Ringing in the New Year with Virtual Connections
No matter where they are on Long Island, members of Virtual Connections, a self-advocate-led, virtual music and social club, will log on and ring in the new year together.
Since 2021, the members of Virtual Connections have made it a tradition to spend the night of New Year’s Eve together on Zoom. They welcomed 2026 together and plan to continue singing, hosting virtual concerts, and supporting one another in the new year.
“During our New Year’s celebrations, we just laugh, listen to music, and party,” said Michelle Rudoff, a co-host of the group and a Quality Assurance Trainer for Citizens Options Unlimited.
Virtual Connections meets in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays to practice for concerts held throughout the year. For the members of the group, Virtual Connections represents a community of people who are there for one another, including Gloria Snyder.
Gloria has been attending Virtual Connections since 2020. It was a chance to see people she’s met through services like Camp Loyaltown. Now, Gloria spends New Year’s Eve with her friends from Virtual Connections.
“The other night, they had a session, and not everyone was there. Usually, they’d be rehearsing for the holiday concert now,” said Mary Campbell, Gloria’s mother. “So, they just sat around talking. They talked about everything: birth, death, health, and current events. They know about each other’s lives, and they help each other. It’s wonderful.”
Michelle calls Virtual Connections a safe space.
“It’s a home atmosphere,” Michelle said. “We know we can come on and we can say what’s troubling us and we have people there to support us.”
For the New Year, the Virtual Connections crew is hoping to get more people involved. For more information, email Michelle at mrudoff@citizens-inc.org.