Catholic Charities of Long Island group home residents with special needs celebrate Christmas together
BABYLON, N.Y. -- Catholic Charities of Long Island group home residents with special needs found comfort and joy together on Christmas.
With his parents a world away in Nigeria, the smile on Tomi Laolu Akande's face said it all.
"I'm so grateful, honestly. They're really like my family, for real. It just makes my heart melt," he said.
From autism to other developmental disabilities, their differences brought them together under one roof at a Catholic Charities group home.
The holiday spirit brought joy to a population that's often forgotten.
Not a single item on Santa's list was forgotten by residential manager Dyan McCoun, who orchestrated more than 60 handpicked gifts to create a Christmas of caring.
"I want them to feel loved, happy, cared for, respected ... not someone that has a disability," McCoun said. "I have my own children, and then I come here and I'm like these are my children too."
"I really don't get to see my family, so being around here it's like family," said Lyisha Myree.
"It makes me feel happy, wanted and I'm being loved. We care about each other for Christmas. Even if we don't go home, we're here together," said Serena Buccellato.
Similar scenes played out in more than a dozen group homes run by Catholic Charities of Long Island.
Many of the 150 residents consider their housemates and staff their only family - a reminder to us all that Christmas is about caring for one another and giving back.
