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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

First and foremost, I want to recognize and thank all veterans here at home and abroad. I appreciate everything you have done and sacrificed for the safety and well-being of our country and our allies. I honor you and fellow soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and security. To all the families waiting at home for a letter, a hurried phone call, or those facing an empty seat at the table, thank you for your sacrifice. 

I want to recognize members of our Archway Family that have served in the military, Craig L. Vines, Universal Paraprofessional; Howard Francis Wallace, Direct Support Professional; Matt Luisi, Paraprofessional; Cruz Mitter, Devon Alexander, Direct Support Professional; and Vanessa D'Erasmo, Just Kids Program Director. Thank you all for your service.  

As the holiday season quickly approaches, we are reminded to be thankful for our many blessings. Over the years, I have watched the Archway Programs' staff pull together as a family as they selflessly offer their time, food, and gifts to ensure the children in our schools and the adults in our programs are cared for during the holiday season.  

As you may be aware, Archway does not engage in any fundraising for the holiday food drives or gifts for our students and program participants. Archway employees have always supported giving programs through donations from within. I want to open that up to everyone this year and request community-wide support. If you would like to be a part of making the holidays brighter for the children and adults in our program, please consider a holiday donation. If you wish to make a monetary donation, you may send a check or money order to Archway Programs with "For the Holidays" in the memo section. If you would like to donate gift cards, they will go towards purchasing gifts.  

Thank you for continuing to support Archway Programs. We are blessed to be a part of such a caring and compassionate community. 

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Archway Programs Give Back to the Community it Serves

For the past twelve years, Archway Programs' staff, students, family, and community members have gathered around the lake centered on our beautiful campus every October. We come together to walk and show our support for loved ones, friends, and neighbors living with cancer diagnoses. We walk in solidarity and pledge to do what we can to ease their burden and let them know we are here for them. 

Making a Difference  

With our community's generosity and support, Archway Programs raised funds for the Virtua Cancer Program in Voorhees, NJ. In addition to the monetary donation, a group of Lower School students worked with staff to create comfort kits designed to offer patients a welcome distraction and comfort during their treatments. The kits have lotion, adult coloring books, pencils, lip balm, and hard candies packed with an encouraging cheerful card into canvas totes. During the walk, Archway holds raffles and has tables set up for its annual bake sale. They offer cupcakes, bottled water, trail mix, and soft pretzels to the participants as they make their way around the lake. 

Wednesday, November 10, 2022, Susan Lafferty, Archway Executive Director of Education, and Lower School staff and students visited the Virtua Cancer Center in Voorhees. The Virtua staff, Deb Friedman, Director of Oncology Support Services; Ann Desjardins-Feldman, Oncology Social Worker; and Natalie Conboy, Lead Clinical Social Worker Oncology, welcomed the Archway students and staff. Archway presented Virtua with a check for $1000.00. In addition to the monetary donation, the students presented the group with the twenty-six comfort kits they had created.

Thank You, Waterford Township Police Department, for Your Support

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 12th Annual Archway Cancer Walk. A special thank you goes out to our Waterford Township Police Department (NJ) Officers Lieutenant David D'Amico, Lieutenant Daniel Chiumento, Patrolman Matthew Jankowski, Patrolman Justin Barbuto, and Patrolman Darren Carrero. Thank you for joining us during our walk and for your continued support.

Visit the Archway Programs website to view the photos from the event. https://archwayprograms.org/archway-programs-12th-annual-cancer-walk-raises-funds-for-virtua-cancer-program/

Superhero Omegaman paid a visit to the staff and students at Lower and Upper Schools to share a message of strength and courage. He talked about overcoming obstacles, making good choices, and dealing with bullies. 

The students enjoyed his power-packed demonstration, which included ripping a four-inch-thick book of “Bad Decisions” in half, bending a steel bar with his bare hands, and power-lifting students and staff. Everyone had a great time, and his anti-bullying message resonated with a captivated audience of students and staff.

Staff Versus Students Soccer Game

Staff and students from Archway Upper School took to the field for a challenging soccer game. The game pitted the students against the staff, and according to Coach Brogan, game one ended in a tie, while the remaining six games had students winning three and staff winning three. So, it looks like the Staff vs. Students Soccer games resulted in a tie! Each game finished with players from both sides sharing a high five and congratulations on a great game. Great job to all the players! It looks to us like everyone was a winner! 

Ms. Nicole Jones is Making Archway Proud!

Ms. Nicole Jones, one of Upper Schools' newest school social workers, recently earned an Archway compassion shirt. She put a great deal of effort into collecting items and raising funds for one of the students that lost everything in a devasting house fire. Thank you, Ms. Nicole! 

Mr. Kevin's Class is Having Fun With Science!

Upper School students in Mr. Kevin’s class enjoyed a science lesson that included pumpkin carving. What a creative fall-themed lesson and a fantastic way to make science fun! Students dug in and thoroughly enjoyed the special activity. 

Upper School Rally in Red

The Upper School's "Red Ribbon Week-Drug Free Looks Like Me!" week started with students and staff wearing red, symbolizing their commitment to "Stand up to Drugs" and being positive role models. Red Ribbon Week continued with "Team Up Against Drugs!" with students and staff wearing hats, shirts, and pants representing their favorite sports teams! Adding to the excitement, Archway Schools' mascot Archie the Owl, joined in the fun and posed for photos with the students and staff!  

Red Ribbon Week finished with "Scare Off Drugs!" Everyone wore their favorite Halloween-themed t-shirts to reinforce their commitment to being Drug-Free. Two classrooms, Room 22 with Mr. Kevin and Ms. Sierra and Room 14 with Ms. Mary, Ms. Cindie, and Mr. Kevin, were recognized on the final day for perfect participation in the "Red Ribbon Week–Drug-Free Looks Like Me!" Congratulations to the staff and students in both classrooms! 

Upper School Celebrates Halloween

Upper School students cruised the hallways collecting goodies as they went Trick or Treating through the school. Staff were dressed for the occasion and waited with bowls brimming with treats to fill students' bags. As the students finished in the halls, they gathered in the gym for the Halloween Dance with live music, games, costume contests, and even more goodies!  

Lower School Enjoys a Taste of Hispanic Heritage Week 

Lower School staff celebrated "Enjoy a Taste of Hispanic Cuisine and More" as part of their Hispanic Heritage Week celebration in October. Staff members prepared traditional dishes and family favorites from their recipe boxes. Southern Mexico pig beans, Israeli Mousse Goya tea biscuit cakes, "Empanadas", Rice with Pigeon Peas, Roast Pork (Pernil), and Italian Macaroni and Cheese were just a few of the delicious dishes served. Ms. Shayla's Art Room was filled with delicious dishes; everyone was invited to fill their plates and enjoy the feast. 

Lower School October Spirit Week

Lower School students and staff celebrated October Spirit Week by wearing their favorite team jerseys for "Football Jersey Day." Tuesday was a fall celebration with "Fall Leaf Color Day." The beautiful colors of fall were everywhere as students and staff wore their fall leaf-themed colors or shared images celebrating one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. 

Baseball hats, straw hats, knits caps, and even a jingling bell elf hat were atop staff and students' heads throughout the school for Day Three of Spirit Week as they donned their favorite or most unusual hats. Of course, we spotted quite a few Phillies hats! 

Thursday, Day Four of Spirit Week, students and staff came to school in bedtime attire! Students and staff wore their favorite pajamas to work, and it looks like a few students and teachers got a memo about which pajamas they should wear! Everyone finished Day Five of Spirit Week by wearing their favorite warm and cozy flannel shirts for Flannel Day. 

Students and Staff Visit Johnson's Corner Farm

Friday, October 28th, students and staff from the Lower School visited Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford. They were treated to an exciting hayride through the fields, visited with the animals in the barnyard, and later picked their pumpkins to take home. Everyone, students and staff alike, had a wonderful time! It was the perfect way to end the school week!

Halloween Treats not Tricks for Lower School Students

The Lower School went all out for its Halloween celebration! The staff and students showed off their creative talents with a variety of fabulous costumes! Students paraded outside, collected treats from the administrative staff, and finished filling their goodie bags inside as they visited Halloween stations operated by costumed staff. Everyone had a wonderful time, and the students went home with their bags filled with delicious treats! 

Fall in Love With Learning Bulletin Board

Students and staff from Archway’s Cooper’s Poynt School shared their creative design for the October “Fall in Love With Learning” bulletin board. Great job, everyone, and thanks for sharing!  

The Ladies Get Creative With Pumpkin Painting

The ladies from our Voorhees group home visited the Berlin Adult Training Center on Saturday, October 15th. They enjoyed taking part in a favorite fall activity, pumpkin painting! They tapped into their creative side as they shared a lovely day painting cheerful faces on their pumpkins. After completing their pumpkins, they took them home and added them to their fall decor as a happy reminder of a beautiful fall day! 

Angie’s Gearing up for the Special Olympic Games

Angie, a resident of our Voorhees group home, donned her ARC Sharks bowling shirt to join her teammates to get in a bit of practice for the upcoming Special Olympics Games. Angie is training in the hopes of competing in the 2023 Winter Special Olympic Games. 

Go, Angie! We are all rooting for you! 

ACT Participants Enjoy a Native American Storytelling Presentation 

During October, Archway ACT (Adult Therapy and Counseling) Program participants enjoyed a Native American Storytelling presentation. Laura Kaighn from Lady Hawke Storytelling and Writer's Services introduced the participants to some of the art, music, language, and culture of Native American people. Everyone enjoyed the presentation and display, and each walked away with additional knowledge and understanding of the culture.

Thank you, Laura Kaighn, for your time and expertise!

The Archway Work Study Program at Work

Shakar (left) and Aiden (right), Lower School students, demonstrated their skills while working at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts.

Shakar is repotting succulent plants into adorable ceramic pots. The repotted succulent plants will be a part of the inventory in our shop and will be available for purchase.

Aiden is learning the art of flower arranging, and he created a lovely fall floral arrangement. This arrangement and others are available for sale in the shop.

Upper School Thanksgiving Food Drive

Students and staff from the Upper School are collecting food donations for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The program is currently in need of turkeys, Hawaiian rolls, sweet potatoes, and desserts. If you want to donate and make someone else’s holiday meal special, please drop off all food donations to Miss Crystal or Miss Kimberly at the Upper School. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. 

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!

Support Archway when you shop at Amazon during the upcoming holiday season. Shop at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2401037 and Amazon Smile! If you’re unsure how to use Amazon Smile, go to Smile.Amazon.com, log in to your account and select ‘Archway Programs, Inc. For every purchase you make, Archway will receive a percentage at no cost to you.

When using the Amazon app on your mobile phone, open the Amazon app on the main menu, tap on settings, select AmazonSmile, then choose or type in Archway Programs Inc. Follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile.

Thank you for your support!

Allies Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month 

Allies celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month by sharing an inspiring story about Dan Nilson, a participant at Allies’ Shore Day Habilitation Program. Dan’s quest to find employment lead him to a fulfilling job at ShopRite. To learn more about Dan’s accomplishment visit: https://alliesnj.org/2022/10/15/dannilsonofshoprite/. 

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.