Spring 2011 Newsletter FINAL

8/6/2019 Spring 2011 Newsletter FINAL

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Spring Edition 2011

The Arc Mercer is preparing or one o our largest undraisers o theyear, the annual spring Walk-a-Thon. This year the event is takingplace on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Veterans Park in Hamilton, NJ.

Our Walk-a-Thon is a amily riendly event that gives us an opportunity tocome together as a community in support o quality services or individualswith developmental disabilities. One hundred percent o unds raised at ourevent beneft those we support!

The Walk-a-Thon is comprised o teams and individuals who have

raised unds to participate. Teams are oten comprised o a group o col-leagues, club members, riends or amily members. There is no set amountone must raise to participate, however each person who raises at least $25receives a 2011 Walk-a-Thon T-Shirt.

This year we are very excited to be joined by area mascots Boomer othe Trenton Thunder, Scorch o the Trenton Devils & the Chik-Fil-A Cow.Also in attendance will be Greater Trenton Pipes & Drums to call our walktogether, the Nottingham High School Marching Band to start our walk o& local area cheer teams to encourage our participants!

We invite you to join us in our 2011 Walk-a-Thon by either ormingyour own team or walking individually! You may register or the event andcreate your own personal undraising page by visiting:

http://www.frstgiving.com/arc-mercer

I you are unable to participate in the walk itsel, you may also make a f-nancial donation to the event on our First Giving website. We encourage ourparticipants to register or the event by May 14, 2011 however we do acceptwalk-ins the day o the event. We look orward to walking along side you!

2011 Walk-a-Thon To Be Held May 21st!

REGISTRATION AT

9:00 oclock AM

WALK BEGINS AT

10:00 oclock AM

PICNIC LUNCH, GAMES & LIVE DJ

TO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW

SATURDAY - MAY 21

WALK

- A -THON

There is no set donation to

participate but all participants

who raise at least $25 receive

an event t-shirt!

Join our family friendly event!

Contact: The Arc Mercer

(609) 406 - 0181, Ext. 146

The Arc Mercer is a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with developmental

disabilities in our community. Our mission is to empower lives through oppportunity.

100% of funds raised directly benefit those we support.

VETERANS PARK - KUSER ROAD ENTRANCE - HAMILTON, NJ

REGISTER YOUR WALKING TEAM TODAY!

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY AT WWW.FIRSTGIVING.COM/ARC-MERCER

Whats Inside

New Sound o Arc Mercer ............. Page 3

Health Care Center to Open .........Page 4

Letters rom Volunteers .................Page 5

A Diamond Among Many Gems ...Page 6

The Arc Mercer GetsemPOWERed............................Page 7

Club Hero/Recreation .................Page 10

Arc WavesNewsletter

For more inormation about the Walk-a-Thon and how to participate contactKelly Jiras at (609) 406-0181 Ext. 146or [email protected].

From Left: Karen Koreyva, Steve Cook, Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo, Former Ewing MayorJack Ball, Board President Geoff Morris, Wayne Sallie & Members of the National Guard cut theribbon for the 2010 Arc Mercer Walk-a-Thon.


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2 Spring 2011

Letter rom the Board President

This February Steve Cook and I were among over 600 advocates rom across the country who attended the DisabilityPolicy Seminar in Washington D.C. This was an opportunityto attend inormative sessions by Administration Ocials onthe most pressing policy issues in our country, including theAdvancing Employment Policy, implementing the AordablCare Act, and reorming the Section 811 Program. On the last

day o the event we also had the opportunity to meet with ourcongressman Chris Smith. The Seminar was a great chance toconnect with other service providers and advocates, share experiences and advance our own knowledge o current policies.

This past winter Arc Mercer expanded the vocational trainingprogram to include a work crew specializing in snow removal and landscaping servicesThis training program has been a great success. The program not only adds a new vocation-al track to our existing services, but by providing these services in house the organizationis saving a tremendous amount o money. I look orward to seeing how their landscapingwork progresses this spring!

Speaking o spring, on May 21, 2011 the Arc Mercer will host our annual Walk-a-Thonat Veterans Park in Hamilton, NJ. One hundred percent o unds raised at this event benet those we support in Mercer County. I hope to see you there!

Letter rom the Executive DirectorSpring 2011 is poised to be a time o exciting growth or The

Arc Mercer as we embark on new endeavors and expand successul ones. In May the Arc Mercer Health Care Center willbe operational, flling a vital need o people with developmentadisability in Mercer County. Our clinic will provide compre-hensive services to support the entire individual, including bothquality medical and psychiatric supports. This project cameto ruition with the exceptional support o our riends at theMaria Grazia Panaro Foundation who awarded the Arc Mercer $37,000. Additional start up unding was provided by the

Catholic Human Services Foundation and AmeriChoice.Additionally, the Arc Mercer Art & Music program was the recipient o a $5,000 grant

rom TJX Foundation, the parent company o Marshalls, Home Goods and TJ Maxx. Thigrant unding allows us to expand these very successul programs. The Arc Mercer creditEwing Mayor Bert Steinmann with the opportunity to apply or such unds by bringingbusinesses willing to take a positive leadership role, like Marshalls, to Ewing Township.

On May 21, 2011 we are hosting our annual Walk-a-Thon. The Walk-a-Thon is anopportunity or our community to come together in support quality services or peoplewith developmental disabilities. I encourage you to sign up today and join us on SaturdayMay 21st at Veterans Park in Hamilton, NJ!

From Left: Steve Cook, Christian Morris & Geoff Morris visit Congressman ChrisSmith in Washington DC

Steve Cook

Geoff Morris

Steven CookExecutive Director

Jennier GodoskiAdministrator of Program Operations

Donna RachelsController

Luke RattanAdministrator of Residential

MaryAnn RaimondiDirector of Human Resources

Joe GleasonDirector of Day Programs/Recreation/Respite

Kelly JirasDirector of Program Development

& Communications

Laurene SikoraPersonnel Manager

Dawn CarmosinoExecutive Assistant

Gloria PanebiancoVolunteer Editor

For more inoramation,please contact:The Arc Mercer

180 Ewingville Rd.Ewing, NJ 08638

Phone: 609-406-0181Fax: 609-406-9258www.arcmercer.org

Our Mission

The Arc Mercer is committed tosecuring, for all people withdevelopmental disabilities,the opportunity to chooseand realize their goals.


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3Spring 2011

With spring comes new growthand the Art Program at the Adult Resource Day Program

(ARP) is no exception! The program hasrecently expanded to oer two art sessionsevery day, and is currently planning an Ad-vanced Artist session or artists who wish tobroaden their horizons using new mediums

and elements.In February participants in ARP took atrip to The College o New Jersey (TCNJ) Art Gallery to view the exhibit Contem-porary Inuit Art rom Cape Doreset. ARPConsumers & Sta had the opportunity toview the work on display and participatein a printmaking workshop with the helpo TCNJ students. The trip was so success-ul uture trips to local Galleries are being

planned, including the Princeton Art Mu-seum and Rider Universitys Gallery. In Aprilthe Advanced Artist sessions will kick intoull gear with the help o student volunteersrom TCNJs Art Department.

The Art Program has been so well receivedthat Arc Mercer is currently planning to ex-pand it to the Recreation and Respite Programs as well.

This past winter a new music program has been implementedat the Arc Mercer oering exploration, experimentation andintegration! This unique program spanning our recreation,

respite and day programs is orchestrated by our Music CoordinatorJim Gaven.

During the week groups are introduced to daily lessons such aMake Music Monday and Think Tank Thursdays. The lessonsare accessible or all, providing the musical novice with the opportunity to enjoy the experience along with someone more experiencedFor example, on Make Music Mondays participants learn a newnote on various instruments. All major notes on various instrumentare color coded the same or continuity allowing or everyone to par

ticipate, regardless o experience.Once a month the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen Band, the Funk-TASKtiks, volunteer with the program in an integrated perormance eaturing live music, dance, and song. The perormance islively, spirited and gives everyone a chance to get involved! In addition to the FunkTASKtiks, a second outside musician/musical groupvisits monthly to introduce the participants to new sounds and styleo music.

Tying the whole experience together, the Arc Mercer Music Pro-gram also had the opportunity to visit The College o New JerseyRadio Station, 91.3 WTSR. The experience was a great success andthe program will be visiting the radio station at Mercer CountyCommunity College on a monthly basis rom May to September

The group will tour the station and even have the opportunity to dosome voice over work! Sounds like a great time!

The New Sound o Arc Mercer

Art Program Revitalized

On April 7th the Arc Mercer was the proud recipient o a $5,000grant rom Marshalls Department Store in Ewing, NJ throughthe TJX Foundation. The grant award is in support o Arc Mer-cers Art & Music Program or individuals with developmentaldisabilities. TJX is the parent company o Marshalls, TJ Maxxand Home Goods. The check was accepted by Geo Morris, ArcMercer Board President, and participants o the Art & MusicProgram at the new Marshalls store in Ewing, NJ. Also on handin support o the project was Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann.

Arthur Coombe plays the guitar

Art & Music Program

Receives Grant Award

Art Program participants create a mural for the new medical clinic at Arc Mercer

From Left: John Ottobre, Mayor Bert Steinmann, Board President GeoffMorris & Representatives from Marshalls Department Store in Ewing,NJ.


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4 Spring 2011

Health Care Center to Open May 2011

A

rc Mercer has developed a broad Family Support program to respond to the needs oamilies, guardians and caregivers o consumers in Arcs many day programs as wellas the Residential and Supported Living programs.

Arc Mercers new Family Support program brings together all care stakeholders o ourconsumers to enrich every aspect o care and service delivery. The Family Support Programuses an array o communication strategies. The heart o this eort is improving, document-ing or increasing communication with care stakeholders to provide a response within 24hours.

This spring Arc Mercer sent out our rst annual amily survey to give care stakeholdersthe opportunity to provide eedback or suggestions regarding our programming. We havehad a great response and are currently working to quantiy our data. In the months to comeour amilies can expect quarterly care stakeholder meetings to enable contact with seniorsta and learn about current issues .

For more inormation on our Family Support Program contact our coordinator at 609-406-0181 Ext. 144.

New Family Support at Arc Mercer

Arc Mercers Residential Program opened its rst home atParkway Ave in Trenton, New Jersey in 1979. Since 2007Arc Mercer has opened our new residential properties. Our

newest location opened in February 2011 within the Twin Pondsresidential complex in Hamilton, NJ. The expansion is poised to sig-nicantly increase with the initiative by the State o New Jersey toeliminate waiting lists o people with developmental disabilities thatare residing in State Developmental Centers.

While the expansion o our Residential Program is exciting, we

never lose site o the act that Arc Mercer does not just provide housing, it creates homes. The happiness o those we support and theiramilies is paramount. The Twin Ponds program was created or myAunt Cathleen, a ormer resident o 49 years o Vineland Developmental Center says Stephanie Rosati-Pratico. It is a two-bedroomapartment in an age-restricted community in Hamilton, which iwhere Cathys amily resides. Twin Ponds is a beautiul communityand Cathy has a very cozy apartment. She enjoys having amily visiand has bonded well with her sta rom the ARC Mercer.

Residential Program Prepares or Expansion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Geo MorrisPresident

Cathy Tramontana1st Vice President

Rick Koreyva2nd Vice President

Joseph LatooTreasurer

Nick Tummillo

Recording and Corresponding SecretarySam Colavita

Parliamentarian

DelegatesAnthony Genovese

Jeff HewitsonSharon Lamont

Dan AntonellisImmediate Past President

Members-at-Large

Wayne DeAngeloSteven J. Doerler

Jerry IsaacsPatricia Jordan-Granville

Sonny PanebiancoMike Pratico, Jr.Roger Schwarz

Michael SilvestrovRick Steele

Bert H. SteinmannJanice Van Deusen

Judy Zonger

The Arc Mercer is almost ready to openthe doors to our Health Care Center!All o the exam room equipment was

delivered, installed and ready or use. We arepoised to be ully operational in May 2011!

We have signed a contract with CatholicCharities in Trenton or the Centers behavioralhealth care needs. Both practitioners will be-

gin seeing individuals or thorough assessmentwhich will be the basis o a treatment plan inconcert with one o our medical doctors andArc Mercers Behavior Support sta. We havecontracted with two Family Physicians both o whom come to Arc Mercer with 20 years oexperience working with individuals with intel-lectual/developmental disabilities. The Nurse

Practitioner who has worked with the doctorswill also be providing care. Both the psychiatrist and the medical doctors will be establishing ofce hours on the same day o the weekThis is crucial to reinorce the collaborativecare on behal o our consumers.

Our service delivery will begin by seeing ArcResidential consumers who were let without a

physician last all when the one medical acil-ity or people with developmental disabilitieclosed.

So watch or the announcement o the HealthCare Centers opening date. We will also beplanning an Open House event or all our staBoard o Directors, amilies and beneactors andcommunity stakeholders.

I you have anyq u e s t i o n s / c o mments eel ree tocontact: Anne EBrady, Director, ArcMercer Health Care

Center, 609 9899211 x 127

Director of The ArcMercer Health CareCenter, Anne Brady,in one of the newexam rooms.


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5Spring 2011

On October 28, 2010, The Arc o New Jersey hosted theirAnnual Recognition Awards Dinner. The event recognizesachievement o excellence in a variety o categories. We are

very proud to announce The Helping Hands Volunteers rom BristolMyers Squibb (BMS) were awarded the Distinguished CommunityService Award in recognition o their work with Arc Mercer!

This award recognizes a community group or organization which

has perormed an outstanding service or, or on behal o, individualswith developmental disabilities. The BMS Helping Hands group hasvolunteered with several dierent activities at the Step Ahead Pro-gram, a developmental day care or children with special needs agesbirth to three years. They have participated in several Days o Car-ing during which they generously provided lunch or the students,as well as participated in games and activities. Congrats BMS Help-ing Hands! Thanks or all you do!

Volunteer Group Receives State Award

Kristie Fischer (center) accepts award at the Arc of NJ AnnualRecognition Dinner with Arc Mercer Staff

A letter from Juliet Bronstein , Johnson & Johnson

Volunteering at The Arc Mercer has truly been a rewarding expe-rience or our community service volunteers. The variety o eventswe have participated in with the clients have been antastic; paint-ing murals on the walls o 801 New York Ave, caroling, drawing/painting shapes, painting murals to be hung in the oces, creatingThanksgiving center pieces, etc.

During our last event in March, the art director enabled themajority o the clients to participate in the murals project. Thisallowed our volunteers to meet several new aces and gave us achance to communicate on dierent levels with various clients.Once complete these murals were being to be hung in the oces othe new medical clinic.

During each visit, interacting with the clients brings joy, happi-ness, smiles & laughter to our team. While we know the clients en-joy our group coming, I cannot emphasize enough how the clientstouch our lives during each visit. The team is amazed at the con-versations and connections we have with the clients and sta at TheArc Mercer. Thank you or allowing our community service teamto be a part o such a wonderul community at 801 New York Ave.

Letters rom Volunteers

A letter from Tim Kline, Johnson & Johnson

I recently attended The Arc Mercers Holiday Caroling Evenduring the 2010 Holiday Season. We recently learned that the ArcMercer had incorporated a musical program which was very excit-ing to see. We spent the early morning practicing Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, with the ArcClients, led by Musical Coordinator, Jim Gaven.

Ater we had rehearsed, we headed over to another acility where

we were to sing our songs. Ater acquainting themselves with thaudience, The Clients began to sing their newly learned songs tothe airly large group o audience members. I personally, wouldhave been extremely nervous to perorm in this setting, but notthem, they were cool, calm and collected. They sang their heartsout and beore long the audience began to sing right along withthem. One o the members whom we were singing or even stoodin ront as to conduct the carolers. Jim was playing guitar and making his way around the room in an eort to engage all o the audi-ence members.

Needless to say, the show was a success. I know my spirit walited as I am sure many others were as well. Being in a musicalband mysel and previously suering rom stage reight, I learned

a valuable lesson rom the clients that day and that was to just gowith it. Their willingness to sing songs to audience members theydidnt know was wonderul to see. Since then, I have arranged tocome back in June to participate urther in the music program. Iam extremely excited to be able to share musical appreciation withsuch wonderul people.

Thank you or allowing us to share these times with your Clientand to learn rom them.

This Spring we are proud to spotlight the volunteer experiences o Johnson & Johnson at Arc Mercer. Below are letters rom current volun-teers about how their experiences have impacted them. Thank you Johnson & Johnson or your continued support!


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6 Spring 2011

Arcs Janitorial Program Explodes with Opportunities

The Arc Mercer, Inc.s janitorial program has more thandoubled in size over the last several months. In December,through the states set-aside program and ACCSES-NJ, we

added approximately 1million square eet o oce space that we areresponsible or cleaning daily, including the NJ Department o En-vironmental Protection, the NJ Department o Community Aairsand several other state buildings. This is in addition to the other state,

municipal and private contracts that we maintain which include theNJ Department o Transportation, the Hamilton Township Munici-pal Buildings, and a First Choice Bank branch in Hamilton bringingour total square eet to almost 2 million each day!

As a result o the success o the Janitorial Program, the Arc/Mer-cer now employs approximately 100 people with developmental dis-abilities daily. This includes 25 individuals who had previously donpiece-work in our Occupational Training Center. These individualnow assemble each morning in their uniorms and are transported towork at one o our janitorial sites by Arc Trans.

This program is successul as a result o the continued training

and support provided by Arc Mercer sta which begins at intake andcontinues through their career with us.

The Arc Mercer, Inc. is excited to announce our latest business enter-prise shArc, a document destruction business! With the additiono an industrial shredder at the Occupational Training Center, we

are currently in the approval process with a national certication agency tobecome a licensed document destruction center. We expect to be ully op

erational this spring!As it becomes increasingly more important that we protect our conden

tial and private inormation rom exploitation, we are working to developbusiness with local residents, businesses, lawyers, doctors and even the Stateo New Jersey!

shArc Services are available or $5 per cubic oot (approximately 1 milkcrate) or $0.25 per pound!

Secure pickup is available or a small ee.Call 609-393-2483 x109 to arrange services.

shArc Attack!Arc Mercers New Shredding Program

Among many o ourgems at the Occu-pational Training-

Center (OTC) there is aparticular individual with avery unique talent, our ownRobert Halpin. Robert beganworking at the OTC in Julyo 2007. Through trainingand progression Robert hasmade his way to the Masterslevel and is currently working within our Janitorial enclaveprogram.

While meeting with Rob-ert this past winter the topicturned to his personal inter-ests. We discovered that he was very interested in draw-ing. With some encourage-ment he shared his artworkwith us and we realized he was

not just interested in drawing, but he excelled at it! Roberts mainarea o prociency is technical drawing and he has documented hipersonal work experiences at the OTC through a series o worksRoberts artwork can now be ound on display at the Arc MercerMain Building in the Touch o Taste Caeteria. Next time you visitplease be sure to check it out!

A Diamond Among Many Gems

Robert Halpin with one of hisdrawings


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7Spring 2011

The Arc Mercer has partnered with PSE&G through theirDirect Install Program or Non-Prots in an eort to re-duce our energy costs. The Direct Install Program oers a-

ordable, energy-saving solutions to help non-prots lower energycosts by replacing lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioningequipment.

The Arc Mercer Facilities Department completes annual propertyevaluations or each o our locations. Upon our annual inspection o

the 600 New York Avenue property, which houses our OccupationalTraining Center (OTC), it was determined that dated air condition-ing and lighting equipment was resulting in energy loss and highutility costs. The PSEG Direct Install Program oered the perectsolution!

PSEG provided Arc Mercer with a ree, on-site energy audit oour electrical equipment. Based on the audit, recommendations weremade to update our energy eciencies. The Direct Install Programunds 100% o the costs associated with the energy-savings solutionsup ront, and only requires Arc Mercer to pay back 20% over 2 yearsinterest ree. This opportunity allowed us to take immediate steps toreduce our energy costs.

Through the PSEG Direct Install Program the Arc Mercer was ableto replace our air conditioning and lighting equipment. In addition,motion sensors have been added to areas o minimal trac, eliminat-ing the need or the lights to remain on in those areas continuously.With these changes alone, the Arc Mercer will experience a savingso $25,000 per year.

With the new investment o energy saving equipment and knowl-edge gained through the process, Arc Mercer elt it was the best timeto replace the acilitys roo. A.W. Martin Construction is currentlyreplacing the 25 year old roo, and adding new insulation. Upon

completion in late April 2011, this enhancement will increase ouannual savings even urther.

While the energy and cost savings are extremely important, thereare other rewards to this project as well. The new lighting, equipmenand roong has improved the overall climate o the acility, making ia more desirable and comortable place to work or those who attendthe OTC. The acility has evolved rom a building the Arc Mercerconsidered selling, due to age and acility costs, to a cost saving pro

gram we will use as a model or energy eciency.

The Arc Mercer gets emPOWERed!Arc Partners with PSEG on Energy Saving Project

April has been recognized as National Volunteer Month andit is a great opportunity to seek out creative ways to get in-volved within your community. We would like to extend you

a special invitation to become part o The Arc Mercers VolunteerTeam. We believe everyone has unique qualities and abilities whichyou can lend to make a dierence in the lives o others. In 2010 ArcMercer utilized 179 volunteers who donated a total o 6,719 hourso their time.

The Arc Mercer oers a variety o programs or volunteers andinterns to become involved with, including recreational programs,summer camp, undraisers, occupational training and more! We oervolunteer opportunities or individuals or groups on a one time orreoccurring basis.

For more inormation on how you and/or your company can vol-unteer with Arc Mercer please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at(609)406-0181 ext.133.

Volunteering at

The Arc Mercer

Natalie Saez and Tim Kline of Johnson & Johnson assist Joey andHector with a mural.

A.W. Martin Construction works to replace the 25 year old roof at theOccupational Training Center. The new roof will further increase ourenergy savings.


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8 Spring 2011

At Arc Mercer we are always looking or new entrepreneur-ial opportunities that also allow us to expand our vocationaltraining. When we can oer new initiatives while bringing

fnancial savings to our organization it is a win-win! This was exactly

the case with our Landscaping & Snow Removal Services.Every season the Arc Mercer contracted out or our agency wide

snow removal and landscaping. While we were pleased with theservices the costs began to mount. Simultaneously, Arc Enterpriseshad been undergoing a period o much growth and so we decidedto begin to look in house, at our consumers, to identiy who mayhave this type o vocational goal.

We identied a crew to train along with our acilities departmentand began the new initiative this winter with snow removal. Whoknew this year we would get over 40 inches o snow! It was a truetest and they did an amazing job! They successully cleared all ArcMercer Properties through several large storms in a timely ashion,maintaining a sae environment or sta and consumers. The suc-

cess has inspired us to expand to landscaping services this spring.By moving these services in house, not only has a great skills

training program been developed but the cost savings have beensubstantial as well! By bringing our landscaping services in housealone, the agency will save over $40,000. While snow removal will

Arc Mercer Facilities Department Takes on

Landscaping & Snow Removal

On Friday April 1st the Free Masons, led by board member Rick Steele, held a bowling undraiser to raise unds in support o the 2011 ArcMercer Walk-a-Thon. The event, held at Slocums Bowling alley, raised $1,500.00 to provide the ood or our picnic lunch. The Free Masonwill also generously donate their time to prepare and serve lunch at our Walk-a-Thon May 21st.

Free Masons Hold Bowling Fundraiser or Walk-a-Thon

Masons to Provide Food at Walk-a-Thon or the 8th Straight Year!

Eric Zimmermann (left) and Steven Podesta enjoy the event!

vary greatly with the amount that alls; a savings o over $14,000 canbe estimated based on previous years.

David Kydd & Davita Marcus


9/12

9Spring 2011

March Employee o the MonthPriscilla Gordon is very responsible and reliable. She has con-tinued to maintain a high level o work perormance over thepast several months doing medical and dental appointmentsor the agency. She interacts and communicates in an eectiveand care way with the consumers.

Employee Day a Great Success!

Dion Davis won a $100.00 Gift Card for he participation in the Employee Donation DrivePictured front from left: MaryAnn RaimondiDion Davis. Back: Pat Cacacie, Steve Cook

Our annual business air was agreat success. The ollowingvendors participated and o-

ered discounts and prizes to our em-ployees: Credit Union o NJ, VerizonWireless, Sovereign Bank, BJs. For thoseemployees who participated in our an-nual Employee Donation Drive, a draw-ing was held or the ollowing prizes: Anextra vacation day, $100.00 Git Card,$75.00 Git Card, $50.00 Long HornSteakhouse Git Card and a $25.00 GitCard to Ruby Tuesdays. Thanks to allwho participated.

January Employee o the MonthCurtis Shy has been the driver or the Step Ahead program orseveral years. He has always been willing to volunteer to driveor day programs, evening and weekend trips. Curtis has a greatlove or the children and amilies he works with and alwaysmakes a signicant eort to maintain a great relationship withthem.

Employees o the Month

Consumer o the Quarter (February)Claire Mahmoud has been with the Arc Mercer since 2007. Re-cently Clair has increased her independence and now resides ina supervised apartment. Claire likes to cook and clean her apart-ment and takes pride in whatever she does.

The Arc Mercer Employee o the Month now receives an award o $250! The Arc Mercer Employee o the Year receives an ad-ditional $1,000 reward!


10/12

10 Spring 2011

Arc Trans has recently developed two cost-share transportationroutes connecting the individuals we serve to recreational op-portunities in the community. Arc Mercer has always oered

numerous and diverse recreational opportunities but we recentlyidentied a gap in services related to transportation.

Local existing para-transit services, such as Access Link, only pro-vide transportation during day time hours and may require ridersto provide a one hour window or pick-up. But this causes an in-nate problem. Most people participate in recreational activities in the

evening hours, ater we have completed work or school. The sameis true or those we support. This thought process initiated our newtransportation routes.

The project began by establishing evening transportation to ArcMercer dances held once a month on Friday evenings. By provid-ing this type o transportation we are able to give our consumersthe opportunity to socialize with their riends while providing theiramilies with peace o mind. We expanded our services by oering arecreation transporation route every Saturday to connect individualsto bowling and bocce ball events. This route is unique because aterconsumers are connected to the scheduled bowling event they havethe opportunity to attend bocce ball as well, oering two opportuni-

ties in one day.The new routes have been very successul, and we look orward

to expanding in the uture! To sign up or transportation to theseevents please contact our Transportation Deparment at (609) 406-0181 Ext. 127.

The Club Hero membership is growing every week! With theapproach o spring we have seen a membership spike, due toour diverse and exciting activities. Over the past six months

Club Hero has held a monthly Coee House event with live music,several trips to Rutgers and Villanova Football games, Princeton Uni-versity & TCNJ Basketball games, and monthly Club Hero Dances.

The club has taken recent trips to The Franklin Institute and LibertyScience Center and is planning three upcoming trips to the MutterMuseum, Princeton Art Museum and the Atlantic City Aquarium.

We have partnered with The Arc Hunterdon to create an opportu-nity or consumers to engage in Square Dancing! We have had eightsuccessul square dancing trips to Arc Hunterdon. Going orward,

while we continue to seek our own Square Dance caller, we will con-tinue this relationship with Arc Hunterdon and have dates scheduledthrough May 2011.

Our Club Hero Special Olympic seasonal sports teams continueto fourish. Currently, we are registering teams or Summer Game2011 held annually on the campus o The College o New Jersey

This is the largest Special Olympic event o the year with people par-ticipating rom all over the state. Over 2,500 athletes will attend thisevent, plus their amilies and ans, or a weekend eaturing competitions in aquatics, bocce, gymnastics, weight liting, sotball, tennisand track and eld events. Club Hero will have teams representingArc Mercer in Sotball, Tennis, Bocce and Power liting.

Club Hero/Recreation

Arc Trans: Connecting Consumers to their Community

Club Hero visits the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Club members enjoy the March dance.

Katherine Lavish boards an Arc Trans bus


11/12

11Spring 2011

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2Bingo Night!

Fee: $3

6:30pm-8:00pm

*Light

snacks

served

3 4

Just For fun:

Bowling @

Colonial Lanes5:30pm

8:00pm

Fee: $5

5Tennis

Lessons

6:30pm-8:00pm

Fee: $5______________

6

Movie Night!

6:15pm-8:00pm

Fee: $5*Light snacks will be

available

7

Saturday Bowling

9:45am-12:30pm

Fee $5

_______________

Special Olympic Gym

1:00pm -2:00pm

8

Trip!The Atlantic City

Aquarium

Atlantic City, NJ

Fee: $30 members

$35 non-members

8:30a.m. 2:00pm

9 10 11Just For fun:

Bowling @ Colonial

Lanes

5:30pm 8:00pm

Fee: $5

12Tennis

Lessons

6:30pm-8:00pm

Fee: $5

______________

13The May-O!

Dinner DANCE

6:30pm- 9:00pm

Fee: $10 members

$15 non-members

14Saturday Bowling

9:45am-12:30pm

Fee $5

*Last Saturday Bowling

for the month!*

_______________

Special Olympic Gym

1:00pm -2:00pm15 16

Arts &

Crafts

6:30pm-

8:00pm

Free Event

17 18

Just For fun:

Bowling @

Colonial Lanes

5:30pm

8:00pm

Fee: $5

19Tennis

Lessons

6:30pm-8:00pm

Fee: $5

______________

20 21

The Arc Mercer

Walk-a-thon!

_________________

Special Olympic Gym

1:00pm -2:00pm

22 23

Coffee

House w/LIVE

MUSIC

6:30pm-

8:00pm

Fee: $5.00

24 25

Just For fun:

Bowling @Colonial Lanes

5:30pm

8:00pm

Fee: $5

26

Tennis

Lessons6:30pm-

8:00pm

Fee: $5

27 28

Special Olympic Gym1:00pm -2:00pm

29 30

Holiday!

No agency

programs

scheduledtoday

31

Reminder:

Club Hero 2011

membership

renewals are

due now!

The Arc Mercer

180 Ewingville Rd.

Ewing, NJ 08638

609-406-0181

Fax:406-9258

Jake Jones

Recreation Mgr

[email protected]

Club Here Recreation Calendar

May 2011

Join Club Hero Today!Club Hero is a social club or individuals with disabilities ages 21 and up. Members participate in dances, dinner parties, music & cookinglessons, art projects, and more! The club also takes day trips to community based activities such as concerts, plays and sporting events.

To view our monthly event calendar visit www.arcmercer.org. You do not have to be a member to participate in these events. However, ClubHero members are entitled discounted event prices. To learn more, contact Jake Jones at 609-643-4867.


12/12

Non-Proft

US Postage

PAID

Trenton, NJ

Permit No. 1435

The Arc Mercer, Inc.180 Ewingville RoadEwing, NJ 08638

HAMILTON MARKETPLACE555 Marketplace Blvd, Hamilton NJ 08691

609-581-7601

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE

Benefit EventCome out and celebrate with food, friends and fun,

all for a great cause!

FRIDAY, MAY 6th

12 to 1pm and 5:30 to 7:30pmChick-fil-A will donate 15 to 20% of all sales generated by

ARC MERCER during this date and times.

SO BRING YOUR FAMILY,

BRING YOUR FRIENDS and

BE SURE TO TELL THE CASHIER

WHEN YOU ARE PLACING

YOUR ORDER THAT YOU

ARE SUPPORTING THE

ARC MERCER WALK-A-THON

Only at

Chik-Fil-A Restaurant to

Host Proceeds Beneft

Night or Arc Mercer

On Friday, May 6, 2011, Chik-Fil-A in the Hamilton Mar-ketplace will be hosting a proceeds benet or the Arc Mercer Walk-a-Thon. During the lunch hour o 12PM-1PM anddinner hours o 5:30pm-7:30pm up to 20% o sales gener-ated by Arc Mercer will be donated in support o our 2011Walk-a-Thon.

To support Arc Mercer just visit Chik-Fil-A during the und-raising hours and mention you are there or Arc Mercer! Youmay also bring the pictured fyer. Remember, mentioning Arc

Mercer is the only way we receive the proceeds! There is noadditional cost to you, the customer, so we encourage to youspread the word, bring some riends and join us on May 6th!See you there!

Chik-Fil-A is located at 555 Marketplace Blvd. within theHamilton Marketplace on Route 130.

Documents

Spring 2011 Newsletter FINAL