For River Vale Township Administrator Gennaro Rotella, helping a local nonprofit
secure land to build housing for adults with special needs was part of the job.
As a father of an adult with autism, it was also personal.
Rotella understood firsthand the desperate need for safe housing and professional
services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. When New Concepts
for Living came to the municipality, he didn’t just help them navigate New Jersey’s
Mount Laurel affordable housing regulations — he was so moved by the Bergen
County-based nonprofit’s mission that he joined its board of trustees and now serves as
its treasurer.
His son, Christopher, has since become an NCFL resident and day program participant.
He is thriving.
NCFL honored Rotella last week at its 20th Annual Golf Outing for his volunteer service
and commitment to the special needs community.
“It’s humbling; I’ll say that,” he said. “I am thankful for being recognized. I don’t do things
for recognition — I do things for New Concepts for Living, and what that means is
helping others.”
***
In his role as township administrator, Rotella helped New Concepts tap into the
municipality’s affordable housing fund to acquire three empty lots in River Vale for new
NCFL community homes.
“Individuals with special needs deserve to live in a beautiful home within a safe
community,” he said. “We’re including everyone as part of the community, and I think
that aspect of it is extremely important. People with special needs make up a very large
population and there is a responsibility to take care of these individuals.”
He can speak from personal experience. Christopher lives in an NCFL home with three
other men and is constantly engaged — outings to Dave and Buster’s, the American
Dream Mall, museums, the zoo, sporting events. He is making friends. He still sees his
family regularly.
Most recently, Christopher attended the annual NCFL prom alongside Rotella, his wife,
Nancy, and their eldest daughter, Emily.
***
The kind of life Christopher is living is what NCFL’s annual fundraising makes possible.
The Golf Outing is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser, bringing together local leaders,
supporters, guardians, staff and sponsors. This year’s sold-out event, held at The
Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, raised nearly $200,000 — all of it going toward
an aquatic therapy center to be built at NCFL’s Achievement Center in Paramus.
“Our 20th Annual Golf Outing was an incredible milestone for us,” NCFL Director of
Development Sharon Scimeca said. “We are truly grateful for the ongoing support from
our community and the sponsors who have helped us raise the necessary funds to
expand the vital programs and services for the special population that we serve and
care so deeply about.”
The event was sponsored by presenting sponsors Russo Development and Woodmont
Properties; diamond sponsors Inserra Supermarkets and GolfCave; platinum sponsor
Northern Valley Developers; and gold sponsors Eifert, French and Ketchum Insurance
Agency, Provident Bank, Risk Strategies and Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy.
“The funds raised will help advance our mission and bring us closer to making our vision
for a new aquatic therapy center a reality,” NCFL CEO Steve Setteducati said.
“Together, we are creating new opportunities for health, wellness and independence for
the individuals we proudly serve.”
To make a donation to NCFL, contact Scimeca at [email protected].
