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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

We are all well into the new year, and as the weeks pass like days, I want to pause for a few moments to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication.  

We are committed to meeting the needs of all our clients and students and are fully prepared to meet any new challenges head-on. To meet those challenges, we often must evolve and consider a new way of doing things to meet those needs. I am proud of the fact that we always do. We always find a way to be there and provide the necessary services.   

With meeting challenges and the continuum of care in mind, I was pleased to see the growth of partnerships across our programs. The most recent is the alliance between the Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) and Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts. Program participants have been propagating various plants during their work in the Horticulture Room at AADP. The participants then aid in transporting and caring for the plants, supplying Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts with a saleable product. The partnership is an excellent example of how we, as a family, work together to benefit all.  

Additionally, every Archway employee is simultaneously a part of the Woods System of Care (WSOC). The Woods System of Care has transitioned itself to a top provider of life-cycle care management for more than 30,000 clients diagnosed with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, autism, medical complexities, and challenging behaviors. The Woods System of Care consists of the following organizations: Allies, Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Abilities Solutions, Archway Programs, Brian’s House, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services, Legacy Treatment Services, the Medical Center at Woods, Tabor, Woods Community Services, and Woods Services. 

Not any one of us can do this alone. What we do daily can only be accomplished as a knowledgeable, professional, committed team, and I am proud to say I work alongside an excellent team. Time and time again, I have witnessed Archway employees gearing up, pushing through, and going the extra mile to ensure we provide the best services to those we serve, and they consistently exceed my expectations.   

Together, we can ensure that every child in the Archway Family can reach their full potential and that everyone across all our programs has access to the resources they need to thrive.  

Thank you all for being an essential part of the Archway Family. 

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Upper School Holds its Annual Jenga Tournament

Early in January, while the younger children in the Upper School enjoyed Winter Wonderland Day, the older students participated in a Jenga Tournament. Staff members served snacks and drinks as teams from each classroom competed against one another. The good-natured yet fierce competition progressed, and one-by-one classes were eliminated. In the end, only one winning classroom remained. Congratulations, Room 15! Their victory comes complete with a class party of their choosing.  

Great job to all competitors. We are Archway Proud of all of you! 

Students Enjoy a Frosty Winter Wonderland

While the older students participated in their Jenga Tournament, the younger students in the Upper School enjoyed Winter Wonderland Day. Students gathered in the Career Center to watch Frosty the Snowman while enjoying snacks and drinks. With the help of staff members, the students also participated in a creative craft project; they made adorable Frosty the Snowman pillows to take home and share with their families. They all loved the movie and were all proud of themselves for their ability to make their own keepsake pillows!  

Staff Members Face Off Against Students in a Basketball Showdown

On January 25th, Upper School students faced off against the staff in a day-long Students vs. Staff Basketball Tournament. The games were competitive, and the competition was tough, with everyone in it for the win. But none of that stopped them from having a great time playing ball together!  

Upper School Hosts a Loud and Proud Pep Rally

Upper School students and staff joined together for a loud and proud pep rally bursting with Archway school spirit! Everyone cheered as the Archway J.V. and Varsity Basketball team members were announced. The crowd was excited as the players competed in a 1 Minute Foul Shot contest and five-on-five Games. But the crowd really went wild as the Junior and Varsity teams headed off against the staff. What an exciting display of support for our Archway Owls and Coach Brogan! 

Stephanie Foster Donates Over 500 Pairs of Jeans to Upper School Students

Stephanie Foster of Chosen by Stephanie Foster in Pitman held a special promotion in her specialty clothing store in Pitman. For every pair of jeans her customers donated, she would give them $25.00 off a new pair from her store. There were no limits on the number of discounts customers would receive. 

Customers headed to her store with armloads of jeans. When the promotion ended and the numbers tallied, Stephanie had over five hundred pairs of jeans! What she did next came as no surprise to those acquainted with Stephanie. She donated every single pair of jeans to the students in the Archway Upper School!  

The students on the receiving end of her kindness decided to make special thank you cards for Stephanie, and Shannon Pryor, Upper School Nurse, delivered them on behalf of the students. 

Thank you again, Stephanie, for your kindness and generosity.

If you want to visit Chosen by Stephanie or learn more about her business, please visit her website https://chosenbystephanie.com/ for directions and hours. 

Lower School Students Provide Us With a Few Facts

Lower School students took control of the Archway airwaves as they shared interesting facts with their classmates and staff to celebrate National Trivia Day. Melaina shared the exciting fact that the unicorn is Scotland's national animal, and Eli shared that America's first train lost a race with a horse! The students and the entire school did a fabulous job! Thanks to our amazing students, you learned some new facts you can share. 

Lower School Students Enjoy a Day on the Lanes

Students and staff from the Lower School loaded onto buses and headed out for an exciting field trip. Their destination was 30 Strikes Lanes in Stratford for a day of bowling and lunch. The students spent the day on the lanes competing against one another before sharing a delicious lunch. No one worried about the score or who won; they just focused on having fun. It was an enjoyable day out, and everyone had a fabulous time. 

Lower School National Compliment Day 

In honor of National Compliment Day, students from the Lower School each had their own Compli-Mat on display in the school hallway. Classmates each added a compliment to other students' mats to recognize a positive attribute of each. As it turns out, compliments are contagious and spread joy when shared.  

Lower School Snow Much Fun Day

Although a recent snowstorm was all but a chilly memory, Lower School students still enjoyed their Annual Snow Much Fun Day, they just did so in the warmth of the all-purpose room! They played Roll the Dice to Dress the Snowman, Snowmen in Disguise, Cotton Ball Scoop, Scavenger Hunt for Snowman Parts, and shovels full of other winter-themed activities. They even tossed in their Popcorn Graph and Tasting they missed during the previous week's snow day. Everyone had a blast playing in the "snow" without feeling the slightest chill! 

Lower School Celebrates National Backward Day

Was it backward, forward, or this way and that? Maybe it was too early, or maybe it was dark, but students at the Lower School had their clothes on inside out and backward. No worries, it was simply for giggles and fun in honor of National Backward Day! They were all straightened out by the following school day! 

Cooper's Poynt Students Learn a Life Saving Lesson

Cooper's Poynt students learned a valuable life lesson during health class. Mr. Dave instructed the students on the proper techniques to provide lifesaving CPR to adults and children. The lesson taught students how to help during a critical time of need. We are proud of their focus and determination while learning such an important skill.   

Just Kids–January Highlights

While supervision and homework help are a part of the Just Kids program, they are not the only benefits it offers. Tie Dye T-shirts, pipe cleaner turtles, magic wax-resistant watercolor paintings, and making friendship bracelets are just a few of the many craft projects and activities students in the Just Kids program enjoyed during January. Add socializing with their classmates and friends in a safe, supervised environment, and you have a winning combination that will put any parent at ease. 

From the Ground Up Horticulture Classes are Back Where They Belong

Miss Terri and Miss Lisa were thrilled to return to their space, and they settled nicely into their on-campus flower shop. The shop was recently repaired and renovated after sustaining fire and water damage.  

Excited students were back to work gathering supplies and preparing for upcoming projects soon after returning to their space. We look forward to sharing their lovely creations with all of you and across the Archway Campus. We are all delighted to see them happily "home" again! 

AADP Participants Continue Their Volunteer Work at the Animal Shelter

January proved to be a busy month for participants from the Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) as they continued their volunteer work at the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter (SJRAS). The group tended to the daily chores that keep the shelter running smoothly, including a bit of snuggle time with its furry residents. AADP actively seeks partnerships with local businesses to benefit the business and our participants. We are so proud of our participants' outstanding work and the difference they are making in their community! 

If you are a business owner and would like to develop a partnership with AADP and have our participants volunteer with you, contact Ora Reed, Advanced Abilities Day Program Supervisor, at (856) 582-3900 ext. 234 or email ora.reed@archwayprograms.org. 

AADP Participants DeliverMeals on Wheels

Michael and Obed offered a thumbs-up while Dillon carried a cooler filled with food as the group headed out to deliver food to those in need. The Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants flexed their volunteer muscles again by bringing smiles and hot meals to community members as volunteers with Meals on Wheels. They helped deliver hot, nutritious meals along with a healthy dose of cheer. They enjoyed assisting and meeting new people while working with Salem County Meals on Wheels members.  

AADP Participants Volunteer at the Library

Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants are at it again! The group volunteered at the Gloucester County Library Greenwich Township Branch this month to assist with wiping off books and preparing craft projects for the story time sessions with visiting children. The group did a fabulous job, and they are all looking forward to volunteering at the library again! 

ACT Participants Out and Around the Town

Participants and staff from the Archway Adult Counseling and Therapy (ACT) program chose Burger King as their destination for their bi-monthly lunch outing. Royalty that they are, the group donned their BK crowns while enjoying their tasty burgers and fries! 

Saturday Respite Participants Make Friendship Bracelets 

During the Saturday Respite Program, the guys enjoyed making and showing off their friendship bracelets during one of their January weekend sessions. The activity was fitting, considering many of the participants in the group have shared their weekends for many years, and they have always welcomed new participants into the fold as if they have always been a part of the group. It is a beautiful experience for everyone, including staff, when they witness how close the participants are to one another. They are all a part of our Archway Family.

AADP & Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts Grow Together

The Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants have been busy working in their Horticulture Room at AADP, propagating houseplants. They take turns watering and caring for the seedlings and cuttings, watching as they mature into viable, healthy houseplants.

At the end of January, the group transported a variety of healthy, freshly potted houseplants to the Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts florist shop. The collection of houseplants will be available for purchase, and our participants will label each plant with a special message to remind you that your purchase provides more than a simple monetary reward; it gives someone a sense of pride and validation for a job well done.

Please be sure to look for the special edition houseplants in the Made by the AADP section in the Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts shop.

So You Think You Know Archway?

How well do you think you know Archway and its programs? You can test your knowledge of all things Archway with our Archway Programs Services Crossword Puzzle. You can complete the puzzle online or print it out. We even supplied a word bank to make it easy on you. Good luck!

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!

Woods System of Care Launches Employee Newsletter

Every Archway Programs employee is an integral part of the mission to build the Woods System of Care (WSOC): the top provider of life-cycle care management for more than 30,000 people diagnosed with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, autism, medical complexities, and challenging behaviors. Now, a new employee newsletter will keep the 6,000 employees across the System up-to-date on what’s new and noteworthy.  

No system currently exists in the United States that provides seamless care across an individual's lifespan as their needs change, but the Woods System of Care can provide this care through a network of affiliates and partners that includes Archway Programs, Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Abilities Solutions, Brian’s House, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services, Legacy Treatment Services, the Medical Center at Woods, Tabor, Woods Community Services, and Woods Services. Our geographic concentration in Pennsylvania and New Jersey allows for better care coordination of services along a continuum that people can access when they need it and where they need it throughout their lifespan.

There will always be exciting news happening system-wide within Woods System of Care, and the newsletter is designed to keep you informed. We introduced our affiliate partners to one another in our first edition on Feb. 22, and look forward to sharing their news in subsequent editions. If you missed the first edition, email Connections@woods.org.

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