Dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc Westchester Foundation will host its annual gala “A Matter of Taste” on April 10 at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. For more than 17 years this popular event, which brings together over 20 area restaurants for a culinary evening with about 350 attendees, also marks the 75th anniversary of The Arc Westchester.
This year three exceptional allies that have significantly contributed to The Arc Westchester’s mission include NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, which will be presented with The Corporate Partner Award for Project Search, a program serving young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as students who are in their last year of high school who could benefit from personalized support through an intensive year of career development and internship experience.
The Family Partner Award will be given to The Glucksman Lieber Family for their long-standing dedication and generosity toward The Arc Westchester’s initiatives.
The Lifetime Advocate Award will be presented to Ann Nehrbauer, who is 95 years old and was instrumental in the landmark lawsuit that ultimately led to the shuttering of Willowbrook State School, a facility in which people with developmental disabilities were subjected to poor treatment and inhumane living conditions for decades. This lawsuit and the heroic work of people like Nehrbauer helped raise the conscience of the nation to support community integration and to establish high standards for humane conditions for all residential opportunities. The Willowbrook case helped lead to more people with disabilities being able to live in their communities, to more services for people with disabilities, and to the legal right of children with disabilities to a public education.
During this special evening attendees of A Matter of Taste will have the pleasure of indulging in an array of signature dishes crafted by Westchester’s finest chefs, complemented by a selection of fine wines, specialty cocktails and craft beers.
Actor Kevin Kilner, a veteran actor performing on and off-Broadway in numerous productions as well as in hundreds of television shows and movies during his 40-year career, will return as emcee.
Numerous sponsorship opportunities are available for the event and tickets are available for purchase. More information can be found at: https://arcwestchester.org/MOT2024
Barry Clark, newly appointed executive director of The Arc Westchester Foundation, expressed excitement about the event, “There is no other event quite like A Matter of Taste. There is an energy in the room that is palpable thanks to the exquisite food prepared by local chefs and the community spirit that supports the families we serve. Especially in this 75th anniversary year, we look forward to another spectacular evening of celebration, awareness and support,” he said.
As a chapter of The Arc New York, The Arc Westchester is part of the largest and oldest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
