By Brian Zanzonico
The 24-year-old from Jericho, who has autism, waited more than a year to be placed in a group home by the state. When he walked through the doors of the Quality Services for the Autism Community's (QSAC) second Nassau County group home on Greenway Boulevard in Elmont last week with parents, Marlene and Joel, the new digs exceeded their expectations.
"It looks wonderful," said Marlene, eying the shiny, walnut-colored hardwood floors, modern kitchen and comfortably furnished living room. "It looks like a real home."
Craig was excited as well, anxious to show off his new room - which he picked out, along with the blue paint - and the lounge area in the basement of the home.
"He's got cable, everything he needs," Joel said.
Craig will live at the home with seven other autistic men in their early-20s and a handful of staff members, QSAC Executive Director Gary Maffei said.
The site was formerly an ACLD (Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities) and OMRDD (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) home, but has been vacant for five years. Maffei said the home has been welcomed by neighbors.
"People were thanking us for taking over this eyesore," Maffei said. "There were squators here. It was bad."
Now, as Craig flips the page on his calendar from January to February, he turns the page on his old life and settles into a new home.
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