Dear Archway Friends and Family,

It seems as if we just returned from winter break, and we are already well into spring. As many of you know, spring is the time for the Annual Woods Run, a fundraising event held by our parent affiliate, Woods Services. The 8th Annual Woods Run for 2022 is especially notable, as the 2021 run was virtual due to COVID restrictions. This year's run is live and in-person, serving as a testament to how far we have come since the beginning of this pandemic and our resiliency when faced with adversity.

I would like Archway Programs to show our support for Woods by joining Team Archway on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, for the 8th Annual Run for Woods. If you cannot attend in person, please consider joining virtually as that is still an option, or you can show your support by donating to this year's run on behalf of Team Archway.

Run for Woods Team Archway.

Thank you again to the Archway Family. All of you were part of making Archway the success that it is today, and I appreciate your hard work and dedication as we emerge stronger from these difficult times.

Sincerely,

National Employee Appreciation Day 

Staff at Archway Lower School are Feelin' Appreciated by Wawa on National Employee Appreciation Day. Wawa treated the employees to a catered lunch in honor of National Employee Appreciation Day and as part of Wawa's "Catering to Our Communities" initiative. Monica Donley, Special Education Coordinator for Archway Lower School, submitted a nomination recognizing the Lower Schools' efforts during the past few years. Understanding their Multiplied Disabled Autistic students were struggling with remote learning, staff were among the first to return to in-person learning during the height of the pandemic. Even when faced with the pandemic's challenges, their commitment to their students was admirable. Today, Wawa honored them with a complimentary catered party for staff members. Thank you, Wawa!

Archway Schools thoroughly embraced celebrations for National Read Across America Day and beloved author Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Students in the Lower School started the weeklong celebration with Pajama Day in honor of Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book. They continued their celebration with Red Fish Blue Fish Day. Students and staff were encouraged to show off their red or blue in honor of Dr. Seuss’s classic book, Red Fish Blue Fish. Wacky Wednesday had students and staff wearing mismatched clothing, while Wear a Crazy Hat Day unearthed some crazy headwear. They finished the week with a sock donation on Crazy Sock Day to recognize Dr. Seuss’s Fox in Socks book. 

Upper School started their celebration with Wear as Many Colors as You Can Day, followed by Dress as Your Favorite Dr. Seuss Character Day. While checking in on the celebration, we spotted “Things,” and not just any old things, but Thing One, Thing Two, and sometimes even a Thing Three and Thing Four. We saw them in the halls, and we saw them on the walls! Tall Things, short Things, and even paper-thin Things. We saw them sitting. We saw them standing. We even saw them stuck to a board. 

Green Eggs and Ham-Green Clothing Day brought all shades of green to the student and staff population, while Animal Print Day, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ If I Ran the Zoo!, had students and staff wearing stripes and spots. The final day, Wear Orange, or Yellow with a Mustache, was in honor of Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax.” 

Smiles were everywhere, and bubbles floated in the air as Lower School celebrated Thaw Out Day in honor of the much-anticipated arrival of spring this past Sunday! Students planted flower seeds in their own pots, painted wooden birdhouses, and brushed bright spring colors on suncatchers. Piggy races were afoot, and wind-up baby chicks vied for first place in their own table-top race. Everyone had a wonderful time enjoying the sunshine and spending time with friends!

Upper School Staff Versus Students Hockey Game 

Two years have passed since the pandemic began, and I want to take a moment to thank all the staff in DD Services who worked through the most trying times. In the beginning, the entire country feared the many Covid19 unknowns. We were afraid for our health and the welfare of our loved ones. Some of us suffered losses of loved ones, some caught the disease, or some of our family members did. We could not eat out, travel, shop, or do any day-to-day things that we had become accustomed to in our lives. During these unprecedented times, we at DD Services did not close or isolate; instead, we continued to provide care for the clients entrusted in our care. Our Archway staff came to work every day and ensured that our clients were healthy & safe while reassuring them that we would all be ok. Due to many restrictions on activities, our staff came up with creative activities to keep all our minds occupied & focused on positive aspects of everyday life.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff who worked, often tirelessly, in Group Homes and Supportive Living, during the last two years. Your devotion and dedication to the people we work with do not go unnoticed. Thank you for maintaining continuity of care and ensuring that our core values of Safety, Compassion, and Individuality are always at the forefront of everything we do.

Again, I thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do to provide the highest level of quality care to the clients we support! You are all greatly appreciated!

Mickie Patetta

Director of DD Services

Act Celebrates National Puppy Day 

Visit the Archway Programs website to view the photo gallery of images captured during Macklin’s visit. 

Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts Shop is ready for the Easter holiday! Stop by for a beautiful selection of spring and Easter flowers. We can design a bouquet or arrangement to your specifications, or you can select one of the beautiful ready-to-go arrangements in our shop. Add a balloon or a unique plush toy to make your selection the perfect gift for a child or the young at heart.

Archway invites staff, volunteers, and community members to join us for the Annual Hands Around the Lake event. As a community and a family, we are gathering to promote Autism Awareness and raise money that will directly support those with autism at Archway Programs.

Participants are encouraged to arrive by 10:20 a.m. as we join together and form a circle around the lake. Live music, entertainment, activities, and refreshments will be provided in a festive family-friendly environment. Baked goods and autism awareness items will be for sale as part of our fundraising activities.

Allies, Inc. was proud to honor their first graduating class of the New Horizons Essential Managerial Skills Program. Fourteen managers were applauded for their successful completion of the program, which aims to provide Allies front-line staff with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively work with community support staff. To learn more about this program and the graduation event visit: https://alliesnj.org/2022/01/14/newhorizonsgrads2021/.

Would you like a job that makes a difference in the lives of others and your community? Do you want a job you can feel good about doing? Archway Programs might have the perfect job for you! We are currently hiring across many of our programs, and we have part-time and full-time positions available right now!

Archway offers competitive wages, flexible hours, and access to a 401k plan.

Visit our Careers page to view all the current openings. Your perfect job might be waiting for you!

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 Amazon. Shop at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2401037 and Amazon Smile! If you’re not sure 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.

A reminder that any COVID-19 related program updates can be found on our website at www.archwayprograms.org/covid19. This page will be updated frequently and will include our organization wide Re-Opening Plan, in addition to helpful resources for families served throughout Archway.

www.ArchwayPrograms.org | 856.767.5757 | communications@archwayprograms.org