Baking With a Twist: Felecia Rozansky's Recipe to Help Raise Autism Awareness
When her son, Eric, was diagnosed, everything changed.
Fifteen years ago, East Meadow business owner Felecia Rozansky was looking at storefronts to open a new cookie shop, but when her son Eric was diagnosed with autism, everything came to a halt.
"I shut everything down," Rozansky said. "I ended it.”
Rozansky, a North Bellmore resident, realized that, while her passion for baking cookies was strong, her commitment lied with her son.
Rozansky made sure to learn as much as she could about Eric's condition, which was later confirmed to be Asperger's Syndrome.
"People really didn’t know what was going on, and I really had to educate myself," she said.
Rozansky went to Hofstra University to learn about special education, but she ended up getting a Master's Degree and becoming a teacher. After one year of working in a pre-school and four years working in New York City, Rozansky was rewarded with tenure.
But then she quit.
"Baking cookies is what I really wanted to do," Rozansky said. "Eric is doing so much better."
Rozansky knew she had excellent baking skills, because before Eric was born, she gave cookies to the clients at her husband's gas station. When customers asked if they could buy some, a business was born. She then sold to local stores and the potential for a cookie shop was on the rise.
"It just had to be put on hold," she added.
After Rozansky helped her son through elementary school at Park Avenue and middle school at Grand Avenue, he landed at Nassau BOCES Seaman Neck Middle School in Seaford, which is where Eric finally found himself at home.
"The people who work there walk on water," Rozansky said "They took a kid who was antisocial, disconnected and never could make any headway with anything in school, and now he is popular."
Eric is also a part of student council, and he recently co-founded a new chapter of SADD.
Rozansky fulfilled a lifelong dream of her own by opening Felecia's Fabulous Cookies on Sept. 15, 2011 at 347 Newbridge Rd. in East Meadow, and a portion of her cookie proceeds go to the Autism Society. She even established a fund called the "Eric Rozansky Fund for Accepting People with Autism, which has raised almost $500 thus far.
"I use the word accepting because I don’t want to be tolerated," Rozansky said. "The money will be used to help educate the public on Autism."
Rozansky also prides her business as being a place where people can come and talk about Autism and share stories, questions or concerns.
"People can have a place where they have someone they can talk to," she said. "I meet people every single day who know somebody or teach somebody who has autism.”
The goal is to reach $10,000 for the fund, and Rozansky said she could hardly put into words what it means to her to be working to support her son.
"I almost cry when I think about it," she said. "It means everything to me."
For more information on Rozansky or Felecia's Fabulous Cookies, visit their website.
In This article
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Nassau BOCES Seaman Neck Middle School
1100 Crestline Pl, Seaford, NY -
Felecia's Fabulous Cookies
347 Newbridge Rd, East Meadow, NY
carla
9:33 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I actually wrote to Felecia on her website to share our autism connection, especially since I live just a few blocks from her new store. I am sure in all the craziness of having a new business & also what I know to be a, lets say, interesting home life having a child with this disorder, that I didn't receive a response but I wish her & her family all the best in this venture, and hope to get to her new store to check out the goodies!
Michael Ganci
9:35 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thanks for the comment Carla!
Felecia Rozansky
12:05 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I am so sorry that I never saw your comments. My website was not fully functional when we opened, and until recently a lot of comments (as well as some orders) were forever lost! Please accept my apologies and come visit us, it will be worth your time, I promise!
Virginia
2:24 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Hi.My family been going to Steve's shop for more than 18 yrs.now,but it is only now also that I heard about your cookies and store.They look VERY GOOD,will be stopping soon.Best wishes.
Felecia Rozansky
2:27 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Well I certainly do hope you come in...I'm sorry you missed out on the cookies, but we hope to fix that situation very soon!
Kathleen
7:27 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Delicious cookies and the milk in glass bottles is great. I have purchased cookies on several occasions and have never been disappointed. So many different types of cookies to choose from!!
Felecia Rozansky
1:33 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thanks, Kathleen. It's wonderful to get such positive feedback!
Arlene
8:41 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Love the wide selection of cookies. Baking fresh cookies on the premises sends out a warm and inviting visit. I found your story about how you started your business, the hurdles you overcame, and the successful achievements of Eric very inspiring. You both are to be commended. I'll be stopping by your shop more often now for some "cookie" pick-me-up.
Arlene
Bill Alderman
12:17 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Felicia's Fabulous Fundraiser for Autism ( Inspired by an article in the EM Patch)!!!!
Saturday 1/21 - 2:30-5:00 at 347 Newbridge Rd East Meadow, NY 11554 .
From what I hear......Felecia Rozansky has agreed to have Dr Loraine Alderman Psy.D. to administer a simple card sorting survey, to volunteers, THIS Saturday 1/21 afternoon from 2:30- 5:30pm in an effort to help Felecia reach her goal to raise money for her Autism charity. The test takes a total of 3 minutes to take and Dr. Loraine has been known to bang out a bunch of surveys in an hour, if everyone waits quietly and co-operates. They'll need residents, friends and customers all afternoon ages 2 -72 to volunteer to take the simple card sorting survey, which pays $10 per person to the charity for each survey taken. Then Felecia can get much closer to her goal before the end of this month. So far this has worked as a great fundraiser for organizations like the East Meadow Jewish Center,for Kiwanis, Friends of Hospice, and a slew of other assorted charities.
Felecia Rozansky
1:32 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Just to "sweeten" the incentive I am offering 3 FREE cookies for 3 minutes of your time.That's 3 free cookies for EACH PERSON who takes this quick 3 minute test.....
Kathleen
6:50 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
I am unable to participate this Saturday. Hopefully, it goes well and you have another one and I will be available. Good luck.
Carolann
9:51 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Felicia, you story is wonderful. I wish you the very best for your son and his future, and for your wonderful cookies.
May I make a suggestion? What if you design a cookie cutter in a puzzle piece shape, and use it to make special batches of cookies for autism . I bet they would sell like crazy and help you to meet your goal. You might even be able to sell them on line! Best wishes - Carol
Felecia Rozansky
10:49 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Funny you should say that.....we are busy creating cookies for Valentine's Day.....but after that we will be working on some specialized cookies for Autism Awareness and Acceptance. Thanks for the suggestion!
Bill Alderman
10:59 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Kathleen- you can give Felecia's Cookies your Phone # ,as there will be a few other test dates done in East Meadow till 1/31/12.Possibly even Sunday 1/22. You might miss out on her 3 free cookie promo though..(.lol lol ) Come On everyone, let's show our support for Autism Awareness and Acceptance!!!
Bill Alderman
11:18 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
OKAY everyone.... I hope your not planning on a teeny bit of snow stop you from coming out and supporting this great & wothy fundraiser, Right?
Felecia Rozansky
12:59 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Absolutely.....we have plenty of fresh baked cookies ready!
Dawn
11:11 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
What a beautiful, heart warming story. I wish both you and Eric great success!!
Dawn
Felecia Rozansky
11:25 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thanks for the support!