Project Search is a ten month internship-based program for adults with varying abilities that takes place entirely at a business host site; offering the interns to cycle through three internship rotations with a goal of competitive employment upon graduation.
We have added the Recite Me Accessibility and Translation toolbar to our website to make it accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible. It will help the one in four adults in the US who have a disability (according to the CDC), including those with common conditions like sight loss and dyslexia, to access this website in the way that suits them best. It also meets the needs of the over 20% of people in the US who don’t speak English as their first language, by being able to translate our web content into over 100 different languages.
We are very fortunate that we a have multi-faceted slate of trustees, giving much of their time and talent to Friendship House. At the end of 2020, we unfortunately lost two long-standing trustees and would like to take this opportunity to share a bit about them through the reflection of staff who worked very closely with them.
2020 was an unprecedented year and a time for many firsts. North Jersey Friendship House had its first ever Digitally Enabled Site Survey by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, (CARF). On November 18, 19, and 20th, 2020 CARF surveyors conducted a three day remote, virtual program review with staff, members, stakeholders, and Trustees, through Microsoft Teams. As a result of staff’s hard work and commitment, Friendship House received a Three-Year CARF Re-Accreditation.
We secured a wonderful location in Wayne, New Jersey and were approved by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in August of 2020. The location will be home to two sections of our program. A staff to member ratio of 1:4 for an autism specific section and a 1:6 which serves autism and other developmental disabilities.
It is over one year since we temporarily halted our in-person services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No one imagined that we would be on this long journey to a “new normal” and how much impact it would have on us.
There is an old saying. Board members in the non-profit world should bring to the job three “Ws”; Work, Wealth and Wisdom. It is not expected that all contribute all three but each in their own way contribute a ‘W” in some way. John has contributed all three over the course of his tenure.
For those my age (and thankfully there are few around Friendship House) you will recall the hit record named above from the American Folk Group, The Byrds in 1965. The original recording was released in 1959 and it was by Pete Seeger himself.
We are pleased that we have joined forces with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center to begin the process of testing all staff before we reopen Friendship House for our members. Our plan is to test staff every two weeks. Furthermore, we will commence shortly with temperature testing everyday along with a daily health questionnaire, ensure proper social distancing and personal protective equipment is worn by all staff.
Spring is in full swing, although, with a bit of uncooperative weather. I am happy to report that we have many exciting events going on during the next several months.
