Kulanu Fair brings out community and sunshine

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When a family walks down the street in the Five Towns and sees a child with a disability, a slightly different appearance, voice, or personality, how does the parent explain to the child that this slightly different child is also special, and an important member of the community?

Increasingly, the answer is found in Kulanu, the 12-year-old Cedarhurst nonprofit that provides support for local families that have children with developmental disabilities. Teaming up with yeshivas such as HAFTR, HANC, and HALB, Kulanu educates and connects students to its clients, highlighting their abilities and talents. On June 12, Kulanu held its annual fair in Cedarhurst Park, raising funds and promoting its programs to the larger community.

“Everybody has unique abilities. At Kulanu, they learn life skills, functional math, how to use transportation, and vocations such as work in a clothing store,” said Gerry Hanson, who teaches at Kulanu. “Some of the students take mainstream courses and Regents tests.” When Kulanu students are not learning, they unwind in a variety of group activities, including yoga, gym, karaoke and cooking.

Most of the families attending the fair came to show their support for Kulanu and educate their children about Kulanu’s students. “Every child has a neshama, and each person is whole inside. You treat them like anyone else,” said Bayswater mother Shani Stefansky. Standing in line for a slide with his three children, Woodmere father Avraham Friedman, 28, told his children, “We are all created in the image of Hashem.”

The visibility of Kulanu and its students has inspired some local residents to welcome all individuals beyond words. “We lived across the street from a Kulanu family and we hosted them in our home. That made it easier to explain to my kids who they were,” said Woodmere resident Michael Damenstein, a father of four.

Mindy Rosengarten, a founder of Kulanu summarized the goal of the fair, which included The Jewish Star as a sponsor. “For a child with disabilities, they need Kulanu, but for the others who came out here, this is amazing. Everyone is born with strengths and weaknesses. When we all connect, we are all stronger.” Contrary to weather reports, the sun shined on the fair.