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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

Every day, Archway serves close to a thousand clients. We also employ over 400 employees who serve the needs of our clients. Our clients and employees differ in age, race, ethnicity, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions, cultures, and sexual orientations. These differences strengthen Archway and maintain us as community leaders.

Prior to the pandemic, Archway Programs compiled a group to lead the new Archway DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee. The committee's goal is to ensure we implement the concepts and objectives outlined in the Archway DEI Statement of Principle.  

We paused the committee meetings at the onset of the pandemic due to COVID restrictions. As we return to some semblance of normal, I am pleased to say the committee is meeting on February 22, 2023. While initial meetings will primarily include program structure and planning; eventually, the team will request suggestions from our Archway Family about how to better implement DEI across the company. We are committed to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion for everyone in our Archway community.  

I look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions about ways to strengthen our Archway Family as we build on the concepts outlined in our Statement of Principle. 

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Upper School Students vs Staff Basketball Game

On Wednesday, January 12th, Upper School students and staff took to the court for multiple Student vs. Staff Basketball Games. While the competition was fierce and the title was on the line, everyone displayed fair play and honor on the court even in the heat of competition. Great job to all the players! 

Upper School Hosts an Exciting Indoor Luau 

Monday, January 31st, Upper School students with a blue card and above earned a special reward, a Luau celebration! The staff transformed the gym with colorful flowers, brightly colored tablecloths, tiki decorations, and plenty of goodies for the students. Students enjoyed life-size Jenga, Corn Hole, and hula hoops were spinning as Mr. Gabe kept everyone moving to upbeat and exciting music. Everyone had a wonderful time, and the students appreciated the well-deserved reward.  

Lower School Celebrates the Year of the Rabbit!

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, colorful posters depicting the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac lined the halls of the Lower School. Students and staff signed their names on the poster that coincided with their birth year and zodiac sign. They could also learn about their sign's characteristics, lucky numbers, flowers, and more. This year we celebrate the Year of The Rabbit, which symbolizes longevity, peace, and prosperity. 

Things Were Really Poppin' at the Lower School!

Lower School students and staff celebrated National Popcorn Day on Thursday, January 19th, with a buttery and salty or sweet popcorn debate. The question at hand was, which do they prefer, salty or sweet? Students were treated to a taste of both and submitted their votes. It looks like buttery and salty took the lead by a slim margin of only two votes!  

National Compliment Day 2023

Lower School students and staff celebrated National Compliment Day by sharing what they like about one another. A few popular compliments included: I like that you teach us, I like your hair, and I like your friendliness. Although many others were on display, the one thing they all had in common was heartfelt kindness and caring, a common trait found among the students and staff of Archway Lower School.  

Lower School Students Enjoy Indoor Snowball Fights

The lack of fluffy stuff outside did not stop the Lower School students from having an exciting Snow Much Fun Day on January 27th. Everyone enjoyed indoor winter fun that included snowball fights without needing hats and gloves, a driveway shoveling contest, winter-themed coloring, games, and plenty of winter-themed activities. What a great start to the weekend!  

Patrick from Freehold Gets Some New Digs

After receiving a new bedroom set, Patrick from our Freehold group home is relaxing on his comfy bed and enjoying his stylish new digs. Good for you, Patrick; it looks great! 

Horticulture Flower Shop Gets Creative With Nature

Students in the Horticultural Flower Shop class got creative with natural scraps found on campus. With the addition of a few fabric scraps and craft supplies, they put together a charming snowperson to keep watch over the Lower School gardens. What a great addition to the garden! Great job, everyone!

Saturday Drop-In Respite Care is Back!

Archway Programs has been providing Saturday Respite services to clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2005, and after a brief hiatus, we’re back! The Archway Saturday Drop-in Program is filled with exciting games, sports, arts and crafts, and, best of all, getting together with program friends! 

Students Assemble Floral Arrangements and Gifts

Palwinder, an Archway Programs Work Study student, is photographed working with Bonnie, the Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts store manager and florist, to practice assembling floral arrangements. Work Study students are hands-on, creating and prepping multiple floral arrangements and gifts available for purchase in the shop.  

The students enjoy working in the shop and especially enjoy the sense of accomplishment and pride when they see items they worked on not only available for sale but chosen by customers. 

Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts appreciates the support of the local community, and their continued patronage helps to provide job training and employment opportunities to adults and teens with developmental and physical disabilities. 

While considering Diversity and Inclusion, it is essential to demonstrate these ideals to children in a way they can understand and relate to. Reading to or with children is always an enjoyable way to spend quality time with them, whether at home or in the classroom. Sharing books with main characters with whom children with disabilities can identify reinforces the message that it is important to respect differences of all kinds. Disability Scoop curated a brief list of books highlighting disability inclusion in this short article that is well worth the quick read.  

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/02/03/childrens-books-honored-for-disability-representation/30226/  

Follow the link below for a list of the 2023 Schneider Family Book Awards recipients mentioned in the article.  

https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2023/01/2023-schneider-family-book-awards-recipients-named 

Welcome to the Archway Family!

We are proud to welcome new employees to the Archway Family as our organization expands, allowing us to help more families throughout the community. Please help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the Archway Family!

Allies’ Share the Joy Campaign Brings Christmas Cheer to Individuals with Special Needs

Allies’ “Share the Joy” gift-giving campaign was a huge success in December thanks to the generosity of its employees, families, friends, and community partners. Their mission was to ensure that every resident received a gift to open on Christmas day, and the agency delivered over 680 gifts to the children and adults they serve throughout New Jersey. To read more about this special event, click here.

The Legacy Foundation - 2023 Legacy Ride to Thrive

Consider joining our affiliate, The Legacy Foundation, for their 10th Annual Ride to Thrive. If you cannot ride, please consider sponsorship or one of the many other ways to show your support. Follow the link for more information.

https://one.bidpal.net/2023legacyridetothrive/welcome

If you have news or information you would like to see in the next issue of The Bridge, please contact Kelly by phone: 856.767.5757 ext. 242 or by email: kelly.jones@archwayprograms.org.