Versatile Evelyn an Integral Part of Somerset County Community
Evelyn is a very loving, outgoing and active young lady. When you walk into the Hillsborough office in Somerset county on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday afternoon, you are greeted with her warm smile. She is always ready to give a compliment and make you feel good inside.
Evelyn started working with Community Options, Inc. in October of 2011. She was hired as the receptionist to our Administrative assistant. She is quick to jump up and ask how she can help you. Some of her responsibilities at the office are answering phones, checking grocery card amounts, replenishing supplies, filing, picking up mail, making copies as well as the overall upkeep of the office. A hard-working employee, Evelyn is very much prepared for any new task sent her way. She strives to ensure that whatever she is assigned to do, that she completes it 100%.
Evelyn does not live in a residential program run by Community Options, Inc., however, she is part of our family. If she knows someone birthday is coming up, she will make sure that no one in the office forgets. She will get them a card and have everyone sign it. She knows how to make people feel good. I think she teaches us more than we can teach her. We are so proud of all her hard work and her great opportunity to work in the community. Evelyn has many skills and abilities that are being utilized and we are happy to be part of her growth.
Evelyn is active in other ways in her community. She is the President for “Advocates for Change” and Vice President for The New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network. She was recently acknowledged with the ‘Collen Fraser Self-Advocate Award for all her efforts in advocacy and leadership. Evelyn is an avid, long-time competitor in the Special Olympics years, winning gold medals in the 15 meter dash and softball throw.
When she’s not busy, Evelyn enjoys quality time with her family the most. She also enjoys being with her group home, preparing for Olympics, her pet fish, bowling, being the cook of the week, movies, shopping, and enjoying special occasions.
Rickie Lee F. is a 27-year-old woman who came to Community Options in 2012, having lived in Philadelphia prior to the move. Before the transition, she was living with a family in Life Sharing. Rickie enjoys children, doing arts-n-crafts, shopping, listening to music, spending time with her boyfriend, work and going to the local amusement parks, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
Her name is Celica L., but she prefers to go by the name “Lisa”. In her mid-40s, Lisa loves going to the Crayola Factory, riding the rides at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, taking walks and getting her nails painted. Of African American descent, her hobbies also include coloring, stringing beads, riding a stationary exercise bike, attending Equestrian Therapy at Monito Life Center and playing with her blocks. Lisa came to Community Options in 2012 from the Whitehaven Center and has since flourished in her new community, learning many new words and talking a lot more.
Amal A. came to Community Options in 2012 from the Extended Care Unit at Sacred Heart Hospital. Amal is a colorful woman in her 50s. Possessing a great sense of humor, the Lebanon native loves listening to Arabic music, as well as popular songs from the 1980s. She is bilingual, speaking English and Arabic and enjoys playing solitaire and Skip Bo. Amal is very social and enjoys group picnics, observing the buffalo at the Trexler Nature Preserve and parties. Religion and family are very important to her.