Hershel Wertheimer

Background

About Hershel Wertheimer

Five things to know about me: 1. My father taught me how to change lives and live selflessly. We lived in an insular town, where acceptance of people with developmental disabilities just wasn’t a thing. But my father imbued us with the belief that every human being is perfect, just the way they are. I became a DSP (direct support professional) right out of high school, learning to give on an individual level. I was so passionate about helping my clients that many hours went unbilled. The important thing: Obtaining services for people in need–and helping them find meaning in their lives. After several careers in totally different industries, I joined Hamaspik of Kings County as executive director. In 5 years, I became executive director and grew the company 150% in size. Under my leadership, our staff–and the programs that we offer–both doubled in size. I’m a passionate advocate for mental health. When I’m not at Hamaspik, I’m involved in community activism, seeking to solve community-wide mental health problems that plague many individuals in Kings County. Here’s my bottom line: Hamaspik set out to raise individuals with disabilities in a world that claimed it wasn’t ready. But it was. And the spectacular growth of Hamaspik is a testament to that.