Community Options, Inc. Receives $5,000 Donation From Valley Bank For Its Red Ribbon Academy In Wayne, New Jersey
November 16, 2018 | Press Release.pdf
Community Options, Inc. Receives $5,000 Donation From Valley Bank For Its Red Ribbon Academy In Wayne, New Jersey
(PRINCETON, NJ) – Community Options, Inc., one of New Jersey’s largest non‐profit organizations with a mission to develop housing and employment for people with disabilities, graciously accepted a $5,000 donation from Valley Bank of New Jersey.
“Valley is committed to making a lasting impact on the communities we serve,” remarked Mwaura Muroki, Valley Commercial Loan Officer. “That’s why we are proud to support Community Options in their mission to create housing and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
Community Options operates Red Ribbon Academy day programs in Wayne and Hillsborough, NJ. The donation will be dedicated to the Community Options’ Red Ribbon Academy in Wayne, New Jersey. The Red Ribbon Academy is a day habilitation program designed to foster growth and progress for individuals with special medical needs. The facility is barrier free, ADA compliant, and contains therapy rooms with special sensory environments. There are a wide array of therapeutic and recreational activities available to maintain and increase mental acuity, as well as maximize physical ability.
“Thank you to Valley Bank and its leadership for this generous donation to support 25 individuals at the Red Ribbon Academy in Wayne,” said Robert Stack, CEO of Community Options. “We look forward to continuing to provide best-in-class services and opportunities to nurture friendships and creativity, as well as the extra care and support our individuals need and want.”
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 or follow our ComOpCares campaign via social media by searching #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Valley
As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley National Bank is a regional bank with approximately $31 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates more than 230 branches across New Jersey, New York, Florida and Alabama, and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable team dedicated to meeting customer needs. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. To learn more about Valley, go to valley.com or call the Customer Service Center at 800-522-4100.
Health care needs reform, regulation and research
November 04, 2018 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette online
Health care needs reform, regulation and research
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
This year, 36 states will elect a governor. There are well over 24 seats that could change the balance of power in Congress, and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs during the infamous midterm elections.
A plethora of rhetoric clutters airways. Each candidate will lower our taxes, protect us and lower government spending. A loquacious relative explains why his candidate is better than another. Tactics from fearmongering to testimonials painting wholesome candidates blow up your smart phone and social media.
Recent polls suggest that the gender of the candidates is unimportant. Gun control is an issue, immigration is significant, but what seems to remain the most important is health care.
The obdurate partisan voter bases positions on rhetoric rather than issues. “Abolish Obamacare” or “pre-existing conditions” become codified into right or wrong. A more exhaustive review needs to be conducted.
Over $500 billion is spent on Medicaid annually. It makes up more than 30 percent of the annual budget of Florida alone. Texas warehouses more people in institutions than California, Minnesota and Michigan combined. Their resplendent rhetoric of doing business without red tape is simply not true. The Texas process for disabled community care is protracted. It is bogged down with an over-regulatory governing entity preventing the disabled from getting jobs or living in small homes.
Medicaid was ostensibly designed to help poor people. Over 25 percent of Medicaid is allocated for large state-run, inefficient, sub-standard institutional care. Billions are spent documenting care rather than providing it. Positively, it is the fuel that funds care to America’s most vulnerable citizens.
With so many issues revolving around health care, the political leaders need to see that there is low-hanging fruit. We need accelerated closure of large state-run institutions, privatization of care for persons with disabilities, and the reduction of zealous, redundant and, at times, sanctimonious regulations for those of us on the ground providing the care.
Robert Stack
South Side
The writer is the president and CEO of Community Options, Inc., a national nonprofit developing housing and employment for persons with disabilities.
Community Options, Inc. Welcomes Dr. Jessica Guberman To Lead Its New York Operations
Community Options, Inc. Welcomes Dr. Jessica Guberman To Lead Its New York Operations
Dr. Jessica Guberman – Vice President of Strategic Operations
(Princeton, NJ) – Community Options, Inc, proudly welcomes Dr. Jessica Guberman as Vice President of Strategic Operations to run the New York Operations, with offices located in Binghamton, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Syracuse and Waverly. In this role, she will have direct oversight of all the executive directors in New York, as well as, budgeting, talent recruitment, programmatic direction and advocacy.
“We are happy to welcome Jessica back to the Community Options family,” stated Svetlana Repic-Qira, Regional Vice President of Community Options, Inc. “Jessica has dedicated her professional life to supporting individuals with disabilities and is a respected leader in the field. We are excited to have her run our New York Operations.”
Guberman has been a pioneer in the nonprofit sector supporting vulnerable populations for more than 20 years. Guberman previously worked for Community Options from 2004-2012, where she was promoted to Vice President of National Development and Public Relations. For the past six years, she served as the Chief Executive Officer for Special Citizens Futures Unlimited, a New York-based organization supporting people with Autism.
Guberman’s program development experience has included site acquisition, financing of projects, budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, and sustainability. She has developed homes and programs in New Jersey and New York and supervised programs all over the United States. In 2007, she founded the iMatter Surf Camp for Children with Autism now known as the Kristen Bednar Memorial Surf Camp for Children with Autism.
Some of her most prestigious awards and recognitions include having been appointed to the New Jersey Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism from 2008-2011; the 2009 New Jersey Business Journal’s Top Forty under Forty Award; the 2011 Philadelphia’s Smart CXO Executive Management Award; the 2015 Continental Who’s Who Pinnacle Professional Award; and was named the 2016 Most Influential Woman of the Year by the Bronx Times.
“I am beyond excited to be returning home to Community Options, Inc., the organization where my career kicked into high gear when I was 24 years old,” stated Dr. Jessica Guberman. “I look forward to doing creative and innovative work to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers with developmental/intellectual disabilities with my old and new colleagues, a visionary leader at the helm and advocates and parents across the state.”
Guberman currently holds memberships with the National Association of Professional Women, National Grants Management Association and is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women’s Studies, Master of Science in Addiction Psychology and holds a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology.
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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.
Community Options Welcomes New Adult Day Program
October 02, 2018 | Press Release.pdf
Community Options Welcomes New Adult Day Program
(Old Bridge, NJ) – Community Options, Inc. of New Jersey announces the Grand Opening of its new Day Habilitation facility, located at 343 NJ Route 34 in Old Bridge. Community Options, Inc. is a nationally based nonprofit (IRS 501(c)(3) certified) organization incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Princeton, NJ. Community Options serves thousands of individuals with disabilities throughout 11 states; Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. In New Jersey, Community Options now supports 18 programs that offer adult day training, three supported employment programs and three School To Employment Programs (STEP).
Day Habilitation programs are designed to enhance daily living skills, vocational and community skills through volunteerism and community integration. With the Township of Old Bridge on hand, the program will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 15 at 11 a.m. The program is expected to support 16 individuals with a staff of 4 employees.
“Community Options is proud to open the doors to a program that will fill a huge void in the community,” stated Community Options, Inc. Managing Director, Dina Casalaspro. “With the support of Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry who facilitated a meeting with families from the local area and surrounding towns, we were able to strategize about how we were going to address the need. We thank Mayor Henry for his donation to cover the costs of one vehicle, as well as, all of the furniture, computers, and start-up items we requested. The program has been filled to capacity even before the official opening because of the desperate need for our services in the community and we look forward to opening more in the near future, with our next one scheduled for Paramus in Bergen County.”
If you would like more information about Community Options, the Day Habilitation program in New Jersey or any of the other services offered, please contact Dina Casalaspro at 973-905-4020 ext. 1062 or dina.casalaspro@comop.org.
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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.
2018 iMatter National Conference – Event Photos
2018 iMatter National Conference – Event Photos
Community Options, Inc. seeks to recognize employees who exemplify excellence. Award winners are honored at the 2018 annual iMatter Conference.
On September 23rd -26th, 2018, Community Options hosted its 12th Annual iMatter Conference at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Community Options to Open New Day Habilitation Program in Amarillo
September 4, 2018 | Press Release.pdf
PRINCETON, NJ (September 4, 2018) — Community Options, Inc. of Amarillo announces the Grand Opening of its new Day Habilitation facility, located at 3010 SW 27th. Community Options, Inc. is a nationally based nonprofit (IRS 501(c)(3) certified) organization incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Princeton, NJ. Community Options serves thousands of individuals with disabilities throughout 11 states; Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. The Amarillo location was established to provide support services to individuals with disabilities in the Texas Panhandle.
Day Habilitation programs are designed to enhance daily living skills, vocational and community skills through volunteerism and community integration. With the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce on hand, the program will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 17 at 10:30 a.m. The program is expected to support approximately 50 people under a staff of 11 employees.
“Community Options Amarillo is opening the doors to a new site location to provide easier access, more space and hopes to involve the community in visiting us,” said Community Options Amarillo Executive Director, Nicole Britt. “We’re also looking to assist the community with volunteer and potential employment opportunities.”
Community Options supports people to actualize their potential, acquire new skills, develop meaningful relationships, contribute to their communities, build self-esteem and enjoy new experiences. Community Options believes in the dignity of every person, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination. Embracing this philosophy, Community Options provides housing and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Amarillo office supports support 75 individuals in Amarillo, while 437 individuals are served in all of Texas.
If you would like more information about Community Options, the Day Habilitation program or any of the other services offered, please contact Louise Blackmore at 806-654-7967 or louise.blackmore@comop.org.
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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.
Community Options Alumnus Angelique Rajski Parashis Returns to Head Nonprofit’s Mission Advancement
August 30, 2018 | Press Release.pdf
Community Options Alumnus Angelique Rajski Parashis Returns to Head Nonprofit’s Mission Advancement
Angelique Rajski Parashis – Vice President of Mission Advancement
PRINCETON, NJ (August 30, 2018) – In September, Angelique Rajski Parashis will return to Community Options as Vice President of Mission Advancement.
“We are excited to welcome Angelique back to the Community Options family,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options, a national nonprofit that provides residential and employment supports to individuals with development and intellectual disabilities. “She returns with tremendous experience in capital campaigns, major gifts, public relations, organizational management and strategic development. I am very excited and confident in her abilities and business acumen, to drive our mission, ethics and to work diligently.”
Rajski Parashis previously worked for Community Options from 2010-2012, where she served as the Director of Special Events and Major Gifts. In that role, she was responsible for Cupid’s Chase 5K Run, other special events, as well as, securing funds to reach the organization’s fundraising goals.
A New Jersey native, Rajski Parashis possesses nearly 20 years of fundraising and project management experience, mostly in the political world and nonprofit sector. Most recently, she has been successful in managing complex, nationwide large scale projects at the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE). At IEEE, she served as the Capital Campaign Manager for their IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Scholarship Plus Initiative, which raised $2.75 million within approximately two years. She later managed the IEEE Smart Grid and IEEE Smart Cities Initiatives and eventually IEEE PES Technical Activities. In these roles, she cultivated and maximized community and corporate relationships, by utilizing existing talent within the organization, as well as externally with hundreds of volunteers. She has worked on multiple levels with a wide variety of constituencies to implement programs and processes to facilitate change when required. Prior to her nonprofit experience, Rajski Parashis served as Chief of Staff in the New Jersey State Assembly. In this role, she managed legislative matters with public policymaking efforts on local, state and federal levels.
“I am excited to be returning to work alongside my former colleagues at Community Options in this role to help support our most vulnerable citizens,” said Rajski Parashis. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves to advance the mission of Community Options and to implement a successful operation.”
Rajski Parashis has earned her Masters Degree in Public Affairs and Politics from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and a BA from Rutgers University in Political Science and Criminal Justice. She is married to Samuel Parashis who is a School Psychologist. She is also the proud mother of two – Matthew, 4, and Isabella, 1.
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About Community Options, Inc.:
For over 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.