Ken Garafolo
Ken Garafolo grew up in the Throgs Neck area of the Bronx. He is recently retired from a successful career as an electrician foreman. He has had the pleasure of working on several major restoration projects in Manhattan, including Belvedere Castle in Central Park, numerous historical Broadway theaters, museums, Hudson River piers and the Intrepid. He has loved the many experiences of restoring history, preserving environments and leaving a touch of himself in significant places. Ken’s son Vincent, who lives in Eastchester, attended Manhattan College and got a degree in mechanical engineering. His daughter Nikki and her husband Philip live in Brookfield, CT, with their two active children, Jordan and Zachary, who enjoy being athletic and playing competitive sports. “Dancing has brought out a different side of me that I always knew and that I wanted to develop. It is an expression of music and feeling good, but it goes deeper than that. It’s also an expression of who you are and what you’re willing to do. I don’t shy away from anything and welcome any challenge,” Ken describes. Ken believes that while people can dance at many levels, it is most rewarding when you are dancing for yourself.
“I am dancing for Autism Science Foundation because I want to support the good work of ASF and bring awareness to the benefits of early intervention. It’s so important for people on the Autism Spectrum to get appropriate support, make sure their needs are being met and to advance the research through cutting edge science. I applaud the work that ASF does in these areas — and the tremendous beneficial difference it makes for families.”