29 THE QUEENS COURIER • APRIL 1, 2022 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
was, it allowed group home settings to become
lifetime homes for individuals with special
needs, with peers and friends, activities, and
recreation. When we purchased the fi rst group
home, there was resistance in the community,
and we won the case in Queens Supreme Court
that ruled that group residences have rights to
be in R1 and R2 residential neighborhoods.”
Th e state now funds group home settings,
where qualifi ed and certifi ed caregivers with
expertise, knowledge, education and training
all contribute to the quality-of-life and
independence-focused care model.
“Our biggest challenge, on the industrywide
level, is continuing to fi ght for New York State to
properly staff and fund group homes,” Schneps
stated, about where advocacy has been most impactful
of late. “Many people in our community
involve intense, personal care, which is costly,
but critical. Group residences provide a warm
home, where individuals can take pride in the
progress they are making on a daily basis, and
expand their personal horizons.”
While her involvement may have started 50
years ago, the advocacy continues for Schneps,
whose life has been dedicated to bringing support
for Life’s WORC. In recognition of her efforts,
Life’s WORC will be honoring Schneps at
their 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala slated
for April 1, alongside Geraldo Rivera. Th e soldout,
star-studded gala is slated to take place at
the Garden City Hotel.
Funding has poured in from many of New
York’s most notable, including but not limited
to a $50,000 donation from honoree Rivera and
his current and former Fox News Channel colleagues.
Top-rated news anchor Sean Hannity
donated $50,000, as did former host Bill O’Reilly.
Various other Long Islanders and New Yorkers
have opened their wallets, and their hearts, to
give to a cause that continues to thrive aft er fi ve
decades of changing lives for the better. Also
contributing the maximum donations are the
Koufakis family, the Rogan family, Subaru of
America, and the Manes Peace Prize Foundation.
“Life’s WORC has become my life’s work,
literally,” Schneps said, “preventing atrocities
like Willowbrook from ever happening
again. It takes vigilance, it takes a commitment
of a whole community, and it takes
the generosity of those who are willing to
support our cause. The support that Life’s
WORC has gotten for our 50th Anniversary
Gala is more than just overwhelming and
humbling, but a statement that we remember
Willowbrook, and we care to make sure that
this never happens again.”
“Th is 50th Anniversary Gala is really a celebration
of people living with dignity in this
vulnerable community, in comparison with
what happened in the past,” she continued.
“It’s a celebration of a new chapter that began
with the bravery and courage of a few, and the
dedication of many more to make sure that
what happened in the past is never forgotten.”
Schneps said that Life’s WORC now operates
50 group residences, day programs, and family
centers for those with autism, and will soon
open a job-training employment center.
“Th e Family Center for Autism in Garden
City is off ering art classes, music classes, cooking
classes — all things that develop life skills
for individuals,” Schneps added. “At our family
centers, we are helping not just those with autism
and special needs, but also their families,
with counseling and other resources.”
Schneps is now a community newspaper
publisher, owning and operating 88 newspapers
in the New York metropolitan area, with her
son, Josh Schneps. Th at began in 1985 with
her fl agship publication Th e Queens Courier,
but now includes such papers as amNew York
Metro, the Long Island Press, and Dan’s Papers,
serving New York City, Long Island, Westchester
and Rockland Counties, Philadelphia, and
Palm Beach County, Fla.
Vicki said her inspiration to join the news
media was the reporting done by Geraldo
nearly fi ve decades ago, which gave a voice to
the voiceless, and taught her the power of the
press in aff ecting change.
“I found purpose in publishing,” Schneps
said. “Our publications are the beacons of
reporting by which New Yorkers and people
around the world gather information and make
informed decisions, fi nd opinions, and become
inspired to act.”
“While I see this as my job, my love and
devotion is, and will always be, helping people
with developmental disabilities and autism
overcome challenges and live fulfi lling lives,”
she concluded. “Th at is my mission, and I am
proud of all those who work with me towards
this goal.”
L. to R.: Elizabeth, Lara and Victoria Schneps.
Geraldo Rivera
/WWW.QNS.COM
