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We recently celebrated the opening of our 33rd residence! Four individuals will be moving into the West Windsor home this month, with Eden staff providing 24/7 care. The house was developed in partnership with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), West Windsor Township, and Gregg Kiesel Interior Design. “We are grateful to all of the organizations that provided funding and support that made opening this residence possible,” said Eden Autism President & CEO Michael Decker. “Their commitment enables us to carry out our mission to provide lifespan services for autistic individuals. As children with autism grow into young adults, it is vitally important that residential options which provide an excellent quality of life are available to them.”
Parents, teachers, and loved ones gathered at the Eden School on June 20 to celebrate the nine exceptional graduates of the Class of 2024. “To get to the place where each of our nine graduates are today, they had to go through their own struggles and overcome obstacles in their way,” said Chief Program Officer Dr. Rachel Tait. “Going through this journey and coming out on the other side has helped take our students from the little boys they were when they started and turn them into the young adults we see before us today.”
Want to learn more about working at Eden? Attend our job fair! Join us on Tuesday, June 18 to discover how you can join our team.
This week is Special Education Week in New Jersey. It's an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the people who make it possible for students to lead fulfilling, productive, and engaged lives in their communities, to the full extent of their abilities. Thank you to all of our amazing teachers, staff, and educators for all that you do to support our students!
In the newest installment of our “10 Questions With” series, we spoke with Jennifer Binkley, the Eden School’s Teacher Coordinator of Educational Assessment. "The school staff are truly caring and committed to hard work. I have always appreciated how the school staff are collaborative on a daily basis for the success of each student, exemplifying true teamwork. There is so much support and collaboration with parents, our clinical team, teaching teams, speech staff, and physical education teachers working together to develop goals for the continual growth of each student. People always say “it takes a village,” and it is true as the success of our students is a group effort."
Manager of Residential Services Melissa Alston hosted a meet & greet for families to meet the new Senior Direct Support Professional of Avalon Run Apartments, Jamaal Green. Jamaal joined the Avalon Run Apartments this month. He took over from longtime Avalon Run Senior DSP Matt Frey, who was recently promoted to Behavior Specialist. The event enabled families to connect with Jamaal and catch up with Matt, who was in attendance to share his knowledge and experience to Jamaal.
Staff at our Old Trenton Road day center recently hosted Spirit Week! From Twin Day to '90s Day, everyone had fun wearing amazing outfits for each day's theme.
The chilly temperatures didn't stop teachers and staff from jumping into the Atlantic Ocean during this year's Polar Bear Plunge. The Eden School's Frozen Hedgehogs team raised $4,800 for Special Olympics New Jersey!
Whenever an individual served by Eden communicates spontaneously, our speech and language team celebrates. Whether the individual utilizes their device, holds up a picture, signs something, or uses their voice, the ability to express their wants and needs has a monumental effect. Through spontaneous communication, Eden's students and adult participants become more independent. This is our ultimate goal at Eden. Learn how our speech and language therapists work with individuals and their families to expand individuals' ability to communicate and the opportunities this presents for children and adults with autism to gain independence.
In the latest installment of our “10 questions with…” series, we spoke with Kapri Gilchrist. Kapri has been a Direct Support Professional at Eden for two and a half years. She currently works at the Schalks Crossing Day Program. Why did Kari become a DSP? "I became a DSP because I just like helping people who may not be able to use their voice. I try to help them become more engaged and have some sense of independence throughout their life. It makes a positive impact on them and within myself as well. "
