The Bridge is Archway Programs' bi-monthly newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! To subscribe, see the latest and previous editions of this publication, please visit our website at
www.ArchwayPrograms.org/newsletter
.
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A Message From the CEO
As we all navigate the recent outbreak of Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19), and this concerning time, we feel it is important to communicate Archway’s ongoing health and safety standards with you to keep all of our students, clients, day program attendees, families, our staff and visitors healthy and safe. We have been closely monitoring the situation with our local health officials. If there are any changes to program operations we will continue to keep you updated. We
understand the level of uncertainty this illness presents for all of us. It is important right now that we work together to remain focused on what we can control.
We appreciate your cooperation and flexibility which will help to ensure the health and comfort of the people we support and the staff who care for them at Archway Programs.
Due to the COVID-19 concerns, Archway has postponed the Designer Bag Bingo Fundraiser which was scheduled on Friday, March 13
th
, 2020. Your health and safety is our top priority, which is why the decision was made to postpone the event until a further announced date. want to personally thank all of our sponsors, those who donated for raffle baskets and/or prizes, as well as our Fundraising Committee. Your generosity and hard work does not go unnoticed. Although we refunded everyone who purchased a ticket to this event, I hope you will join us once we reschedule.
On a more positive note, on March 20th our social enterprise business, Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts, is celebrating its 1 Year Anniversary. Over the past year, we have been blown away by the level of community support that everyone has shown us. We are very grateful to be part of the Atco business community and look forward to many more years. This spring/later this month Blue Violet will be hosting a Customer Appreciation Day event to celebrate this milestone and also show our appreciation to all of our loyal customers
(see below for more details).
As Archway gets closer to its 55 Year Anniversary, it's important that we look back and recognize all of those who have played a role throughout Archway's history. On the right-hand side, you will see a list of past and current Board of Trustees and Foundation Members.Thanks to each of these people for making it possible for Archway to reach this important milestone.
I hope you enjoy reading and I encourage you to share with others in order for Archway to continue to help individuals throughout our community.
Sincerely,
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Thank You For Your Guidance
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We would like to thank our past and current Foundation Members and Board of Trustees who have each played a role in Archway's history. Thank you for everything you have done to help Archway reach this important milestone in our history. We wouldn't be where we are today without your support and guidance.
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Employee Spotlight On: Diane Spera
Step By Step, Early Intervention
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Our Employee Spotlight goes to Diane Spera, Scheduling Coordinator of our
Step by Step Early Intervention (EI) Program. Diane has been part of the Archway family for over 9 years and is committed to living out Archway’s core values. She is the type of employee that has the ability to make everyone feel comfortable and treats each person with respect. Diane goes above and beyond with so many little things. Whenever a team member calls into the EI office, she is always ready to jump in and help whether a therapist needs a phone number or to find out who a service coordinator is for a child.
We never feel that we interrupt her day. She seems to know what we need even before we need it. Diane sets up translation and security and always makes sure that we have all of the information we need when going on an initial evaluation, an assessment, or picking up a new case.
Here’s how Diane’s coworkers described working with her:
- “Diane knows what we need before we even know we need it. We would be so lost without her!”
- “She has remarkable organization skills and is meticulous in her ability to multi-task."
- “Displays rigid self-discipline and her work ethics are admirable.”
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What’s your favorite thing about working at Archway Programs?
“I like working here because from the beginning and ongoing, all of our practitioners were kind, patient during the learning process, and made me feel a part of the Archway Early Intervention family. Even though I have no direct contact with the children, I feel like I’m contributing in a very small way to the goal of getting the services they need to enrich their lives. The working environment in our office is the best! I’ve also enjoyed meeting and getting to know people in other departments. Working at Archway Programs has helped me reflect on who I am and grow as a person.”
Congratulations Diane! We are proud to call you part of the Archway family. Thank you for everything that you do for our Step by Step Program!
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#ArchwayProud #ArchwayFamily
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Random Acts of Kindness
Something new that you might have noticed if you've been to our Administrative Building lately is a little blue box labeled, 'Random Acts of Kindness'. This was started to recognize admin staff members who go out of their way to show kindness to others. What's really cool is that each of our administrative staff members received at least 1 'ticket' noting their act(s) of kindness during the first week that this was introduced. The winner with the most tickets was Odessa Timpenaro, Accounts Payable Clerk. Odessa won a Visa gift card for winning the contest. Rather than using it on something for herself, she chose to buy everyone in admin pizza for lunch! Odessa, thank you for always reminding us to choose kindness.
#ArchwayProud #ArchwayFamily #TheArchwayDifference
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Happy Anniversary to Our Archway Family!
Congratulations to all of our employees celebrating their work anniversaries in February and March! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to help Archway further its mission. To see the list of names and anniversary dates, please click here or on the 'Read More' button below.
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Sharing the Love this Valentine's Day
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Our social enterprise,
Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts
, had a very busy Valentine's Day. A big shout out to our students from the Archway Schools and our adult clients who were an amazing asset to the Blue Violet Team during the busy Valentine season! Way to go Carissa, Dillon, Michael, and Zach!
#ArchwayProud
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It's Tough Getting Old
Staff and students from the Archway Schools as well as our Just Kids Program all celebrated 100 days of school. Grannies and Grandpops invaded Just Kids Janvier
(pictured right)
!
Ms. LaShonda, Upper School Teacher, surprised her students and dressed up for 100 days of school
(bottom left).
Staff and students from our
Lower School celebrated by having a 100 second dance party
(bottom right)
!
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The Archway Schools Celebrate Black History Month
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Students from Archway’s
Lower School
learned about African American artists and composers during their Music Program. Lucas Waldburger, Board Certified Music Therapist at the Archway Lower School, planned a week-long exploration of black artists and composers for students. The Art Program at the Archway Lower School honored Black History month by participating in art lessons based on African culture led by Art Teacher Chayla Ortiz. Students explored the importance of masks in the African culture and created their own masks using a variety of styles and colors. They also learned about the different geometric designs of African huts and then created their own masterpieces.
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Students from each of the classrooms at the Archway
Upper School
were assigned an African American who made important contributions or was involved in important events from American history. Students decorated their class bulletin boards with interesting facts regarding their assigned person. They continued to learn more about these important historical characters accumulating with a presentation from all twenty classrooms in the Upper School gymnasium.
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ACT Program: Recent Activities & Special Guests
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The
ACT Program
has been busy these last couple of months! Desiree Archiee, a certified Yoga instructor came in and taught a full class.
Our adult clients surprised and inspired staff with their willingness to try this activity, and everyone who attended loved it!
A plan is in the works to have Desiree come in every other month.
Thank you Desiree from
Seeds of Love Yoga
for visiting our ACT Program and teaching a yoga class.
Our adult clients participated in a number of Black History Month activities including presentations made by the A
CT Community Council as well as a performance by special guests from the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble. Everyone enjoyed the performance so much that they got up and started to dance along! Other activities included celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a screening of the movie 'Selma' as well as Community Council presentations on the life of MLK. Clients also enjoyed celebrating National Puzzle Day and Valentine's Day festivities. Dalene
(pictured below)
, won the contest for wearing the most red on Valentine's Day!
She received a $5.00 Archmart gift card that she can use to purchase snacks and/or drinks at ACT's Archmart store.
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Our ACT Program recently welcomed certified Art Therapist, Sherry Warner, from Gentle Truth Therapy for 'Inspire your Heart With Art' day, which consisted of creating, solving and putting together things that brought focus, laughter and peace to the group rooms. Thank you Sherry for coming to our ACT Program and leading such an positive and therapeutic activity.
To see more pictures from the ACT Program, please visit our Facebook page
(click
here
).
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Partial Care Youth Programs: HOPE and DISCOVER
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Counselors from Archway’s partial care youth programs,
HOPE
and
DISCOVER
, incorporated Black History facts into their weekly current events group and on their bulletin boards. Each week, youth took turns announcing inspirational quotes over the PA system from famous African Americans followed by trivia questions to test their knowledge and learn about history. Youth in each of the group rooms worked in teams to collectively choose their answer. The group room at the end of the week with the most correct answers won a prize.
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NJ Audubon Partnership with Just Kids to Expand Curriculum
Our
Just Kids Program
has partnered with
New Jersey Audubon
for the second consecutive year to expand its curriculum during the school year. NJ Audubon Environmental Educator, Emily Wilmoth, has visited Just Kids’ locations to work with staff, to provide exciting, engaging hands-on curriculum. Each time Ms. Emily visited, children participated in hands-on activities to learn about life underground, habitats around us, adaptions in nature and buddies in nature. Each Just Kids site got to explore their school yard habitat and learned what makes up a habitat. They also talked about how to take care of their habitats.Thank you Emily for spending time with us at Just Kids!
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To see the latest Just Kids news, be sure to follow our Facebook page
(click
here)
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This Spring,
Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts
celebrates its 1 year anniversary!
Please join us in congratulating Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts for reaching this big milestone!
On Friday, March 20th, 2020, Blue Violet will be hosting a Customer Appreciation Day, featuring in-store specials, discounts and giveaways
(while supplies last)
! See below under "Save the Date" section of the newsletter for more information and/or visit the Blue Violet Facebook page (
@BlueVioletFlowersNJ
) to learn more about the event. We hope to see you there!
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Reducing Waste and Giving Back
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Blue Violet has partnered with
Farm Friends LLC
, a nonprofit in the Atco community, that takes care of animal rescues. To reduce waste, Blue Violet is donating unused leftover flowers and flower petals that are safe for the animals at Farm Friends as treats. Farm Friends LLC not only rescues vulnerable animals but they also educate the public and offer hands-on learning experiences for individuals and groups in the South Jersey community. Pictured below are some of the animals enjoying the donated flower petals from Blue Violet.
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Happy Tails! Lucy and Pumbaa enjoying some rose petals
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The hens weren’t as quick as the pigs to eat the flower petals but eventually started enjoying them.
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Be sure and follow
@BlueVioletFlowersNJ
on
Facebook
and
Instagram
for all of the latest news and happenings!
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Share Your Archway Experience
This year, we will be reflecting back on 55 years of memories, programs and events throughout our community. Join us as we celebrate
#55YearsStrong
.
Share with us how Archway Programs has impacted your life by emailing us at
communications@archwayprograms.org
and we may share your memory on our website, social media pages, blog posts and future newsletters!
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Welcome to the Archway Family!
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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!
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Just Kids, Before & After School Care
Victoria Cozza, Childcare Assistant
Jeanne Jacobs, Childcare Assistant
Marie King, Childcare Assistant
Rebecca McCauley, Childcare Assistant
Lyric Swint, Childcare Assistant
Tea Swint, Childcare Assistant
HOPE/DISCOVER Programs
Jay Montague, Program Director
Ashley White, Lead Counselor
Supportive Living
Juanya Tavielle Anderson, Life Skills Counselor
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Residential Community Homes
Sharetta Conception,
Direct Support Professional
David Clark Gary, Direct Support Professional
Kathleen Gratz, Direct Support Professional
Brenda Diane Veltri, Direct Support Professional
The Archway Schools
Dasia Busch, Paraprofessional
Jakiyah Calm, Paraprofessional
Gianna McGovern-Valencia, Paraprofessional
Antoinette Renelle, Paraprofessional
Joseph Tencer, Paraprofessional
Diamond Williams, Paraprofessional
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We are currently looking for people who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. Archway offers flexible schedules, an excellent work culture that values a healthy work/life balance, a large affiliate network, with unlimited opportunities for growth throughout southern and central NJ.
Don't miss this opportunity,
apply now
!
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Congratulations to our Parent Affiliate!
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Congratulations to our parent affiliate,
Woods Services
, for receiving the 2019 Aramark Building Community Organizational Leadership Award! Woods' received the award during the Alliance Senior Leadership Conference yesterday. The award represents the strength of Woods' broad continuum of lifelong care and shared vision for the future. This is a testament to the excellence Woods and its affiliates strive for and achieve for the 22,000 individuals served and the 6,000 staff who support them.
"
Woods
and our affiliates,
Allies NJ
,
Archway Programs
,
Brian's House Inc
.
,
Legacy Treatment Services
and
Tabor Children's Services Inc
.
are so honored to be recognized by Aramark and
Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
in our efforts to transform the delivery of comprehensive, lifelong medical care and behavioral and educational supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their lives safely and to their fullest potential," said Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods Services. “We see it as our responsibility to be disruptors and to redefine the ways in which services are connected and delivered for our clients while also supporting and advocating for the professional development and economic advancement of our employee population,” she said.
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Blue Violet Customer Appreciation Day
Friday, March 20th, 2020
(all day)
Blue Violet Flowers & Gifts
302 White Horse Pike Suite B-7 Atco, NJ 08004
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If it weren't for the support of our local community, Archway's social enterprise,
Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts, wouldn't be here today. To celebrate its 1 Year Anniversary, Blue Violet is hosting a Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, March 20th during normal business hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). We hope that you will stop in the store and visit our Blue Violet team as we celebrate this big milestone! Enjoy light refreshments while you shop the special in-store discounts and receive a customer giveaway
(while supplies last)!
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11th Annual Hands Around the Lake for Autism Awareness
Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.
Archway's Main Campus
280 Jackson Road Atco, NJ 08004
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Please join Archway on Wednesday, April 29th at the
11th Annual Hands Around the Lake for Autism Awareness! This is a
family friendly community event where we come together to celebrate our different abilities. Archway Programs holds this event each year to raise autism awareness, acceptance, understanding and inclusion. Staff throughout all of our various programs, clients of all ages, their families, our local community, emergency responders, and our affiliates will be participating in this fun event. The event will be held on our main campus at 280 Jackson Road in Atco, NJ and will begin at 10:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!
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To see a short video clip from last year's event, click on the video above.
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Allies, Inc. Open House
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
1262 Whitehorse Hamilton Square Rd.
Building A, Suite 101, Hamilton, NJ 08690
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Allies, Inc. is hosting an open house on Wednesday, April 22nd from 3-5 p.m. in Hamilton, NJ. The Executive Team at Allies will give an overview of the agency, past and present, and what's in store for its exciting future. RSVP by April 9th at
pdelgiudice@alliesnj.org
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6th Annual Run For Woods
Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
Woods' Main Campus
40 Martin Gross Drive Langhorne, PA 19047
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Join Archway's team
('Archway Programs')
at the 6th Annual Run for Woods event on Saturday, May 2nd, 2020! This event raises money for the special needs children and adults served by Woods Services. The local community, family and friends of Woods are invite
d to participate by running, walking, or rolling (strollers & wheelchairs welcome). This event will be held at Woods' main campus located at 40 Martin Gross Drive, Langhorne, PA 19047 and will begin at 8:00 a.m.
To visit Archway’s team page, please click
here
.
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The Legacy Foundation - 2020 Monte Carlo Night
Friday, June 19th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
The Merion
1301 US-130 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
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Enjoy the fun and excitement of Legacy Monte Carlo Night on Friday, June 19, 2020 at The Merion in Cinnaminson, New Jersey! The night begins at 7 p.m. with food, an open bar, and exciting games of chance, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Texas Hold ’em. VIP ticket holders can also enjoy a private wine sampling from 6 – 7 p.m. Added attractions include a Wine Wall, a Money Wheel, a Roving Magician and Mentalist. O
pportunities to bid on hotel packages, tickets to attractions, gift baskets and much more during a silent auction. In addition, to bidding on concert tickets, exclusive dinner packages and more during a live auction!
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We Want to Hear From You!
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If you have an idea for content you would like to see in The Bridge, and/or have any questions about our e-newsletter, please email our Communications Department at
communications@archwayprograms.org
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We always have a lot of fun and exciting things happening at Archway Programs! Make sure to stay connected and follow @ArchwayPrograms on social media for all of the latest news and events!
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