The Viscardi Center

at The Viscardi Center

Providing a lifespan of programs and services that educate, employ and empower children and adults with disabilities.
An employer membership organization and comprehensive resource for disability employment best practices.

DONATE

Header Links

  • Login
  • Media Room
  • Contact Us

Share

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Abilities, Inc.
    • E-Learning
    • Henry Viscardi School
    • The Disability Entrepreneurship Institute
    • Nathaniel H. Kornreich Technology Center
    • Services by Type
    • Services by Age/Audience
    • Services for Businesses
    • How to Obtain Services
  • Our Stories
    • Adults
    • Businesses
    • Children
    • Donors
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Give
    • Together We Soar Campaign
    • Advocacy
    • Volunteer
    • Share Your Story
    • Viscardi Alumni
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Media Room
    • Viscardi Voice Newsletter
  • Digital Accessibility
    • Document Accessibility
    • Web Accessibility
    • Captioning & CART Services
    • Audio Description
    • ADA Bundle
    • Viscardi Multimedia Learning Center
  • About
    • History
    • Staff Leadership and Boards of Directors
    • Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards
    • Sunny
    • FAQs
    • Careers
    • Financials
    • Contact Us
www.viscardicenter.org > News & Events > News > Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Receives Rave Reviews!

Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Receives Rave Reviews!

November 29, 2022 by Mike Caprara

  • A A A
November 29, 2022

Chilina singing with students on stage

The Viscardi Center’s annual Reach for a Star Luncheon celebrated its 40th Anniversary on November 15, 2022, at the Crest Hollow Country Club. This year’s luncheon happily returned to in-person after being remote for two years due to the pandemic. It was a magical event filled with music and joy.

Chilina Kennedy, the longest-running “Carole” in the history of Broadway’s Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, performed a song set consisting of a preview from the new show she is currently developing that celebrates some of pop music’s greatest hits. A group of Henry Viscardi students attended and joined Ms. Kennedy to sing “You’ve Got A Friend” on stage before more than 200 attendees. Ms. Kennedy was presented with an original piece of artwork created by a Henry Viscardi School student to commemorate the performance.

Over $190,000 was raised to benefit accessible extracurricular programs for children with severe physical disabilities attending the Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center. Many of the students from the Henry Viscardi School depend on special transportation, assistive technology, and life-sustaining medical support throughout the day, and options for socializing outside the classroom are limited. The Reach for a Star Luncheon was founded to raise funds for vital after-school activities, like adapted sports, art, cooking, cheerleading and life skill building overnights, which provide students the means to spend time with friends outside of school, expand their interests, and share new experiences.

This year’s guest speaker was Class of 2013 Viscardi alum, Richard Bedard. Utilizing the knowledge and skills he obtained from the Henry Viscardi School, Richard attended Adelphi University as an undergraduate and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Hofstra University. Richard gave an impressive speech in which he shared his experience at the Henry Viscardi School and how it, and the after-school programs made possible through the Luncheon, helped mold him into the accomplished young man he is today. “As difficult as it may seem that Friday Night Rec can move someone to a doctoral program… all these social programs are how I created who I am and who I want to be and to advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves,” shared Bedard.

The Luncheon included a cocktail hour, sit-down lunch, international auction, grand prize raffles, and a silent auction. Special guests in recent years have included Broadway star Ali Stroker, Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC’s TODAY, and the ensemble cast from Broadway’s Kinky Boots.

About the Henry Viscardi School

The Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center is a New York State supported school that offers parents of children with severe physical disabilities and who often require life-sustaining medical treatment throughout the day, a traditional educational setting option that provides rigorous academics and opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Its specialized, accessible educational setting provides a fully enriched academic program, a variety of therapies, assistive technology and medical supports to students who may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital.

About The Viscardi Center

The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations based in Albertson, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement, digital accessibility services, entrepreneurship, and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. who himself wore prosthetic legs, served as disability advisor to eight U.S. Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter, and became one of the world’s leading advocates for people with disabilities.

Filed Under: News

News & Events

  • News

    >

  • Blog

    >

  • Events

    >

  • Media Room

    >

  • Viscardi Voice Newsletter

    >

Explore News

Events

Hands over a keyboard

Webinar on Digital Accessibility Fundamentals

[php snippet=2]

NY Islanders defensemen Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock and actor Kevin James standing behind Viscardi CEO Dr. Chris Rosa and two Henry Viscardi School male students

Celebrity Sports Night

[php snippet=2]

View All Events

Recent News

View All >
  • Get Your Wheels on Fire Socks Today!

    March 21, 2023 The Viscardi Center is partnering with John’s Crazy Socks’ to bring you our latest Wheels on Fire Socks. Purchase your pair today! Read More...
  • The Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Advocate

    March 4, 2023 Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, releases a statement on the passing of disability rights advocate Judy Heumann. Read More...
  • 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards Bestowed

    December 2, 2022 The Viscardi Center, a renowned non-profit organization that educates, employs, and empowers people with disabilities, announced six distinguished recipients of the 2022 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards. Read More...
  • Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Receives Rave Reviews!

    November 29, 2022 The Reach for a Star 40th Anniversary Luncheon which featured a performance by Chilina Kennedy, the longest-running "Carole" in the history of Broadway’s Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, was a smashing success. Read More...
  • Viscardi Announces John J. Gutleber Aquatic Center

    September 2, 2022 The newly renovated facility will provide an accessible range of aquatic exercise and therapies for students with disabilities. Read More...
  • Announcing Roy Danis as Board Chair

    July 19, 2022 Roy Danis, President & CEO of Conecuh Brands, assumed the role of Chair of The Viscardi Center Board of Directors on July 1, 2022 Read More...

Contact Us

The Viscardi Center
National Business & Disability Council at The Viscardi Center
201 I.U. Willets Road
Albertson, NY 11507
516.465.1400
info@viscardicenter.org
Careers at the Viscardi Center | Staff Log in
Accessibility | Privacy | Site Map

Sign up For Enews

The Viscardi Center is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit recognized by the IRS.

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • You Tube
  • Instagram

© 2023 The Viscardi Center. All rights reserved. | Designed & Developed by Infinite Media Corp.