Lifelong Franklin Square resident Donna Nowakoski, who receives support from AHRC Nassau, an organization that provides services including daytime habilitation, was congratulated on March 19 by attendees and staff of the program on her diamond art exhibit that was displayed in the Franklin Square Library meeting room.
AHRC Nassau supports adults with developmental disabilities.
Nowakoski’s collection of 16 diamond art paintings, which are created by individually placing thousands of diamond studs on canvas templates, took her over seven years to complete.
Nowakoski, 40, recalled being very excited when Melinda Space, the adult programmer at the library, approached her about setting up an art exhibit. While she already had a few pieces ready to go, she quickly got to work adding a few more diamond art paintings to the collection to ensure she could fill the exhibit space.
The program’s staff said art projects are heavily encouraged by AHRC because it teaches those supported by their services that they can do anything they put their minds to.
Tracey Johnson, a direct support professional at the organization, said it’s important for these adults to understand that they’re not defined by their disabilities.
“They’re not just in a little box,” Johnson said. “They’re more than just a disability.”
The program, Johnson explained, hosts many art exhibits out of the East Meadow Art Gallery on East Meadow Avenue, which rotates themes and projects every few months. Their next exhibit, she said, will be inspired by movies and musicals, and has a tentative schedule to be completed by May.
In preparation, Nowakoski has been helping Johnson create her own diamond art paintings. Johnson said she’s on her second project, thanks to Nowakoski’s guidance.
Lisa Polizzi, a family support service worker for AHRC, said diamond art is extraordinarily tedious because artists have to be very patient and precise when placing each of the studs on the template.
“It takes tremendous amounts of fortitude,” she said. When Polizzi sat down to attempt it herself, she recalled how difficult it was for her to keep focus.
But, Nowakoski and other members said doing art helps keep them calm.
Annie Berris, who receives support from AHRC, said not only does art keep her calm, but she joked that it helps prevent boredom, too. Berris likes to make her own jewelry, such as bracelets and rings, which she often incorporates in her daily outfits.
She also expresses herself through her clothing and festive nail polish, which she paints for each holiday. During the library visit, she had green and gold nails for St. Paddy’s Day.
“I like to be able to do something different,” she said.
Polizzi said because Nowakoski is sensitive to things going on around her, she can see how focusing on a tedious task could help her block out those distractions.
“You can get lost in it,” Polizzi said of diamond art. “It does calm you.”
Support workers like Polizzi help bridge the gap between day programs like AHRC and the direct help adults with disabilities need in their homes. Polizzi, who met Nowakoski at AHRC six years ago, retired from the program in December 2023 and has been assigned as Nowakoski’s support worker since.
She assists Nowakoski at home twice a week with tasks that foster essential social and living skills, and she has been teaching her to cook, read and socialize. They just learned how to make taco soup together, but have been mastering other recipes like cream of chicken, stuffed mushrooms and homemade pizza.
“Instead of her depending on her companion or mom to speak for her,” she said, “we’re trying to get her more comfortable to speak for herself.”
Nowakoski loves animals, Polizzi added, and even owns a parakeet. While Nowakoski used to volunteer at a nearby animal shelter, it closed down recently. Polizzi has been looking for another shelter for Nowakoski to volunteer at after her daytime program at AHRC dismisses for the day.
In the meantime, Polizzi said, Nowakoski gets plenty of exposure to animals through program-led field trips, and she visited White Post Farms of Melville for their fall festival last year.
“She was in the bird sanctuary with birds all over her,” Polizzi said laughing.
When Nowakoski gets opportunities to explore her hobbies and interests, Polizzi said it has a positive impact on Nowakoski’s development.
Polizzi said in the last few years she’s known Nowakoski, she’s seen how capable she is of doing so many different kinds of tasks. For example, Polizzi said if Nowakoski knows someone is waiting on an art piece of hers, she makes sure to dedicate her time and focus to getting it done.
When she sets her mind to things, Polizzi said of Nowakoski, she wholeheartedly applies herself to whatever it may be.
“She’s not afraid of anything,” she said. “It’s amazing.”
Nowakoski’s supervisors and peers said they were proud of her accomplishments, and they would like to see more exhibits by those who attend AHRC displayed anywhere they are able to.
“I’m beyond proud,” Polizzi said. “And not only am I proud of her, but I am fulfilled knowing she’s growing.”
