$1 Million Opens Doors Of Opportunity

A $1 million investment by Suffolk County is opening new doors of opportunity for individuals with autism and their families in South Huntington.

ELIJA Farm officially celebrated the grand opening of its new Mirella and Ory Giberstein Learning and Engagement Center on October 19, creating a year-round marketplace and community gathering space designed to help individuals with autism develop valuable job and social skills.

The new facility represents a major milestone for ELIJA Farm, which provides educational, vocational and community opportunities for individuals with autism.

Thanks to a $1 million Suffolk County JumpSmart grant, the center will offer participants hands-on experience in a real-world retail environment while providing fresh farm produce and locally made products to the public.

Customers can shop for produce grown on the farm and purchase goods created by local artisans.

Beyond shopping, the facility will host meetings, classes, workshops and seminars, bringing families, businesses and community organizations together.

For ELIJA founder and CEO Debora Thivierge, however, the opening carries a deeply personal meaning.

The center honors her parents, Mirella and Ory Giberstein, who helped inspire her lifelong commitment to supporting families affected by autism.

"My parents were my greatest supporters and my lifeline in raising my son with autism," Thivierge said. "Their unwavering love gave me the strength to help my son and, ultimately, countless other families."

Thivierge called the building a tribute to her parents' extraordinary legacy.

The project received support from Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning Commissioner Sarah Lansdale, Fusion Architecture and Islip-based Bancker Construction.

The marketplace will operate Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., during colder months, with expanded hours planned.

Organizations interested in using the community space can call 443-975-4834.

For additional information, visit www.elijafarm.org.