""My aunt was a Dominican nun and managed an upstate New York group home for emotionally disturbed people," Pfeifer said. "My family and I would make periodic visits...I got to know the group home residents and considered them 'my cousins'. Through my aunt at a young age, I got to learn about the importance of tolerance, understanding, and sensitivity for people with special needs.""
"Due to his drive and enthusiasm, within three months, he was appointed assistant manager, and by the sixth month, he was promoted to residence manager. Pfeifer recalled how this job became crucial to his ambition to help improve the quality of life for people with special needs. He described: "I felt the impact of how the lives of these 10 residents were entrusted to me. The needs of the people who were my responsibility superseded my own.""
"While earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Loyola University (Maryland), Pfeifer developed an academic perspective on global concerns. "Like many college students, I was motivated to make a difference in the world and to somehow bring improvements to society!" Pfeifer explained. Drawing on his experiences from his aunt's group home, Pfeifer identified a 10-bed group home for people with autism and behavioral challenges in his Uniondale hometown."
Pfeifer grew up visiting an upstate New York group home run by his aunt, a Dominican nun, which taught him tolerance, understanding, and sensitivity toward people with special needs. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Loyola University and developed an academic perspective and motivation to improve society. He identified a 10-bed group home for people with autism and behavioral challenges in his Uniondale hometown and was hired there in 1988 as a resident advisor. Rapid promotions led to residence manager, where he organized community outings, prioritized residents' needs, and felt deep responsibility for their lives.
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