Milestone Residence celebrates second anniversary

The Institute for Community Living (ICL) Milestone Residence recently celebrated two years of helping people with psychiatric disabilities.
Located in Queens Village on the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center grounds, the Milestone Residence has 168 beds. The focus of the program is to teach residents how to live independently. This is accomplished through medication, relationship modules and learning how to communicate and develop independent living skills.
Program Director Daphne Dent said that what separates them from other facilities is the fact that they have a recreation center and art component.
“It feels wonderful,” Dent said of the two-year anniversary. “We’ve done a lot of work in the last couple of years, so it’s great to see that clients have grown.”
During the anniversary celebration, attendees got to see the work of residents first-hand by viewing the Fusion Art Exhibition in Milestone’s ARTspace Gallery. Rehabilitation Arts and Activities Center supervisor Larisa Glushtrom said it gives the residents a place to go where they can create and share ideas. Dent said that taking part in such activities helps residents gain more confidence and express themselves.
“I think that we have achieved a lot within these two years,” Glushtrom said.
The anniversary festivities also featured a performance by in-house band Mixed Nuts. The group, which was formed about a year ago and made its debut at the first anniversary celebration, is made up of residents Tim Quinton and Rod Manigault and staff member Tim Noe.
Aside from doing shows at Milestone Residence events, the Mixed Nuts have also performed at outside events, such as a New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services conference in Ellenville, New York. Along with performing some cover songs, Mixed Nuts also performs original works that the members have collaborated on to create.
For more information on the Institute for Community Living Milestone Residence, contact Dent at 718-468-4700.
To find out more about the Mixed Nuts, contact Tim Noe at 718-468-4700 x8137.