Empowering people with disabilities by providing options and opportunities.
 
We're just days from Thanksgiving, so we want to THANK all of you for your support and dedication throughout the year.  Here's a wrap up of our November, update on the DDD Medicaid Fee for Service, information about winter weather closings, and more!
A Tribute to Dr. Frank A. Wolf, Jr., M.D.

Dr. Frank A. Wolf, Jr., M.D. Abilities Board President

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Abilities founding member and Board President, Dr. Frank A. Wolf, Jr., on October 23, 2014.

 

A parent advocate, Dr. Wolf volunteered in 1974 to serve on the founding Board of Directors and became President shortly thereafter. He guided Abilities through 40 years of growth in providing vocational services to individuals with disabilities. We are blessed with his vision and commitment as the foundation of our success. We are also grateful to have had the opportunity to honor his years of service during our 40th anniversary celebration this past March. Dr. Wolf and his loving family were able to revel in the spirit of his achievements brought on by his passion and perseverance.   

 

One of Dr. Wolf's visions came to fruition in 1993 when we opened the doors to our agency headquarters on Route 31 North in Washington. It is within these walls that Dr. Wolf sat at the head of the Board Room table, providing support and guidance as we carried out our mission. He took pride in the fact that he had only missed one meeting during his tenure. It only seems fitting that we plan to dedicate our Board Room in his name and in honor of his memory. The dedication will take place on January 21, 2015, with further details to follow.

 

Dr. Wolf was a true inspiration who made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of individuals with disabilities and for that, we will be eternally grateful.

October was Positive Attitude Month

It is said that: A great attitude becomes a great mood, which becomes a great day, which becomes a great year, which becomes a GREAT LIFE!  Each Abilities center was challenged to promote positivity through five different activities held all month long, and here are some photos of their adventures.
 
Hackettstown Center celebrated World Origami Day, Dictionary Day, Fall Astronomy Day, National Frankenstein Day and their positive activity was visiting Tranquillity Farms for fall fun fest.


Individual Specialized Program celebrated World Food Day, Curious Events Day, Columbus Day, National Tell A Story Day and their positive activity was decorating our CEO's office in appreciation for all she does for our consumers.
  
Mary Apgar Center celebrated World Farm Animals Day, Universal Music Day, National Book It Day, National Golf Day and their positive activity was making a "positivitree" by painting a tree with positive quotes on the leaves.

Medical Special Needs celebrated Mad Hatter Day, National Cat Day, Internet Day, National Magic Day, and their positive activity was making a bulletin board with positive quotes.  Here's a photo of their donation collection for National Cat Day, which was given to a local animal shelter.


Phillipsburg Center celebrated World Card Making Day, National Cake Decorating Day, International Artist Day, Southern Food Heritage Day, and their positive activity was making a bulletin board with positive quotes.
  
Washington Center celebrated Country Music Appreciation Day, National Fossil Day, TV Talk Show Host Day, International Frugal Fun Day and their positive activitiy was making a photobooth and took photos to show what "positive" looked like.
 
We need 
your support! 

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

Shopping online Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

When shopping online use one of the following links BEFORE shopping, and a portion of each purchase will be donated
Amazon Smile Logo
iGive Logo
Electronic Waste
Collection

Donate old, working or non-working, electronic items to our SustainAbilities™ Electronics Recycling program. Click HERE for a list of accepted items.
CEO Cindy Wildermuth talks employment services and supports on Comcast Newsmakers

Watch the video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/0GnPFUk-UfQ
DDD Fee for Service Webinar

The Department of Developmental Disabilities hosted a webinar on October 21, titled Understanding the Fee for Service Rate Structure: An Overview for Individuals and Families.  If you were unable to participate, a recording of the webinar and documents referred to during the presentation can be found on our website: CLICK HERE

Steps for 2014-2015 Graduates 
An informative file, focused on the Steps to Accessing Services/Supports provided by NJ DHS & DDD is also available to view on our website: CLICK HERE
Join us for the 5th Annual
Thursday, December 11th, 5:30- 8:30
 
Let's celebrate the season together with an evening of holiday sounds, food, and beverage. 
 
The Festival of Trees is an annual event hosted by the Rossi Family in benefit of the Arc of Warren and Abilities!  Visit www.rossifestivaloftrees.com for event information, sponsorship opportunities, and advance admission.
Holidays & Winter Weather Closings
 
Yes, it's THAT time of the year!

All Abilities locations will be closed on the following dates: Thanksgiving Recess 11-27-14, 11-28-14, Christmas Recess 12-25-14 and New Year Observance 1-1-15

Inclement weather cancellations/transportation announcements will be available on: our website www.abilitiesnw.com; our social media sites Facebook and Twitter; and broadcasted on the following radio stations: FM 100.7, 107.5, 99.9, 107.1, 96.1, 102, 105.3, 103.7, 104.7 and AM 1160,1400,1360. 
thanksgiving-turkey-header.jpg
We'd like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
All contributions are considered tax deductible under IRS regulations
as Abilities is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization.  Thank you for your generosity!
Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc. | www.abilitiesnw.com | info@abilitiesnw.com
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