(Smithtown, NY) — Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), the leading service provider for children and adults with autism on Long Island, will be dancing for a cause during Autism Awareness Month. Adults served by DDI will be partnering up with students of Vic D’Amore’s American Studio of Performing Arts to produce “Dancing for Autism 2, Broadway Nights” at 7PM on Friday, June 7th at the Kings Park High School Auditorium. Tickets will be sold at $10 general admission or $7 for senior citizens and children under 12 to benefit DDI’s Adult Day Program. There will also be a special advance ticket package for $25 that will include special seating, a commemorative DVD of last year’s event, candy and custom event program.
DDI’s Day Programs serve adults with developmental disabilities and autism at seven locations throughout Suffolk County. Day programs assist adults served by DDI with education, personal skills development, recreation and job training services to help prepare each individual to become productive members of the community in which they reside. The dance program originated with Melissa Espinal and Evens Bourisquot. Melissa is not only a student at the dance studio, but a DDI employee as well. Melissa and Evens’ determination and passion to bring the arts to the adults served by DDI culminated with this very special collaboration with Vic’s studio.
“I would like to acknowledge Melissa and Evens and the entire Adult Services Program staff for coming up with this unique and entertaining event to showcase the abilities of the people we serve, commented John Lessard, DDI’s Executive Director. “I encourage everyone to come out and support all of the performers.”
For further information or to order tickets, please contact Mellissa Espinal at 631-360-4641 or Melissa.espinal@ddiinfo.org.
DDI is a not-for-profit agency headquartered in Smithtown, NY, with more than 30 locations throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties. DDI is the largest provider of services for individuals with Autism on Long Island. It provides special educational, vocational, day and residential programs, as well as healthcare services for over 5,000 children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities. DDI also operates family-centered preschool programs for both children with disabilities as well as typically developing students. DDI was founded in 1961 by a group of parents to address the special educational and therapeutic needs of their children with autism or other developmental disabilities. DDI is a member agency of the United Way of Long Island.
For more information about DDI, visit www.ddiny.org.
