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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

Although 2024 and the holidays are behind us, I hope you all enjoyed quality time with your family and friends during the holiday season. This year, we celebrate 60 years of dedicated service to our community. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in these six decades.  

From Camp Happy Times, a summer day camp, to a full-service human services organization that includes early intervention, schools, work-study, after-school care, group homes, and day programs. We have branched out beyond our immediate community and shared our services in neighboring towns, homes, and schools. We have come so far and grown at a steady pace over the last 60 years. Our potential is unlimited. 

I look forward to the new year and anticipate our services continuing to grow and expand. Each year has always brought us new challenges, which we have met. In response, we have grown, offering new services or expanding existing ones. Through it all, we have never stood still.  

I am confident that together, we will continue to grow and provide services while maintaining inclusive and supportive environments for those we serve. With this goal in mind, I want to thank the entire Archway Family, our board members, our supporters, and our community for another year we can reflect on with pride and a sense of accomplishment.  

Here’s to a new year filled with growth, change, and continued service to our community! 

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Archway DD Services Celebrates a Joyous Holiday Season at Annual Party with Special Guest Santa

Archway DD Services hosted its Annual Holiday Party at Paris Caterers in Berlin on Thursday, December 12th. The atmosphere was festive as consumers from Archway group homes across New Jersey gathered to celebrate the holiday season. Attendees included Archway Direct Support Managers and Professionals, staff members from Archway Administration, and Board Members. 

Program participants and group home residents joined their friends, housemates, caregivers, and family members to enjoy the fun-filled festive evening. Everyone was dressed in their holiday finest and eager to hit the dance floor to show off their spectacular moves! Between tearing up the dance floor and socializing, the partygoers enjoyed a buffet-style dinner followed by a delectable selection of desserts. 

Of course, the highlight of the evening was the long-awaited special guest. The larger-than-life cheery old elf himself made a special appearance, spreading Christmas cheer and bearing gifts. Having watched over the group throughout the year and had a sneak peek at their wish lists, Santa managed to have the perfect gift for every program participant!  

It was a magical evening, and everyone had a fantastic time! 

Upper School Students Master the Ukulele in Music Class!

Upper School Music Therapist, Ms. Julie Nitowski, shared the following: 

In November, Upper School students learned how to play the ukulele during their music classes.  

Over several weeks, students explored the instrument’s history, structure, strings, notes, and chords. After mastering the chords, students successfully accompanied popular songs like “Roar” by Katy Perry and “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons. Learning to play the ukulele can boost memory, enhance motor skills, and improve focus and attention. Additionally, it is recognized for its stress-reducing benefits and its ability to foster self-esteem.  

The achievements of our Upper School students in mastering this challenging instrument are commendable. 

Upper School Hosts Taco Tuesday Staff Appreciation Lunch

Upper School celebrated Taco Tuesday with a special employee appreciation lunch. Jeremiah’s Custom Cuisine Food Truck arrived in the school parking lot, ready to serve hot and delicious tacos, rice and beans, bean salad, and house-made chips and salsa for all staff members. The tasty lunch was a thank you for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year. 

Upper School Celebrates Kindness on 'Caught You Being Kind Day'

Upper School students acknowledged their peers and staff who demonstrated kindness during "Caught You Being Kind Day." The day's activities provided an essential lesson in appreciation. It highlighted the significance of recognizing and celebrating acts of kindness and encouraged everyone to focus on all the good around them daily.

Blue Card Students Celebrate Success with Special Movie Day Featuring Inside Out 2!

Upper School students who achieved Blue Card status by demonstrating good behavior were rewarded with a special Movie Day event featuring Inside Out 2. As a bonus, the students enjoyed tasty popcorn and juice while watching the movie. Great job, Blue Card students! Keep up the excellent work! 

Upper School Students and Staff Come Together for a Heartwarming Thanksgiving Lunch

The students and the Upper School staff joined to share their traditional Thanksgiving Lunch. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food selection, which included hot turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, string beans, and biscuits. The delightful dessert offerings included pumpkin pie, apple pie, and vanilla or chocolate ice cream cups. It was a delicious, even more enjoyable meal because it was shared with their Archway family.  

Upper School Celebrates Grinch Day with Festive Apparel and Heartwarming Moments

Upper School students and staff celebrated Grinch Day by wearing green clothing or apparel or their most festive Grinch-themed gear to honor the Grinchiest Grinch of them all. Students enjoyed a day filled with Grinch-themed activities and fun. Unlike last year, when the Grinch was running through the halls, this year, The Grinch was moving just a little slower, giving us a slight advantage. And guess what? We caught the Grinchiest of Grinches in a swelled-heart moment when they accepted a hug from a student. The only proof we have that it actually happened is one lone photograph, which we are sharing with you.

Upper School Choir Delights Admin Audience with Holiday Performance

On December 16th, the Upper School Choir showcased their beautiful voices during a memorable holiday performance at the Archway administration building. The group sang a selection of holiday favorites, impressing listeners with their talent. The Upper School Music Therapist, Ms. Julie Nitowski, provided guitar music as accompaniment. Thank you, everyone, for the excellent performance! 

Santa Spreads Holiday Cheer During Breakfast with Santa, Grinch’s Mischief Foiled! 

On the morning of December 17th, Upper School staff and students were excited while awaiting Santa’s arrival during their Annual Breakfast with Santa! Everyone enjoyed hot pancakes, sausage, and fruit for breakfast! Once everyone was finished with their breakfast, the guest of honor arrived; Santa Claus caused quite a stir as he met with each student, surprising them with lots of holiday gifts. Of course, a visit from Santa be complete without a visit from his nemesis, Mr. Grinch? Old Grinchy popped in to try and grab gifts right from the children’s hands, but no grip more potent than that of a child versus a mean ol’ Grinch! With Santa’s assistance, the students sent him on his less-than-merry way, followed by the delighted cheers of the students. Once again, it was Santa 1, Grinch 0!  

The students and staff all had a wonderful time during Santa’s visit, despite the antics of one mischievous Grinch!  

Visit the Facebook Breakfast with Santa album here: Breakfast With Santa 2024, and see all the photos from the exciting event!  

Lower School Students Get a Lesson in Creativity and Innovation During STEM/STEAM Day

The Lower School celebrated STEM/STEAM Day on November 8th, recognizing the importance of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in education. 

Room 12 (Ms. Jess's Class) and Room 15 (Ms. Dee's class) did a Hideout for the Turkeys project. Students constructed a shelter or hideout so their turkeys could escape the Thanksgiving table! 

In preparation for the project, each student colored in a turkey and filled out a blueprint of their structure. They also learned vocabulary words like conceal, shelter, protect, and enclosure. 

The Behavior Team also offered students STEM activities as a behavior mod choice. They made slime and completed an exciting experiment by creating a "geyser" by dropping Mentos in a bottle of soda. 

Miss Kayla's Lower School class also participated in STEM/STEAM Day with various activities to stimulate students' imagination. Students enjoyed various hands-on science and engineering lessons and activities designed to make learning exciting and fun!

Lower School Celebrates World Kindness Day with Heartfelt Notes of Encouragement

On Wednesday, November 13th, in recognition of World Kindness Day, students and staff from the Lower School placed notes of kindness and encouragement into a box in the hallway. Later, students delivered these notes to individual staff members and fellow students. 

Lower School Students Celebrate Thankful Spirit Week with Fun-Themed Dress Days!

Lower School students and staff celebrated “Thankful Spirit Week” starting Monday, December 18th, with “Rock Your Crocs or Favorite Socks.” Day two, “Foodie Tuesday,” encouraged everyone to wear graphic t-shirts featuring food and drinks, with pizza and ice-cream sodas being popular choices. Wednesday was “Twin Day.” Students and staff “twinned” with matching outfits, while some went as far as an octuplets theme! Thursday featured “Thankful for Thanksgiving Day,” with costumes as pilgrims, Indians, and turkeys. The week concluded on Friday with “Leftover Loungewear Day,” where everyone wore cozy sweats, recognizing the day after feasting belly.



Lower School Celebrated Thanksgiving with a Festive Lunchtime Feast

On Thursday, November 21st, staff decorated the tables with festive plates and colorful centerpieces for the Annual Lower School Thanksgiving Feast. Students and staff shared a delicious feast and celebrated the upcoming holiday together. Staff members served hot turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, and cornbread. Fresh fruit and ice cream brought the Lower School family tradition to a sweet ending. 

Lower School Behaviour Mod STEM Activities: Bouncing Bubbles 

Room 6's Behavior Team provides STEM-focused opportunities for our students during our weekly behavior mod time. A mix of sugar, hot water, and dish soap—LOTS of sugar—creates bouncing bubbles. Students wore gloves to bounce the bubbles back and forth without popping them. These weekly opportunities are a big hit at the Lower School for both the students and staff, and they are an excellent way to incorporate fun into lessons. 

Lower School Students Dive into Adventure at Camden's Aquarium!

Lower School students and staff went on an exciting field trip to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. The spectacular displays allowed students to experience life "under the sea" with a close-up look at sea turtles, hippos, and sharks! The holiday displays, including an underwater coral Christmas tree and a scuba-diving Santa, were magnificent! Students and staff had a fantastic time and were left with magical memories to share with their family and friends! 

Lower School Students Turn the Tables During Their Annual 'Punk the Staff' Event!

Lower School students had a blast during their annual "Punk the Staff" event. Miss Samantha was color-bombed with chalk, while Miss Kelly dressed as a turkey and performed the "Chicken Dance." Miss Kathleen was covered in Silly String, and Miss Annette chose to wear a wig and clown outfit instead of risking blue hair. In the finale, Miss Annette got a fluffy cream pie in the face. The laughter from both students and staff highlighted the fun of the day!

Read more on the Archway Programs website and view all the photos on our Archway Facebook Page!

Lower School Students Enjoy a Nature Adventure at Cedar Run Reserve!

Lower School students from Ms. Dee's and Ms. Jess's room went on an exciting field trip in early December. The group visited the Cedar Run Reserve, a wildlife refuge in the New Jersey Pinelands. During their visit, the students learned about hibernation, adaptation, and migration before going out and exploring all the New Jersey Native animals that stay local for the winter and the animals that they help rescue and return to the wild! It was an exciting learning adventure, and students and staff enjoyed walking the grounds and the interesting presentations. 

Archway Exceeds Pajama Day Fundraising Goal, Raising $852 for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia!

On December 6th, staff and students from Lower School, Upper School, and Cooper’s Poynt wore their favorite and coziest pajamas to school to participate in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pajama Day fundraiser. Archway’s goal was $500.00; with your support, we raised $852.00, exceeding our goal! Thank you to everyone who participated and donated!  

Lower School Students Attend the Annual Christmas Party Hosted by the Cherry Hill FOP

On December 9th, The Cherry Hill Fraternal Order of Police held its Annual Christmas Party, and Lower School students were invited! Once again, Cherry Hill High School students volunteered their time to decorate and entertain all the guests. Students enjoyed hot dogs and ice cream and visited with Santa!  

Thank you, Cherry Hill FOP Lodge 28, for your generosity and thoughtfulness. We appreciate all you do for our community. Thank you to the students and staff from Cherry Hill West and East. Your time and effort made a difference in the lives of so many children. 

Lower School Students Shine in Festive “Holiday in Hollywood” Concert

On December 11-12th, Lower School students delighted parents, guardians, guests, and staff during the Annual Holiday Concert. This year’s theme was “Holiday in Hollywood.” Students performed songs from their favorite TV shows and movies, such as Frozen, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the performances and applauded the students for their musical talents. 

Mr. Creeden served as the emcee and did a fantastic job announcing each act. 

Thank you to Ms. Katie Nevins, Music Therapist, for bringing out the best in all our students. Thank you to Ms. Shayla, the Art Teacher, for all the beautiful decorations and artwork on display around the all-purpose room. We appreciate the staff, therapists, and specialists for their hard work and dedication to the students, helping them shine and create memorable moments of joy for everyone in the audience. 

Thank you to the maintenance department for setting up and breaking down everything.

Thank you to the kitchen staff for providing delicious refreshments. 

Lastly, we thank the administration, board members, family, and friends for supporting our students and the programs that bring joy to many. 

View the Lower School Holiday Show 2024 album here: Holiday Show 2024

Lower School Celebrates the Holiday Spirit with Santa's Magical Visit!

On December 19th, Lower School staff created a beautiful winter wonderland with festive holiday music and "snow" in preparation for a special visitor. The sound of jingle bells and a resounding Ho-Ho-Ho greeted students as the jolly old elf, Santa, entered the building. Some students dressed in their favorite pajamas met with Santa to take photos and share their wish lists verbally or by using communication talkers. Santa understands many types of communication, so no one is ever left out.  

Check out the Santa Visits Album to view photos from the event here: Santa Visits Lower School

Celebrating Excellence: Cooper's Poynt Students Enjoy a Fun-Filled Bowling Trip!

Cooper's Poynt staff celebrated their Blue/Gold Club students with a bowling trip to The Big Event, a local bowling alley and arcade. The students enjoyed bowling, video games, and a tasty lunch with delicious milkshakes! Congratulations to all the students who earned the special reward through hard work and stellar behavior! We are Archway Proud of all of you! Keep up the excellent work! 

Cooper's Poynt Spreads Holiday Cheer with Festive Celebration and Gifts from Santa  

Smiles and holiday cheer were abundant as students and staff from Cooper's Poynt celebrated the holiday before the winter break. They gathered around the Christmas tree or sat at their desks, eagerly unwrapping festively wrapped gifts from Santa Claus. Shoes, shirts, and sports gear were among the gifts Santa found on the students' holiday wish list, and he made sure to deliver them before everyone left for the break. Everyone enjoyed the festivities before heading home for winter break. 

Cooper's Poynt Students Create Snow Globe Keepsakes for Loved Ones 

Cooper's Poynt students created unique keepsake gifts for their loved ones. They made charming snow globes with pictures of themselves inside, peeking out from the shaken snow. What a thoughtful and precious memory that will cherished for years to come! 

Creative Achievement Academy Celebrated the Season with a Festive Holiday Potluck Lunch!

Creative Achievement Academy hosted a holiday potluck lunch on Tuesday, December 10th, for staff and students. Thanks to the efforts and cooking talents of many staff members and their resulting contributions, everyone enjoyed a variety of tasty main entrees, side dishes, and delicious desserts! Thank you to all the helping hands that made the luncheon a delightful success!

CAA Celebrates the New Year with a Snow Ball Dance!

On December 19th, CAA staff and students celebrated the season with a Snow Ball Dance. A live DJ played everyone's favorite dance music while attendees enjoyed refreshments, photo props, and dancing. CAA staff helped the students get ready for the dance with dresses and suits, and they shared laughs and favorite dance moves. It was a great social event and helped students build rapport with all the new faces at CAA! The young ladies radiated confidence with beautiful outfits, perfect hair, and flawless makeup! The young men exuded confidence as they entered the party, sporting their best attire. Everyone at CAA made the event a positive end to 2024 and a great way to head into a bright new year!  

Upper School Horticulture Class Crafts Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces for Annual Luncheon!

Students from the Upper School Horticulture class, with Miss Terri and Miss Lisa, created beautiful holiday centerpieces for the school's Annual Holiday Luncheon. We wanted to share their fantastic work and let them know we are Archway Proud. Great job, everyone! They look beautiful!  

Auburn Group Home Residents Enjoy a Day of Fun at the Tenth Annual 'Gone to the Dogs' Festival'

Residents from our Auburn group home attended the Tenth Annual "Gone to the Dogs" Craft Fair & Family Festival in Logan Twp. The group enjoyed exploring the various crafts and artwork from vendors and artists. They loved seeing all the dogs, and they even got to see a horse! They especially got a kick out of a special guest, Bluey. Staff and residents had a great time during the community outing.  

Residents of Auburn Group Home Enjoy Memorable Visit with The Grinch at Berlin Farmers Market

Residents from the Auburn Group Home visited the Berlin Farmers Market to get a first-hand peek at The Grinch. The group loved the colorful character and was thrilled to meet the green grump! They all had a wonderful time and were especially excited when The Grinch took a few minutes for a photo to mark the moment.

Auburn Group Home Residents Celebrate the Holidays at Winter on the Avenue!

On December 7th, residents of the Auburn Group Home enjoyed some hometown holiday spirit when they attended Winter on the Avenue in Atco. They enjoyed a festive parade welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Claus to town, listened to holiday music, and had a great time checking out all the local crafters and vendors. Christina even took a moment to snap a photo next to Santa's sleigh to remember the moment! 

Group Home Residents Show Their Appreciation 

A resident from our Freehold Group Home delivered a beautiful poinsettia to the Freehold Fire Department to thank them for their continued service and support in the area.  

Welcome to the Family: AADP Celebrates New Member Nick!

During November, the Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) continued its upward growth trajectory by welcoming another new friend to the family. As a graduate of Archway Lower School, we want to welcome Nick back to Archway and the AADP Family! We are excited to have you and look forward to sharing many happy moments with you!  

Pajama Day Fun Keeps AADP Participants Cozy and Comfy

The Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants enjoyed a pajama day during the cooler November days. The program friends embraced the specially themed day by wearing their warmest and most comfy jammies all day while enjoying their daily program activities. 

AADP Members Enjoy a Community Outing at 30 Strikes Bowling Alley

The ladies and gentlemen from the Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP), a busy group, enjoyed a community outing at 30 Strikes Bowling Alley. The group enjoyed the good-natured competition of the game and shared a delicious lunch with their program friends.  

AADP Participants Join Together for Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration!  

Participants from the Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) held a special Christmas Tree Lighting party. The group adorned their beautiful tree with handmade ornaments, glass balls, and colorful lights. They were all proud of their handiwork and were thrilled to see the tree alight. It's incredible what beauty a group effort can create. Great job everyone! Your tree is beautiful! 

Participants at AADP Embrace the Holiday Spirit with Fun Grinch-Themed Celebration  

The Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants celebrated everyone's favorite furry green menace, The Grinch. Everyone wore their most festive Grinch-themed attire, adding to the fun and holiday spirit. It was all good fun, and the participants got a kick out of one another's Grinch clothing selections. 

Participants Celebrate the Holiday with Festive Karaoke Performances 

The participants from the Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) entertained one another with a festive holiday version of Karaoke to celebrate the holiday season. The group cheered each other on in between being center stage performing themselves.  

Friends Celebrate Holiday Spirit Week with Cozy Pajama Day and Gingerbread Decorating Fun!  

The Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) friends concluded their Holiday Spirit Week on a festive note Friday with a comfy, cozy Pajama Day. Holiday spirits were high as the friends worked together to make and decorate adorable gingerbread houses and trains. 

Archway ACT Program Celebrates a Joyous Holiday Party with Santa's Surprise Gifts!

Participants from the Archway ACT (Adult Counseling and Therapy) Program enjoyed a holiday party filled with music, snacks, dancing, and socializing. The group had a surprise visitor, Santa! Of course, he had access to their wish lists, so he surprised everyone with gifts from the top of their lists! Thanks to the dedicated staff, the party was a success, and thanks to many kind-hearted donors who filled those wish lists, everyone was thrilled with their gifts.   

Lower School Student Michael Creates Hand-Made Ornaments for Holiday Sales!

Just in time for the holidays, as part of his Archway Work Study program, Lower School student and Work Study participant Michael is working on hand-made ornaments that will soon be available for sale at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts. The ornaments will make perfect tree decorations, teacher gifts, or package decorations.  

AADP Participants Help Decorate for the Holiday Season

The results are beautiful when two Archway Programs work so well together. Participants from the Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) helped with the holiday decorations at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts. The ladies helped the store manager, Bonnie, hang decorations, lending a festive look to the florist shop. Thank you, Kim and Mariyah. The two of you did a fabulous job! 

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!

Bagelicious Exhibits Unique Holiday Artwork by Talented Artist Lauren MacKay

To celebrate the holidays, Bagelicious, a social enterprise of Abilities Solutions, displayed hand-drawn holiday themed artwork. Each table had a unique colored pencil drawing created by Lauren MacKay. Lauren, who has been in Abilities Solutions Extended Employment Program for over 26 years, says she is passionate about drawing and was inspired by the holidays to create the artwork framed on the tables. “I like to draw, especially realistic drawings using colored pencils because I like to bring the things I imagine to life. Other creative artists, such as my old art teacher, are my inspiration. I have been drawing since I was 10 years old, it's the best way to express my feelings.”

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.