irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.37MCOMMUNITY SERVICES - COMPRISED OF CATEGORIES OF MEDICAID WAIVER FEE FOR SERVICE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING THE DELIVERY OF SUPPORTS IN NON-CERTIFIED HOME AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS. THESE INCLUDE IN-HOME RESPITE, IN-HOME RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION AND COMMUNITY HABILITATION.
- #2 $1.48MDAY HABILITATION AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL UP LIVING PROGRAM ENGAGES INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN A COMPREHENSIVE DAY PROGRAM THAT DEVELOPS THEIR EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS.
named programs · 9 · from sources
What they call their work
Autism Initiative
Offers outreach, support, and free programs for families of children with autism, including an after-school art program and transition planning for young adults.
Caminos
Provides Pathway to Employment services, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in securing and maintaining customized, competitive jobs.
Community Habilitation
Offers in-home and community-based support to build daily living, self-advocacy, and social skills for individuals with disabilities.
Day Habilitation and Up Living Program
Comprehensive day program that develops educational, social, recreational, and vocational skills for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Family Support Service Coordination
Assists families in navigating OPWDD eligibility, Medicaid Waiver applications, guardianship, and care coordination.
Housing Advocacy Program
Offers legal and practical support to developmentally disabled individuals and families facing housing instability, eviction, or applying for affordable housing in NYC.
Metropolitan Parent Center
Provides training, workshops, and one-to-one assistance to help parents advocate for children with special education needs, including IEP support and dispute resolution.
Residential Services
Operates certified and non-certified residences and Family Care Homes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Respite
Provides temporary in-home or apartment-based care for children and adults with developmental disabilities to support family caregivers.
activities · 17 groups
What they do
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Social Skills Development for Neurodiverse Youth 2 activities
- Delivers afterschool art program for children with autismOffers a free in-person afterschool art program for children aged 3 to 13 with autism spectrum disorder to develop social skills through visual arts in small group settings, while engaging parents to reinforce skill development at home and in the community.
- Operates Integrated Transition Program for youth with autismRuns a hybrid Integrated Transition Program for young adults aged 14 to 21 with autism to develop independent life skills through group sessions and community-based outings, including parent participation in support groups and outings to reinforce skill application.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Administers Family Reimbursement ProgramAdministers the Family Reimbursement Program, which provides eligible families up to $500 for goods and services not covered by public assistance, such as clothing, furniture, and recreational programs.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Delivers advocacy training for families and caregiversOffers a six-class or six-course training program to build advocacy and civic engagement skills for families, caregivers, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, enabling them to support other parents and participate in civic activities.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Delivers special education workshops and trainingOffers educational workshops and training on special education advocacy, behavior management, ADHD, autism, IEPs, transition planning, and related topics for parents in English and Spanish, delivered in-person, virtually via Zoom or GoToWebinar, and recorded for YouTube access; also offers free workshops upon request at external sites or via webinar.
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Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
- Distributes special education fact sheets and resourcesDevelops and distributes comprehensive fact sheets on key special education topics including parent advocacy, IEP meeting fundamentals, annual goals, and navigating the special education process for children with disabilities.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Hosts Disco Bingo and holiday events for familiesOrganizes in-person social events such as Disco Bingo with disco-themed entertainment and bingo gameplay, and annual holiday parties for families served by Sinergia to foster community connection and provide festive experiences for children.
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Developmental Disability Service Coordination 1 activity
- Offers family support service coordinationProvides Family Support Service Coordination to assist families in navigating OPWDD eligibility, Medicaid Waiver applications, guardianship, and care coordination for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Tenant Legal Advocacy & Support Services 1 activity
- Offers housing advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilitiesProvides housing advocacy services across all five NYC boroughs, including eviction prevention, housing court support, rent freeze applications, and tenant rights workshops for low-income individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Offers volunteer opportunitiesOffers volunteer opportunities across its programs to engage community members in supporting services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Day Habilitation Services 1 activity
- Operates day programs for individuals with developmental disabilitiesOperates comprehensive day programs, including Day Habilitation and the Up Living Program, to build educational, social, recreational, and vocational skills for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Operates the Metropolitan Parent CenterOperates the Metropolitan Parent Center in New York City, providing information, training, referrals, individual advocacy, and one-to-one support to families of children ages 0–26 with disabilities and to professionals working with them.
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Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Provides Medicaid-funded habilitation and respite servicesDelivers in-home and community-based habilitation services—including in-home residential habilitation, community habilitation, and respite care—for individuals with developmental disabilities through Medicaid waiver programs.
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Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Provides employment support through Pathway to EmploymentDelivers Pathway to Employment services through Caminos to support individuals with developmental disabilities in securing and maintaining customized employment at prevailing wages.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Provides individualized special education advocacy and supportOffers individualized assistance and advocacy support to parents navigating special education challenges, including consultation, meeting accompaniment, and legal referrals for children and young adults (ages 3–21) with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Manhattan.
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Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Provides transitional and residential housing servicesOperates transitional housing for homeless families with children who have disabilities and provides certified and noncertified residential programs—including Family Care Homes—for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens.
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Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Provides virtual support groups in SpanishHosts virtual evening support groups in Spanish for parents and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism, focusing on emotional well-being and parenting skills.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conducts clinical assessments for OPWDD eligibilityConducts clinical assessments—including psychological, psychosocial, autism, and adaptive evaluations—for individuals with developmental disabilities in Manhattan applying for OPWDD eligibility.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.82M
Contributions & grants$1.50M11%
Program service revenue$11.95M86%
Investment income$14K0%
Other revenue$364K
expenses
Total expenses$13.81M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$9.86M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$13.66M
Cash$795K
Investments$0
Liabilities$13.29M
Net assets$374K
Liquid reserves0.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +15.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LORECILDA BARCELONA | EXECUTIVE DI | 35 | $203K |
| ANY NUNEZ | COMPTROLLER | 35 | $150K |
| MILCA TAKATA | DEPUTY EXEC | 35 | $145K |
| CHESTER MISAKI | CFO | 35 | $140K |
| LENNY MOISE | HR DIRECTOR | 35 | $134K |
| ASUNCION MUYALDE | DIRECTOR OF | 35 | $110K |
| RAUL MUYALDE | RESPITE - NU | 35 | $101K |
board members · 15
- ALLISON ABREU — DIRECTOR
- ANA KOESSLER MSW — TREASURER
- ANEM VOLCY — 1ST VICE PRE
- BERNICE MORO PHD — DIRECTOR
- CARMEN PAGAN — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINE LEWIS — 2ND VICE PRE
- DONALD LASH — DIRECTOR
- DORA MENDEZ — SECRETARY
- JOHNNY C RIVERA — PRESIDENT
- JOSEFINA ROSARIO — DIRECTOR
- KALIRIS SALAS-RAMIREZ PHD — DIRECTOR
- MARIA FIGUEROA — DIRECTOR
- ROBIN S BROWN — DIRECTOR
- SHARON MOORE — DIRECTOR
- WENDELL P BROWN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Advocates for Children of New York Partner — Collaborates with Sinergia in the NY Region 1 PTIC Collaborative to provide training and information to families of children with disabilities and professionals in NYC and Long Island.
- Green Standards Partner — Received a generous donation from Green Standards that supported the provision of gifts for children and creation of a festive environment at the MPC Holiday Party 2025.
- IncludeNYC Partner — Collaborates with Sinergia in the NY Region 1 PTIC Collaborative to provide training and information to families of children with disabilities and professionals in NYC and Long Island.
- Long Island Advocacy Center Partner — Collaborates with Sinergia in the NY Region 1 PTIC Collaborative to provide training and information to families of children with disabilities and professionals in NYC and Long Island.
- Metropolitan Parent Center Network — Sinergia operates the Metropolitan Parent Center as part of its service model.
- Microsoft Partner — Collaborates on registration platform infrastructure for programs like the APPLE Academy.
- New York City Council Funder — Funds the Autism Initiative Project through a grant under its Autism Initiative.
- New York City Council Government — Funds the Autism Initiative, which supports Sinergia's support groups, workshops, and recreational programs.
- New York Region 1 PTIC Collaborative Partner — Collaborated on the development of the NYSAA FAQ document for parents of students with severe cognitive disabilities.
- OPWDD Government — Hosted a visit from OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer and her team, indicating an ongoing relationship with the state agency.
- Office of People with Developmental Disabilities Government — Partner agency for eligibility determination, service coordination, and funding; referenced across multiple programs including Family Support, Non-Medicaid Evaluation, and Housing Advocacy.
- U.S. Department of Education Government — Federal funder of the NY Region 1 PTIC Collaborative, supporting Sinergia’s parent training and information services.
- U.S. Department of Education Government — Funds the Metropolitan Parent Center through grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- YouTube Partner — Hosts workshop recordings on its YouTube channel for public access.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally and Linguistically Aligned Capacity Buildingmethodology: culturally_aligned_advocacyBy delivering bilingual education and advocacy training tailored to the cultural context of Spanish-speaking families, we increase access to services and strengthen self-advocacy, because alignment with language, values, and lived experience improves trust, comprehension, and systems navigation.
- Family-Centered Systems Navigationmethodology: family_centered_advocacyBy providing direct consultation, school meeting accompaniment, and legal referrals, we strengthen families’ ability to navigate complex special education systems, because hands-on support during high-stakes interactions builds confidence, knowledge, and effective advocacy outcomes.
- Peer-Led Parent Advocacy Modelmethodology: peer_led_advocacy_trainingBy training parents to advocate for their own children first and then equipping them to support other families, we create a multiplier effect in civic engagement and community-level systems change, because lived experience combined with structured skill-building enables sustainable peer-to-peer empowerment.
- Self-Advocacy as Pathway to Independencemethodology: self_advocacy_trainingBy building self-advocacy skills in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we enable greater autonomy in navigating service systems and achieving personal goals, because direct empowerment fosters long-term independence more effectively than third-party advocacy alone.