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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

As we leave another month behind, I wanted to reflect on the great work our Archway Family has done. I am particularly proud of our progress in expanding educational and adult care services. The success we see with growing services via the Creative Achievement Academy and the Advanced Abilities Day Program fills me with pride and satisfaction that we are moving in the right direction.    

As always, at the heart of our success is the commitment of the entire Archway Family, the continued support of our affiliates, and our community. Together, we have built an assemblage of programs that offer a range of services that meet the needs of a diverse population of individuals, and I am so proud of our continued growth.    

A visual metric of our growth was evident during the Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk (formerly The Cancer Walk.) Every October for the past thirteen years, Archway Programs has proudly hosted the walk as a fundraiser to benefit those diagnosed with cancer. It was evident how much Archway has grown in the past year while I, too, was participating in the walk. Many of the residents from our group homes, our adult programs, and the newest members of the Archway Family, the students and staff from Archway Programs' Creative Achievements Academy, were all in attendance. It was wonderful to see how much our family has grown.   

Even as we celebrate our progress and mark development milestones, we still have work to do. We are committed to continuing our expansion and offering services to all our community members. We plan to continue serving those in our care while enhancing our services and ensuring that everyone we serve can reach their full potential.   

I am proud to continue to work alongside all of you, and I am excited by the prospect of continuing our stories of success well into the new year and beyond.   

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Archway Hosts it 13th Annual Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk  

On October 25th, staff, students, program participants, friends, and family from across Archway gathered on the Archway Campus for the 13th Annual Archway Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk. The walk is an annual show of support and fundraiser to assist friends, family, and neighbors diagnosed with cancer.  

Last year, Archway students and staff donated proceeds from the Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk to the Virtua Cancer Center. In addition to a monetary donation, students also provided Care Kits for patients undergoing treatment.  

Visit our Facebook Album to see all of the photos from the day.

From the Ground Up Set its Sites on a Grand Re-Opening After Devastating Fire

In the early morning hours of February 25, 2023, a small fire started in From the Ground Up, a small on-campus flower shop and location of horticulture classes with Miss Terri and Miss Lisa. The fire spread quickly, destroying the interior and its contents. After months of restoration work, we are happy to announce that crews are putting the finishing touches on the shop, and it will be opening again soon! You can check back for our exciting ribbon-cutting celebration in early December. 

Archway Recognizes World Occupational Therapy Day 

October 27th was World Occupational Therapy Day. Archway Programs recognizes and celebrates the Occupational Therapist's role and commitment to helping children and adults with developmental challenges gain independence. We appreciate their dedication, hard work, and all they do for those in our care. Thank you, Allison Jenkins, Amy Sica, Jennifer Kozeniewski, and Jamie Duminiak!     

Superhero Stonehands Shares his Anti-Bullying Message with Upper School Students

Superhero Stonehands from Omegaman and Friends visited students and staff at the Upper School to share his Anti-Bullying message. The interactive production excited students, especially when he demonstrated his strength by ripping a four-inch-thick “Bad Choices” book in half. He effortlessly lifted two students off the ground and spun them around mid-air. If that wasn’t enough, the superhero bent a steel bar with his teeth and broke a solid wood baseball bat across his need. His message remained the same throughout the production: make good choices, be a good friend, and don’t bully others. At the end of the presentation, most of the students took a moment to meet Stonehands one-on-one. Before making his way on to his next adventure, students posed for a group photo with the superhero as a memento of the excellent show and a reminder of an important lesson. 

Upper School Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, students and staff from the Upper School designed bulletin boards highlighting the many contributions of the Hispanic community. The bulletin boards feature well-known musicians such as Rickie Valens, sports icon Rebecca Lobo, Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic to sit as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and many others. The boards are a wonderful tribute and a reminder of the many contributions Hispanics have made throughout the years. 

To see all the creative bulletin boards, visit the post on our Facebook page.

Upper School Students Reign Supreme Over Staff on the Soccer Field

Friday, October 13th, a seasonal chill was in the air as the Upper School staff and students competed in the Students versus Staff Soccer Games. The chill did nothing to slow either side down as they all played to win, and the students did just that with a 4-3 win! Both sides played great games; we are proud of all the players, both students and staff!  

Students and Staff Built Scarecrows for Fall Fun Day

Despite the cloudy, wet weather, Upper School students and staff celebrated Fall Fun Day on Friday, October 20th. It was an enjoyable afternoon with face painting, apple cider, and delicious donuts. The event's highlight centered on each classroom as they worked together to create a scarecrow using a bale of hay, supplies they gathered, and a lot of imagination. The scarecrows, which were prominently displayed in front of the Upper School, were judged for creativity and design, with the winners as follows:   

Room 14 - Upside Down Scarecrow  

Room 27 - Scary Scarecrow with Mask  

Room 22 - Minion with Overalls & Firefighter Hat  

Congratulations to all the students and staff! All of the scarecrows look wonderful, and you all did a fantastic job! 

Upper School Red Ribbon Spirit Week 

October 23rd-27th, Upper School celebrated Red Ribbon Week, a week designed to reinforce their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle. 

They started the special week on Monday with Tye-Dye Out Drugs. Students and staff wore tie-dyed clothing and participated in drug prevention activities throughout the week. The activities provide students with tools and information to help them make good choices when faced with challenges relating to drug use. 

On Tuesday, they participated in Team Up Against Drugs by wearing their favorite sports team gear. We saw a mixed bag of teams on display, but the Eagles and the Phillies dominated! They followed team gear with Lei Off Drugs by wearing Hawaiian shirts or colorful floral prints.  

Their final day of Red Ribbon Week was Scare Drugs Away. Students and staff pulled out their favorite scary attire to mark the last day.  

The week was a fun and exciting way to remind studethat nts they have a choice to remain drug-free. Everyone enjoyed finding creative ways to participate in the special events and themes throughout the week. What a great way to reinforce an important lesson.

Upper School Students Trick or Treated Their Way to a Halloween Dance

Younger students from the Upper School paraded through the halls on Halloween. Students showed off their costumes and filled their bags while trick-or-treating for goodies in each classroom. After collecting their treats, students paraded across the Archway bridge to continue their quest for goodies at the administration building. They again showed off their costumes and stuffed their bags with even more tasty treats. Later, the staff transformed the all-purpose room with colorful fall and Halloween decorations. They set up games around the room and filled tables with treats. As music poured from the speakers, students took to the center of the room to enjoy dancing while others played games and enjoyed the music and festive atmosphere.  

Omegaman Swoops in to Pay a Visit to Lower School Students

Super-hero Stonehands from Omegaman and Friends stopped by the Lower School to share his Anti-Bullying message with students. He encouraged them to make good choices and offered sound advice and coping techniques for dealing with bullies. To demonstrate the power of making good choices and to show his strength, he ripped a four-inch-thick book of “Bad Choices” in half and lifted students into the air using a steel bar. Later, he bent that same steel bar using his teeth! Of course, he reminded students and staff not to try that at home! But that’s not all! After a student helper proved to the crowd that a baseball bat was real, he snapped it in half on his leg. The students enjoyed the presentation and learned a lot about being a good friend and choosing to make good choices.    

Lower School Students Meet Local Goats, Ellie and Carl (and their friends)

Lower School ended a lovely mid-October week with its Annual Fall Fest celebration! Students and staff enjoyed games, crafts, tasty treats, and a petting zoo! Students enjoyed spending time with goats Ellie and Carl, their rabbit friends Rabbi and Twix, and chickens Rose and Blanche before heading indoors to enjoy a harvest dance. Thank you, Farm Friends LLC, for sharing your furry and feathered friends with our students and staff! 

Lower School Students Spend Time Down on the Farm

During October, students and staff from the Lower School spent a little time down on the farm. The group visited Johnson’s Farm in Medford, and while visiting, they enjoyed an exciting hayride, picked their pumpkins, and posed for some awesome photos to share! Students and staff alike appreciated the beautiful fall weather and exploring the farm. What a great way to spend a lovely fall day picking pumpkins and making memories! 

Lower School Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in a Most Delicious Way

As part of their Hispanic Heritage Celebrations, Lower School Art Teacher Miss Shayla hosted an employee potluck lunch featuring delectable dishes with a Hispanic flair! Staff members each prepared traditional Hispanic dishes, adding them to tables overflowing with delicious food. Fried and baked Empanadas, Tacos, Rice, Roast Pork (Pernil), Macaroni & Cheese, and Cinnamon Churro Chips with chocolate sauce were just a few delicious dishes and desserts served. What a delightful and delicious Archway Family luncheon! 

Miss Shayla Chooses a Winner for the Lower School Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest

Archway Lower School students joined the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration by designing posters for the Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest. The posters highlighted the background, flag, and culture, including foods, arts, music, clothing, and traditions of the country they researched. After careful deliberation, Lower School Art Teacher Miss Shayla judged the contest and awarded Room 10 the winner for their poster about Argentina. As the winning class, they all enjoyed a delicious pizza party for their efforts! Congratulations, Room 10 students, and great job to all students. You all did a great job! 

Members of the Waterford Township Fire Department Give Lower School Students a Lesson in Fire Safety

Waterford Township Fire Department members Ryan Day, Chris Vayo, John Paul McGrath, and Abbi Harrold visited the students at the Lower School. Firefighter Day talked with the students about fire safety, calling 911, fire alarms, and what to do in a fire. Firefighter Chris Vayo dressed in typical gear to show students what a firefighter in full gear looks like and not to fear them if they are coming to their aid. Everyone headed outside to look at the fire truck while Firefighter McGrath explained the various gear found on the truck and how it helps the firefighters. It was an exciting and informative demonstration, and the students and staff were impressed by what is involved in being a firefighter. Thank you to the Waterford Township Fire Department. We enjoyed your informative and exciting visit!   

Lower School Students Commit to Remaining Drug-Free

Red Ribbon Week at the Lower School started on Monday, October 23rd. Students and staff participated in the event with Peace Out to Drugs Tie-Dye Day. They wore tie-dyed clothing to show their support for a drug-free lifestyle. The entire week, students participated in drug prevention activities geared towards increased education about the damaging effects of drugs and making good choices when faced with the prospect of doing drugs.  

Tuesday was Team Up Against Drugs; students and staff donned their favorite sports team shirts and gear. While we recognize most of the teams photographed (see our Facebook page for all the photos) were Go Phillies and Go Eagles, there were a few photos where they looked a little hazy and blue! It’s a good thing all fans, even Dallas Cowboys and Jets fans, live in harmony here.  

Thursday’s theme was We’re Too Bright for Drugs, and everyone dressed in their brightest neon colors! On Friday, the theme for the day was Scare Drugs Away. Students and staff took a light-hearted approach and wore their favorite superhero or silly, fun character shirts. What a fun way to head into the weekend! 

Halloween Celebration Delivers Treats Without Tricks

There were no tricks, only treats on Halloween day at the Lower School as students and staff celebrated with a parade. Ghouls, goblins, pirates, and minions showed off their costumes as they paraded through the Archway Grove on their way to the administration building for Trick-or-Treating. Later, everyone enjoyed a festive bash with colorful decorations, goodies, music, games, and crafts. Among the games, the secret boxes were a hit for those brave enough to reach in to check out the mystery waiting inside. Coloring, dancing, and just enjoying the music were among the favorite activities for students and staff!

Students Observe Week of Respect by Wearing Colorful Tie-dyed Clothes

Cooper’s Poynt School students and staff celebrated the Week of Respect during the first week of October. Students were encouraged to wear tie-dyed clothes in observance of the special week, which focuses on preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying to create a positive learning environment for all students. 

Cooper's Poynt Students Spend Time on the Farm

Cooper's Poynt School students and staff visited Indian Acres Farm in Medford, NJ. The group enjoyed a beautiful fall day with an exciting hayride through the farm and met the local farm animals. They were able to feed and pet some of the animals, which the students enjoyed. Later, they picked pumpkins from the fields. Not only was the trip enjoyable, but getting a glimpse of life on the farm was a great learning experience.

Cooper's Poynt Staff Members Get Creative

Cooper’s Poynt staff got into the spirit of the Fall season and crafted a couple of creative bulletin boards to decorate the school halls. We thought they were so creative and fun that we had to share them with all of you! 

Cooper's Poynt Students and Staff Dress for the Occasion

Students and staff from Cooper's Poynt dressed in their best Halloween attire while enjoying a day of fall-themed activities. Students sketched out a face on the board to decide how they would later carve the face into their class pumpkin. It took a lot of decision-making and team effort, but the resulting Jack-o-Lantern was awesome! 

Students in Horticulture Class Keep the Archway Grove Looking Fabulous!

Archway has Miss Lisa, Miss Terri, and the students in the horticulture class to thank for the beautiful Archway Grove and surrounding areas. The class works together to keep the garden fresh and lovely year-round. We captured a few photos of one of the classes working in the garden. As you can see, they all did a fantastic job! Thank you, Miss Terri and Miss Lisa, and thank you to the students for keeping Archway looking beautiful!   

Voorhees Ladies Attend the Healthy Harvest Seniors Lunch

The lovely ladies from our Voorhees group home attended the Healthy Harvest Seniors Lunch at the Winslow Senior Center. The Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry generously hosted the luncheon. The ladies enjoyed a delicious lunch, music, and conversation. After lunch, the ladies had a little fun at a photo booth where they became instant cover girls! Even the group home managers got into the spirit of the party and posed in the photo booth as well! 

Patrick and Lisa Embrace the Holiday Spirit

Patrick and Lisa from our Freehold group home were in the Halloween spirit! Dressed in his New York Yankee costume, Patrick looks ready for a ball game while Lisa wears her "This is My Halloween Costume" T-shirt. Later, the two spent Halloween night enjoying a few of their favorite activities, which included coloring, crossword puzzles, and baking delicious cookies!

AADP Participants Celebrate Spirit Week

During spirit week at AADP (Advanced Abilities Day Program) in Sewell, the group enjoyed a festive cookout on Saturday. We want to thank Tanya from Piney Hollow for the delicious baked beans and James Ruble from IT for the delicious potato salad. We also want to thank Sam from Quality Assurance for bringing drinks and Mickie for grilling the burgers and hotdogs. Day program staff participated in making fruit salad, Buffalo chicken dip and chips, and baked macaroni and cheese. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and had a good time. 

Pumpkin Picking at Duffields Farm

AADP (Advanced Abilities Day Program) participants and staff took a day trip to Duffield’s Farm for pumpkin picking. The group took an exciting hayride and enjoyed all the fall decorations and scenery before picking their favorite pumpkin from the lush green field of pumpkins. Everyone enjoyed choosing their pumpkins and exploring the farm! They are all looking forward to revisiting the farm!

ACT Throws an Exciting Halloween Costume Party

Archway Programs AADP (Advanced Abilities Day Program) celebrated Halloween with a costume party. Participants came dressed in their creative best for the occasion and enjoyed showing off their costumes and creativity. Everyone ate delicious pizza from Angelo's Pizza in Turnersville and yummy Halloween-themed cupcakes for dessert. Festive music played while everyone played a lively game of Halloween Bingo. They all had a great time competing, mainly because, in the end, everyone was a winner! 

ACT Participants are Ready for the Game!

Staff and participants of the Archway ACT (Adult Counseling and Therapy) Program were all decked out in their Phillies gear and cheering their team on! It looks like their cheers worked as the Phillies beat out the Braves and advanced to the National League Championship Series! 

The Saturday Respite Group Enjoys Getting Crafty

The Saturday Respite program participants enjoyed a day of fall-themed activities and spending time with their program friends. The group made spiderweb decorations from popsicle sticks, a little paint, and string. Later, they decorated pumpkin cookies for Halloween, which they also enjoyed eating! Before they left for the day, the group was already looking forward to the next time they got to spend time together.

Blue Violet is Here for All of The Moments

Do you need a quick bouquet or floral arrangement for that special someone? Our professional florists can create a stunning bouquet at your price point that is sure to please. Stop by our shop, and we will make sure you leave with the perfect bouquet or arrangement designed for your special someone. 

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 introduces a new way to stay connected 

Allies is pleased to introduce a new social media presence, Allies: Keeping in Touch. This new page gives our community a place to keep up with all the fun and exciting activities and events going on at Allies while keeping the spotlight on the incredible individuals we serve. 

We invite you to like and follow the new page and “keep in touch” with all the innovative work being done across New Jersey. By following the page, you can see photos from community events and stay up to date with the work Allies continue to perform.

“This new Facebook page allows Allies to continue calling attention to the amazing individuals we serve and the communities they belong to while simultaneously providing a place for guardians to keep up to date with the latest happenings at Allies programs throughout the state,” Erich Martin, director of communications at Allies, Inc., said. “Please join us on Facebook and consider sharing the group with anyone who might be interested in ‘keeping in touch’ with Allies.”

Visit Allies on Facebook.

Making Space for Seniors

A dedicated location breathes new life into Woods’ senior day program.

Ronald smiles broadly as he tastes the Sloppy Joes he’s stirring on the stovetop. At 71, he has rediscovered how much he enjoys cooking, and it’s all thanks to a new, fully functional kitchen, just one of the many features that are now part of Woods’ adult day program. After being part of the Holland Enrichment Center for more than 50 years, the senior adult day program has moved to a larger dedicated space in the Brookwood building, where seniors have access to more space, more opportunities, and more amenities—like the new kitchen.

The expanded space has been game-changing. “It’s larger, better equipped, and custom-designed for senior clients,” says Becky Leach, Director, Adult Day, Holland Enrichment Center and Brookwood Adult Day Center. Wide hallways make it easier for clients with wheelchairs to move freely, and better lighting is friendlier on aging eyes. With the Brookwood expansion, “seniors have a designated space that is just theirs,” she says. “It’s appropriate for their needs. The environment is much calmer than it was when they shared space. We are providing them with safety, security, and fun.”

In addition to the expanded kitchen, the new space has a larger fitness room with televisions so clients can watch movies while working out, and more.

“Residents have more freedom in their day to pursue the activities they are interested in,” Leach says. Those activities run the gamut from fitness to cooking, animal visits to trips and live music. Each month, clients meet and discuss activities for the month ahead. Empowering clients to pursue their interests is a key component of the person-centered care Woods is committed to.

Clients like the changes. Ronald only sporadically attended the adult day program in its previous location, but now he arrives bright and early every day to take advantage of all the new space has to offer.

The adult day program hosts 21 clients who are ages 60 to 92. Most have been with Woods since they were young adults or children, and the program is a popular activity for clients who have retired from The Woods Enterprises, a vocational program that allows clients to learn valuable workplace skills and earn money at the same time. Some TWE clients move on to work at the Yellow Daffodil, Woods’ flower and gift shop; Common Grounds, Woods’ café; or Woods Wear, Woods’ print shop; and others secure employment in the community. But all clients are welcome into the Brookwood Adult Day program starting at age 60, and all benefit from its many programs and supports.

When Ronald makes a Sloppy Joe, it’s more than a sandwich. It’s an example of how even the most ordinary moments can exemplify Woods’ vision to provide “opportunities and supports that promote self-determination, dignity, respect, the joy of achievement, and a fulfilling life.”

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