Westchester County is going “Without Walls!” The Day Community Opportunities Program (DCOP) celebrated the grand opening of its new space at 280 Dobbs Ferry Road in White Plains with a ribbon cutting on December 4, 2023.

Individuals enrolled in the program, their families, caregivers, and community members were among those on hand for the ceremonial snip of the gold ribbon. DCOP teams plan to start rolling out of this hub in early January 2024.

“So far, we have eight individuals signed up, including one participant who will be trialing on high school breaks,” shares Alyssa Jackey, Assistant Director of DCOP South, “Westchester DCOP will be supporting the community with volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla, Access Equestrian, St. Paul’s on the Hill Episcopal Church, Grace Church Ossining, Hillside Food Outreach, and Shames Jewish Community Center in Tarrytown.”

DCOP had already been operating in Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Ulster, and Warren Counties before Westchester County was brought into the fold. The expansive program now offers a wide variety of activities and experiences to adults with disabilities across 13 different counties. Those enrolled enjoy participating in volunteer opportunities, artistic enrichment, and recreational adventures, all aimed at providing them with day-long experiences to help them develop skills and become integrated into the communities they call home.

At the ribbon cutting, a representative from New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky’s office was on hand to present Westchester DCOP with a Certificate of Merit, welcoming the program into the county.

“All of the individuals who came to the ribbon cutting are excited to start program,” says Rob Scaccia, DCOP Intake and Development Coordinator, “One of them, Deanne Falcone, has her own website that she created that sells products that cater to folks who have ADHD and Autism. When asked how many days she wants to come to DCOP, she said very quickly and enthusiastically, ‘Everyday!”

Congratulations to everyone involved in making DCOP the phenomenal success story that it is! We look forward to sharing in all of the growth, fun, and skill-building that is sure to come out of Westchester County for years to come.