Staten Island Reporter

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) announced the allocation of $750,000 in federal funding for Lifestyles for the Disabled, a Staten Island-based organization providing disability services and support. The funding will be utilized to purchase new trailers for training sites and to enhance ADA compliance within their facilities.

"For over 25 years, Lifestyles for the Disabled has served the developmentally disabled in our community, providing them with opportunities to grow and thrive in realistic work settings across Staten Island," stated Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "I'm proud to have secured $750,000 in federal funding to help this great organization purchase new mobile training sites in the Green Houses Program and make their facilities more ADA-compliant. Over 400 families in our community benefit from the workforce training provided by Lifestyles for the Disabled and I’m proud to support their work to empower those with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential."

Greg Mikalauskas, Director of Development/Facilities at Lifestyles for the Disabled, expressed gratitude: "We are extremely thankful that Congresswoman Malliotakis has joined with 'Lifestyles' with the changing of the perception of the Willowbrook Campus. The funding that she has secured for individuals with developmental disabilities in the Green Houses program is a component of the 'Willowbrook Plan' which is part of our vision of the future benefits that the campus has to provide."

Lifestyles began operating in 1994 through a collaboration among parents, community organizations, local business people, and a group of developmentally disabled adults (program participants). Recognizing a need for programs offering realistic work settings and experiences within Staten Island and beyond, Lifestyles started as an agency serving four adults and families. Today it serves over 400 individuals.