A Purple Carpet Celebration! 🎓✨
A massive round of applause for the People’s Arc of Suffolk Educare Center Class of 2026! Our amazing graduates recently shined bright as they made their way down the purple carpet.
From our youngest pre-K graduates to our older students, we couldn’t be more proud of their hard work, growth, and achievements. The People’s Arc of Suffolk provides vital academics, therapy, and life skills education for students ages 5 to 22, and seeing them reach these milestones is what it’s all about.
A special thank you to News 12 Long Island for featuring our annual ceremony and capturing the pure joy of the day. Hear firsthand from one of our Lake Grove mothers about what this community means to her family.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Your future is incredibly bright! 🌟
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to follow along with the amazing journeys of the people in our programs! 💜
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LI TIMES Feature: News Feature Story Source: https://www.litimes.org/2026/06/13/peoples-arc-of-suffolk-celebrates-graduation-ceremony-at-its-educare-center/
Friends and families of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the People’s Arc of Suffolk Educare Center in Bohemia celebrated at the school’s annual graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12.
“We’re feeling a mix of emotions, happiness and sadness and thinking about what’s next for him,” said Gissette Espino of Lake Grove, whose son Aidan, has been a student at the school for 16 years. “This place is a godsend and we’re just so happy that we found it. We knew he would be safe and well taken care of and would have people who love him as much as we do.”
The graduates, who included three high school age and five pre-K students, wore graduation caps and gowns and were honored for completing their educational journey with a walk down the purple carpet and a diploma.
“It’s so emotional because some of them have been here for so long. We’ve been through every milestone with them,” said Dana Schillinger, VP of children’s services at the People’s Arc of Suffolk Educare Center. “It is a huge accomplishment for them and it’s bittersweet to see some of them move on.”
The People’s Arc of Suffolk Educare Center provides a comprehensive blend of academic instruction, therapy services, and life skills education tailored to students ages 5–22.
