Nonprofit Opens New Home for People with Disabilities in Montgomery Township
November 17, 2021 | Press Release.pdf | mycentraljersey.com online article
Belle Mead, NJ – Community Options, Inc. held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at a new home for people with disabilities in Montgomery Township on Monday, November 15, 2021.
Community Options is a national nonprofit that develops housing and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The New Jersey-based organization supports 5,000 people in community-based services nationally.
Four adults with disabilities will live at the newly renovated home. Among them is Kyle Sarnecky, who helped cut the ribbon along with Mayor Devra Keenan and other officials. Kyle had previously lived with his mother, sister, and nephew. After his mother passed away, Kyle was placed in a children’s home. When he graduated high school, he sought an adult housing placement and chose Community Options.
“On behalf of Montgomery Township, I welcome Community Options to our community,” said Mayor Keenan. “This type of housing is near and dear to my heart, because I had family members who depended on this type of housing when I was growing up, and I worked in group homes while in college. This is an important community resource.”
In addition to Mayor Keenan, remarks were given by Rajpal Bath of Governor Phil Murphy’s Office, and Petra Gaskin, Chief of Staff for Senator-elect Andrew Zwicker. Somerset County Commissioner Paul Drake and Township Committee members Shelly Bell, Kent Huang, and Neena Singh also attended the event.
“I want to thank our Mayor and all of the government leaders for their support in helping us open this home,” said Maria Bowles, Community Options’ Executive Director for Somerset County. “Projects like this are great examples of public-private partnerships. People with disabilities want to live independently, and we are proud to be in a community that promotes inclusion.”
The four-bedroom home was purchased by Community Options through an affordable housing partnership with Montgomery Township. The Township provided partial funding towards the down payment and for renovations to add accessible features. The partnership has allowed Community Options to open three homes in Montgomery Township in the past two years. The agency has partnered with over a dozen municipalities in New Jersey to develop new housing opportunities for people with disabilities.
As the third largest nonprofit in the state, Community Options continues to expand operations in New Jersey. Statewide, Community Options supports over 1,200 people in housing and employment programs. The need for housing development is significant, as the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities’ waiting list includes thousands of people seeking residential placement.
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About Community Options, Inc.:
For over 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment supports for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people from over 40 offices across 10 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 #AllItTakes campaign, search #AllItTakes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
