Our History Nearly 20 years ago, a group of parents here on Long Island founded the Friendship Connection Foundation. These parents joined together in response to the unique needs of people like their children— developmentally delayed individuals who experience shyness, awkwardness in social situations, rejection from peers and loneliness. With the help of a professional therapist, the Friendship Connection was designed to offer a nurturing environment where emotionally and socially immature people could develop positive and healthy social skills and build lasting friendships. Our Professionals Eliaz, Eliran: PhD, RDT, began his tenure as Executive Director of the Friendship Connection Foundation in 1993. In addition to earning his PhD from New York University, he has extensive experience training in Israel, England and the United States. As a pioneer in the fields of Drama Therapy and Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Eliaz has taught and published on these subjects, and has applied his knowledge to both children and adults in a variety of settings. He has developed progressive programs for the Learning Disabled and is an expert in EEG Biofeedback for Attention Deficit Disorder and related syndromes. Dr. Eliaz has been practicing Psychotherapy since 1976. Carson, Donna: She has nearly thirty years of experience as a social worker, both here in the United States and in England. As well as attending at New York University and London University, she also studied Family Therapy at the Tavistock Clinic. A mother of five children, Ms. Carson is currently in private practice. Board of Directors(in alphabetical order) The directors, parents of members and a professional, are all volunteers. Berent, Jonathan: L.C.S.W. He is the professional consultant to The Friendship Connection. He has pioneered psychotherapy for social anxiety and is the author of “Beyond Shyness: How to Conquer Social Anxieties” (Simon&Schuster.) He is the director of www.socialanxiety.com. Blattmachr, Betsy: Parent. She has been involved with The Friendship Connection since 1990, when her son became a member, and she served as its board chair for three years.  She is a former high school English teacher, past PTA president of the Center for Community Adjustment (BOCES), and a member of the board of the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island, serving on the executive committee. Debehar, Jack: Parent and current treasurer of The Friendship Connection. He is a civil engineer by training and for the past 25 years has been active in the hospitality industry. Healy, James: Parent and past President, has been volunteering with The Friendship Connection over ten years since his son become a member. He is a 30 year veteran, retired New York City Firefighter, living in Baldwin, Long Island since 1973. He worked with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Special Education PTA.  He also ran for a seat on the local school board.   Masone, Christine:  Parent. Past President and current Co-President. Past Special Education P.T.A. President and child advocate for a local school district in Nassau County. She is a package supervisor for a domestic and international shipping carrier.  She has been an active member of the Friendship Connection since its inception in 1989. Oliveri, Florence: Parent. Past President and current Co-President she has been involved with the Friendship Connection since her son became a member over ten years ago.  She and her husband currently reside in Queens and are both active in their community. Paluch, Indra: Parent. She is a labor management administrator for a NYC agency and a board member for the agency suggestion program. She is a class parent for her sons in their schools and an active soccer- basketball mom. Indra has been volunteering with The Friendship Connection since 2005.