Jackie Ceonzo, Executive Director and Founder
In 2003, Jackie was looking for a special needs recreational program for her then eight-year-old son, Joey. After thoroughly researching and investigating all of the options available to her in Manhattan, she found no facility that could meet her son’s needs. She reasoned that there were numerous other parents who were looking for just such a place and program, so she began to formulate a plan with her husband, Joe Ceonzo, to establish a center where Joey, now 16 years old, and other children with special needs could feel comfortable playing and socializing, while learning practical skills in a fun, creative environment. Jackie worked with a pediatric neurologist, a disability advocate, and a behavioral specialist to create what became The Special Needs Activity Center for Kids, or SNACK. Jackie is actively involved in the Center’s administrative and programming decisions and is available on-site to meet with parents, caregivers, and outside therapists. In addition to her time developing SNACK, she is actively involved as a member of the Board of Directors for the Hawthorne Foundation, an agency that provides a continuum of care from birth to adulthood for people with developmental disabilities and currently serves as President of the Alumnae Association and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Marymount School of New York. Jackie holds a BA in Economics from Villanova.
Christannia Betonte, Art Therapist
Christannia Betonte has a Master of Professional Studies in Creative Arts Therapies and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute, New York. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degre e in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Christannia’s professional experience as a Creative Arts Therapist has spanned a variety of populations, such as, at risk youths, family crisis intervention, Alzheimer’s, homelessness, and those living with addiction and living with HIV/AIDS.
Clare Ferramosca, ABA, BCBA – Lead ABA Consultant
Clare supports Jackie and guides the SNACK programs. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from SUNY Cortland; a MSEd degree from Hunter College; and she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Before joining SNACK, Clare taught for several years at the Martin Barell School in Levittown, Long Island, and spent a number of years doing home consultations for children with special needs. In addition to her consulting duties at SNACK, Clare is currently an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) supervisor for at a New York City based agency.
Dara Kotler, MS, CCC-SLP, TSHH – Speech-Language Pathologist
Dara holds a Masters in Science in speech language pathology from Adelphi University and is creator/ director of Speech Zone, an agency providing Speech and Language therapy. As a PROMPT trained therapist, she has worked in school, clinic, and home settings with a wide variety of age groups and diagnostic categories. She has also mentored and supervised speech-language therapists within those settings. Dara’s area of special interest is in developing communication skills among children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism, PDD, and Dyspraxia. She particularly enjoys working with families to foster their children’s language at home and in school.
Josh Kotler, Sports Director
Josh holds bachelor degrees in both Elementary Education and English Language Arts from Hunter College. In addition to the three year he has been with SNACK, assisting in many areas including SNACK’s soccer and sports programs, Josh was a camp counselor and baseball instructor at Camp Monroe for six years, where he also coached basketball, hockey, and baseball teams; volunteered at the Jawonio Games, a baseball program for children with Down Syndrome and other special needs; and worked at an after-school program at his elementary school tutoring kids and teaching them sports. Currently, he is also student teaching a 4th grade classroom at PS 171.
Natalie Palmer, Aquatic Director
Natalie Palmer is the Athletic Facility Coordinator at St. Bart’s and has joined SNACK to help develop the Swim Program at St. Bart’s – her certifications include CPR and First Aid and include WSI Certification. It is her unique talent working with special needs kids of all abilities that makes her such an asset to the team.
Mary Jane Pulzello, Operations Director
Mary Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania. She worked in the textile business for 16 years as a sales manager in charge of selling, scheduling, and acted as a liaison between sales offices. Mary Jane worked in the New Jersey Public School System for five years as an inclusive aid for classified children. Mary Jane is the Director of Operations for SNACK overseeing the daily responsibilities of the organization. Mary Jane has four children of her own.
Jeanne Cluess, Development Director
Jeanne has over twenty-five years experience as a sales, marketing and business development executive, and consulting positions to bring new companies to the marketplace. She has worked with small to large Fortune 500 companies as well as advocacy, community-based and non-profit organizations. Jeanne has a proven track record in strategic planning and development, building relationships with key decision makers, establishing strategic partnerships and raising funds to support organizational growth.
Liz Brady, Assistant Director
Liz holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College. Liz oversees daily activities, scheduling and staff management, interviews and hires staff and assists the children in social skill development. In addition to her duties at SNACK, she has worked for over twenty years in the field of developmental disabilities, nine of which were working as the Behavioral Specialist Trainer under the direct supervision of a PhD Behavioral Psychologist.
