Ed Ahern has been a disability advocate since becoming disabled nearly 2 decades ago. He has worked with ILCs in New York, North Carolina, Florida and California. He is a former Board member for the Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) and the Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) in Los Angeles, as well as numerous boards for community organizations.
Belinda Arroyo has worked for SILO in her current position for one year, and her roll is to ensure that the Hispanic Community is aware of the many services at SILO. She attended NYIT College and received her certification in business correspondence/Office technology through the Boces Program. She is also a Real Estate Agent with Century 21, licensed through the D.O.S. As a proud mother of four beautiful children, she enjoys quality family time.
Joan Barbieri has worked on Long Island as a Registered Nurse, with an emphasis on community nursing, for about 30 years. She enjoyed her time as a visiting nurse, and as Director of a Licensed Agency. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening.
Tina Behnstedt has ten years of experience at SILO, and extensive knowledge of employment, benefits, fair housing, education, and other independent living topics. She was hired in 1998 after working an internship for her Suffolk Community College Associates degree in Applied Science with a Social Work concentration at SILO. She is currently earning her B.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling at Empire State College. Previous work experiences include managerial positions at Lynbrook and Elmont Thom McAn stores, and co-owning an entertainment business.
Glenn Campbell is an attorney and a former member of SILO Honorary Advisory Board. Since becoming disabled over 20 years ago he has been proactive in improving the lives of individuals in our community. Glenn brings to SILO years of experience in Civil Rights, governmental benefits, policy change, education and employment as they pertain to individuals with disabilities.
Khadijah Foster has worked at SILO for two years, and enjoys helping others to achieve their goals. She is currently attending Suffolk Community College to obtain her degree in Human Services. She has two sons, and she enjoys playing volleyball in her spare time.
Krista Giannak graduated from Dowling College with a double major in Communication Arts and Psychology. She has written freelance articles and features for Hotel Interactive, an online trade journal for the hospitality industry. She has developed materials and helped raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, interned in the office of New York State Senator Lack, and helped organize various projects at the Helen Keller Services for the Blind. She obtains satisfaction from bringing new consumers into the agency and seeing them gain independence and self-confidence.
Bonnie was hired to develop and oversee the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver Program through a contract between the New York State Department of Health and SILO that begun October 2007. Her previous experience as the Regional Resource Development Specialist for the Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver preceded her in this role. Bonnie has worked with people that have disabilities and the elderly for much of her life. Bonnie earned her Master's Degree from Adelphi University and is a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW).
Linda Kirk brings her commitment to help people gain or regain control in their lives, to the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver program. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and earned her Master's degree from Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare. She served 15 years as a Social Worker for Lighthouse, Inc. helping people adapt to vision loss and connecting them to community resources. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, and outdoor activities such as tandem cycling and cross-country skiing.
Kieran McGovern is a member of the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) and currently chairs its Youth Subcommittee. An alumnus of Mount St. Mary's College, he double-majored in Pre-Law and English. He currently lives in Kings Park and enjoys literature, writing, music, being with friends, and watching the New York Rangers hockey team.
Michelle Rodriguez has ten years of experience working in various positions at SILO. She received her certificate in Office Technologies from Suffolk BOCES. She was hired in 1997, after working with SILO through the Department of Labor. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
June Texeira, or J.T. for short, has worked at SILO since 2001. Her previous office experience includes working in the accounting office of the Yaphank infirmary for three years. She also enjoys cooking, and she has worked as a caterer and baker at businesses such as BMD. As the first contact for many who call and visit SILO, she enjoys helping people and making them laugh.
Gid Tinn has taken care of SILO's fiscal responsibilities since September of 2004. Although he does not spend a great deal of time dealing directly with SILO's consumers, he takes pride in serving a very worthy cause in our community.