Board of Directors for Freedom Home of Upstate New York, Inc.
"What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others remains and is immortal" - Albert Pike
Rosemarie Roughton, N.D., R.N.
Founder and Director
Rosemarie Roughton is the mother of a child with severe autism. Rosemarie is a registered nurse. She has over forty years of experience in long-term care, including extensive supervisory and managerial experience. She has expertise in quality assurance, and care-planning for residents in a skilled nursing facility. In searching for alternative treatment options for autism she completed advanced study in holistic nutrition and a doctorate in naturopathy. Rosemarie was inspired to create a housing alternative for persons with autism and developmental disabilities which would preserve their dignity and honor their individuality.
Rosemarie is a member of The ARC Mid-Hudson, the local chapter of NYSARC, Inc., which provides support, education and advocacy to individuals with autism and developmental challenges. She is a supporter of The Autism Society of America, the Autism Research Institute and Special Olympics.
Carl R. Becker
Vice President
Carl Becker has over thirty years of successful experience running a nationwide technology company (Technical Solutions). Carl is an effective project manager and project coordinator. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer systems / business from Florida Atlantic University which led to his first position with IBM, in Florida. His impressive and innovative work in the field has won him numerous awards. He has earned national recognition for outstanding work on projects with McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and a host of other restaurant and retail clients.
Because of his personal experience with a close family member with autism, Mr. Becker has become dedicated to the cause of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
Sherry J. Ralph
Treasurer
Sherry Ralph has worked in the field of business management for many years. She has owned and operated a number of successful local businesses. She is skilled and experienced in the areas of staff management and training, business management, accounting and public relations. Sherry is an experienced therapy dog trainer. She is the guardian of an individual with special needs and autism. She is actively involved in advocating for persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the local community and school district.
Advisory Board for Freedom Home of Upstate New York
Lori A. Becker-Stephens
Lori is a licensed Health Facility Administrator (HFA) in the state of Indiana. Her experience includes both long term care services for the aged and disabled as well as quality assurance and improvement services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Most recently Lori has conducted compliance surveys/ site reviews and investigations on behalf of the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration. Lori has completed The Council on Quality & Leadership interview certification, which focuses on personal outcome measures for individuals with disabilities. Her personal experience with a family member with Autism Spectrum Disorder is one reason she advocates for quality supportive housing options for the developmentally disabled.
Lori actively supports many organizations including; Autism Speaks, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Alzheimer's Association, Goodwill, National Kidney Foundation and Humane Society of Indianapolis.
Rick Soshensky, MA, LCAT, MT-BC
Rick Soshensky is dedicated to helping individuals with special needs, and he is very successful at utilizing music, the universal language, to help them achieve their goals and reach their potential. As the author of Creativity, Soul &Transformation, Rick tells the stories & discoveries from the music therapy studio. Rick is an effective educator and music therapist. Mr. Soshensky's work in the field of music therapy has gained him international recognition. Rick was named ""one of the most influential clinicians in the industry" by Therapy Times Magazine in 2009.He was selected for the "Innovative Practice Award" by the New York State Health Facilities Association in 2007.
Rick earned his master's degree in music therapy from NYU. He is a board certified music therapist with advanced training and credentials. Rick is licensed in New York State as a Creative Arts Therapist.
Kerry McCarthy
Kerry McCarthy has a passion for teaching and worked in special education with students with various learning differences. She believes that in order to be optimally successful in an academic setting, each student should be recognized as an individual with specific needs, and those needs should inform the teaching and learning process.
Kerry has a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Upon completing the graduate program, she became New York State certified in TESOL and secondary English and special education. Kerry continues to assist those who most needed support in the public education system.
"What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others remains and is immortal" - Albert Pike
Rosemarie Roughton, N.D., R.N.
Founder and Director
Rosemarie Roughton is the mother of a child with severe autism. Rosemarie is a registered nurse. She has over forty years of experience in long-term care, including extensive supervisory and managerial experience. She has expertise in quality assurance, and care-planning for residents in a skilled nursing facility. In searching for alternative treatment options for autism she completed advanced study in holistic nutrition and a doctorate in naturopathy. Rosemarie was inspired to create a housing alternative for persons with autism and developmental disabilities which would preserve their dignity and honor their individuality.
Rosemarie is a member of The ARC Mid-Hudson, the local chapter of NYSARC, Inc., which provides support, education and advocacy to individuals with autism and developmental challenges. She is a supporter of The Autism Society of America, the Autism Research Institute and Special Olympics.
Carl R. Becker
Vice President
Carl Becker has over thirty years of successful experience running a nationwide technology company (Technical Solutions). Carl is an effective project manager and project coordinator. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer systems / business from Florida Atlantic University which led to his first position with IBM, in Florida. His impressive and innovative work in the field has won him numerous awards. He has earned national recognition for outstanding work on projects with McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and a host of other restaurant and retail clients.
Because of his personal experience with a close family member with autism, Mr. Becker has become dedicated to the cause of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
Sherry J. Ralph
Treasurer
Sherry Ralph has worked in the field of business management for many years. She has owned and operated a number of successful local businesses. She is skilled and experienced in the areas of staff management and training, business management, accounting and public relations. Sherry is an experienced therapy dog trainer. She is the guardian of an individual with special needs and autism. She is actively involved in advocating for persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the local community and school district.
Advisory Board for Freedom Home of Upstate New York
Lori A. Becker-Stephens
Lori is a licensed Health Facility Administrator (HFA) in the state of Indiana. Her experience includes both long term care services for the aged and disabled as well as quality assurance and improvement services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Most recently Lori has conducted compliance surveys/ site reviews and investigations on behalf of the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration. Lori has completed The Council on Quality & Leadership interview certification, which focuses on personal outcome measures for individuals with disabilities. Her personal experience with a family member with Autism Spectrum Disorder is one reason she advocates for quality supportive housing options for the developmentally disabled.
Lori actively supports many organizations including; Autism Speaks, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Alzheimer's Association, Goodwill, National Kidney Foundation and Humane Society of Indianapolis.
Rick Soshensky, MA, LCAT, MT-BC
Rick Soshensky is dedicated to helping individuals with special needs, and he is very successful at utilizing music, the universal language, to help them achieve their goals and reach their potential. As the author of Creativity, Soul &Transformation, Rick tells the stories & discoveries from the music therapy studio. Rick is an effective educator and music therapist. Mr. Soshensky's work in the field of music therapy has gained him international recognition. Rick was named ""one of the most influential clinicians in the industry" by Therapy Times Magazine in 2009.He was selected for the "Innovative Practice Award" by the New York State Health Facilities Association in 2007.
Rick earned his master's degree in music therapy from NYU. He is a board certified music therapist with advanced training and credentials. Rick is licensed in New York State as a Creative Arts Therapist.
Kerry McCarthy
Kerry McCarthy has a passion for teaching and worked in special education with students with various learning differences. She believes that in order to be optimally successful in an academic setting, each student should be recognized as an individual with specific needs, and those needs should inform the teaching and learning process.
Kerry has a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Upon completing the graduate program, she became New York State certified in TESOL and secondary English and special education. Kerry continues to assist those who most needed support in the public education system.
