Happiness House, E. Gavras Center enter into executive management agreement
Finger Lakes Times
Aug 29, 2024 Updated Aug 30, 2024
ROCHESTER – Finger Lakes United Cerebral Palsy, Inc./Happiness House and United Cerebral Palsy Association of Cayuga County New York, Inc./E. John Gavras Center have a new executive management agreement aimed at enhancing the delivery of health and human services to the community.
This strategic partnership will leverage the strengths of both organizations to improve service delivery, increase operational efficiency, and expand outreach efforts, according to the agencies.
Under this agreement, Darrell Whitbeck, currently the president and CEO of Happiness House, an Ability Partners agency, will assume the role of CEO for both organizations. This unified leadership structure is designed to foster collaboration, streamline administrative processes, and maximize resources to better serve the needs of the community.
Since 1969, Happiness House has been serving the Finger Lakes community. Parents of children with cerebral palsy in Geneva banded together to start Happiness House. The New York State Elks Club and the Women’s Club of Geneva raised the necessary funds to open the first childcare program in a house on North Street, initially serving five children with disabilities.
Today, Happiness House operates locations in Canandaigua, Geneva, Stanley, Waterloo, and the Golisano Autism Center in Rochester, supporting 1,700 families annually.
The partnership will enhance two nonprofit organizations, offering valuable lifelong care services to over 1,800 individuals, including those with and without disabilities. Additionally, the formation of a more efficient administrative structure will enable both organizations to allocate more funding toward improving and expanding essential programs and services for children, adults, and families across seven counties.
Whitbeck’s career with Ability Partners organizations spans over 20 years, during which he has held various clinical and leadership roles. His journey began as an Occupational Therapist in Happiness House’s Geneva preschool program, and he has since become a specialist in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those who have sustained traumatic brain injuries.
“We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings,” said Whitbeck. “By combining our expertise and resources, we can make a greater impact on the health and well-being of those we serve.”
Both organizations remain committed to their individual missions while working together to achieve common goals. The collaboration will focus on areas such as preschool educational services, day habilitation services, and community outreach initiatives.
The E. Gavras Center was established in 1953, beginning as a small clinic at Auburn Memorial Hospital, where physical therapist John Gavras provided therapeutic programs for children with disabilities. The clinic was created in response to parents of children with developmental and physical disabilities seeking alternative care options. Within two years, the clinic expanded, adding more staff and serving a larger number of children.
Today, the E. John Gavras Center serves Cayuga, Onondaga, Tompkins, and Wayne Counties, offering a variety of programs and services to 121 families.
“This agreement allows us to build on our respective strengths and create a more comprehensive approach to service delivery,” said Ed Onori, board president of E. John Gavras Center.
“We are confident that this partnership will lead to improved outcomes for our program participants and the community as a whole.”
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