Surviving Coronavirus: LI Community Foundation ‘Concerned’

GREENLAWN, NY — The coronavirus outbreak has been a financial nightmare for many small businesses throughout the country. It's also been tough on nonprofit organizations, including Greenlawn-based Positive Behavior Support Community Foundation, which serves those with special needs across Long Island.

The pandemic led to the cancellation of the organization's annual July golf outing — a key fundraiser that accounts for at least half of its yearly revenue. That, combined with the axing of other in-person fundraisers and certain expenses not going away, has Executive Director Ruth-Ann Hartney worried the organization, which goes by the name PBS Community Foundation, might not be around in 2021.

"It’s really at a critical point now where we’re basically working off of our savings," Hartney told Patch. "If we don’t make up for the gap in our revenue, we’re concerned about being able to continue to move forward past the end of the year. We’re reaching out for the additional support from the community in order to really make up for that lost revenue from our expected fundraisers."

The organization's mission is to empower people with developmental disabilities to make their own life choices and succeed in the communities where they work, live and play, according to the PBS Community Foundation website.

A $15,000 goal was set by the organization in a GoFundMe campaign; about $4,600 has been raised as of Thursday afternoon. "Support Us so we can Support Them" is the name of the fundraiser.

The foundation works with anyone over the age of 21 who has a developmental disability. Those benefitting from the organization don't go to day or residential programs, according to Hartney.

"They have their own life goals," she said. "They can direct the money they receive to achieve those goals with the necessary supports that they need."

Using herself as a hypothetical, Hartney said if one of her goals is that she wants to volunteer in her community, she can hire support staff who will help her do that. They'll take her out, support her at various community events and help her make the different connections necessary.

"Whereas if my other option was I have to go to a day program, well, I’m not achieving my goal," she said. "We really feel like it’s important that everyone has the right to make their own life choices and achieve their own goals. That’s what we try and help these individuals to do."

There's roughly 2,000 people across the island who receive self-directive services, Hartney said. To reach those in need of assistance, PBS Community Foundation uses its funds toward various initiatives: singing groups in Nassau and Suffolk called Nassau Voice and Big-Time Glee, respectively; a crafting group; speed-friending; and yoga, for example. The organization also visits places like bowling alleys, Chuck E. Cheese and Duck Donuts. Emergency preparedness classes are also run on occasion and Hartney said they came in handy before the onset of the coronavirus.

"It’s disruptive to all of us, but for someone who depends on routine, it was even more disruptive," she said. "We’ve run classes about being prepared for self-directed individuals, their families and their support staff. That’s been helpful through this pandemic, as well."

The foundation doesn't have a particular rental space, so it pays for venues, as well as program leaders and moderators contracted to run the events. There's also overhead payments for the website and social media platforms. The organization operates from donated office space in Greenlawn.

When the coronavirus hit, the PBS Community Foundation switched over to a Zoom-based virtual platform. The not-for-profit's audience was still able to receive the same routines and interactions from it, as organization brass felt the socialization was too important to postpone, according to Hartney.

Still, the lack of in-person fundraisers has left it hurting financially. However, the foundation has tried to remain hopeful throughout the ordeal. Smaller weekly fundraisers such as trivia, as well as the GoFundMe, have helped.

"We are getting a lot of support for the community," Hartney said. "Even though I was hopeful in the beginning, now I’m even more inspired that we can get to our goal. I just really want to keep up the momentum and keep asking for that community support so we can get to that goal."