Eden II Programs marks its 50th anniversary in 2026, having grown from six children and one classroom on Staten Island into one of the most comprehensive autism service organizations in New York State. The organization is celebrating with a golf outing and anniversary reception on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 200 Huguenot Avenue in Staten Island with an evening reception at Grand Oaks Country Club, with proceeds supporting programs and services for individuals with autism across Staten Island and Long Island.

Some anniversaries mark time. This one marks a legacy that reshaped what autism services look like across an entire region, and it's the kind of milestone worth showing up for.

How Eden II Started

Fifty years ago, six sets of parents partnered with one special education teacher on Staten Island who believed children with autism deserved more than what existed at the time. They started small, with six children and one classroom, backed by nothing but conviction and a plan.

That single classroom became the foundation for one of the most comprehensive autism service organizations in New York State. Today, Eden II Programs serves thousands of individuals and their families across New York City and Long Island, supporting people from early childhood all the way through the senior years.

The Scope of What Eden II Has Built

Few organizations cover this much ground. Eden II's programming today spans:

• School programs for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum
• Adult day habilitation services
• Residential services
• Family support programs
• Transition and vocational programming for young adults entering the workforce
• Community-based services that extend support beyond any single facility

That breadth reflects a founding belief that's still central to the organization: that science, service, and passion, brought together, create better lives for the people they support. Through the Eden II & Genesis Foundation, the organization continues investing in research and innovation aimed at moving the entire field forward, not just its own programs.

The 2026 Golf Outing & 50th Anniversary Celebration

This year's fundraiser is more than a typical golf outing. It's a celebration of fifty years of programs and the lives changed along the way, and every dollar raised goes directly toward autism services across Staten Island and Long Island.

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026

Golf: 200 Huguenot Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10312

Evening Reception: Grand Oaks Country Club

Schedule: Registration & Barbecue at 12:00 PM, Shotgun Start at 1:00 PM, Cocktail Dinner & Awards at 6:30 PM

To register, ask questions, or sponsor, reach the Eden II team directly at golf@eden2.org or 718-816-1422 ext. 1010, or visit eden2.org/golf2026.

Why Showing Up Matters

Being a genuine partner to the agencies and organizations doing this work means more than administrative support behind the scenes. It means showing up in person, at the events where the community actually gathers. Fifty years is a milestone that deserves exactly that kind of presence: on the course, at the reception, and everywhere in between.