Around The Town Tuesday, March 24 ‘Coffee With a Cop’ at the Waretown Library TIME: 10 AM LOCATION: 112 Main St., Ocean Township, New Jersey, 08758 DETAILS: Stop in and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and conversation with officers from the Ocean Township Police Department. Coffee generously provided by Wawa Store #441.
Friday, March 27 ‘Eating on a Budget’ at the Waretown Library TIME: 2 PM LOCATION: 112 Main St., Ocean Township, New Jersey, 08758 DETAILS: Learn how to shop affordably and eat healthy for a healthy diet all year round. Presented by the Ocean County Health Department. Register in person, by calling 609-693-5133, or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
Saturday, March 28 Church of the Holy Spirit Hosts Roast Beef Dinner TIME: 2 PM LOCATION: 220 E Main St., Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087 DETAILS: Three-Course, Family-Style Roast Beef Dinner. 5:30 p.m. seating. Donation: $22 Dinner includes: Fresh fruit cup, roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, rolls and butter, beverages, pie with whipped cream. Enter side door by 7-11. Wheelchair accessible. For more information call 609-2969618, 609-294-1093 or 609-8573114
Wednesday, April 1 12th Annual Prom Dress Drive Underway at all Ocean County Library Branches TIME: 3 PM LOCATION: Barnegat Branch: 112 Burr St. Little Egg Harbor Branch: 290 Mathistown Road DETAILS: February marks the kickoff of the Prom Dress Drive. All branches are accepting gently used or new prom dresses and tuxedos during regular business hours through Fri., March 13. The drive will provide formal attire at no charge to middle and high school age students for this schools’ spring formal events. Donations give students the opportunity to join their friends at a memorable event with confidence. Accessories, shoes, purses or bridesmaid’s dresses are not needed at this time. Due to current events, call for event information before going. Full calendar at: thesandpaper.villagesoup.com
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Causeway Gazette The
www.CausewayGazette.com
Proudly serving Manahawkin and surrounding communities
Number 71
21 PLUS, INC. RECEIVES “CAUSEWHEELS” DONATION With the celebration of The Causeway Family of Dealerships 50th anniversary coming to an end, we continue with a new yearlong campaign – “CauseWheels” Vehicle Donation Program - to help our neighbors and positively impact Ocean County. Recently, Causeway had two requests for vehicle donations to local non-profit organizations. We were able to accommodate each of these requests. This prompted an idea to follow up last year’s 50th Anniversary Grant program. Anchoring this campaign is the CauseWheels vehicle donation program, through which Causeway will award a used vehicle to one Ocean County nonprofit every month, from January through December of 2020. We are proud to announce our January winner, 21 Plus, Inc.
Mission Statement
21 Plus, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to enable individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives working in partnership with families and communities.
History
In 1979, a small group of families had a need. Their sons and daughters (who had developmental disabilities) were graduating from high school at age 21 and did not have a program, training or a job to look forward to. How would they spend their days? How would they socialize with friends? What did they have to look forward to? These families came together to form 21 Plus and opened a day program. It was located in a donated space in downtown Toms River. The word spread and the program quickly grew to 36 participants and relocated to a township building in Winding River Park. The organization was kept alive through private pay, donations and generous volunteer workers. As the needs of these young adults increased, the United Way and the State of New Jersey stepped in to help. 21 Plus responded by opening its first group home in 1982 on Old Freehold Road. This home was quickly followed by two additional homes in Toms River, as well as a Supported Employment program.
Anthony Pappalardo, Dave Wintrode President of The Causeway Family of Dealerships, Joe Stroffolino Director of Advertising and Marketing, Jocelyn Armstrong Director of Quality Management for 21 Plus, Robert Daley, Kristina Louis of 21 Plus, Corey Gellis General Sales Manager, and Anthony Agressi. Between 1988 and 1998, the agency developed a strategic plan for the growth that followed and added four new homes in Toms River. 21 Plus also varied program locations with one new home in Pine Beach and a second day program in Lakewood that serviced 36 people. The last phase of residential growth started in 2001 and resulted in relocating a group home in Toms River and opening five additional homes in Beachwood, Brick, Voorhees and Manchester. As the residents and participants at day programs aged and encountered medical problems, 21 Plus opened a Family Support Program by 2011. It also initiated a new business model in which 21 Plus behaviorists and a medical case manager consulted for 21 Plus and peer agencies. In 2018, 21 Plus transitioned from government funding to a Medicaid fee-for-service model. Although challenging, this new business model is the future of doing business in this field and in New Jersey. In conclusion, 21 Plus went from zero people served to 140 people served in 40 years. Congratulations on a record to be proud of!
The individuals in our programs go into the community and work in crews with staff guidance at local businesses. They provide small office cleaning services for which they receive minimum wage. If you are interested in our work crew cleaning your office or touring one of our programs, please contact Sarah Labore at latc21@21plus.org.
Value Statements
Sports In Review A message from the Causeway Family Causeway Ford Turns Showroom Into Art Exhibit One Free Oil Change Used Car Specials 2 Rescued Seals Share A Moment On Long Beach Island Furry Friends Honda CR-V Hybrid Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick Rating IONIQ Among Top Scores on ACEEE’s Greenest Vehicles Kid’s Corner Activity Page
The
Causeway Gazette For information or to advertise in The Causeway Gazette please call 609.713.6706 or visit www.CausewayGazette.com email: CausewayGazette@gmail.com
Editor: Joe Stroffolino Assistant Editor: Kaitlyn Strohmeier Publisher: Melissa Hill Creative/Comp: Keith Stewart, Amber Leto, Theresa Maye, Ben Tomlin, Andy Rosenthal Marketing: Melissa Lynford © 2020. All rights reserved.
The people attending our Adult Training Centers enjoy social activities such as shopping, bowling, and have discovered hobbies, like photography, ceramics and baking.
21 Plus plans on utilizing the van by transporting individuals. They like to incorporate trips and weekend outings into their client’s lives whenever possible. Unfortunately, about three years ago, they lost their funding towards transportation vehicles. This van was desperately needed, and we’re so glad we could help!
Meaningful lives for people with disabilities.
SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGE 4 SEE PAGE 5 SEE PAGE 6 SEE PAGE 7 SEE PAGE 8 SEE PAGE 9 SEE PAGE 10 SEE PAGE 11 SEE PAGE 12
Vocational Services The focus of the Adult Training Centers at 21 Plus, Inc. is to provide community- integrated opportunities to people with disabilities. The creative effort of the Adult Training Centers’ staff encourages individuals served to take part in new and exciting activities. Adults participating in the program are provided with group and individual instruction in communication, socialization, self-advocacy, community awareness and work skills to ensure their success.
Participants also realize the importance of volunteerism in the local community. This enables them to hone job skills and increases self-esteem. Over the years our adults have given their time and efforts to local organizations including: Meals on Wheels, United Way, Ronald McDonald House, Adopt-a-Shelf, local nursing homes and Ocean County Hunger Relief.
Vision Statement
Causeway’s Summer in Winter Carnival
• If you would like a tour to visit one of the homes, please contact Nicole Bauer at: nbauer@21plus.org
As of today, 21 Plus serves around 150 clients in need. The ages range from 22 all the way up to 90! They each have their own personal goals set to achieve throughout the year in order for 21 Plus to receive funding from Medicare. Clients of 21 Plus learn every day skills such as cooking and cleaning. They also incorporate fun activities such as arts and crafts and trips.
Read up on 21 Plus Below!
WHAT'S INSIDE
anyone would be proud to call home.
All services will promote optimal physical and mental well being as well as personal growth for the individuals served. All services will be designed based on individual needs. All employees will be dedicated to the mission of 21 Plus, Inc. and provide professional and compassionate care. All volunteers will demonstrate a commitment to the vision, mission, and values of 21 Plus, Inc. • 21 Plus, Inc. will continue to build relationships within the community. • Residential Services: The residential services at 21 Plus, Inc. are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. We currently have homes and apartments located throughout Toms River, Pine Beach, Beachwood, Brick and Voorhees, where our individuals live full and rich lives. As they learn adult daily living skills, our individuals discover what the community has to offer, and how they can enjoy it all, such as continuing education, going to church, shopping, work, recreation and exercise, family, friends, and vacations. • Each resident has an individualized plan with goals that they are working on throughout the year. They receive support and encouragement from a team of well trained staff. All of these goals help the person acquire new skills or experience a dream that they have. Each resident’s plan is determined by his/her abilities and desires. • While living in our group homes our individuals learn what it takes to be good housemates as well as good citizens. Our group homes are beautifully decorated, fit in with the community at large and are places where
Route 70 Adult Training Center: 732-364-0555 Main Street Adult Training Center: 732-341-0863 Support Employment: 21 Plus’s Supported Employment program provides employment services to individuals referred through NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Our Supported Employment program has been accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2004. Supported Employment offers people with disabilities the chance to participate in a team process to identify and fulfill their employment dreams. Intensive training and follow-along support hours by our Supported Employment staff make it possible for individuals served to be successful. The Supported Employment program at 21 Plus is available to employers throughout Ocean County. In fact, employers can gain tax credits by employing individuals from our program. Be sure to ask our Supported Employment staff how you can gain a tax credit as an employer. If you are an Ocean County Resident eligible for services through DDD and are in need of a job or if you are an Ocean County Employer looking to hire great employees, please contact: Sarah Labore at latc21@21plus.org to get connected to our services. WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS 21 Plus, Inc. depends on volunteers in the community to tackle projects at our group homes. The funding we receive does not cover improvement and repair costs. Keeping up the appearance of our homes aligned with our neighbors helps eliminate the stigma that comes with opening a group home in a neighborhood. In 2019, our community volunteerism had an in-kind value of almost $20,000. We are also excited that all of our group homes have been adopted!
See 21 PLUS, Page 10