FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kathy English
Director of Management Information and Services
201-488-2121 | kenglish@njfriendshiphouse.org

Hackensack, NJ October 4th, 2021 – The Board of Trustees of North Jersey Friendship House (NJFH) announced that the leadership transition planned over the last several months is complete. Leonard J. Nicolosi, MBA recently retired from his position as CEO which he held the last 5 years and was his second term leading the agency. Dinorah D’Auria, Psy.D. (Emerson, NJ) has been named Chief Executive Officer of the agency.

While at NJFH, Mr. Nicolosi led the expansion of the Adults with Autism Day program into Passaic County as well as the search for a new facility in Bergen County that will ensure continued development of the day habilitation programs. Throughout his tenure, there was a focus on growth for the agency’s business services, particularly Janitorial Services which grew exponentially adding contracts throughout the state of New Jersey providing many job opportunities for individuals with varying abilities. “I will look back at my work career with both a feeling of accomplishment and a sense that there is still much to do for those we serve, said Mr. Nicolosi.”

In August, Dr. D’Auria accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer. She comes to NJFH with robust experience in the fields of healthcare administration, behavioral health, Autism, and other developmental disabilities. Dr. D’Auria has served as an executive in both NJ and NY, most recently as Chief Clinical Officer at the Arc Rockland in Congers, NY and prior to that as Vice President of Clinical and Ancillary Services at CPNJ in Livingston, NJ.

NJFH is very fortunate to have Dr. D’Auria who plans on applying her background to the growth of Friendship House. With a strong background in programmatic development and executive leadership, her guidance will drive NJFH on a path of continued success. When asked her thoughts on becoming North Jersey Friendship House’s CEO, she said: “As I learned about this opportunity, and familiarized myself with the exemplary services Friendship House provides, I could not imagine a better chance to join an already successful team that is poised to take on substantial service development for the benefit of our members.”

NJFH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) vocational rehabilitation center which was established in 1964 by the Teaneck Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women.  From its start as a storefront operation staffed by dedicated volunteers, NJFH has grown into a 30,000 square foot facility and

several satellite facilities staffed by close to 200 professionals providing services to approximately 500 individuals each year. NJFH has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for over 30 years which signals the commitment to continually improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community. In addition, NJFH is closely affiliated with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, licensed by the Department of Human Services and is an approved provider for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Supports Program.

The mission of NJFH is to build the skills of individuals with varying abilities and developmental needs by providing, within a safe haven, comprehensive clinical treatment, vocational training, and work opportunities in order to achieve meaningful and productive lives. Currently, NJFH provides pre-vocational and vocational training in maintenance, food services, product assembly and packaging, and graphics, as well as job coaching, supported employment, partial care, and day habilitation services to our members.

North Jersey Friendship House is thankful to Mr. Nicolosi for his years of dedication to the agency and is confident that the organization will only continue to grow under Dr. D’Auria’s leadership. For more information or ways to get involved, please check out our website or call 201-488-2121.