Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley visited the Maryhaven Integrated Business Center (IBC) in Yaphank for a tour of its packaging and assembly operations and to meet with the individuals whose work powers the facility’s success.
During their visit, Supervisor Panico and Deputy Supervisor Foley had the opportunity to meet with Amanda Dondero, Director of Maryhaven IBC, and John Mahoney, Assistant Director, along with other key staff members, who gave them an overview of the center’s operations.
For over 40 years, Maryhaven’s IBC has provided meaningful employment and vocational training opportunities to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.
Located in a 25,000-square-foot space, the IBC currently serves 175 individuals from across Suffolk County, offering them a path to independence, confidence, and community. At the same time, the center provides local manufacturers with cost-effective solutions for packaging, document scanning, indexing, and product preparation.
“Maryhaven is an incredible place that truly enriches the lives of people with special needs,” said Supervisor Dan Panico. “During our visit, we met some remarkable individuals who come to work each day, performing a wide range of tasks with focus and pride.”
Longstanding business partners include major brands like Optimum, Hain Celestial, Topiderm, and E-Green. The work done at the IBC not only addresses workforce shortages and turnover, but also delivers consistent, high-quality service that businesses can count on.
“The programs at Maryhaven are not only a lifeline for those they serve — they’re also a smart solution for local businesses,” said Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley. “It was inspiring to see firsthand how their team delivers quality work while creating real opportunity and community.”
Maryhaven is currently raising awareness about potential changes to New York State policies that could threaten the future of these critical programs.
Supervisor Panico and Deputy Supervisor Foley expressed their commitment to supporting Maryhaven’s mission and will be reaching out to the Governor’s office and state officials to advocate on the organization’s behalf.