Cover story: SPIN zone

By Tom Waring

Times Staff Writer

David Losinno started his professional career working for a couple of years for the Association for Retarded Citizens, then spent three years as a special education teacher with the School District of Philadelphia.

Back in 1970, he was teaching at the old Torresdale Elementary School when he learned from some of the parents of the special ed students that the popular Camp Happy Times in New Jersey was no longer accepting Pennsylvanians.

The camp featured a lake and an educational component, and Losinno knew that it was important for the children's development that they remain active in the summer rather than cooped up in their homes.

The young teacher attended a meeting with parents and suggested that they hold a camp at the school. After much planning and fund-raising, the camp debuted in the summer of '71, and Special People In Northeast Inc. (SPIN) has been assisting children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities ever since.

"That's how it began. I was looking for a summer job," he said. "It's not like I was Mother Teresa, but it was the defining moment in my life."

In the four decades that followed, Losinno built SPIN into a premier human services organization.

The agency supported the parents of babies diagnosed with developmental disabilities care for the children at home at a time when institutional placements were becoming the norm.

Thousands of children were educated in an integrated setting. Many of those children have grown up and are working meaningful jobs. And a bunch of them are living in SPIN-owned houses in residential communities.

THE HUMAN ELEMENT

At the Norcom Community Center, people with and without disabilities exercise, watch movies, make crafts, play arcade games and use computers, all in one another's company.

"They're human beings," Losinno said of the SPIN clients. "They have limitations like we all do."

More than a decade ago, Losinno crafted a succession plan for himself and his wife Trina, SPIN's executive director.

That plan took effect on Monday, as Kathleen Brown McHale replaced Dave Losinno as CEO and Judith Dotzman became the new executive director.

Both are SPIN veterans, and their promotions will enable others to assume greater roles.

Dave Losinno will stay on as CEO emeritus through his retirement date of June 30. He will remain in his voluntary position of corporate board president through Dec. 31.

"At sixty-six, I still feel vibrant. I could work till I'm seventy," he said.

At the same time, he believes the Brown McHale era should begin. After all, she's served 35 years in the field, including 28 at SPIN. And Dotzman has been at SPIN for 22 years, starting as an intern.

Losinno credits the two women with having the instincts, energy and respect of the workforce.

"They are capable managers. They have demonstrated and done," he said. "They will move the agency to the next level."

The women are inheriting an agency already at a high level.

IT'S ALL OVER THE PLACE

SPIN has its administrative headquarters at 10521 Drummond Road, along with four other buildings in the immediate area that are used for various purposes.

Three more buildings on the 1600 block of Orthodox St. in Frankford offer day care. The Norcom Community Center provides services at 10980 Norcom Road.

Then there are the 124 SPIN-owned properties — most in the Northeast, some in Bucks and Montgomery counties — that house, on average, two agency clients.

Losinno describes the direct support professionals who work at these homes around the clock as "the heart and soul of the agency."

"Their responsibilities are enormous," he said. "It's twenty-four/seven."

SPIN buys single homes at market value. The agency tries not to saturate a neighborhood, but looks for a safe community with nearby resources. Normandy and Academy Gardens have proved to be successful destinations.

According to Losinno, property values have not declined on blocks with SPIN homes. Often, the clients take part in block parties and cleanups.

Most neighbors are welcoming, while some are not, but the SPIN staff is available to meet with residents.

"We're responsive to their concerns," Losinno said.

In all, SPIN has about 1,100 employees, many of them longtime workers. The agency has a pretty good working relationship with AFSCME District Council 47, in Losinno's view, and has enjoyed support over the years from local elected officials.

The annual budget is $55 million, with 85 percent of the money coming from the federal government and 10 percent from the state. The money is necessary, Losinno said, because of the high cost of services.

A RECORD OF SERVICE

Each year, SPIN provides services for about 600 adults and 2,400 children.

The operation has become more complicated over the years, Losinno explained, pointing to added rules, regulations and compliance issues. He's confident that Brown McHale, Dotzman and their staff are up to the challenge.

"We're big potatoes," he said. "It can't be mom and pop anymore."

SPIN has been recognized in many ways over the years. For the last nine years, the agency has achieved a place on Training magazine's international ranking of the top 125 corporations for training and investment in workforce development.

In 2010, SPIN was inducted into the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame. Also, the agency was named as a Top Workplace in the tri-state area by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. It was No. 6 in the large corporation division and, much to Losinno's delight, No. 1 in quality.

"That was a pretty good shot in the arm," he said.

Losinno, who saw deplorable conditions at the former Pennhurst and Philadelphia (Byberry) state hospitals, is especially proud of the way SPIN has integrated its clients into various settings — in its preschool program, at Norcom Community Center and in the workplace.

In each case, Losinno believes the integration is beneficial to both the client and the community member.

SPIN has also encouraged its clients, along with staff members, to become registered and informed voters. They have taken part in efforts to clean Pennypack Park and collect items for overseas military troops.

"They're good citizens," he said.

GIANT STEPS FORWARD

SPIN has come a long way in 40 years. Its first office was Losinno's home on Woodhaven Road. The first board table was his ping-pong table.

Later, the agency had its headquarters at 8040 Roosevelt Blvd. and on Morrell Avenue.

The one constant was Dave and Trina Losinno.

"We're a good team," he said.

Dave Losinno grew up in Swampoodle and later lived in the Far Northeast, Bensalem, Northwood and East Torresdale.

Today, the Losinnos live in Glenside. They have five children and three grandchildren.

Now that Dave isn't working 65-hour weeks, he'll have more time to devote to his favorite hobby, restoring old houses. His wife enjoys gardening. Both formerly taught at Holy Family University.

Losinno complimented the work of SPIN's board of directors and will use his remaining months to help keep the agency strong financially.

When Losinno would meet new employees, he'd tell them that he hoped they'd "stay a lifetime" as he did.

"It's been a pretty fulfilling life," he said. "We made the world a little better in Northeast Philadelphia."

To volunteer, make a contribution or for more information, call 215-613-1000 or visit www.spininc.org

Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@bsmphilly.com