"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 

nothing is going to get better. It's not."

- Dr. Seuss

 June 11, 2015

Dear Eden Staff and Families,

Carol and a student enjoying a moment together on the playground.

Forty years ago, Eden Autism Services was founded on two basic principles that are embodied in the quote above:  caring a whole awful lot for others and making life better for those living with autism. In many respects, the founding families and staff members of Eden were considered pioneers - autism was deemed to be a rare condition and the idea of people with autism living and working in our communities was novel if not controversial. Fast forward to today, Eden's strength, character and sustainability are due in large part to those individuals who cared enough to make life better for those we serve.

One of these individuals is Chief Program Officer Carol Markowitz, who has dedicated her career to serving the students and adult participants of Eden during the past 40 years. It is, therefore, with mixed emotions that I share the news that Carol has announced her intention to retire from Eden Autism Services effective June 30, 2015.

Carol has helped shape and influence almost every program and service that Eden offers today. Some of these programs, such as our Summer Residential Extended School Year (ESY), After School Program, and Respite Care Program were developed in partnership with the Department of Education (DOE) and Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) to expand services to children and adults. Eden's ESY and Respite programs were the first such programs in the state and perhaps the nation.

Carol with a student who is now a teenager in Eden's high school.

 In 2002, Carol was invited to participate in the State Task Force on Educating Children with Autism. Her work, along with several other special education leaders in New Jersey, resulted in the DOE's Autism Program Quality Indicators. The publication remains the standard for autism educational programs. In 2006, Carol completed her second Master's degree in education from the University of Phoenix and acquired her school principal certification.

Throughout the past 10 years, Carol has worked with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers to help educate first-year medical students about diagnosing autism, the value of early intervention, and strategies for successfully conducting a medical exam on a person with autism. She also served as Eden's liaison to the Psychology Department at Princeton University by securing internships, assisting with senior papers, and connecting students to volunteer opportunities.

In 2008-09, Carol started working with architects and builders on Eden's long-awaited, much anticipated model school building at Princeton Forrestal Village. In 2010, her alma mater, Douglas College, invited her to present the annual Zagoren Lecture entitled "Autism: What the Future Holds." In the fall of 2011, she was among the small group of dignitaries who cut the ceremonial ribbon and welcomed our students, families, and friends to the new facility.

Carol supporting an adult participant  as he delivers remarks at Eden's  annual awards dinner.

Not long after, Carol worked with staff to open a second

Adult Center at Crossroads in Hamilton. Most recently, she was instrumental in replacing Eden's first group home - Winsten House - which served to enhance the residential program for the original Winsten residents as well as those who entered the program subsequent to its replacement.

And finally, Carol recently relied on her 40 years of experience to author a chapter on "Aging, Estate Planning, and Funding Services for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders" for a new book called  Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adolescents and Adults (Guilford Press, 2014).

With respect and admiration for her many contributions to Eden's 40 years of service to the autism community, I want to personally thank Carol for her passionate commitment and long-standing accomplished career. Please join me in expressing deep gratitude to Carol for all that she has done for our organization and for the impact she has had on the lives of so many. Stay tuned for more information about a celebratory event marking Carol's lifelong commitment to Eden.

Very truly yours,

Peter H. Bell

President & CEO