is a resource center which allows children with disabilities and their families to have fun and learn at the same time. The Long Island Toy Lending Center for Children with Disabilities provides a unique learning and resource center for all children with disabilities and their families. The specific service the Long Island Toy Lending Center offers is a unique, one-hour interaction among the child, parents and the director, in which the parents and child learn through play strategies, the current capabilities of the child and the potential for his/her development. Several (four to six different) toys are presented each individualized session, selected by the director as appropriate for the child's specific needs. If these toys, through the demonstrated play activity, seem successful and acceptable to the parents and child, they are loaned for a month's use, for reinforcement at home. Whenever possible, siblings are included in the play/learn sessions, to provide maximum family involvement. Toy Lending Center provides services at two locations:
Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Town of Hempstead East Marina, Lido Blvd., Point Lookout, NY 11569
and a respite night is offered for family members of the L.I.T.L.C. program
Hours of services: M-F 9AM-7PM/Sat.& Sunday once a month 9AM-5PM
Play Groups are offered during Holiday and summer vacations. Target Population of Services- The Center serves families with children, infants to fifteen years, with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy. At present, there are 26 families in the program from communities on Long Island in Nassau and Suffolk. Sessions take place in the Center at two sites: Farmingdale Public Library, Farmingdale and at the Town of Hempstead East Marina, Point Lookout and in the families' homes when necessary. The Center provides “Parents’ Time Off”, a form of respite for the children enrolled in the program and their siblings once a month. This occurs at the Point Lookout site on the first Tuesday of every month from 5-8:30PM. Parents are invited to take advantage of free time leaving their child with disabilities as well as siblings under the supervision of the director. Volunteers from Lynbrook High School and Point Lookout help the children prepare meals, create crafts and play together. The children come to play groups for 3 hours during holiday vacations. Parents generally do not stay if there are enough High School volunteers who come to the marina site in Point Lookout. They enjoy creating crafts as well as preparing meals and play time. Siblings are also welcomed which encourages and reinforces integration of typical children with the children enrolled in the program in a comfortable social setting. Members who are 16 years and older gather once a month on a Sunday afternoon: to socialize and learn life skills such as cooking, shopping, and working on the computer. Trips in the community include bowling, shopping at the mall, nature hikes and dining out. The students of Lynbrook High School volunteer for Toy Center services and host a Holiday party for the children and their families in December. They set up tables for crafts, provide games, homemade cookies for the children to top with icing and treats. Members of the chorus and band lend their talent in caroling with the children and Santa (one of the LHS student) stops in to visit with gifts.
