Lacey Day Program Makes the - Easterseals New Jersey · You Know it!, and How to Make New Jersey...

LIVE · LEARN · WORK · PLAY LIVE · LEARN · WORK · PLAY 2 Easterseals New Jersey Success Story Newsletter 2016 Easterseals New Jersey Success Story Newsletter 2016 3

Lacey Day Program Makes the Most of Summer!Summer’s almost over, so staff members Erin Scivoletti and Sherri Itte escorted our Lacey Community Support Services (CSS) participants out to enjoy the sun before fall arrives. In addition to having lunch by the river, they also enjoyed a beach outing at Island Beach State Park. All participants in attendance were relaxed and enjoyed their outing, stating, “It was relaxing just sitting on the beach and working on word crosswords under the umbrella.” We were so happy to provide our participants with a true beach experience with the accommodating staff at the location. The wonderful atmosphere of sharing lunch at The River Lady restaurant and river boat was also an experience we won’t soon forget.

We can’t wait to plan another adventure for a different group before our summer disappears!

- Erin Scivoletti, Lacey CSS

Crossword puzzles are always better at the beach!

Hey! Did You Know?When it comes to the summer months in New Jersey, the beach is the place to be! "Handicap access" is widely available all along the shore. Wheelchair rentals, ramps to the beaches, the water’s edge, and food pavilions are provided to make a great summer day!

Check out our posts Accessible Vacation Destinations? You Know it!, and How to Make New Jersey Beaches Accessible, on the Easterseals New Jersey Blog to learn more about the great vacation spots and beaches that New Jersey has to offer!

Easterseals New Jersey's Blog is constantly updating its stories to reflect the newest and most relevant information for our followers. Don't forget to check out the blog on a regular basis to learn about current events and helpful tips!

eastersealsnj.org/blogCheck it out at:

http://eastersealsnj.org/blog


Isolation to Celebration - Seeing Success Through Trust

“Isolation is the worst possible counselor.” - Miguel de Unamuno

Mental Illness can leave us vulnerable and force one into a state of unhealthy isolation. But as Spanish novelist Miguel de Unamuno tells us, “Isolation is the worst possible counselor.” That’s why we are so proud of Sharon, who found the inner strength to remove herself from a harmful situation and replace it with a better one.

Sharon’s journey begins in New Jersey’s Essex County. While growing up there, she was subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuses by those closest to her. Understandably, this led to a high-level of distrust for those around her. She closed down, refusing to let anyone get too close. Even the smallest human contact could set her off, causing her to lash out at even those who meant her no harm. She stopped taking her medications and fell into a pattern of substance abuse. Sharon recognized the unhealthy environment in which she was living and decided to remove herself from it. She found a more stable living situation in Hunterdon County, taking on a job at a local call center. The call center was geared towards helping people just like herself. For a while, it seemed as though Sharon had escaped her past.

Unfortunately, most emotional scars run deep. One day, when her supervisor was sharing some constructive criticism, they got into an argument. At one point, the supervisor reached out to calm Sharon, attempting to defuse her frustration, but inadvertently made it worse. Human contact was

a trigger for Sharon and when the supervisor touched her, she exploded. She was terminated from the call center and sunk into a dark place. Sharon refused to give up however, making the realization that her tremendous struggles were not something she could face alone. That’s why she reached out to Easterseals New Jersey and met her case manager, Kendall Hill.

Still battling her trust issues, Sharon had trouble letting Kendall get close enough to help. From her

experience at the call center, Sharon knew that case managers had an unhealthy habit of not “sticking around.” Kendall wasn’t your average case manager though… She was patient, calm, and always delivered on her promises. This went a long way with Sharon as she was so used to being disappointed by those around her. She began to open up about her past, dealing with issues that have haunted her for most of her life.

To say Sharon has come a long way in a short time would be an understatement. Working with Kendall, Sharon

was able to get her medications and substance abuse under control. Eventually, she gained control of her finances and even bought a new car. She successfully pulled herself out of isolation and took control of her life. Now, she is back in school studying Human Resources at Thomas Edison State College. Driven by her own experiences, she wants to assist others living with mental illness to get the help they need, at the Getting Together Self-Help Center. Just two

Anthony Obtains a Degree in Education!

years ago, the thought of another person touching her made Sharon’s hair stand on end. But when it came time to thank her case manager for all she had done, she did so with a hug.

Kendall and everyone at Easterseals couldn’t be happier for Sharon and can’t wait to witness her continued success. Thank you for letting us share your story with the world. We hope it inspires others to seek out help and teaches them that they never have to walk the path alone.

- Kendall Hill, Specialized Case Manager Hunderton County

* Check out Anthony's video at YouTube.com/eastersealsnj

Kendall (left), Sharon (right)

On 6/24/16, participants from Stirrup Court and Logan Road celebrated Anthony C’s graduation from Brookdale Community College, a task that doesn't always come so easy, much less for someone who has a disability. Anthony obtained his Associate of Arts degree in Education, and will be continuing his education at Georgian Court University in the fall. Anthony would like to become a teacher one day. Participants and staff enjoyed fresh fruit, vegetables, sandwiches, and fruit flavored water to celebrate Anthony’s accomplishments. Everyone had a great time, and Anthony thanked staff and was praised for ajob well done!

- Nicole Notaroberto, Site Manager


the struggle you’re in

you need

- Unknown

for

TODAYis developing the

STRENGTHTOMORROW

“”Adrien has always been interested in seeking community employment

but wasn’t sure how to start the process. Adrien joined the job readiness class at Easterseals New Jersey where she learned how to answer interview questions, how to dress for an interview, what skills employers are looking for, how and where to search for jobs, as well as the follow-up procedures after the interview takes place. Adrien utilized the janitorial skills she had learned at Easterseals to land an interview for a cleaning position at McDonald’s. When the day came for the interview, Adrien called her service specialist because she was nervous; they went over some of the interview questions discussed in the class, calming her fears. We’re proud to report Adrien nailed the interview and got the job. The next hurdle she faced was, now that she got the job, she was nervous about her performance. Since she was so used to being at Easterseals, she wasn’t sure how she could do out in the community.

Her service specialist stuck with her though, continuing to provide encouragement and reminding Adrien that Easterseals will always be there for her. This helped Adrien feel more confident and excited to start this next chapter in her life. Adrien is now one of the best janitorial staff members at McDonald’s, saying she has Easterseals and their staff to thank for it!

- Kimberly Phiffer, Service Specialist

I have been working for Easterseals for 1 year and I LOVE what I do. I wanted to share what the Edison site did on a special planned outing on July 28th. A group of nine visited "Just Bead Yourself" in Westfield, New Jersey. The individuals made custom bracelets to their liking with the help of staff and employees. Each of the clients chose their own beads for their bracelets and made a pattern to their liking. The clients enjoyed themselves very much. The ladies made bracelets for themselves and the gentleman made a bracelet for a special someone in his life. The group enjoyed themselves so much that they all thanked us for such a fun outing. "Just Bead Yourself" was very welcoming and has invited us to come back whenever we would like. Edison Community Support Services (CSS) staff works on community integration for each individual and we are always finding new places to visit so our guys can explore. We hope that by doing so, participants can eventually participate in outings like this on their own.

- Belkis Moreno, Edison CSS

On Friday April 4th, Edison Community Support Services went out for an ordinary luncheon, on an ordinary day, to an ordinary Red Robin. When it came time to order however, something extraordinary happened.

One participant in particular, who often had trouble making healthy dietary choices, took a different approach for her lunch selection. After working with her staff to set dietary restrictions, she was now ready to make better choices for her health. She selected a tasty but healthy meal and the group rejoiced!

She was so happy to enjoy this moment with the rest of her friends. Even the restaurant’s servers and other staff joined in, bringing out balloons and taking photos with our participants.

- Claire Muangi, Administrative Assistant

Want to learn more about how we're helping our participants make healthy life choices? Visit:

Participants Learn to "Just BEad Yourself!"

One Small Choice for Lunch, One Giant Leap Toward a Healthier Life!

eastersealsnj.org/BeWellandThrive


Sunshine, Smiles, Fun, and Dancing!Warren County Community

Living Services (CLS): Residential had a Luau style picnic at our Blairstown site this past July. Numerous participants and staff participated in this wonderful, exciting event. The menu was filled with the tastes and smells of summer with BBQ chicken, pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, and pickled okra. For dessert, key lime pie finished off this delicious menu. During the picnic we enjoyed

An Act of Generosity Makes Swimming in Toms River Even Sweeter!

The Lacey Day Program went to the Toms River community pool and enjoyed every second of it. Want to know one of the best parts? Admission was made FREE; a generous courtesy extended to our Community Support Services (CSS) participants and staff. We can't wait until our next outing back to the pool to cool off on these hot summer days. Thank you Toms River for being so welcoming!

- Erin McCann, Direct Support Professional

playing outdoor games, but the highlight of the festivities was when we had wonderful dancers that came to teach traditional Hawaiian dances! It was truly a day of sunshine, smiles, fun, and dancing - things everyone enjoys!

- Dee Rose Alexander, Site Manager


ONE STEP CLOSER

Meet Angel!

Featured on our front cover, Angel is a

Program Participant at Easterseals

Millville

Angel started at Easterseals Employment Work Center in Millville about a year ago. One of the first things he spoke to his service specialist (Pam Albano-Capano) about was obtaining his learner’s permit.

Pam suggested that he take the Driver’s Education course offered at the Millville facility. Angel was very excited about attending this class which he was referred to immediately. Service Specialist Heather Tuck was the instructor for this class and was eager to have Angel in the class since he was so enthusiastic about attending. Angel faithfully attended the classes which were held twice per week. Heather indicated that Angel readily participated and appeared to have a solid foundation about the material addressed. On days when Angel was not in class, Pam randomly quizzed him on different areas within the driver’s manual. Now feeling more confident, Angel informed Pam that he was ready to take the written exam. Pam escorted Angel to the DMV on Friday May 13th in order

to take the test. When Pam heard a loud “WooHoo!” at the DMV office, she knew Angel had passed. He could not wait to call friends and family or to get back to Easterseals to let his peers and staff know about his success. Angel stated that his next step is to practice driving so he can then take the road test and receive his driver’s license.

“It just goes to show that no matter who you are or what your circumstances are, you can do anything you want to as long as you put your mind to it. For God’s Glory.”

EASTERSEALS IS SO PROUD OF THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT—GO ANGEL!

- Pam Albano-Capano, Service Specialist

EMPLOYMENT NEVER FELT SO GOOD! Participant Dwane Harris (pictured on the right) has been with Easterseals New Jersey several years now and has struggled to secure community employment despite having previous experiences working in the community. Dwane’s Service Specialist, Skills Coach and DVRS job coach has worked with him on the skills necessary to re-enter the workforce outside of Easterseals. Dwane’s biggest hurdle appeared to be his ability to attend work on a daily basis as well as having confidence in his abilities. With a lot of encouragement and support from Easterseals New Jersey staff, Dwane was finally able to secure a job with a janitorial company which he attends on all days he is scheduled. Dwane will continue to participate in the Easterseals program until the janitorial job is able to provide him with more working hours each week. It is amazing to witness how proud Dwane is about securing this job. Kudos to Dwane for a job well done!

- Andrea Forte, Skills Coach & Pam Albano-Capano, Service Specialist

If you ask camper Billy, what keeps him coming back to Easterseals’ Camp Merry Heart, he’ll tell you it’s the food. If you ask former counselors Hope and John Lucas, they’ll tell you it’s campers like Billy. Imagine their surprise that after almost five decades since they worked at camp, they learn that Billy is still attending camp. Not only that, their daughter Hannah is his counselor!

50 YEARS OF FINE DINING!

camp and were reunited with Billy to catch up on days gone by. Hannah continues the family’s legacy of supporting people with disabilities by making sure all the campers enjoy their summer of fun and adventure!

Learn more about Camp at eastersealsnj.org/camp

You see, Camp Merry Heart is a sleep away camp and respite program that caters to people with disabilities and special needs of all ages. Recently, Hope and John returned to


HEALTH and WELLNESSHealth and Wellness is all about balance. Nothing provides more balance to life than being able to be out-and-about, enjoying your surroundings. Pictured here are some participants who made the most of their days by doing just that!

- Julie Saniford, Health and Wellness

Nothing like a trip to the car show to energize Jovan, Michael, and Julie. Out in the sunshine, walking from one beautiful classic car to another sounds like a great way to burn calories and spend the afternoon.

Sometimes a walk through the park can not only brighten up your day, but can help stave off negative feelings; as was the case with Marybeth.

The BlueClaws were playing down in Lakewood and our program participants weren’t shy about having their photos taken at the game as they took in the sun and some much needed Vitamin D. (Pictured above - Regina & Anne Marie , top left - Kathleen & Michaela)

A day of pampering is good for the soul. We’re so happy Carla got herself a lovely manicure.

Mary Rose loves to cook. It’s a great way to make sure you’re eating healthy and staying away from pre- packaged foods.


Quitting Smoking:The Best Decision I Ever Made!

Hi, my name is Alicia and I receive Community Living Services (CLS) from Easterseals New Jersey. I would like to share with you how I quit smoking, which I view as one of the smartest things I have ever done for myself. I also view it as one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

It’s been about seven months since I smoked my last cigarette on 4/22/2016. I tend to count my success by days, so that means it has been over 200 days. This time, it is for real. I had tried everything under the sun to help me stop smoking: Therapy patches, counseling, tips and tricks that I learned from my father, but I never tried using self-determination!

I am thankful to my case manager for introducing me to a series of motivational videos on YouTube by Ralph Smart. They motivated me to start thinking on how to work on becoming a better and greater version of myself.

First of all, if I could go back and avoid sliding into this pit, knowing that I would spend several years trying to get out, I would have avoided it altogether. I wanted to belong and look cool with friends, something I now view as peer pressure. I was 17 years old then and 21 years later I was still searching for ways to quit. If it was so cool, why had it been so cruel to me?

When I first began my journey to quit smoking, I sought help from the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, Somerville. I went to them several times until I made the decision to mix in the assistance with

self-determination. I strongly feel that I would not have succeeded without taking it upon myself to take those next steps towards success.

Why I finally decided to quit? Smoking made me feel dizzy and fuzzy and that I was losing touch with reality. This was negatively impacting my studies as I was unable to focus and read. Smoking was also physically deforming me. It stained my skin and affected my breathing when I attempted to exercise.

I often had a feeling that people I came in contact with thought I smelled of cigarette smoke and this made me feel embarrassed. Some people argue that smoking is a socially uniting factor, but I grew to consider smoking an antisocial behavior. I always see smokers standing outside in the cold, rain, and snow while people who do not smoke are inside warm and dry. I considered this an antisocial behavior and it inspired me to quit.

I was often broke and running out of money, which made me feel miserable as I was forced to ask for financial

assistance from my father. I realize now that I have more money in my account at the end of the month than ever before.

Quitting smoking has improved both my physical and mental health. I no longer have that feeling that people think I smell. My life has changed positively because of this experience. This is my story and I fervently hope it will inspire someone to quit as well.

Community Living Services’ Oxford Road location had an opportunity to find out, as they toured a working dairy farm in Manheim, PA. Kreider Farms supplies eggs, milk, drinks and ice cream to wholesalers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The Oxford House residents were able to tour the facility, witness a mother cow cleaning the afterbirth off her new born baby and even had the opportunity to take pictures of a calf that was too young to stand. The tour guide explained the milking process used on the over 2000 cows housed on the farm and how they handle their over 6 million egg laying chickens. The tour guide also shared that they have a separate facility for the expecting cows, a maternity ward where the cows give birth, and a nursery for the calves so the mothers have time to rest before going back to work, producing milk. Each participant in the tour group was given a sample of the farm’s milk, either chocolate or white, so the next time the commercials ask if they “got milk?” We can call out “Of course; we’ve got Kreider Farms!”

The group would like to thank site manager Anne McPherson and Director Kelly Bowles for approving the trip!

- Amanthea Henry, Service Coach

What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg ?


Dear Dave Dean,

For the First Time in Easterseals History...

It was with great appreciation that we wish to say a big “Thank You“ for the wonderful excursion we enjoyed on the Spirit Cruise in Philadelphiaon May, 22 2016.

Employment Services is now collaborating with Community Living Services (CLS) to hire and provide jobs for existing participants! These select individuals will be working at our Raritan Valley Employment Center. This moves us one step closer to our organizational goal of greater cross-collaboration between internal programs and we couldn’t be more excited! After Employment Services secured a large contract working with NJ Transit, they quickly realized the need for additional employees. Thinking back to our core values (warmth, respectfulness, and expertise) they reached out to CLS to see what was possible. The clients there jumped at the chance to participate. Thanks to this wonderful partnership, we were able to welcome CLS participants into our Document Imaging Department/Business where they will be engaging in a wide range of tasks, including prepping, scanning, and indexing important documents for top tier businesses. Now, our CLS participants are enjoying all the perks that come along with being gainfully employed, including earning a paycheck and moving closer towards independent living.

Staff Acknowledgment:

All of this would not have been possible without the coordination of Lenora Miko – Document Imaging and Records Manager, Anne McPherson – Site Manager, and Stephanie Peters – ICMS worker. Anne and Stephanie worked diligently to assist in transporting these employees to work and also in managing the stresses that come along with starting a new job. They clearly understand the value of work for the people we serve. Lenora Miko has worked tirelessly to assist these individuals in removing as many barriers as possible so that they can be successful in their new roles. She continues to mentor and train her staff and has done a tremendous job in balancing our mission, vision, and core values with the needs of our participants and clients. Thank you all so much for your hard work!!!

– Christine Dante, Assistant Vice President of Employment Services

Sincerely,

Glenn, Diane, Kathleen, Kerry Jo and Robert(Hunterdon Program Participants)

- Cynthia Robinson, BA, CM, Case Manager Community Living Services

We were treated to a delicious buffet lunch and a relaxing scenic cruise along the Delaware River, in a beautiful boat. A great time was had by all of the Hunterdon County participants as many of them reported that they had never been on a cruise before, and all of this would not have been possible without your kind generosity.

* Dave Dean is the Assistant Vice President of Community Living Services at Easterseals New Jersey

Participants pose for a picture before heading out on the Spirit Cruise along the Delaware River


We are proud to announce that this November,

Easterseals New Jersey will be a primary partner of the

Reelabilities Film Festival: MONTCLAIR!

ReelAbilities began 8 years ago by JCC Manhattan with the goal of promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of and about people with disabilities. Each year, the NY advisory team reviews hundreds of international submissions, selecting the best for the festival that begins in March in NYC. The menu of film selections that year is then made available for exhibition at ReelAbilities venue sites across the country, accompanied by post film discussions.

Opening night of the festival will feature The Finishers on *November 1st - 8:00PM at 1 Normal Ave. Montclair, NJ University Hall room 1070. The Finishers is a film about a teen with cerebral palsy who convinces his father to compete with him in the Ironman Triathlon.

Our very own Laura O’Reilly, RN, AVP Health & Wellness, will participate in the post film discussion, lending her expertise on the subject of caregiving, health and wellness, and the rigors of training for an event such as the one

featured in the film. Montclair will screen films from *Nov. 1st – Nov. 5th at Montclair State University and the JCC Metro West with support from major sponsor and presenter, The Kessler Foundation. Please enjoy the trailer for The Finishers at:

http://montclair.reelabilities.org/films-and-events/

Introducing the 2016

Champions!

As part of our ongoing campaign to celebrate the accomplishments of people with disabilities, we started a contest to see who could become the #lifesmoments champion. In order to claim victory, Easterseals New Jersey staff submitted videos celebrating the accomplishments of our program participants. We posted these videos on our social media to see who created the most engaging ones.

We know what fantastic storytellers our staff are, so we were not disappointed by the wonderful submissions, but in the end, there can only be one champion.

Please help us congratulate Employment Services, our 2016 #lifesmoments champion!

Easterseals Millville submitted a whopping six videos! Based off of the combined likes and shares those videos received on our social media, Employment Services secured their victory! A big thank you to all those who participated and helped us share the successes of our participants.

See ALL of our life’s moments videos by visiting:

eastersealsnj.org/lifesmoments&

YouTube.com/eastersealsnj

#lifesmoments

*For more information and how to reserve your tickets, contact Kaitlin Fitzpatrick at [email protected] & be sure to check http://montclair.reelabilities.org/ for schedule changes.

Follow ReelAbilities on social at

Facebook.com/ReelAbilitiesMontclair/ & @Reelmontclair



http://montclair.reelabilities.org/

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS STORIES!

Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Events!

eastersealsnj.org/events

Simply log on to the Employee Intranet and look for the

Share Your Success Stories icon!or Email [email protected]

Employee of Easterseals New Jersey?Share your stories and be featured in the

upcoming FALL edition!

Easterseals New Jersey | 25 Kennedy Blvd., Suite 600 | East Brunswick, NJ 08816 | 732.257.6662 Information Referral: 855.215.4541 | [email protected] | eastersealsnj.org

MON 9/12 2pm | Mental Health Matters Radio Show, Online

WED 9/21 10am | SCSEP Older Worker Week – Job Fair, Jersey City

WED 10/5 10-2pm | NJ Manufacturing Day - RVW Open House, New Brunswick

THURS 10/6 10-2pm | NJ Manufacturing Day - Millville Open House, Millville

FRI 10/7 9am | Disability Pride Parade - Downtown Trenton, NJ

THUR 10/20 6pm | RVW 46th Annual Dinner Dance, Pines Manor, Edison

TUES 11/1 | ReelAbilities Film Festival, Montclair State University

Learn More at:

http://intranet.eastersealsnj.org/SitePages/Home.aspx

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