Community Options to Open New Day Program in Old Bridge
April 19, 2018 | Press Release.pdf
Back row L to R: Matt Mercurio – Director of Parks, Recreation and Social Services, Township of Old Bridge; Owen Henry – Mayor, Township of Old Bridge; SueAnn Palmero – Program Manager, Community Options; Andrew Park – Managing Director of Marketing, Community Options. Sitting L to R: Nicolas Grant, Program Participant & Old Bridge Resident; Barbara Grant
PRINCETON, NJ – Late in 2017, Old Bridge Township posted an ad in a local newspaper, The Suburban, which stressed the need for a day program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Alert to the situation in January, Community Options representatives reached out to the mayor’s office and shortly thereafter, over 40 families came to a township meeting to hear about the services provided by the nonprofit. Three months later, Community Options will officially open a day program in town.
“We are just so happy to finally have a program,” said Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry. “I was hoping in November, December that it would happen sometime in 2018. Our youngsters are exposed to programs like our Camp Robin; a lot of people come here for it. We wanted to continue it into the adult portion of our population.”
“Community Options is excited to open up a program in Old Bridge to continue to serve our mission, and we are thankful for the support of the township to help us start up the program,” said Dina Casalaspro, Community Options’ Managing Director of Employment and Development Services.
Renovations are already underway at the recently-leased facility where the program will operate. It is located at 343-351 Route 34 in Old Bridge with the program expected to open during the summer.
“We have a responsibility to take care of the people,” said Henry. “We want them to know that they’re family members are being well taken care of. We know they’ll get the most they can possibly achieve.”
The Township of Old Bridge and Community Options are excited to be partnering to help fill a need in the community. Community Options supports over 850 individuals in New Jersey, with over 300 people taking part in day programs.
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About Community Options, Inc.:
For 29 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.