FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com JUNE 30, 2016 • THE COURIER SUN 3 JAMAICA WANTS A NEW STREET LOOK NOW By Charlie Per y cperry@qns.com/@QueensCourier Charlie Atiler walked into the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in a canary yellow polo shirt, gripping his cane. He arrived a few minutes after 6 p.m. on June 21 for an informational workshop over a Queens and Department of Transportation (DOT) coalition aimed at giving the communities streets a makeover. More than 30 other community members joined Atiler to discuss Jamaica Now!‘s effort to transform the streetscapes of Jamaica. Jamaica Now! has an action plan that wants to “increase quality jobs and small business support, promote commercial growth and economic development, and improve livability.” Atiler walked from each easel board featuring visuals of various streets and what Jamaica Now! plans to do. He engaged “street ambassadors” in conversation, learning all he could about the project while offering his own point of view. “This is a sign of them being interested in what we think,” Atiler said. “Too many times, decisions are being made without consulting the people that those services affect.” The community is very important to Atiler. He’s been living in South Queens for over 25 years and tries to attend as many community events as he can. He has been involved in York College affairs for over 20 years and volunteers his time at the Jamaica JAMS Festival. The goal of these programs is to make Community members speak with street ambassadors at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning over the Jamaica Now! action plan. “downtown Jamaica a more walkable, dynamic neighborhood,” DOT representatives said in a statement given on June 21. “I think they have to remember that there are QNS/Photo by Charlie Perry a lot of elderly people here,” Atiler said. “They are stuck in their homes. If they want to make it out in the community they have to feel it’s friendly, safe and inviting.” Executive director of Queens charity organization charged with stealing $100K By Anthon y Giu dice agiudice@qns.com @A_GiudiceReport The executive director of a Queens not-for-profit organization has been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. On June 22, a Brooklyn federal grand jury charged Yolanda Vitulli, executive director of Tender Care Human Services Inc., a not-forprofit that provided services to people with autism and other developmental disabilities throughout New York City, with embezzling approximately $100,000 in federal and state funds meant for the organization to fund her lavish lifestyle. “The very definition of charity is to give to those in need. Instead, the subject in this case decided the $100,000 she’s accused of stealing would be better spent making her life easier,” said Diego Rodriguez, FBI assistant director-in-charge. “Theft is a crime, but to take from those who are in need of help makes this case more egregious.” Vitulli was the executive director of Tender Care, located at 92-21 165th St. in Jamaica, from January 2001 to May 2016, during which time the organization received approximately $3 million in federal and New York State Medicaid funding each year. According to the allegation, the investigation revealed that between 2009 and May 2014, Vitulli stole funds from Tender Care in order to pay for housekeepers to do various tasks around her home, such as cleaning her residence, doing her laundry, and providing childcare. Also, between January 2012 and November 2013, it is alleged that Vitulli used her organization’s funds to hire a contractor to make upgrades to her home, including purchasing and installing a hot tub, fence, furniture and security cameras. “The defendant allegedly stole public funds meant for the developmentally disabled in order to subsidize her own life of luxury,” said New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott. “This indictment should serve as warning to any officers and agents of charitable providers who exploit taxpayer funds intended for critical public services; they will be identified, apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will continue to work closely with my state and federal law enforcement partners to pursue and hold accountable anyone who attempts to defraud the public welfare system and the people it serves.” Vitulli was expected to appear in Brooklyn federal court on June 24. Photo via Google Maps The executive director of Tender Care Human Services Inc. has been charged with stealing $100,000 from the not-for-profit company.
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