Dear Archway Friends and Family,

As we transition from the joy and excitement of the holiday season back to a regular schedule, we find ourselves looking ahead to our goals and aspirations for 2022. However, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the past year here at Archway Programs.

Despite the health crisis that has dominated our daily lives for the past two years, Archway Programs' staff did a remarkable job ensuring the safety of our students while still managing to meet their educational and emotional needs. Thanks to teachers, aides, therapists, counselors, and our maintenance crew, students experienced a school year filled with exciting activities and unique events.

Direct Support Personnel also shined this year. They have dedicated themselves to the care of others, going above and beyond for those in their care. Their commitment to the consumers in our group homes did not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated.

ACT program staff and participants celebrated with a holiday party complete with Santa, an excited program participant, and gifts chosen from their holiday wish lists. Their commitment to the program participants is evident in their understanding nature and dedication to the consumers in their care.

The staff members for our Hope/Discover Programs staff rose to the challenge this year as they continued to provide support and respite to our younger community. Their continued care is instrumental in fostering healthy relationships and support for the youth and their families, especially during challenging times.

The Just Kids program experienced many changes this past year, most notable, a new Program Director, Vanessa D'Erasmo. The change has proven positive with various improvements to the program amid many hurdles due to the continuing pandemic and staff shortages.

Supportive Living Counselors continue to provide the services necessary for developmentally or physically challenged individuals to thrive. Their services allow them to maintain their independence and often offer much-needed respite care for their families.

While the past year's challenges have impacted the retail sector, Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts continues to prosper while providing job training for students and the developmentally disabled people in our community.

The expansiveness of Archway Programs in our community supports the fact that we are an extension of one large family, and we treat each student and consumer as a member of our family. There is such joy in giving, not just gifts but also your attention, time, and care.

In closing, as we venture into the new year, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to our staff, community, students, and consumers. We will continue to live up to and improve upon the expectations set into motion almost 60 years ago by Embracing Differences and Improving Lives. We look forward to this new year with eagerness and positivity.

Sincerely,

Wednesday, we caught Upper School students throwing paper airplanes from one end of the gym to the other. Planes were on the floor, in the basketball nets, and their teachers were cheering them on! No, the Upper School staff members have not gone stir crazy. They were cheering the students as they strutted their paper aeronautical skills during an exciting Paper Airplane Contest. After calculating hangtime and distance, four students and their airplanes stood out from the crowd. We have the younger students: distance, Joel (blue sweatshirt) 39ft 7in; hangtime, Jace (bear shirt) 3.7seconds. For the older students: distance, Ryan (gray t-shirt) 42ft 8in; hangtime, Chris (black mask) 2.7 seconds.

Congratulations to all our students! You all did a fantastic job!

Santa Claus paid a visit to the Upper School on Monday, December 20, and he came bearing lots and lots of gifts for the students! With a jolly ho-ho-ho, he peeked in classrooms and around corners while making his way through the school visiting students. He delivered gifts to delighted students and took photos with them and staff members! It was an exciting day filled with good cheer and lots of smiles! Thank you, Santa!

Staff provided a two-week Holiday Shop at the Upper School from December 6th thru the 17th. The students were excited to get into the spirit of giving as they shopped for family and friends. Staff members were on hand to help the students with their shopping lists and provide gift-wrapping services.

What does it take to make a great gingerbread house? Students from the Upper School know! Wednesday, students put their confectionary construction and design talents to clever use while assembling houses made from delicious gingerbread, gumdrops, frosting, and colorful candy bits. Their completed designs were on display for the judges to view as they decided which houses to choose as this year's winners! Congratulations to the two winners, Jayden from room 2 and Sa-Riyah from room 15!

The competition for the Upper School monthly Bulletin Board Contest was fierce. The contenders brought their creativity A-game, but they could only name one victor. This month, Room 20 took home the bulletin board crown. Pictured from left to right: Keesia George, Paraprofessional; Stacey White, Classroom Teacher; Gabby Worthington, Paraprofessional; and Melissa Bogert, Paraprofessional, posed in front of their winning Grinch bulletin board. Of course, we think all the designs are winners, and we included many others for you to enjoy. Wonderful job keeping the hallways beautiful, Upper School staff!

It was snowing indoors on the 28th at the Lower School for Snow Much Fun Day. The students and staff enjoyed a special day of winter-themed activities. An oversize snowman accompanied the students as they enjoyed shoveling snow, making snow angels, and tossing soft fluffy snowballs at each other! Ice fishing, scooters, and winter coloring activities were also part of the days' fun.

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the students at the Lower School this morning. Though the air was frigid, students lined up outside anxiously awaiting his arrival. A police escort led Santa and Mrs. Claus to the waiting crowd. Back inside, the staff and maintenance crew transformed the gym into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees, a train, strands of colorful lights, a sleigh, and a fabulous collection of festive decorations. Santa spent the morning greeting students with a ho-ho-ho and posing for photos, while Mrs. Claus presented each student with a special gift. It was a wonderful celebration, and the staff and students thoroughly enjoyed themselves!

The Lower School staff and students completely embraced Ugly Sweater Day Friday! Sequins, tinsel, and pom-poms adorned shirts and sweaters all through the school. Staff members even picked a winner for the best Ugly Sweater! The ugliest sweater winner: 1st place is Ms. Alexis, the fireplace; the uglier sweater - 2nd place is Mr. Joe, the cat looking like it is attacking a tree; and the ugly sweater - 3rd place is Ms. Sheri with the snowman having a meltdown.

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to everyone that shared their creativity and holiday style!

Before the holiday break, staff members from the Lower School were busy preparing food gift bags for families that may not otherwise enjoy a holiday meal. They coordinated the donations and distributed the food among those in need sending them home with students and ensuring their families holiday meals.

A special thank you to Paula Gormley, who has been doing our Santa’s workshop for years. She is also the head of putting these food baskets together for some of our families.

Thank you, Lower School staff, for your thoughtfulness and continual care.

Staff members from Cooper’s Poynt brought their creativity to the hallway bulletin boards! They designed bulletin boards highlighting the winter season, their spectacular students, and a bright Welcome to Archway board! Excellent job, staff! We love what you’ve done with the place!

Santa was the guest of honor at the Archway ACT Programs’ annual Christmas party on December 23rd. It was an exciting day, and Santa had gifts for everyone. It looked like he was enjoying giving gifts as much as everyone liked receiving them! Clients were treated to delicious cookies, lemonade, and other refreshments while listening to holiday music and spending time with their friends.

Santa Claus visited our Archway locations to share the joy of Christmas with the residents. We captured some of those moments in a video to share with you. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!

Angie and Molinda in our Voorhees location are getting ready for Christmas! Angie is busy decorating the windows with Christmas clings, while Molinda shares a sweet hug with her niece Tracy after a lovely afternoon visit.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Don’t wait until the last minute and risk missing out! Stop by our shop or call to place your Valentine’s Day orders today! Call (856) 336-2548.

Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts put their best holiday stocking forward during the holiday season! The team filled the shop with a fabulous selection of perfect gifts for friends and family on their customer's holiday lists! The team took a few moments out of their day to pose for a few seasonal photographs highlighting the festive decor through the shop.

Tuesday, December 7th, the Just Kids Program held a job fair at Collingswood High School. While the turnout was great, the program is still looking for great candidates to fill existing positions available for a few of our locations. If you are interested in learning more about available opportunities, please visit the Just Kids Employment page here: https://www.justkidsprogram.org/employment-1. 

Friday, January 21, 2022, ACT participants and staff celebrated the beautiful career and retirement of Amy Miller. There was a sense of joy and a few tears as Amy celebrated her last day as ACT Program Supervisor. Shawn Gibson, Archway COO, was on hand to present Amy with an award honoring her for her 22 years of service. Everyone enjoyed snacks, posed for photos, and shared memories of Amy’s time with Archway.

Although we will miss her, we are happy she can spend time with her family, including her fur baby Colt. Thank you, Amy, for your years of service to Archway Programs. You have left an indelible impression on all the lives you have touched. But now, it’s Amy Time!

Congratulations on a job well done to our parent affiliate, Woods Services' Recreation and Maintenance Departments, and our affiliates Allies and Brians House for being recognized for their outstanding work.

It was a big night for staff at Woods Services and our affiliates at the 2022 Greater Philadelphia Innovation Awards on January 27. The event, hosted by The Social Innovations Journal, recognized ideas that are making Greater Philadelphia a thriving region of innovation and opportunity for all people. Woods’ Recreation and Maintenance Departments were honored with a first place award in the Healthy Communities and Ecosystems category, and the Woods’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee received third place in the Social Investors category.

Would you like a job that makes a difference in the lives of others and your community? Do you want a job you can feel good about doing? Archway Programs might have the perfect job for you! We are currently hiring across many of our programs, and we have part-time and full-time positions available right now!

Archway offers competitive wages, flexible hours, and access to a 401k plan.

Visit our Careers page to view all the current openings. Your perfect job might be waiting for you!

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!

Support Archway when you shop Amazon. Shop at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2401037 and Amazon Smile! If you’re not sure how to use Amazon Smile go to Smile.Amazon.com, log in to your account and select ‘Archway Programs, Inc. For every purchase you make, Archway will receive a percentage at no cost to you.

When using the Amazon app on your mobile phone, open the Amazon app on the main menu, tap on settings, select AmazonSmile, then choose or type in Archway Programs Inc. Follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile.

A reminder that any COVID-19 related program updates can be found on our website at www.archwayprograms.org/covid19. This page will be updated frequently and will include our organization wide Re-Opening Plan, in addition to helpful resources for families served throughout Archway.

www.ArchwayPrograms.org | 856.767.5757 | communications@archwayprograms.org