Cape Assist is dedicated to preventing and treating substance misuse and related issues in Cape May County through education, advocacy, counseling, and community collaboration.
Cape Assist is strongly positioned as the leading prevention and treatment agency serving Cape May County residents. A 501(c)(3), the organization specializes in drug and alcohol education and counseling services. The nonprofit’s work with adult and youth populations in Cape May County has become a vital service for the community, made possible through strong partnerships and collaborations.
Cape Assist believes in treating the whole individual –body, mind, and spirit. The nonprofit’s client-centered approach is founded on the belief that true change comes from the internal motivation of the individual. The professionals at Cape Assist meet clients wherever they are in their recovery journeys in the hopes of helping to elicit positive personal change. Cape Assist also works toward creating effective prevention strategies for reducing substance misuse through a three-pronged approach: advocacy, community collaboration, and education.
HEATHER SAUL
Executive Director & CEO
Associate Director
Director of Communications
Director of Recovery Services
Director of Prevention Services
KATIE FALDETTA
TUSA MAGALOGOFITISEMANU KATHRYN GIBSON
JOSEPH FALDETTA
“I am incredibly proud to be part of Cape Assist and to witness the remarkable growth and team building we've achieved in just the last year. The work we do is truly impactful, especially in supporting local youth by providing education, prevention, and resources to combat substance misuse – support such as events like Youth Police Camps in partnership with local law enforcement. A strong community starts with organizations like Cape Assist and partners that make a difference empowering individuals and families to make healthier choices. Being involved in this mission and supporting such a dedicated organization that positively shapes lives every day is an honor.”
–
Michael Clark
It brings me great pride to share with you the 2024 Annual Report on behalf of the dedicated team here at Cape Assist. I value this opportunity to take a step back and look at what this team of passionate and caring individuals has been able to accomplish year after year. We know we couldn’t have done it all on our own, and are grateful for the support and collaboration from our community partners. It really does take a village, and we are so thankful for ours, which consistently provides support for those in need in Cape May County.
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the profound impact our programs and partnerships have on our community. Our mission is to prevent and treat substance misuse and related issues through education, advocacy, counseling, and community collaboration, but what that really means is our business is people. We strive to create a safe, supportive environment where everyone has the tools to lead a healthier, and ultimately happier life. I can’t think of anything more meaningful than that, and I’m lucky to know the team of passionate professionals that makes up our organization feels the same.
The challenges that face our county are vast and comple but our commitment is unwavering. Through dedication collaboration, we will continue to answer the call. This re highlights all we were able to achieve in 2024. We know with your continued support, we can make even greater strides in 2025.
With heartfelt appreciation,
FROM LEADING OPERATIONS TO GUIDING THE MISSION
DANIEL BORAWSKI’S NEXT CHAPTER AT CAPE ASSIST
After 12 years of being with Cape Assist, Daniel Borawski was ready to retire but wasn’t quite ready to walk away from the organization completely. So, he decided to transition his role from Operations Director to joining the Board of Directors.
“I’ve worked with thousands of people through the years and this staff, these people, are the best I’ve ever worked with,” said Borawski.
This isn’t Borawski’s first retirement. He initially came to Cape Assist as a favor after retiring from a career in the insurance industry. While he only intended to stay a short period, Borawski enjoyed the mission and work so much, he decided to stay. That temporary role eventually grew into Operations Director, also known as a professional solution provider.
Borawski says while he’s proud of all the work being done by Cape Assist, programs like the annual Peer Leadership Conference and Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest are among his favorites. He says he is constantly amazed by how hard the organization has worked to reach the county’s most vulnerable population – its children.
“They do everything from soup to nuts, but it’s primarily about the kids,” he said. “These types of groups are invaluable to the community - it’s tough being a kid today. I don’t think people realize that we reach every child in every school in Cape May County. It’s thousands upon thousands.”
As a new member to the Board, he’s looking forward to continuing the organization’s great work and expanding i reach on the counseling and treatment side. “We have th best possible people in a position to really make a difference. Still having the opportunity to be involved, it’s absolutely worth it,” says Borawski.
Through one of Cape Assist’s newest initiatives “She Speaks Power,” young girls ages 10-18 in Cape May County are working toward building resilience, learning about substance misuse prevention, and supporting their mental health.
Organized by Cape Assist’s Prevention Programs Associate Chelysmaly Cruz and Prevention Program Coordinator Chelymarie Reyes, the program meets twice a month in a safe and inclusive space, incorporating life skills activities and field trips for the 15-30 participants consistently served. The meetings are focused on activities which help youth develop the skills to build self-esteem and skills to address the daily stressors of life.
The program began expanding the empowerment lessons in the summer of 2024 after their first successful recruitment event. Through evidence-based training and personal experience, facilitators connect with youth on a deeper level to offer mentorship that extends beyond the day. Participants in the program engage in open discussions, local field trips, and sessions with guest speakers.
The program’s lessons and methods are based on a curriculum from the One Circle Foundation, “Girl Circle.’” Reyes, who participated in “Girl Circle” as a youth at Cape Assist, now serves as a facilitator for ‘She Speaks Power,’ bringing the program full circle. Her program partner Cruz noted how important these interconnections are in a tight-knit community. Both women are bilingual Wildwood natives.
As one of their field trip opportunities, the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wildwood was an important experience for the “She Speaks Power” group, providing them with a platform to celebrate and share the impact of Latin women in history. The girls created display boards highlighting influential figures such as Frida Kahlo, Roselyn Sánchez, and Shakira and shared them with the public. They also raised awareness about “She Speaks Power” with those in attendance.
The unique mentorship program whose organizers are working to build future leaders and create lasting connections are always looking for new youth to join and grow the program.
Prevention is the key to and foundation of decreasing substance misuse and other drug-related issues in our communities, schools, businesses, and other professional organizations. By utilizing tools to reduce risk factors and increase protective methods, Cape Assist focuses on three main areas to create an effective prevention strategy: education, advocacy, and community collaboration. Cape Assist provides evidence-based education programs for all ages with the addition of community and youth-based coalitions and groups.
In 2024, 38 families participated in SFP, and 28 participated in MSFP.
The Strengthening Families Programs (SFP) are Programs (SFP) evidence-based and recognized nationally and internationally for encouraging family bonding. These internationally family include an initiative specifically geared for military include an initiative specifically geared for military families (MSFP) and the unique challenges they face. unique face. SFP and MSFP are multi-session programs for families who want to improve their family dynamics in several areas including communication, discipline strategies, areas discipline limit setting and more. Cape Assist offers incentives limit setting and Assist incentives for families to participate, such as providing dinners for those who attend and gift cards for those who successfully complete the program. successfully complete
The Kids Art Resource and Education (K.A.R.E.) Center is for children who are in kindergarten and first grade. This program focuses on developing personal and social skills necessary to make informed choices in life.
In 2024, 14 students participated in K.A.R.E.
Caregiver Support - Caregiver Support Group is a free five-week program available to anyone caring for a loved one or a patient. Caregivers who are feeling stressed, confused, overwhelmed, depressed, or burned out are encouraged to join. The support group is an effective way to reduce stress, receive useful advice, discover local resources, and be surrounded by others who are going through similar experiences.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - EAP is designed to help employees and their families address issues that have a negative impact on job performance. The program offers assistance in a variety of situations, including stress, divorce or separation, grief and bereavement, emotional problems, financial problems, problems with alcohol or drugs, gambling, family conflict, and other personal/job-related issues.
The Quit Center - Cape Assist’s Quit Center program provides Cape May County residents with free assessments, individualized case management, one-on-one and group counseling, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Assessments are done over the phone, along with counseling and support groups (or by Zoom). Cape Assist then mails the NRT to the participant’s home.
W.I.S.E. - The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education is a wellness and prevention program for older adults. The program is designed to celebrate healthy aging, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and avoid medication misuse. The free program provides valuable educational services to older adults on topics including medication misuse and management, stress management, depression, and substance misuse.
“My experience with Cape Assist has been amazing! The entire staff is always so welcoming and supportive. They understand the struggles I’ve been going through and work with me and advocate for me when needed! My counselors, Kathy, Cheyenne, and Tim, have really made me feel at home and understood, which made getting and staying sober much easier. They’ve given me tools to stay on track.”
-F C , Counseling Client
ACE-ING THE IMPACT
RESILIENCE, GROWTH, AND COMMUNITY
Cape Assist spends a lot of time talking about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These experiences are traumatic events that negatively affect brain development in ways that cause lasting health challenges, both emotional and physical. More than 40 percent of children in New Jersey – that's more than 782,000 - are estimated to have experienced one traumatic event, and 18 percent of children are believed to have experienced multiple adverse experiences, according to a July 2019 report “Adverse Childhood Experiences: Opportunities to Prevent, Protect Against, and Heal from the Effects of ACEs in New Jersey ” However, research has shown that “ACEs” can be counterbalanced through positive experiences, support, and nurturing relationships.
Fostering a resilient community also involves prioritizing three key strategies: advocacy, community partnerships, and education.
Healthy communities require the collective effort of community members to support youth through advocacy. This advocacy grows through robust collaborative partnerships and community-wide education initiatives, areas in which the Healthy Community Coalition has excelled in for over two decades.
Understanding of the ACE research and emerging brain science has enabled the coalition to broaden its prevention practices and focus on creating a trauma-responsive community by utilizing the following three methods:
1 Bring awareness of neuroscience to multiple sectors of the community and inspire them to utilize this knowledge to make their interactions with youth more meaningful and brain aligned.
2. Have the coalition members look at strategies for community change through a trauma-informed lens.
3. Inspire seemingly disconnected sectors of the community to collaborate more and weave a tighter community net where children and adolescents can find safety and support
By directly and regularly engaging with Cape May County’s youth about drug misuse during Cape Assist’s annual Peer Leadership Conference, the organization ensures its messages of support and prevention hit the target audience – roughly 470 middle and high school students who attend the event. Cape Assist’s annual Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest also provides an opportunity to reiterate this messaging to the county’s youth
Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition (HCC) is a group of community members representing youth, parents, schools, law enforcement, youth-serving organizations, the faith-based community, substance misuse treatment agencies, local government, healthcare, businesses, media, and civic/volunteer groups with a mission to create healthy communities by reducing substance misuse.
Lower Township Healthy Youth Coalition (LTHYC) is a group of community members of all ages and all walks of life. Members include educators, law enforcement, parents, youth, faith leaders, and businesses focused in Lower Township. Their mission is to plan and implement strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance misuse and its consequences
The P.R.I.D.E. (Prevention, Resources, Innovation, Development, and Education) Committee started to gain a better understanding of how the opioid epidemic was affecting school-age children in Cape May County. Over time, the focus of the committee widened to include the link between childhood trauma and addiction. Members include the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, the Cape May County Office of Education, County Educators, and the County Department of Human Services.
The Hope One Van of Cape May County provides mobile addiction treatment services with the help of local partners. The purpose is to meet people where they are and provide resources on site. Narcan training is also offered through the Hope One Van.
Cape May County Youth Resiliency Team brings a youth perspective to the work being done with The Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition and the surrounding communities. The team meets once a month to discuss substance misuse prevention and promote the overall well-being and resilience of young people.
Incorruptible.US Cape May County aims to educate students, parents, teachers, and members of Cape May County about the dangers of BIG Tobacco and the ever-growing vaping epidemic The group seeks high school-age volunteers in Cape May County who are motivated and passionate about making a difference.
YOUTH SUPPORT INITIATIVES OF CAPE ASSIST
Cape Assist’s community coalition initiatives (Cape May County Healthy Communities Coalition and the Lower Township Healthy Youth Coalition) strive to build more meaningful and intentional connections between youth and adults. The groups work to reduce youth substance misuse through collaboration and environmental change. The coalition's Youth Resiliency Team brings an important fresh perspective to community events and other efforts. In 2024, 200 youth participated in one of the seven groups held in the communities.
The coalitions continue their monthly meetings as virtual and in-person events. The hybrid approach provides valuable op int wh
Mental Health First Aid Training
Adult Mental Health First Aid - 38 individuals trained
Teen Mental Health First Aid - 403 students trained in 4 schools, a 25% increase from 2023
Youth Mental Health First Aid - 51 individuals trained
TIPS Training - 98 individuals were trained
Botvin: LifeSkills - reached 1,579 students in 5 schools
Police and EMS Camps - 5 camps served 224 students
Hope One NARCAN Training - training provided for 862 individuals, a 217% increase from 2022
The counseling program served almost 130 individuals, with 35 individuals successfully completing their goals.
The number of people served who have not completed or will not complete treatment dropped from 63 in 2022 to 47 in 2024
More than 160 schools and businesses reached
More than 4,500 youths reached
More than 100 Care to Lock boxes were distributed throughout 2024 by the LTHYC to businesses and through individual requests. The coalition even got lockboxes and information to two local cannabis dispensaries. Over 470 middle and high school students attended the 2024 Peer Leadership Conference, hosted by the HCC with the theme “I’ll Be There for You.”
The Youth Resiliency Team founded a new chapter in Woodbine in 2024. Meeting regularly in the Woodbine Community Center, this new team has been significant in addressing food insecurity and is in the final steps of arranging bi-monthly boxes with fresh fruit and vegetables from the Community Food Bank. Meeting bi-weekly during the school year, three Cape Assist staff and a community member regularly provide programming for up to 30 youth with an average of 18 youth attending regularly. Cape May County’s Hope One Van reached and served over 2,400 individuals throughout the year.
Strong community partnerships are key to Cape Assist’s success. Teaming up together with local nonprofits allows us to make an even bigger impact in substance misuse awareness and education.
The Greg DiAntonio Memorial Fund, founded by Kreni and Pat DiAntonio in honor and memory of their son, has been a longtime supporter of Coastal Prep and Cape Assist in their goal to educate people about prevention and treatment for substance misuse In 2024, they donated more than $23,000 to our agency to help support prevention and recovery projects throughout Cape May County.
The funds were used in a variety of ways, including $1,000 towards the purchase of lock boxes, a combination box for keeping substances away from youth, as part of the Care To Lock Campaign. This initiative aims to prevent children from accessing potentially harmful substances such as cannabis, alcohol, and prescription medications. The Care To Lock Boxes come complete with Narcan kits and other helpful materials for parents and legal guardians. They are free for county residents and organizations and are distributed (by request) by Cape Assist and Hope One
A Narcan vending machine was also purchased for $500 and placed at the Branches Outreach Center in Rio Grande. The machine is stocked with free Narcan and local recovery resources. More of these could be placed throughout the county in the future.
The local police-lead summer camps held throughout the county also received a boost in 2024 with $6,000 in funds to help with expenses like food, backpacks, and field trips. Over the last 9 years, these camps have provided a fun and engaging way for children to connect with law enforcement officers and trusted adults in their own communities A partnership between Cape Assist and local law enforcement agencies, campers learn leadership skills, teamwork, and most importantly – form bonds with the first responders leading the camp. Studies show that just one relationship with a trusted adult can help limit the effect of ACEs (traumatic events that negatively affect brain development in ways that cause lasting health challenges, both emotional and physical) for a child. Research has shown that ACEs can be counterbalanced through positive experiences, support, and nurturing relationships, like Cape Assist sponsored Youth Camps
Students at Coastal Prep, one of only three recovery high schools in the state, also benefited from the generosity of the memorial fund, with $3,000 gifted to the program so students could purchase gifts for loved ones for the holidays. Some of the money was also used by Coastal Prep staff to buy gifts for the students, ensuring they, too, didn’t go empty-handed
Thousands more were contributed to help local families, given out in the form of gift cards, emergency housing, food, and other critical needs.
“We are so incredibly grateful for the DiAntonios and all they have helped us provide for our neighbors in need,” said Katie Faldetta. “They are one of our strongest and most consistent community partners who, unfortunately, know all too well the devastating impact of substance misuse. There are not enough ways to thank them for all they’ve helped us accomplish.”
“The Greg DiAntonio Memorial has been providing financial assistance to Cape Assist across many areas since the loss of our son, Greg in 2012,”said Kenri DiAntonio, “Greg was a member of our community his whole life, attending schools here and eventually becoming the owner of a successful building business. We chose to give back through Cape Assist because we saw how many individuals and families to whom they provide services. Their mission parallels ours, yet they do so much more, and we are honored to be a part of what they do. We may be a small nonprofit, but through our relationship with Cape Assist, we are able to make more of an impact than we could ever do on our own. We hope and plan on being a part of Cape Assist for many more years to effect change in our communities by helping those struggling as Greg did.”
Since 2019, Coastal Preparatory High School has provided students with a safe, nonjudgmental environment where they can continue their education and receive recovery support. The unique setting makes it easy for students to find a sense of belonging and develop lasting connections with their teachers, counselors, and peers that contribute to recovery success. As one of only three recovery high schools in New Jersey, Coastal Prep helps students focus on setting goals, learning life skills, and mediation.
Cape Assist partners with Middle Township Public Schools to ensure students receive recovery support alongside their education. Students participate in weekly individual meetings with recovery mentors/licensed staff to discuss recovery plans, which can include preparing to return to their district schools.
Students are exposed to other areas of growth, such as classes on life skills, art, dual credit college courses, and recreational activities to enrich all aspects of their lives. Efforts to improve self-esteem and community engagement are enhanced by students’ self-selection of volunteer opportunities.
Fundraising and Donations
Quit Center
TOTAL FUNDRAISING GROWTH SINCE 2020
INDIVIDUALS WHO UTILIZED SERVICES
INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETED THE PROGRAM (IN 6 SESSIONS)
PARTICIPANTS WHO UTILIZED NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (NRT) THROUGH THE QUIT CENTER
pandemic), Cape Assist s Endless Summer Benefit evolved into a foundational event for the prevention community while raising funds for Cape Assist to provide much-needed services and programs. Since its inception, the event grew through support from local businesses and individuals, including major supporters such as the Avalon Lions Club, Sturdy Savings, and Icona Windrift. With the help of these sponsors and Cape Assist staff, the Endless Summer Benefit gradually expanded from a modest sit-down dinner of 80 individuals into an entertaining fundraiser that connected with more than 300 attendees.
Cape Assist’s decision to conclude Endless Summer revolves around a desire to branch out and focus on a fundraising event that would be more inclusive to youth and families.
