Community Corner
Meet The Charity: Developmental Disabilities Institute Of LI Aids Special Needs Children
The agency serves children and adults by providing educational, residential, habilitative, transportation, and self-directional care.
SMITHTOWN, NY — Local charities are the unsung heroes of our communities. Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations strive to create lasting change and positively impact the lives of those around them.
Some people start organizations as a way to cope with grief, some see an issue they want to tackle, and some want to bring lasting change. Sometimes, all those reasons apply.
Patch wants to highlight your local charity and connect it with community members who want to help and do good, so that way, more people can benefit. Here is just one of many charities doing terrific work in your community.
What is your name?
Nicole Russo
What is the name of your charity?
Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI)
What is your position within your charity?
Marking and Communications Strategist
What community is your organization based in
Smithtown
Link to your website
Developmental Disabilities Institute addresses the special education needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities and provides therapeutic intervention.
What does your charity do to further its mission? Please list examples.
DDI is a dynamic, nonprofit, multi-site agency, each day serving hundreds of children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, providing educational, residential, habilitative, vocational, transportation, and self-direction support to the Long Island community.
What inspired you to start your charity?
DDI was started by a group of families in 1961 who were looking for a program to fit the needs of their children with developmental disabilities and autism and provide them with therapeutic intervention.
How can people help you accomplish your organization's mission or get involved in events?
You can support DDI's mission by spreading the word about our organization, attending fundraising events, making a donation or volunteering your time.
What is the most memorable moment you've had since starting your organization?
I did not start the organization.
What are your organization's social media pages or handles?
https://www.facebook.com/ddifamily, https://x.com/DDIFamily, Instagram: @ddi_family
Do you help run a charity?
Nominate it here or share this link with someone who does.
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