“In the beginning it was all about love.”
The simple idea of love for children who were being left behind and denied basic rights is what led our beloved Helene Craner to co-found INCLUDEnyc (then Resources for Children with Special Needs). That conviction motivated Helene as she advocated tirelessly for children and their families throughout her lifetime. As Helene explained, “The challenges that motivated us to begin our work: the need for changing attitudes, of overcoming family isolation, of preventing painful exclusion…are still very much there. But the passion I see in the staff today will continue to move our mission forward.”
“It will always be about love.”
Helene Craner
1941-2019
The Helene Craner Endowment Fund for Youth and Transition Services honors of our beloved co-founder and reflects her passion for youth advancement, self-care, travel, and most importantly, assuring that young people with disabilities can be full participants in school, work, and the community. The Fund will support INCLUDEnyc’s Youth and Transition Services designed to help young people with disabilities develop advocacy skills, secure critical supports, pursue postsecondary goals, and build life skills that extend into adulthood.
Founding Donors:
Laurie Abramowitz and Robert Doherty
Patricia Chapman
Andrew Craner
Katharine and Matthew Craner
Katherine and Peter Darrow
Judith and Robert DeIasi
Lida and Michael Exstein
Murray Feiss
Andrea and Robert Greene
Laura Harris
Len Camber Charitable Trust/Davida Sherwood
June and Ron Hersch
Richard and Fran Hofstetter Family Fund
Joyce Ann Kent
Jamie and Howard Klein
Tondra Lynford/Lynford Family Charitable Trust
Ellen Miller-Wachtel and Alan Wachtel, M.D.
Mary and Philip Oppenheimer
John B. Pegram, Patricia N. Pegram, and The Pegram Family Fund
Lesley and Richard Seitchik
INCLUDEnyc truly saved me from living an uncertain future. I experienced failures, but I didn’t stop. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
AngelProject Possibility participant