Rotary Club of Hicksville South hosts seminar on special needs planning awareness

Under the leadership of Club President Tahira Sharif and Club Secretary Dr. Neeru Bhambri, the Rotary Club of Hicksville South (RCHS) successfully hosted an educational seminar on “Awareness of Special Needs Planning” at Levittown Hall in Hicksville, Long Island on Thursday, April 9, 2026. 

The event brought together community members, caregivers, and advocates for an evening dedicated to reflection, early intervention, support, and meaningful action—aimed at empowering families of individuals with special needs. This important initiative addressed a growing need within the greater community for education, resources, and collaborative support systems.

The seminar featured four distinguished speakers who shared valuable insights and practical guidance:

Jasia Mirza, introduced by President-Elect Sandhya Bhatia, is a dual-certified educator in general and special education. She spoke passionately about her commitment to special education, emphasizing that children with special needs are uniquely gifted and bring invaluable perspectives into the classroom. She highlighted the mutual growth between educators and students, noting how their resilience and creativity inspire meaningful learning experiences.

Vera Hartofilis, introduced by veteran RCHS member Rekha Gupta, is an experienced educator with over 20 years of service in the New York City Department of Education. Currently serving as a Site Coordinator for a Pre-K center, she also shared her personal journey as the parent of a child with profound autism. Her son was present at the event. Her dual perspective underscored the importance of advocacy, awareness, and ensuring access to appropriate services for children across the autism spectrum.

Sarah Sajjad, introduced by Past President Mizan Rahman, is the Chief Marketing Officer at Choudhry & Franzoni Law Group and Founder of the nonprofit Aspiring Insha. She highlighted the importance of legal awareness, advocacy, and community engagement in supporting families with special needs. Drawing from her extensive work with organizations such as the Developmental Disability Institute and various global initiatives, she emphasized empowering families through education, accountability, and access to resources.

Mausam Nihalani Mascarelli, introduced by Past President Aleya Jung, brought a unique perspective from her medical and holistic health background. A former respiratory therapist in New York City, she now focuses on functional medicine and health coaching. Sharing her personal journey and experiences with special needs children in her family, she spoke about the importance of holistic care, gut health, and individualized treatment approaches. She brought with her samples of healthy snack recipes and shared them with the audience.

The event drew a full audience from across the community, including local leaders and public officials. PDG and the Founding President of RCHS, Kamlesh Mehta commended the club for its impactful initiatives and highlighted Rotary’s ongoing commitment to community service, education, and engagement.

Among those in attendance were Past Presidents Quddus Mohammed, Rizwan Qureshi, Nilima Madan, along with numerous Rotarians and community members. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the speakers and key contributors by Own Murtajiz Naqvi, Director of the Department of Asian American Affairs, Nassau County.

The evening also featured a networking session with traditional desi appetizers, sandwiches,  and chai, fostering connections and community bonding among attendees.

The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Club Secretary Dr. Neeru Bhambri. She extended special appreciation to the core team members—Rekha Gupta, Kalpana Patel, Mizan Rahman, and Dr. Dev Ratnam—for their dedication and efforts in making the event possible.

She also acknowledged the generous support of the donors and sponsors, including Rizwan Qureshi, Dr. Dev Ratnam, Sandhya Bhatia, Rekha Chichara, Kalpana Patel, Rajan Madan, and Mizan Rahman.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Bhambri noted that the seminar was not only well-organized but also a meaningful and impactful success for the community.

(All photos courtesy: RCHS)