CrimsonRise Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Nicholas D'Amora Center on Staten Island

New permanent home at 1313 Clove Road marks a major milestone for the nonprofit founded and led alongside nonspeaking autistic advocates

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CrimsonRise celebrated a transformational milestone on Wednesday, August 19, with the official ribbon cutting of the CrimsonRise Nicholas D'Amora Center, its new permanent home at 1313 Clove Road, Staten Island, NY 10301.

Supporters, donors, families, community organizations and elected officials gathered at 4 p.m. to celebrate the opening of The CrimsonRise Nicholas D'Amora Center and honor the life and legacy of Nicholas D'Amora, one of the four autistic young adults who helped co-found CrimsonRise in September 2021. Nicholas passed away suddenly in May 2023, but his leadership, advocacy and belief in the potential of nonspeaking autistic individuals continue to shape the organization and its future.

The new Center represents the extraordinary growth of CrimsonRise from an idea developed by four autistic young adults and their advocacy allies into an organization whose work and advocacy have reached well beyond Staten Island.

Lakshmi Rao Sankar, Executive Director of CrimsonRise, served as emcee for the ceremony and welcomed guests before introducing the afternoon's speakers and special guests. Lakshmi reflected the significance of establishing a permanent home where its mission can continue to grow.

At the center of CrimsonRise's work is the belief that communication is a human right and that nonspeaking autistic individuals must be presumed competent and provided meaningful access to communication, regulation, education, advocacy, friendship and community.

One of the most meaningful moments of the ceremony came from Barbara D'Amora, Nicholas D'Amora's mother and Capital Campaign Co-Chair, who spoke about her son, his life and the impact he continues to have on CrimsonRise. The naming of the building ensures that Nicholas' legacy will remain permanently connected to the organization he helped create.

Remarks were also delivered by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and New York State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, who recognized CrimsonRise's accomplishments, the significance of the new facility and the organization's contributions to Staten Island and the disability community.

Following the remarks, Borough President Fossella officially cut the ribbon, joined by Lakshmi and Shanx Ravisankar; members of the D'Amora family; Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, representatives of New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis; and CrimsonRise Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Lenore Puleo and Barbara D'Amora.

The celebration was also an opportunity to recognize the many individuals and organizations whose generosity, advocacy and partnership helped CrimsonRise reach this milestone. Supporters, donors and friends from throughout Staten Island and the surrounding community attended the ceremony.

Organizations represented included Catholic Charities of Staten Island, The GRACE Foundation of New York, On Your Mark, Seamen's Society for Children and Families, Community Resources of Staten Island, the Northfield Bank Foundation, the St. George Theatre and the College of Staten Island, among many other community partners and supporters.

The opening of the Nicholas D'Amora Center is the culmination of a significant capital campaign led by CrimsonRise with the support of its campaign co-chairs, donors, families and community partners. Their investment has provided the organization with a permanent foundation from which it can expand its programming, communication access initiatives, education, peer engagement and advocacy.

Since its founding in 2021, CrimsonRise has worked to change perceptions surrounding nonspeaking autism by creating opportunities for autistic individuals to communicate, advocate, build relationships and participate in decisions affecting their own lives. Its founders and members have also brought that message to audiences beyond Staten Island, helping others understand what it means to live a neurodivergent life on their own terms.

The organization's philosophy is reflected in another principle central to its advocacy: "Nothing about us without us."

For CrimsonRise, the August 19 ribbon cutting was not simply the opening of a building. It represented the establishment of a permanent home for a movement created with autistic voices at its center.

About CrimsonRise

Founded in September 2021, CrimsonRise was co-founded by four autistic young adults, Nicholas D'Amora, Tejas Rao Sankar, William Jusino and Cristofer Puleo, alongside advocacy allies and supporting adult co-founders, including Lakshmi Rao Sankar and Barbara D'Amora.

CrimsonRise serves autistic individuals with sensory, movement and communication differences by presuming competence and providing communication access and regulation support. Through education, advocacy, peer engagement and community building, CrimsonRise works toward a future in which nonspeaking autistic individuals are recognized as active participants and leaders in decisions affecting their lives.

Communication is a human right.

Contact: Brian Licata, [email protected] 

SOURCE CrimsonRise