. You haven't been on Broadway yet, Terry.
00:43:20.580 --> 00:43:21.050 Terri Ross: Oh, fuck!
00:43:21.050 --> 00:43:29.470 Tommy DiMisa: But you should sing, we should figure that out. I'll give you a hard time about that offline, because life's not over till it's over. Man.
00:43:29.790 --> 00:43:32.361 Terri Ross: I sing in the car so.
00:43:32.790 --> 00:43:43.199 Tommy DiMisa: I sing on this show. I used to tell my guests you have to sing the theme song with me one day. I'm going to come out for a tour. We'll go live on Facebook, and you and I will sing a song.
00:43:43.200 --> 00:43:47.280 Terri Ross: Absolutely absolutely we can do Tony Bennett. We can do Barbra, Streisand.
00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:52.359 Tommy DiMisa: We can do, we'll do. We'll do Tommy Bennett and Terry Streisand forever.
00:43:52.360 --> 00:43:54.241 Terri Ross: Hey? You got it? You got it!
00:43:54.510 --> 00:43:56.379 Tommy DiMisa: I love it. I love it.
00:43:56.380 --> 00:43:59.150 Tommy DiMisa: Family's heard me do that many times.
00:43:59.150 --> 00:44:08.219 Tommy DiMisa: and I'm sure they love it because I know my family. No, they don't. So tell me about this connection with Aha Broadway, I'm sure, in the article.
00:44:08.220 --> 00:44:11.480 Terri Ross: Was. It was incredible. I mean the the.
00:44:11.640 --> 00:44:36.900 Terri Ross: They worked very hard. They did the sets, they did, the costumes they rehearsed every week, and when they finally put on the show I never saw such joy. I mean, the audience was shouting. The the people on the stage were just so. Everybody was smiling. It was a good hour of smiling.
00:44:37.830 --> 00:44:41.450 Terri Ross: Yeah, we all loved it. We loved it, and we're going to do it again.
00:44:41.450 --> 00:44:58.959 Tommy DiMisa: I know that, and that's, I think, where Wendy and I connected, because shout out to my family foundation the Lindy Lou Foundation in memory of my cousin, Linda Ann Cunningham we lost some 12 years ago, and every year I think I told you this, Terry real quick when we were talking the other day, but each year the Lindy Lou Foundation has a big bowling event called the Lindy Lou Classic.
00:44:58.960 --> 00:45:11.479 Tommy DiMisa: and the money we raise goes to organizations serving our population, the Dd population right? And Wendy was reaching out. Because you guys are going to do this again next year, and she was looking to see if there's something like a shot in the arm we can do from the Lindy Lou.
00:45:11.960 --> 00:45:25.530 Tommy DiMisa: So I was like, Yeah, let's see what we can do for that. But we've always supported the the drama program down at Camp Anchor for many, many years, because my cousin Linda was in that program, anyway. Just just really. That's why I that's why I live and breathe this work. You know.
00:45:25.530 --> 00:45:29.690 Terri Ross: That's great. And we could definitely use your support.
00:45:29.690 --> 00:45:30.559 Tommy DiMisa: 100%. We're gonna.
00:45:30.560 --> 00:45:32.039 Terri Ross: Love, your support. Thank you.
00:45:32.040 --> 00:46:00.250 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, for sure. We're going to see what that looks like. I want to before we go to quick break. I'm going to, just because I'm bouncing a lot of directions. Ot. And pt, I want to talk about that because there are so many opportunities. I'm speaking to people young people who might go. Well, this sounds like great work. I'd like to work in the nonprofit sector, but, like, what jobs can I do? So, Terry? I mean, a nonprofit is a business. Right? So what do you guys have? What do you have in a company like yours?
00:46:00.250 --> 00:46:29.969 Terri Ross: Yes, we have psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists. My son, actually became a physical therapist and made his career in a field like ours. And it's a wonderful field to be in our field whether you're a clinician, a professional, or a direct support professional. There's a lot of opportunities
00:46:30.010 --> 00:46:31.460 Terri Ross: in this field, so.
00:46:31.730 --> 00:46:43.299 Tommy DiMisa: In fact, I'm on your website right now, and I don't always do this on the show. But something is compelling me. There are open. Recs right now for different jobs. Residential supervisor, right? Where somebody can. That's right.
00:46:43.300 --> 00:46:45.840 Tommy DiMisa: Right? That's a fork, right? And then we.
00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:46.640 Terri Ross: Right.
00:46:46.640 --> 00:47:12.179 Tommy DiMisa: Cook, housekeeper, day services specialist. And you know many folks that I know who are in your registered nurse. It's a per diem role. Look at the guys. You go to queencp.org forward slash careers. But if you know how to navigate a website, you're going to be able to find the career piece on there. But you'll see all these Lpn. Job coach shout out to the vocational people, always looking out because we all
00:47:12.330 --> 00:47:22.600 Tommy DiMisa: no matter of our ability, you know, wrap so much of our personality and our character into what we do professionally. Quality assurance specialists. That sounds like the job you had way back in.
00:47:22.600 --> 00:47:24.070 Terri Ross: That is, that is.
00:47:24.070 --> 00:47:34.230 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, so what? So there's so many opportunities to serve in the nonprofit sector. I think vocation, as we talk about it, is critically critically important whether it be. For again.
00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:56.430 Tommy DiMisa: I have to correct myself sometimes because it's like we all have different abilities. Some are more, and we have more challenges. Some of these disabilities or challenges are more than others. Yes, of course, because these are individual human beings, and you have to. We have to pour into where people excel at. So I was just talking to A. We were having lunch together
00:47:56.900 --> 00:48:13.549 Tommy DiMisa: earlier this week, and his son has some different abilities, and he's not going to. He works. He can supervise at work. However, he doesn't understand how to make change like if he goes to a store, doesn't understand that, you know he's going to get the right change back. So
00:48:13.550 --> 00:48:34.390 Tommy DiMisa: like, just look at that. He can manage a shift for people. He can be a supervisor. But that skill set doesn't work. So that's an individual situation. And these are all. So when we come back, here's what we're going to do. I can't believe what I mean. I could believe it. You're not going to believe what I'm about to tell you, that we only have one more segment of like 8 min left, because this is how my show goes. It's called philanthropy and focus
00:48:34.510 --> 00:48:42.399 Tommy DiMisa: helping nonprofits tell their story and amplify their message. Subtitle parentheses. We always run out of time. We never run out of words
00:48:42.510 --> 00:48:54.400 Tommy DiMisa: close parentheses. That's the show. So. But that's a lot to say. So we'll just say in focus baby philanthropy. All right. So, Terry, when we come back, I want to talk about what's upcoming. What do you need? How can we help events? Different things like that. How does that sound.
00:48:54.720 --> 00:48:55.310 Terri Ross: Great.
00:48:55.310 --> 00:48:55.960 Tommy DiMisa: Good.
00:48:55.960 --> 00:48:56.370 Terri Ross: Sorry.
00:48:56.370 --> 00:48:58.539 Tommy DiMisa: That's what we were doing. So I'm glad you like it, so
00:49:00.180 --> 00:49:04.499 Tommy DiMisa: I will be right back. Terry will be here, too. Philanthropy and focus. Qcp. Right back.
00:51:22.720 --> 00:51:35.640 Tommy DiMisa: Ross. We don't know each other all that. Well, but I'm going to tell you a little secret what you might not like. Why don't you? Let's pretend like you're doing the interview like you question me. So, Tommy. D. What did you always want to be when you grew up? So you asked me that.
00:51:35.640 --> 00:51:38.449 Terri Ross: So what did you want to be when you grew up, Tommy? D.
00:51:38.450 --> 00:52:03.410 Tommy DiMisa: Funny you should ask Terry. R. So I always wanted to be a game show host. So this is the lightning round baby. This is the lightning round. This is the end of a show when you go like Pat Sajak's like we're out of time, and I'm like, how could you be out of time, Pat. You knew you had 22 min like you should have never ran out of time. Same thing here. I knew how much time I had, and I blew it again, which is part of the show. So we're running out of time, baby. I'm running out of what I'm running out of time. That's a black eyed.
00:52:03.410 --> 00:52:21.369 Tommy DiMisa: All right. So let's do. The original black eyed peas way before Fergie. When I really liked the black eyed peas whole mother tangent. Here we go down the rabbit hole, down the squirrel hole. All right. Shout out to Jesse down the squirrel hole. All right, so let's talk about it. So what's upcoming for the event? What do you need? How can we help? What? What event coming up?
00:52:21.400 --> 00:52:22.879 Tommy DiMisa: What do you need? How can we help.
00:52:22.880 --> 00:52:25.840 Terri Ross: Okay, so one of the
00:52:26.070 --> 00:52:36.159 Terri Ross: greatest events, I think that's going to be his brand new one. A shout out, as you say to Wendy, because her creativity and her team has just brought such
00:52:36.690 --> 00:52:44.290 Terri Ross: amazing events. But we're we're doing a running. We're running at Walt Disney.
00:52:44.290 --> 00:52:46.100 Tommy DiMisa: I saw that I saw him walk up.
00:52:46.100 --> 00:52:47.900 Terri Ross: That on the on, the the.
00:52:47.970 --> 00:53:04.369 Tommy DiMisa: Share the screen while we're talking about. But I was like, I'm sitting here going. So my birthday's in January. So I'm going. Wow, do I text Wendy, when he's gonna hold me to this? Do I text Wendy and go dude? Should I fly down to Florida for my birthday? Yeah.
00:53:04.370 --> 00:53:08.950 Terri Ross: It's gonna be amazing. It's gonna be amazing. So we do.
00:53:08.950 --> 00:53:19.189 Tommy DiMisa: How do I know, you guys, Wendy has a big connection to the running community and stuff. And I know you guys have done the Marathon, and I think it's like the Queens, roadrunners, and stuff like that. So what this event.
00:53:19.740 --> 00:53:24.429 Terri Ross: Wendy came up with it. I don't know how she got it, but she came in to me and
00:53:24.660 --> 00:53:30.409 Terri Ross: asked about it, and I just I couldn't believe it. I mean, how cool is that? So?
00:53:30.730 --> 00:53:33.880 Terri Ross: It's every everybody's going to have the best time.
00:53:33.880 --> 00:53:38.500 Tommy DiMisa: Absolutely. So that's that is, in January 2,026.
00:53:38.870 --> 00:53:39.240 Terri Ross: Yes.
00:53:39.240 --> 00:53:42.550 Tommy DiMisa: Marathon weekend run dizzy.
00:53:42.550 --> 00:53:44.920 Terri Ross: And we still have a couple of openings there.
00:53:44.920 --> 00:53:46.989 Tommy DiMisa: That's awesome for runners, you mean.
00:53:46.990 --> 00:53:47.919 Terri Ross: For runners. Yeah.
00:53:47.920 --> 00:53:52.610 Tommy DiMisa: Alright. So gang. Listen, if you run. I don't. I mean like if I'm late for the bus, or something like that.
00:53:53.760 --> 00:54:07.060 Tommy DiMisa: If I was supposed to be at dinner 20 min ago. I run to the car those sort of things, but if you are a runner and I know several, and you are again. You know the thing about this show. It's not just Nyc or Long Island shout out to Strong Island, but it's also.
00:54:07.060 --> 00:54:25.819 Tommy DiMisa: you know, this is the whole globe, the entire planet, this show. So if you're somebody who's down in Florida who is a runner, it might make sense for you to reach out. So when you and I'll talk offline, maybe we'll shoot a quick video about that. We will not. Maybe we'll shoot a quick video about that asking for runners asking for support. So that's the big one coming up so excited about that. What else can you tell me.
00:54:25.820 --> 00:54:40.430 Terri Ross: So. And again, you can see on our website. Thank you for showing our website. You can see the the events that are coming up. We have a golf outing that is amazing. That's filled up already. We're on 5 golf courses.
00:54:40.430 --> 00:54:55.380 Tommy DiMisa: That's 5 golf courses that's like that's unheard of, like my high school, I think. Does that like I went to Shaman High School out here in Long Island, I think, never played in that outing, but like they have, like a whole bunch of golf courses. You think when you have that kind of commitment.
00:54:55.380 --> 00:55:02.090 Terri Ross: It's amazing. Yeah, we're we're thrilled to have it. We're we're running in the the New York City. Marathon.
00:55:02.090 --> 00:55:02.760 Tommy DiMisa: Okay.
00:55:02.760 --> 00:55:08.360 Terri Ross: I don't know if we have any openings for that, but we could use the support anyway.
00:55:08.360 --> 00:55:10.290 Tommy DiMisa: Support. Tell me what that means.
00:55:10.290 --> 00:55:26.149 Terri Ross: I support the donate to the, to the runners, and you know the runners donate to us. I connected with somebody on Facebook. I actually connected with a cousin on Facebook that I haven't seen in a while, and she said, I'll run for you.
00:55:26.510 --> 00:55:26.890 Tommy DiMisa: Really.
00:55:26.890 --> 00:55:31.770 Terri Ross: Collecting money. And it's just it's amazing. It's great.
00:55:32.040 --> 00:55:35.968 Terri Ross: So she is. Meryl Brown.
00:55:36.330 --> 00:55:37.590 Tommy DiMisa: Where she? Where's Meryl?
00:55:37.590 --> 00:55:41.659 Terri Ross: Right, there on the left, her picture with the sunglass on.
00:55:41.660 --> 00:55:47.979 Tommy DiMisa: You know what happened? It's putting the name below. So I didn't look above. So yeah, I was looking at.
00:55:47.980 --> 00:55:48.680 Terri Ross: Yes.
00:55:49.040 --> 00:55:56.510 Tommy DiMisa: Shout out Merrill, we appreciate you. You're a good, causing way to do it, and I love the the selfie shot here like the picture.
00:55:56.510 --> 00:55:57.049 Terri Ross: Ha! Ha! Ha!
00:55:57.050 --> 00:56:00.809 Tommy DiMisa: Having fun. Yo, Merrill, do me a favor. Keep running, so I don't have to appreciate it.
00:56:01.000 --> 00:56:12.346 Terri Ross: It's great. Yeah. And and Sterling ivy is one of our staff who's running. So you know, on behalf he's running for Qcp,
00:56:13.280 --> 00:56:14.410 Tommy DiMisa: Who-host.
00:56:14.663 --> 00:56:17.449 Terri Ross: You can find them on our website. You can. You know.
00:56:17.450 --> 00:56:45.839 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah. So here's the thing. Let me just say this again. You go to Qcp. You click on news and events. You choose events. Then you're going to scroll down. You can see this thing, says Team Qcp. Takes on the 2025 marathon, and then you go, and then that'll take you to like this, this page of people, and you'll see Cousin Meryl. You'll see Sterling Ivy, and and then you click on these folks, and it'll take you to their fundraising page. Right?
00:56:45.840 --> 00:56:46.580 Terri Ross: Right, right.
00:56:46.580 --> 00:56:56.397 Tommy DiMisa: You know this is! I shout, shout out to Meryl, I love this picture. By the way, she's gonna be like Terry. What did you do to me like I'm all over the Internet. Now, man.
00:56:57.420 --> 00:56:58.340 Terri Ross: That's the idea.
00:56:58.340 --> 00:57:02.749 Tommy DiMisa: That is the idea. Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.
00:57:02.750 --> 00:57:03.470 Terri Ross: Exactly.
00:57:03.470 --> 00:57:31.140 Tommy DiMisa: That's it. We are out of time, almost. So what can you share? We got cool events going on. Gang the website again. Let me just pull it up in my mind. So we got a queenscp.org Queenscp dot org queens, centers for progress, serving people with developmental disabilities, or Terry and I like to say people with different abilities. Right? So we are. We're rebranding baby we're rebranding. So let's talk about anything you want to leave them with in the next.
00:57:31.140 --> 00:57:44.289 Terri Ross: Right now. I don't want to be a downer, you know this is such an upsell. But right now our services and the services of New York State
00:57:44.620 --> 00:57:50.430 Terri Ross: is is going to be struggling. Now that Medicaid. Most of our services are are funded by Medicaid.
00:57:50.430 --> 00:57:50.910 Tommy DiMisa: Yep.
00:57:50.910 --> 00:58:07.329 Terri Ross: So all of the provider organizations and the organizations like ours are begging you to please contact your legislators and the governor and advocate for our services. Tell them how important our services are.
00:58:07.490 --> 00:58:25.059 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah. Couldn't have said it better myself. I mean, listen, this is not a political show. We're never going to make it a political show gang. But these nonprofit organizations, as I've always told you ever since you all met me, is the nonprofits do this work. They are on the front lines. No one is going to do this work.
00:58:25.060 --> 00:58:49.329 Tommy DiMisa: Government, you're not going to do this work. Okay? So the fact that we're playing around with money and whatnot. Not a good look. Okay? Because these organizations are specialized. They know how to do the work. They know how they are supporting your family members, whether it be an organization like Qcp. Or I mentioned options for community living at the beginning of the show? Your family members. We're all family. Remember that it is a human race. Okay? I don't care about color or
00:58:49.330 --> 00:59:12.359 Tommy DiMisa: borders. I don't care about that stuff. It's humans. And these are organizations that are on the front lines doing human service work, and they need our support. So we could talk about that, Terry. That's a whole nother thing. We talk about that one day just how to get that support and that level of advocacy. I appreciate you, Terry Ross. I can't wait to come for a visit. I didn't know if you knew what you were in for, I hope you're fired up for the rest of your day, man, and you'd be like.
00:59:12.360 --> 00:59:14.070 Terri Ross: God! Yes, absolutely.
00:59:14.070 --> 00:59:24.239 Tommy DiMisa: Good. That's what I was supposed to do. Everybody keep in touch with your boy, Tommy D, the nonprofit sector connector. This has been another in focus production. Make it a great day. I love you all. See you bye.
00:59:24.240 --> 00:59:25.030 Terri Ross: Thank you.
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