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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

As we wrap up another month, I’d like to slow things down to acknowledge our Archway Family’s remarkable efforts. This coming year, we will celebrate 60 years of service to our students, clients, and community. What a remarkable milestone we can all be proud of, as none of it would have been possible without all of you.  

During October, Archway Programs has proudly organized the Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk for the past fourteen years. What started as a fundraiser for a staff member facing a cancer diagnosis has grown to include helping not only those within the Archway Family but those in our community as well.  

The entire Archway Family was represented during the walk. Residents and staff from our group homes, clients and staff from ACT and AADP, Just Kids, our Saturday Respite Program, and Step by Step were all in attendance, alongside students and staff from all four of our Archway schools. The participation was yet another indication of our continued growth and our unwavering commitment to the community.   

I want to thank the Evesham and Waterford Township Police and the Waterford Fire Department. We appreciate your work in our community and that you all took the time to join us. Thank you, Bryan Brossler from Channel 6 ABC News, for joining us and sharing our event on the news.  

While we celebrate our achievements and milestones, much work is still ahead. We remain committed to expanding our services to serve those in our care and reaching out to our community members. I am honored to work alongside all of you and look forward to sharing many more success stories as we move forward. 

Thank you all for your part in the success of Archway. I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Archway Community Comes for 14th Annual Archway Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk

On Wednesday, October 16, staff, students, program participants, friends, and family gathered at the Archway Campus for the 14th Annual Archway Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk. The annual event, now in its 14th year, supports those in our community battling cancer.    

Last year, Archway students and staff donated proceeds from the Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk to the Virtua Cancer Center. This year, they are stepping up again, supplying Care Kits and offering a monetary donation. 

Christian, a Lower School student, has been crocheting since age five. He made some of his specialized creations to sell to participants and generously donated the proceeds to the fundraising efforts. We are so proud of his talent and compassion.  

In the coming days, Lower School students will finish gathering the supplies and begin packing the Care Kits before delivering them to Virtua. 

 Thank you to the members of the Waterford and Evesham Township Police and Waterford Township Fire Department for joining us. We appreciate your continued efforts to secure our safety and keep our towns safe.     

Thank you, Bryan Brossler from channel 6 ABC News, for joining us and helping us share our message with ABC News' many viewers. To view Brian’s segments on ABC News, visit the following links and time stamps: noon edition of Action News https://6abc.com/15435096/ 28:15 for the start of our segment, and 4:00 news https://6abc.com/15435752/ timestamp 29:30.  

Visit the Bridge of Hope Cancer Walk 2024 Facebook Photo Album to see photos from the event.  

Omegaman and Friends Visit Archway Schools

A couple of superheroes visited the students and staff at the Lower and Upper Schools on Monday, October 7th. Dynamo and Zyna from Omegaman & Friends wowed students and staff with their show of strength and stories of overcoming adversity. The duo shared how they kept their goals in mind to succeed and become the best version of their superhero selves!  

Dynamo, a multi-time champion of Mr. Natural Universe and motivational speaker bent a steel bar on his head and broke a wooden bat in half! Zyna, a former roller-derby champion and motivational speaker/teacher, helped a member of the Lower School staff summon her strength to rip a phone book in half and an Upper School student to do the same. Everyone enjoyed the visit, and all left with a reminder to be a Dream Maker!  

Upper School Horticulture Class Beautifies the Archway Campus

Miss Terri and Miss Lisa worked with Mr. Kevin's class from the Upper School to beautify and decorate the school grounds for the fall season. They worked on maintaining and beautifying the lovely grounds in and around our Upper and Lower Schools. They always do an excellent job and take great pride in their work. Thank you all for all you do to keep our campus looking beautiful!  

Upper School Celebrates Fall Fun Day with Games and Scarecrow Creations!

Upper School students and staff celebrated Fall Fun Day on Friday, October 4th. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon of games and outdoor activities, including face painting. In keeping with the Fall theme, everyone enjoyed fresh apple cider donuts! During the event, each classroom worked together to create their unique scarecrow using hay and supplies they gathered from the Archway campus or contributed. They all did a fabulous job working together with their scarecrows. The scarecrows were displayed in front of the Upper School until after Halloween.  

Congratulations to all the students and staff! The scarecrows looked fabulous. From creepy to sweet, you all did a great job! 

Archway Upper School Students Learn Fire Safety from Evesham Township Firefighter

Thank you to Evesham Township Firefighter/Inspector Bryce Priggemeier for the informative fire safety presentation on Tuesday, October 15th. Firefighter Bryce spent the morning at the Archway Upper School talking with students about fire safety in their homes. He encouraged students to speak with their parents about having fire drills in their homes and establishing an outdoor meeting place in the event of a fire. Students were excited to check out his fire truck and all the gear onboard. It was an exciting and informative presentation, and the students went home with information-packed coloring books and other fire safety reminders to share with their families.  

Students Promise to Stay Drug-Free During Red-Ribbon Week Celebration

Students and staff at Archway Upper School celebrated Red Ribbon Week Spirit Week with various themed dress-up days to show their commitment to staying drug-free. Kicking off with “I Believe in Me,” they wore red clothing. Day two featured an array of hats for “Outsmart Drugs: Use Your Head,” followed by sports jerseys on day three for “Look to the Future.” Thursday encouraged creative socks and Crocs under the theme “It’s Crazy to do Drugs,” finally, on Friday, they embraced nostalgia with “Throw Back Day.” The week highlighted the school’s dedication to promoting a drug-free lifestyle. 

Upper School and Cooper’s Poynt Students Celebrate Halloween with Fun Activities and Festivities!

Students from the Upper School and Cooper’s Poynt had a fantastic time celebrating Halloween with various fun activities. They kicked off the day by Trick-or-Treating in the hallways, gathering plenty of candy. Outside, they enjoyed a Trunk-or-Treat event, where they admired creative decorations and received even more treats from staff members distributing goodies from their decorated car trunks. Afterward, they continued their celebration with Trick-or-Treating at the administration building. The students gathered for a lively Halloween Dance with music and delicious treats before heading home for the day. 



Check out the Halloween Celebration 2024 Facebook Album here: Upper School & Cooper's Poynt Halloween Celebration 2024. 

Upper School Horticulture Students Craft Witch Scarecrow for Halloween Dance

Students from the Upper School Horticulture class, with Miss Terri and Miss Lisa, worked together to design a creatively scary Witch Scarecrow for the Halloween Dance. They did a fantastic job using natural resources found on the Archway Campus and fabric from class. The scarecrow was displayed prominently during the Upper School Halloween Dance, showing off their creative talent.   

Ms. Jess Lights Up Learning with Glow-in-the-Dark Lessons

A lesson in Ms. Jess’s Lower School class was made even more interesting when the students learned about things that glow in the dark, including plants, animals, and other objects. They learned how and why they glow and how to make glow-in-the-dark slime, reinforcing the lesson with a hands-on activity. The kids had a blast while, once again, Ms. Jess made learning fun!  

Students Keep the Archway Grove Looking Beautiful

Lower School students enjoyed some outdoor time while working on the Archway grounds. During Horticulture class, Miss Lisa and Miss Terri worked with the students pruning, shearing, and overall keeping the Archway Grove looking its best. Great job everyone! Thank you for keeping the gardens looking lovely for all of us to enjoy! 

Lower School Room 13 Enjoys Halloween Adventure at Monster Mini Golf

On October 10th, Lower School Room 13 students and staff went on an exciting Halloween-themed community field trip to Monster Mini Golf in Cherry Hill. During the trip, they also stopped at the local Wawa to learn how to order sandwiches for their lunch. Everyone enjoyed playing mini golf and video games on an exciting glow-in-the-dark indoor course. The group also stayed onsite to enjoy the Wawa lunches they ordered for themselves!  

Lower School Students Enjoy a Fall Adventure at Johnson's Farm!

Friday, October 11th, students and staff from the Lower School visited Johnson’s Farm in Medford. During their visit, the group enjoyed an exciting hayride through the farm and picked pumpkins! Everyone enjoyed the warm weather and beautiful fall colors while exploring the farm. It was a fantastic way to spend a lovely fall day before heading home for the weekend!   

Archway Lower School Celebrates Drug-Free Red Ribbon Week with Themed Spirit Days

During Red Ribbon Week Spirit Week at Archway Lower School, students and staff engaged in themed dress-up days to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The week started with tie-dye attire for “Peace Out to Drugs,” followed by a hat day for “Use Your Head, Don’t Do Drugs,” showcasing a range of creative headgear. Day three celebrated “Real Heroes Don’t Do Drugs,” where everyone wore superhero-themed clothing to honor fictional heroes, personal heroes, and service members. The fourth day, themed “Don’t Let Drugs Blind Your Future,” saw participants sporting sunglasses, while the week concluded with “Dreams Come True When You Are Drug-Free,” featuring Disney-themed apparel. Overall, the event promoted students’ commitment to remaining drug-free while offering fun activities to strengthen the positive message. 

Lower School Celebrates Frida Kahlo with Creative Tribute During Hispanic Heritage Month

Lower School students paid tribute to the artist Frida Kahlo during Hispanic Heritage Month. Each student contributed artwork to create wings, illustrating Frida's quote, "Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?" 

Lower School Staff Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a Potluck Luncheon

On Thursday, October 24th, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lower School Art Teacher Miss Shayla hosted an employee potluck luncheon featuring Hispanic cuisine. Staff members contributed traditional Hispanic dishes as well as some beloved family favorites. The menu included fried and baked empanadas, stewed shrimp, chili, rice with corn and Vienna sausage, and Tres leches cake, among many other delicious dishes and desserts. It was an Archway Lower School family affair; everyone enjoyed getting together for delicious food and desserts!  

Lower School Celebrates Halloween with Spooky Parade and Festive Fun!

The Lower School students and staff celebrated Halloween with a parade around the Archway grounds, followed by Trick-or-Treating. Staff decorated individual spooky stations, offering treats of all kinds for everyone. Once the staff finished filling the students’ buckets and bags with goodies, they enjoyed a Halloween party in the all-purpose room adorned with festive fall and Halloween decorations. The students enjoyed music, dancing, games, and many holiday-themed activities! Everyone enjoyed all the creative costumes and had a wonderful time. The students returned home with their bags filled with delicious treats, giving them a head start on their evening of trick-or-treating! 

Check out the Lower School Halloween Celebration 2024 Facebook Album here:

Lower School Halloween 2024 

Cooper's Poynt Shows off Their Festive Fall Bulletin Boards

Cooper's Poynt staff did a fabulous job on their festive Fall/Halloween bulletin board again this year. They are a colorful example of their creativity at work! What a great way to brighten the hallways and bring a bit of whimsy to their day. Great job, everyone! 

Cooper's Poynt Students and Staff Visit Indian Acres

On October 24th, Cooper's Poynt staff members and the blue and gold students enjoyed a beautiful fall day at Indian Acres Tree Farm in Medford. The group took a scenic hayride around the farm and learned about growing pumpkins before stopping to pick pumpkins to take home. Everyone also had the chance to feed and pet the on-site farm animals. Everyone enjoyed the day and returned with happy memories to share with their families.

Students and Staff Show Their Support During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On Friday, October 18th, Creative Achievement Academy (CAA) students and staff proudly donned their favorite pink t-shirts, hats, and apparel during PINK Day to show their support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

Creative Achievement Academy Students Create Pumpkin Art for Halloween Trunk or Treat

Creative Achievement Academy (CAA) students were busy decorating pumpkins at the end of October. Staff supplied students with various supplies, including stickers, paint, and glitter, to enhance their pumpkin designs. They displayed their creative pumpkin artwork during the Halloween Trunk or Treat event, and students voted on the best designs. 

Creative Achievement Academy Hosts Fun-Filled Trunk or Treat Event

Creative Achievement Academy in Vineland hosted a Trunk or Treat event for its students. Both staff and students went all out decorating for this spooktacular occasion. Each car trunk served as a candy station for the Trick-or-Treaters to load their bags with goodies and tasty treats. The event also featured a costume contest and a best-decorated pumpkin contest. Three staff members voted for the best costumes, while students selected the best-painted pumpkins. Winners received trophies and sashes. It was an exciting day for everyone! 

Just Kids Celebrates Halloween with Festive Activities and Creativity!

The Just Kids program had an exciting month packed with fun fall and Halloween-themed activities across all our Just Kids locations. Students created pumpkin and cat pointers at Beeler Elementary, while Logan Elementary used Q-Tips for artistic projects. Alice Elementary made Halloween Scratch Art Masks, and Main Road Just Kids enjoyed a PJ Day alongside pumpkin painting. At Janvier, kids built Lego spaceships and danced with Ms. Jonnie. Meanwhile, Parkview Westville crafted handprint ghosts, Clementon created a paper animal kingdom, and Logan Elementary held a pumpkin decorating competition. The month was filled with creativity and Halloween spirit, culminating in welcome cards for Miss Kelly’s return at Just Kids Main Rd. 

Auburn Ladies Enjoy the GLOW Show

In late October, the ladies from our Auburn group home attended the GLOW drive-through Halloween light show in Washington Township. They enjoyed the lights and music and danced throughout the event. It was an enjoyable community outing, and the ladies are already looking forward to the winter version coming soon.

Auburn Ladies Get into the Fall Spirit

Residents from the Auburn Group home felt festive and in the spirit of the season as they painted pumpkins to keep on display in their home. They did an excellent job painting and decorating their pumpkins; we are all impressed with their creativity and artistic talents! Happy fall, ladies!  

Christina Enjoys a Bit of Pampering With a Spa Day

Christina from our Auburn group home enjoyed a relaxing spa day with a new hairstyle. She took her new do out for a spin day with a full day of shopping and dining! She was excited to share her new look with her program friends before heading home for a much-needed nap! It was a lovely day for a beautiful young lady! 

Welcome, Andrew!

Welcome, Gabrielle!

AADP Family Continues to Grow

Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) continued its growth by welcoming two new friends to the Archway Family. Andrew and Gabrielle joined the program in October, and both are enjoying the time with their new friends. The program's community activities, socialization, and individual attention have benefitted them, and we are happy to have them and look forward to sharing many new experiences with them. 

AADP Visits Mood's Farm

Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants visited Mood's Farm Market in Mullica Hill on Monday, October 14th. The group enjoyed an exciting hayride through the farm, pumpkin picking, eating delicious apple cider donuts, and drinking fresh apple cider!  

AADP Participants Get Social Over Coffee

Every other Tuesday, Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants start their day with a Coffee Social. As they arrive, they are greeted with a selection of hot, fresh coffee or tea and granola bars. The growing group of program friends appreciate the special time to sit, relax, and enjoy one another’s company. It’s an excellent way for the group to work on socialization skills and have fun while enjoying a crunchy granola bar and a tasty cup of coffee or tea.  

Participants Celebrate Halloween with Festive Costumes and Fun!

Participants in the Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program enjoyed a festive Halloween party. They dressed up in costumes to show off their creativity and imagination. They listened to music and danced while enjoying pizza and various delicious treats. Everyone had a great time socializing with their friends from the program and loved seeing each other’s costumes!

ACT Program Celebrates Halloween with Festive Harvest Day Party!

Clients from the Adult Counseling and Therapy (ACT) program enjoyed a Harvest Day Party on Halloween. The clients enjoyed soft pretzels and fresh apple cider while they decorated pumpkins. After lunch, clients were able to take pictures with peers & staff while in costume. Later, clients voted for the “Top 3 Halloween Costumes or Most Festive Outfit.” Carissa in the orange came in 3rd place, Peggy in purple in 2nd, and Dennis in the black robe was the 1st place winner! Congratulations to all the clients on their creative costumes.  

Saturday Respite Program Enjoys Creative Indoor Activities and Outdoor Fun

During their time together, the Saturday Respite program participants stoked their creativity by painting and coloring. The group also took advantage of the beautiful weather by playing basketball and spending time on the swings outside.

Halloween-Inspired Bridal Bouquet and Boutonnieres by Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts

The talented and creative florists at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts received a request for a creative Halloween-themed bridal bouquet and pocket square boutonneires. The bouquet's deep, jewel-toned colors and choice of flowers were stunning! The whimsical and creative embellishments on the bouttoneires perfectly accompanied the lovely bridal bouquet! Great job, Bonnie and team! You did a fabulous job!

Michael, the Budding Florist at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts!

Blue Violet's budding florist, Michael, was photographed during his Work-Study time at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts. As expected, Michael did a fantastic job honing his floral design skills while enjoying the task. Great job, Michael! Keep up the excellent work!



We look forward to seeing all of the beautiful work you do!

6 Key Steps to Recognize Phishing and Gift Card Scams

Archway Programs' Giving Tuesday Fundraiser

December 3, 2024

On December 3, 2024, Archway Programs will host its Giving Tuesday Fundraiser, inviting the community to come together for a meaningful cause. In its ninth year, this fundraising event emphasizes the spirit of giving and aims to raise funds to support our various programs. By participating, you can help enhance the lives of the individuals we serve, positively impacting the members of the Archway Community. Join us in this effort and participate in the change this Giving Tuesday! 

Please consider supporting Archway Programs' efforts to support and provide services to children and adults with developmental disabilities in our programs and community.  

Would you like to learn more about Archway Programs? Visit the following link to see Our Story.

https://youtu.be/WPWlFHKMj4c?si=nwhzBMOmmTYRpG-T

Thank you from all of us in the Archway Family!

You're Invited to DD Services Annual Holiday Party

DD Services is hosting its Annual Holiday Party on December 12, 2024, at Paris Caterers in Berlin, NJ. All are welcome to attend.

To join us, RSVP to montana.elwell@archwayprograms.org or call 875.767.5757 ext. 370 by November 27, 2024.

A $40.00 check made payable to Archway Programs is needed for each quest.

Please mail payment by December 10, 2024, to Archway Programs, 280 Jackson Road, P.O. Box 668, Atco, NJ 08004. Attention: Montana

Welcome to the Archway Family!

We are proud to welcome new employees to the Archway Family as our organization expands, allowing us to help more families throughout the community. Please help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the Archway Family!

Woods System of Care, Allies, and Area Health Systems Partner to Improve Health Equity

The Woods System of Care, in partnership with Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health System and Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare Services, and Allies is working to improve health equity for people with disabilities by creating and implementing a standardized training curriculum for healthcare providers.

The project came to fruition after Woods received the Inclusive Healthy Communities (IHC) grant funded by the New Jersey Division of Disabilities Services. One of the goals of the grant project is to create and implement a universal framework for “disability-friendly healthcare” that will help healthcare providers interact with and care for people with disabilities. In addition, the grant project will result in the creation of standardized training for healthcare professionals. All of these efforts are completely aligned with the mission of Woods System of Care and its affiliates to improve access to and quality of care for the people they serve. Woods formed a compensated Advisory Council whose members are people with different kinds of disabilities who shared their healthcare experiences and discussed what they thought training should focus on. Many healthcare providers, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers were also interviewed to provide input.

The common themes identified through the project include a lack of accessibility in general the definition of “health equity,” and the way that providers communicate with people with disabilities. These topics are broad, but many interviewees and advisory council participants mentioned the physical inaccessibility of many doctors offices and discrimination and bias from healthcare professionals as major hurdles.

The two-year grant was awarded in July 2023. Throughout 2024, Woods worked alongside Robert Wood Johnson Health System, Rutgers, and Allies to convene an advisory council made up of members with a wide range of disabilities, including physical disabilities and intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“Allies is proud to be able to support this partnership between Woods and other regional healthcare systems,” Mike Haggerty, CEO of Allies, said. “Ensuring everyone has equitable access to quality healthcare is just one piece of the puzzle, and we are grateful to be able to have a role in this project.”

The advisory council, including several individuals supported by Allies, met several times throughout spring of 2024 before breaking for the summer months. During that time, investigators conducted 30 interviews with stakeholders to get more background and context surrounding issues discussed during the advisory council sessions. Once the additional interviews were conducted and analyzed, the workgroup brought the main themes before the advisory council.

Next, the project team will work to develop and deliver the trainings to healthcare providers in and around the Hamilton, New Jersey, geographic region and throughout the state.

“We envision this effort continuing after the grant period ends, as we will continue to share our expertise and the learnings from the Advisory Council members and other stakeholders with others,” Liz Hayden, MPH, MS.Ed, the vice president of strategy development at the Woods System of Care, said.

If you have news or information you would like to see in the next issue of The Bridge, please contact Kelly by phone: 856.767.5757 ext. 242 or by email: kelly.jones@archwayprograms.org.