Local Nonprofit Separates from National Alzheimer's Association

John Mitty Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Creates Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center, Inc. (ADRC)

To Further Local Mission of Caring for Families

Bay Shore, N.Y. – Since 1983, the Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has cared for thousands of families coping with the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease.  “The national Alzheimer’s Association has compromised our ability to continue on with our mission as an affiliated Chapter of the national Association,” states Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, Executive Director and CEO of the former Long Island Chapter, “and the time has come for us to separate from an organization that does not support our mission.”

We will continue to operate independently as the “Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center, Inc.” — a separate tax-exempt charitable and educational organization within the State of New York, pursuant to Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Our continued mission is to support research that may lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, to provide care, support and education programs for families in need, and to be advocates for local families who are coping with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.

The former Chapter’s Board of Directors voted to separate from the Alzheimer’s Association because of the national Association’s failure to respect and protect the former Chapter’s exclusive territory, and recent significant, burdensome, and unnecessary demands by the national Association related to restricted revenue fundraising, donor research gift restrictions, and employment decisions.  The Board’s vote also resulted from its belief that the national Association is an organization that is focused on a top down structure with unreasonable executive compensation and operating expenses.

“It is our opinion that not enough money raised over the past several years, by the Association, has been going to research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, or for programs and services that would benefit our Long Island families,” states ADRC President, Dr. Melvin Mullin.  “One only has to look at the Association’s rating on Charity Navigator to see that that our Chapter will do better on its own,” further states Dr. Mullin.  “Our Board members want to work to raise funds that will be used locally to provide much needed programs and services for our Long Island families who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease.”

In July of last year, with the help of the Neuwirth Foundation, ADRC purchased a building in Bay Shore. Housed in this facility is the Mickey and Felice Neuwirth Care Center.  “I made a promise to Mr. and Mrs. Neuwirth, many years ago, that I would care for as many families as I possibly could who were struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease, and I fully intend to keep that promise,” states Ms. Ragona.  “We believe that our move to separate ourselves from the national Alzheimer’s Association will ensure continuity of our quality programs and services, and the work of our care center.”

“We are moving ahead with our renovation plans for our Research Library, Training Classrooms and an Adult Daycare Center for those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.  ADRC recently constructed a beautiful Serenity Garden with financial assistance from local Long Island families and the garden has already proven its therapeutic value.”

“Care and Consultation, Information and Referral, Education and Support Groups will continue to be the core services we offer here at ADRC, as we continue our quest to ensure quality care for everyone suffering with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.”

For more information about ADRC please contact Mary Ann Malack-Ragona at (631) 820-8068 or visit us at www.ADRCinc.org.

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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