News
September 29, 2022Crossroads Center for Children “Dare to Be Different Gala” to Be Held on October 29
Tickets are now on sale for Crossroads Center for Children’s 2022, “Dare to Be Different Gala,” a night of celebration in support of Crossroads programs for children in the Capital District. This year’s Gala will take place on Saturday, October 29, starting at 5 p.m. at the River Stone Manor, located at 1437 Amsterdam Road in Glenville.
Annually, proceeds from the gala help the organization provide vital education and therapy for up to 150 students from all over the Greater Capital Region. Children that are enrolled in the program for special education services are either diagnosed on the autism spectrum or can benefit from a behaviorally based educational program.. Last year the event raised approximately $20,000 towards the nonprofit organization’s 3.5 million dollar expenses of running the school and clinic aimed at helping children and families.
The annual gala serves as an opportunity for acknowledging those who have shown a dedication and long-term commitment to Crossroads Center with the annual Connecting the Community Award, which is always a meaningful and challenging review, as the center truly appreciates the contribution of everyone in the Crossroads community. This year’s honorees are Cindy and John Barkowski of Rotterdam, NY. Cindy and John have been involved with Crossroads since its beginning in 1998 and have made endless contributions to the direction of the program. As they have decided to move to warmer climates, the gala will give the board and staff of Crossroads a chance to express their appreciation.
“We are thrilled to honor Cindy & John Barkowski at this year’s gala,” says Kelly Young, Executive Director of the organization. “They have dedicated time, talent and treasure to Crossroads since 1998 when we first founded the school to give appropriate programming to children with autism. Over the years, Cindy especially has served to build and guide the program in countless ways, John always right beside her. We also will be honoring 5 employees for their dedicated service to the organization. Together we are working tirelessly to make a difference for children and families in our region, and we welcome help from those who know how important this mission is.”
Heather Morrison from Spectrum News 9 will serve as Emcee throughout the evening’s presentation again this year, and LeGrande Serras will again serve as live auctioneer. The entire event will be DJ’d by DJ Zac Barr, and dinner music will be provided by Hustle & Hum.
Students come to Crossroads for the applied behavior analysis and specialized services that Crossroads provides in the school and clinic. Any school district or county may refer students and the organization has worked with up to 30 school districts and 10 counties surrounding the center, located in Rotterdam. In the 2021-22 school year, Crossroads Center for Children served school-age children from the following school districts in the greater Capital Region: East Greenbush, Fonda Fultonville, Ft. Plain, Gloversville, Greenville, Guilderland, Hoosic Valley, Menands, Mechanicville, Niskayuna, N. Colonie, Oppenheim-Ephratah, Schenectady, Shenendehowa, Troy, and Watervliet. Pre-school students from the following counties were also served: Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady, and Rensselaer.
To donate, sponsor or attend “Dare to Be Different, visit http://crossroadcenter.org/gala-2022/
For more information about Crossroads Center for Children, visit http://crossroadcenter.org/
