SPHERE is better because of Rebecca Ciota, find out why and attend Night of Dreams gala on November 9

Rebecca is more than worthy of this award is an understatement. She has given her time, her heart and her expertise over many years and SPHERE today stands stronger because of Rebecca.

- Jill Edelman Barberie

On November 9 beginning at 6:30 pm at Le Chateau in South Salem, SPHERE will hold their Night of Dreams gala and will honor a special member of the SPHERE family - Rebecca Ciota.

Purchase your ticket or a table => https://SPHERE.givesmart.com

Ciota is the recipient of SPHERE's Commitment to Service award.  "Throughout her 15 years wit SPHERE, Rebecca has worked to ensure the visibility, support, and inclusion of men and women with disabilities in Ridgefield and surrounding communities," says Berisford. "Her work was instrumental in securing the bus to transport our members to various programs, maintaining our records, and serving as our Attorney - but, above all for being an advocate and friend to many of our members and their families," she adds.

SPHERE Board member, Jill Edelman Barberie, knows firsthand the tremendous impact Ciota has had on SPHERE. Barberie's daughter, Juliette has been benefiting from SPHERE's services and programs for many years. Barberie will share Ciota's SPHERE story when Ciota is recognized for her leadership and dedication to the nonprofit on November 9. Below, we share some of Barberie's powerful words. 

Rebecca’s journey into the SPHERE world began in 2003 when sister Valerie Jensen and her young family moved to Ridgefield. Valerie became a volunteer at SPHERE’s theater program at the Ridgefield United Methodist Church. Hope (who had moved with her parents to Ridgefield as well,) became a SPHERE member. Since Rebecca was attending Fordham Law School in Manhattan, she was able to take the train to Katonah to attend SPHERE performances and help out at events.

This natural evolution of involvement in SPHERE was made easier when after graduation in 2005, Rebecca joined the family law practice of Wayne Effron P.C. located in Greenwich. By that time, Rebecca was a regular participant in SPHERE’S Special Olympics Penguin Plunge and, with the increased proximity to Ridgefield, added programming and governance to her pro bono roles. In fact, she became SPHERE’S legal brain as SPHERE added more dimensions to its operations. Rebecca focused on by-laws, liability, insurance, employment and other areas that a 501(c)(3) needed to be secure and viable. When sister Valerie Jensen became Board President, Rebecca recognized that her expertise as an attorney was a role she could take on for SPHERE that would also support her sister Val in her leadership capacity. From volunteerism in 2003 to a board member in 2009, Rebecca’s pro bono work became essential to SPHERE’S growth.

Added to the many notches on Rebecca’s skills belt was the acquisition of the SPHERE bus and later the creation of a home base for SPHERE at 421 Main Street. In 2011 the SPHERE board decided to apply for a grant to purchase the bus. The board knew well that adults with disabilities are frequently isolated from peers, recreation, jobs and educational activities because they don’t drive or travel on their own. The need to provide transportation to members was critical and no one knew that better than Rebecca. She engineered the legal components of that enterprise which, amongst other tasks, required forging a partnership with the town of Ridgefield. The bus enables educational and fun field trips, and transports members to nightly programs – which by 2014 were offered year-round four evenings a week. Rebecca’s hours of pro bono labor succeeded in changing the daily lives of members and their families. She had had a lifetime preparing for this role. Well-versed in overcoming what to others may look like insurmountable obstacles, Rebecca knew how to think outside of the box, have a voice, and be armed and ready with the essential knowledge to achieve goals that change the lives of others for the better.

Rebecca continues her pro bono work with energy and commitment. She sits on the board of the Prospector Foundation and the Prospector Theater. She was formerly on the board of the Women’s Center of Danbury and currently serves on their Advisory Board. She is an ex officio on SPHERE’S board. Rebecca remains the invaluable legal brain, counselor and guardian to SPHERE, indispensable and irreplaceable.

Mark your calendars for November 9, 2019, and get ready for an unforgettable evening of friendship and fundraising!

o learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Lori Berisford via email   loriberis@aol.com.

To purchase a ticket or table => https://SPHERE.givesmart.com