Volume 6, Issue 1

NJ Friendship House

125 Atlantic Street

Hackensack, NJ 07601

Tel: 201.488.2121

Fax: 201.488.4157

“Our Mission is to

maximize the independence and

community living skills of persons experiencing severe and persistent

mental illness, in order to reduce unnecessary

hospitalization, secure other health and welfare services, as required by each individual referred to Friendship House for treatment; and to render this assistance voluntarily

in a safe, comfortable environment.”

Inside this issue:

From the desk of CEO, Jack Doyle

2

New Groups 2

Kitchen Expansion: A Cut Above

3

NJFH Scholarship Program

4

North Jersey Friendship House PublicationNorth Jersey Friendship House Publication

ACCREDITED

Innovative Culinary Opportunity Network, or

ICON, is a brand new program at North Jersey

Friendship House. This program, run by Dave

Bein, features an intensive 12 week training

module for individuals referred by the Division

of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The

program takes place in Friendship House’s state

of the art training kitchen. All participants will

become familiar with the use of common

appliances used in professional kitchens and

learn proper techniques such as dicing,

mincing, and measurement. They also learn

food safety and hygiene standards essential for

working in the field and will conclude the

program with a ServSafe certificate. An integral

part of the program includes resume writing

and preparing the participants for job

interviews. They will also work with a Job

Coach to secure employment in the food

service industry. So far, two participants from

our first ICON class have already secured

employment!

Anyone interested in learning more about the

ICON program should contact David Bein at

201-488-2121 or dbein@njfriendshiphouse.org.

New ICON Program

The ICON Inaugural Class

Page 2

There are a number of recent exciting events and developments at

Friendship House. These include:

Honorable Charlotte Vandervalk Gala I would like to thank the

Honorable Charlotte Vandervalk who has served as a Board Member

for over 26 years for allowing Friendship House to honor her this past

fall. It was a wonderful evening and we raised approximately $50,000

thanks to many old and new friends attending the event to honor

Charlotte. In addition, we honored Kevin J. Lynch, President and CEO of Oritani Bank, as our first

humanitarian of the year.

The Innovative Culinary Opportunity Network (ICON) Program ICON, which is the newest

Friendship House program is funded by the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Services (DVRS). It has generated much excitement; ICON is a culinary skills training program for

adults with disabilities. With the assistance of the ICON job coach, two of our graduates have

secured entry-level positions at Applebee’s in Paramus. There are a number of other possible

positions for our ICON graduates as well.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) Successful Implementation On June 3, 2013 we successfully

launch our new EHR project. Our collaborative efforts with two other non-profits have resulted in

significant savings. In addition, we received Medicaid funds, “Meaningful Use Dollars”, further

reducing our costs with the EHR project. We have had a most successful implementation due to the

hard work of the FH team. We are excited about the possibilities and the improvements that are on

the horizon for Friendship House with the EHR computer system.

Friendship House Adults with Autism Day Program Our goal is to provide continuation of care

and to improve the quality of life for adults on the autism spectrum. The Autism Program continues

to grow. In just three short years, we have been able to triple the number of participants who have

benefited from our program to 25.

From the Desk of Friendship House CEO - Jack Doyle In Honor of/ Memorial Donations

In Memory of John Chatfield

Jane Anderson Steven & Cynthia Carlson

Conrad & Marijean Conrad Eleanor Emmerthal

Cynthia Smith

In Memory of Edward Dericks John Mckendry & Audrey Newman

In Memory of Shirley Feldman

Eugene Frankenthal

In Memory of Martha Glaser John Mckendry & Audrey Newman

Jack and Barbara Doyle

In Memory of Charles Hopf John Mckendry & Audrey Newman

In Memory of Theodore Ignall

Beulah Harris Ignall Estate

In Memory of Jill Imperatore Rosemary Tallekson

Harry & Blanche Kortrey Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts

In Memory of Ed Kuter

Robert Bill Jaymi Nervine

Wendy Mircovich Brian McIntyre, Jennifer

McCallion, Hemal Patwa, Robert Armetta, & John Scrofani

The Silvermans Joyce Wharton Susan Zippo

In Memory of Ivka Joan Orlic

Sonja Mitchell

In Memory of Robert Prusakowski Joyce Prusakowski

In Honor of Katherine Chatfield

Diane Korzinski

In Honor of Richard Lehmann Charles Feldman

In Honor of

David & Susan Muller’s Wedding Agnes Adler

Joseph Braun Suzy & Richard Bronstein

David Bub Bruce & Evelyn Butzel

Robert Cadden Donald & Linda Clark

Honor Fagan Leon & Sharon Glaser

Amy Langevin

In Honor of Mala Spivack Rose Lynn Sherr

In Honor of Tommy Stass

Edgar Fay Diane Holden

New Groups Offered The primary objective of the psycho-social group program is to provide members with a safe,

supportive environment in which to learn skills, explore concerns, normalize experiences, and

increase socialization. In essence, the group program’s goal is to help the individual member achieve

his or her maximum level of independent functioning and improve overall quality of life.

New groups have been added to the program as a result of input of members and staff. The

Asperger’s Group helps people learn how to connect with others and build friendships through the

use of socially appropriate behaviors. The group has guidance from Dr Jim Ball, a leading expert on

Autism Spectrum Disorders. Our Exercise II Group gives members an opportunity to “kick up their

heels” and add dance moves to their exercise routines. Lastly, The Young Adults Group offers

members the chance to learn to deal with age-related challenges while enjoying the company of peers.

The focus of all groups is to promote wellness and recovery. For more information on our psycho-

social group program please contact Andee Barnhard at ABarnhard@NJFriendshiphouse.com.

Page 3

A Cut Above

Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi, Freeholder Robert Hermansen,

and Freeholder Joan Voss

Zwardie Nelson Elizabeth G., Mala Spivack

Kevin Lynch, Peter Tucci Jr.,

and Andy Bott

Friendship House celebrated the official opening of our newly expanded, state-of-the-art commercial kitchen facility. CEO Jack

Doyle, kicked off the festivities by greeting the guests and acknowledging the elected officials in attendance, including;

Congressman Scott Garrett, Senator Loretta Weinberg, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi and Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Freeholders

Joan Voss and Robert Hermansen and County Clerk John Hogan. In addition, Mr. Doyle graciously thanked all of those who

made the expansion possible through hard work, dedication and financial contributions.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairperson Paul Muller thanked everyone in attendance, and expressed how amazing and

heartwarming it is to see the kitchen filled with people, saying: “As you know, a building is a building, but it is the people inside

who make it special.” Mr. Muller went on to extend gratitude and special honor to the Imperatore Family, Peter Tucci, Sr. and

Kevin J. Lynch of the Oritani Bank Chartable Foundation, who were all instrumental in seeing the project come to fruition. All

of the honorees will have special plaques on display in the new facility.

Food Service Manager, Zwardie Nelson spoke of the importance of the expansion and the impact having a full production

kitchen will have on training opportunities for our members. He also mentioned that the new commercial kitchen will allow

Friendship House to expand our community partnerships and gain new contracts, increasing our daily meal production to over

1500 daily.

Former Member, and Friendship House success story, Andy Bott addressed the crowd, thanking Zwardie for his career guidance

and Beverly for allowing him the opportunity to bake for Friendship House, and wishing he had more time to bake in the new

kitchen!

CEO Jack Doyle, Hon. Charlotte Vandervalk, and

Board Chair Paul Muller

CEO Jack Doyle, Arnold Litt, Congressman Garrett, Board Chair Paul Muller,

Hon. Charlotte Vandervalk, and Jason Shafron

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Hackensack, NJ

Permit No. 250

Chairperson

Paul D. Muller, CFP

Immediate Past Chairperson

Mary H. Pestana, MBA, OTR

Vice Chairpersons

Brian Bassuk, Ed.D.

Richard Lehmann, Esq.

Robert McNerney, MAI, CRE

Secretary

Roy G. Lucas, SIOR

Board of Trustees

Trustees

Joseph Grattan

Gloria Hopf

Michael B. Kates, Esq.

Arnold D. Litt, Esq.

John McKendry, CFM

Jason T. Shafron, Esq.

Dwight Threepersons, M.S.Ed.

Harry N. Tuvel, P.E.

Hon. Charlotte Vandervalk

Honorary Trustee

Hon. Kazmier Wysocki

Chief Executive Officer

John T. Doyle, M.S., MPA

125 Atlantic Street ● Hackensack, NJ 07601 P. 201.488.2121 ● F. 201.488.4157

Find us on the Web!www.njfriendshiphouse.org

Volume 6, Issue 1

The NJFH Scholarship Program is comprised

of donations made to the Shirley Feldman

Enrichment Program and the Peter Tucci, Sr.

Scholarship Program. Both Shirley and Peter

were long time board members who felt

strongly about supporting the staff and their

ability to further their own education. At this

year’s Staff Appreciation Dinner, Amanda

Hueting and Tracey Singer were recognized as

the first recipients of the NJFH scholarships.

Amanda has been the Program Coordinator of

the Friendship House Adult Autism Day

Program since its inception in 2010. She is

currently working towards an MA EdS in in

Counseling at Seton Hall University. Amanda

hopes to incorporate counseling and especially

cognitive behavior therapy into our autism

program to enrich the program for our

members and their families.

Tracey has worked as a Job Coach at

Friendship House for six years. She is currently

attending Rutgers University and will graduate

with a Masters of Social Work in December

2014. In addition to her job coaching position,

Tracey is currently completing an internship at

Friendship House. After graduation, Tracey

hopes to continue her education at Rutgers

pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work.

Donations made to the Scholarship Fund include:

Alsan Realty Company

Archer & Greiner Anthony & Joanne Dellechiaie

Jack and Barbara Doyle Alan Feldman & Carol Seitchik

Ellen Feldman Shirley & Matthew Feldman

Philanthropic Fund Nicole Fox-Beadle

Geisenheimer Agency Michael & Margery Hartley

Loretta Hermann J. Fletcher Creamer Foundation

James & Beatrice Lacava Richard Latrenta

John Mckendry & Audrey Newman James Napolitano Joseph Petriello

Temple Ahavat Achim Ronald & Jane Thomas

Charlotte Vandervalk

NJFH Scholarship Program

In an effort to “go green”, please send an email to newsletter@njfriendshiphouse.org or go to our website www.njfriendshiphouse.org and click on “email sign up”

so we can send you future newsletters electronically.