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Fall/Winter 2012
Keeping In Touch
Allies…Where Hope Becomes A Life
ALLIES, INC. & WOODS SERVICES
"A NEW PARTNERSHIP"
Providing Greater Capacity to Serve and Support
This past summer Allies, Inc. proudly became an affiliate of Woods Services, one of
the nation’s oldest and most well-respected human service organizations providing
supportive care to individuals with developmental disabilities in Pennsylvania.
Woods Board Chairman, Peter Bodenheimer shares
remarks about merger.
What's Inside:
Honorary Wing Commander.........Page 3
Bye to Summer..................................Page 3
“Taste” Fundraiser.......................Pages 4-7
Shining Stars................................Pages 8-9
Allies Got Talent.............................Page 10
Project Grow...................................Page 11
Fashions Galore...................... Pages 12-13
Importance of Fundraising...........Page 14
Greensleeves’ On-Site Training......Page 15
Woods Services has a remarkable 100-yearhistory of success in helping people attain
greater levels of self-sufficiency. From residential programs and educational services to
recreational opportunities, vocational training, and therapeutic supports, Woods offers
individualized and evidence-based solutions
that considerably improve lives. The organization’s experienced employees and forwardthinking board are the driving force behind
Woods’ meaningful accomplishments. They
provide the leadership and on-going commitment to preserve program excellence and the
highest quality of service.
Sharing an unwavering commitment to excellence through responsive, innovative, and
tailored care, this powerful partnership enables both Allies and Woods to significantly
extend their reach and help more people
with special needs realize their dreams.
continued on page 2
PARTNERSHIP
continued from page 1
Operating under Woods’ Board of Trustees,
the merger positions Allies to draw on the
organization’s rich history, progressive
vision, and invaluable insight in the field.
It also enables both organizations to pool
critical resources and expand support
networks throughout New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. This strategic collaboration is
already leading to superior levels of care that
are opening more doors for the underserved.
Woods Board Chairman, Peter Bodenheimer
and Woods Services CEO, Diana Ramsay.
In late June, Allies and Woods held an open
house celebration at the Stone Terrace in
Hamilton, NJ to officially announce the merger
to the public. The ceremony commenced with
remarks from Allies CEO, Elise Tretola,
It was truly a momentous occasion with tremendous support from key business leaders, community leaders, supporters, and
business partners, appointed and elected
officials. Guests included Mercer County
Freeholders Pasquale Colavita, Anthony
Carabelli, Lucyle Walters, Ann Cannon
and John Cimino. Also in attendance were
Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes,
Senator Linda Greenstein and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo who also presented
a signed Joint Legislative Resolution recognizing this merger.
Elise Tretola, CEO, Allies, Inc.
Diana L. Ramsay, CEO, Woods Services
“Allies and Woods Services have a shared
mission with a demonstrated record of
success in delivering quality services through
professional, dedicated staffs and highly
effective programming. Drawing on 112
years of collective experience, our combined
organization provides the opportunity to
offer even greater levels of care to those
who need us the most.”
“Mollie Woods, our founder, would be very
proud of this moment. Her vision, nearly a
century ago, was to provide all the supports
and services one would need to ‘know the joy
of achievement’ and to live a meaningful and
fulfilling life. I have the greatest respect for
Allies’ President and CEO, Elise Tretola, who,
much like Mollie, recognized a need and
created an organization to support underserved
individuals.”
2 Keeping In Touch
Allies’ Employee Inducted as
Honorary Wing Commander
On July 2, 2012, Don Tretola, Vice President of Public Affairs & Program Development for Allies, Inc. was inducted as Honorary Wing
Commander of the 514th Air Mobility Wing at the US Air Force,
Joint Military Base of McGuire AFB-Fort Dix-Lakehurst. This
military program provides commanders with a means to effectively
educate participants on the Air Force, Army, and Navy missions of
the Joint Base. It is a program designed to increase public awareness and understanding of the Joint Base, its mission, policies and
programs of the Air Force, Army and Navy; as well as build and
improve relationships with members of the local community.
Standing left,
Brigadier General
James Grant, NJARNG
Chief of the Joint Staff,
congratulates new Wing
Commander, Don Tretola.
One of the responsibilities of the Command Chief of the Honorary
Wing Program includes keeping a pulse on community concerns and
at the same time fostering a family/community environment with the
Joint Base. “I am truly honored to be named Command Chief of
the Honorary Wing Commanders Program,” said Tretola, “and I will
commit to play an active role sharing the Air Force, Army and Navy
Joint Base experience throughout New Jersey and beyond.”
Bye to Summer!
Allies’ clients enjoy Great Adventure outing
In early September, Over 100 Allies’ clients
enjoyed a full and exciting day at the Six Flags
Great Adventure theme park in Jackson, NJ.
It was a great way to end the summer.
The day was sponsored by The New Jersey
Council on Developmental Disabilities and
was filled with fun, food, rides and entertainment.
Frances, Patrice and Tim enjoy a great day.
Patrice is all smiles with Daffy Duck.
Keeping In Touch 3
Annual Fundraiser
“A Taste of America”…a Huge Success
“The Nottingham Ballroom looked lovely with lots of great food, great networking and well
attended, all for a great cause!” Liz Tindall, Vice President, MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce
“It was a lovely event overall. There was great food, drinks and wonderful silent auction
prizes.” Dana Rodriguez
Liz and Dana were among a large crowd of
people who moved throughout the evening
in the Nottingham Firehouse ballroom on
Thursday, October 11, tasting some of the
most delicious and unique offerings in
Mercer County. Several local restaurants and
beverage distributors readied their stations
offering distinct and specialized food,
wine and beer for Allies’ second annual,
“A Taste of America” food, wine and beer
extravaganza.
Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann takes
a moment to chat with Don and Elise Tretola.
In addition to food and drinks, attendees also
experienced a silent auction filled with wonderfully crafted baskets bursting with certificates,
jewelry and many distinctive gift items. They
viewed artwork crafted by clients of Allies and
learned first-hand about Allies’ “Green Initiative” and “On-site” Vocational Training program set up through Greensleeves Boutiques
located in Mt. Holly and Somerville NJ.
Lauren, Ken and Donna from Wegmans
created an awesome cheese sampling table.
4 Keeping In Touch
Proceeds raised from the event will support
Allies’ commitment to providing housing,
healthcare, meaningful employment and
recreational opportunities to people with
special needs and disabilities in communities
of their choice.
Photos by Escarpeta Photo Graphics
All of this would not have been possible without
Allies’ committed and dedicated stakeholders,
sponsors, donors, and partners; your continued
generosity and support is so critical in helping
Allies’ clients.
Mark your calendar for October 2013 and plan
to spend an evening with Allies for our 3rd Annual “A Taste of America”. Look for details in
upcoming issues of this newsletter.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of our supporters who made this event a great SUCCESS
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
to all of our supporters who made
this event a great SUCCESS!
Apple’s Bees – South Jersey • Barnes & Noble, Hamilton • Artist Barry Griffith • Bradford Portraits •
Cherry Grove Farm • Dolce Clemente • Flutter Boutique • Greensleeves Boutiques • InJeanous Boutiqu
• Jack n Jules • Main Street Sweets • Maryann Knutson • Molto Bene • Petal Pushers, Inc.
Perennial Home • Philomena’s Restaurant • Purple Cow Ice Cream • Red White and Brew
• Sun Bank THANK
Center • Terhune
• Toscano
Restaurant
• Trenton
Greenhouses
YOU toOrchards
all of our
supporters
who made
this Titans
event•aWillis
great
SUCCESS
A SPECIAL
Americana Diner • Amici Milano
Americana
Diner– •South
AmiciJersey
Milano
Archives
Restaurant
&&
Lounge
atBarry
the
Downtown
• Archives
Restaurant
Lounge
atMarriott
the
Apple’s Bees
••Barnes
& Noble,
Hamilton
• Artist
Griffith Trenton
• Bradford
PortraitsHot
•
• Joe Canal’s
of Lawrenceville
•Downtown
Killarney’s Pub
• Mannino’s 3
Marriott
Trenton
Hotel
Cherry Grove Farm • Dolce Clemente
• Flutter
Boutique
• Greensleeves
Boutiques • InJeanous Boutiqu
Mastories Catering • Mercer Street Charcoal Grill • Pete’s Steakhouse • Ritchie & Page Distributing Co
• Jack n Jules • Main
Street
Sweets
Maryann Knutson• •Killarney’s
Molto Bene • Pub
Petal Pushers, Inc.
• Joe
Canal’s
of •Lawrenceville
Rosa’s Restaurant • Texas RoadHouse • The Stone Terrace by John Henry • Wegmans of Princeton
Perennial Home • Philomena’s
Restaurant
Cow Ice
Cream • Red White and Brew
• Mannino’s
3 • Purple
Mastories
Catering
• Sun Bank Center • Terhune Orchards • Toscano Restaurant • Trenton Titans • Willis Greenhouses
• Mercer Street Charcoal Grill • Pete’s Steakhouse
•
Page Distributing
Co. • Rosa’s
Restaurant
Americana Diner • AmiciRitchie
Milano •&
Archives
Restaurant & Lounge
at the Marriott
Trenton Downtown Hote
• •Texas
RoadHouse
• The Stone
Terrace
John Henry
Joe Canal’s
of Lawrenceville
• Killarney’s
Pub •by
Mannino’s
3
Mastories Catering • Mercer Street Charcoal
Grill • Pete’s
Steakhouse • Ritchie & Page Distributing Co.
• Wegmans
of Princeton
Connor, Strong
& Buckelew–Norcross
Rosa’s Restaurant • Texas RoadHouse
• The
Stone Terrace byFoundation
John Henry • Wegmans of Princeton
ShopRite • Woods Services Foundation • WaWa
The Mercadien Group • The Trentonian
Adler’s Pharmacy, Fulton Bank, Knott’s Colonial Funeral Home, PNC Bank,
Hopewell Valley Community Bank, Mercer County Community College,
Jackson Lewis LLP, The Bank of Princeton
Allies’ staff and clients enjoy the many delicious
offerings of food.
Connor,
Strong&&Buckelew–Norcross
Buckelew–Norcross Foundation
Connor,
Strong
The Mercer
Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation
ShopRite
• Woods
Services
Foundation
• WaWa
Paula
Sollami Covello,
Mercer
County Clerk
ShopRite
Woods
Services
Foundation
The• Mercadien
Group
The
Trentonian • WaWa
The Times
of •
Trenton
The Mercadien Group • The Trentonian
Adler’s Pharmacy, Fulton Bank, Knott’s Colonial Funeral Home, PNC Bank,
Hopewell Valley Community Bank, Mercer County Community College,
Jackson
Lewis LLP,
TheKnott’s
Bank of Princeton
Adler’s Pharmacy,
Fulton
Bank,
Colonial Funeral Home,
PNC The
Bank,
Hopewell Valley Community Bank,
Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mercer
County
Community
College,
Paula Sollami
Covello,
Mercer County
Clerk
The LLP,
Times of
Trenton
Jackson Lewis
The
Bank of Princeton
The Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce
Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Clerk
The Times of Trenton
Geri Lordi welcomes a guest at the Greensleeves
display table filled with recycled treasures.
Apple’s Bees – South Jersey • Barnes & Noble, Hamilton
• Artist Barry Griffith • Bradford Portraits
• Cherry Grove Farm • Dolce Clemente • Flutter Boutique
• Greensleeves Boutiques • InJeanous Boutique • Jack n Jules
• Escarpeta Photo Graphics • Main Street Sweets
• Maryann Knutson • Molto Bene
• Petal Pushers, Inc. • Perennial Home
• Philomena’s Restaurant • Purple Cow Ice Cream
• Red White and Brew • Sun Bank Center • Terhune Orchards
• Toscano Restaurant • Trenton Titans
• Willis Greenhouses
Keeping In Touch 5
“A Taste of America”…
6 Keeping In Touch
“A Taste of America”…
Keeping In Touch 7
Shining Stars
ALLIES celebrated its first annual Star
Awards recognition event on July 19 at the
Pines Manor in Edison, NJ. Three individuals
were honored for their demonstration of
achievement, courage and determination in
striving, reaching and realizing their dreams.
The 2012 recipients were Roy Carbone who
received the James Rodkey Achievement
Award, Ralph Aviles who received the Reese
“RJ” Stockwell–Wurm Courage Award and
Daniel Custodio who received the Archie Rue
Determination Award.
The awards are named in memory of three
individuals who personified the human spirit
by living Allies’ vision of realizing dreams
with dignity and respect. RJ Stockwell-Wurm,
Archie Rue and James Rodkey led by example
and affected the lives of so many in a positive
way.
Award Recipients
“Ralph”
“Danie
l”
“Roy”
8 Keeping In Touch
Star Awards
Keeping In Touch 9
Allies Got Talent
By Loretta Rarrick, Director of Community Outreach
On Sunday the 16th of September, we had the
most memorable evening with all our friends.
It all started out with an email asking our
friends if they wanted to show us their talents.
We received an overwhelming response to this
request.
Our friends from all over the state wanted to
try out for Allies’ Got Talent. They danced,
played guitar, made animal sounds and sang
their hearts out until we ended up with our finalists.
Our finalists were Judy Anderson & Jessica
Almeida, Ralph Aviles, Jason Clark & Patrice
Jetter, Diane Falco, Denise Franco, Greensleeves, Ed Krampert, Tamaryn Lehman,
Talent show first place winner Ralph Aviles
receives award from Master of Ceremonies Don
Tretola.
Louis McMillion, Sheila Dawn Prag, Steven
Rushmeyer, Susan Serpe, Tommy Sharperson
and Richard Webber.
We also had our artists who donated their artwork to be auctioned off at the show. Our amazing artists were Dennis Bernhardt, Margaret
Durkin, Barry Griffith and Louise Hernandez.
The voting was a combination of the judges
and the audience to find our lucky winners. In
first place, the winner was Ralph Aviles, second
place was Judy Anderson and Jessica Almeida,
the third place winner was Greensleeves.
Congratulations to all of our people for giving
it their all and making us all so proud of them.
MC Don Tretola congratulates second place
winners Judy Anderson and Jessica Almeida.
Third place winners,
Greensleeves
program
participants.
10 Keeping In Touch
Project Grow -- Blooms again!
Project Grow, located on the West Windsor
campus of Mercer County Community College,
is an innovative farming initiative developed by
Allies four years ago that continues to thrive.
It’s a program designed to provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to receive
employment training, horticultural therapy and
nutritional education in a healthy and productive environment.
Project Grow emphasizes creating positive relationships, learning generalized employment
skills, and gaining a greater sense of self-reliance while experiencing job training in the
farming industry.
The program participants learn how to manage
a fully operational farm starting with preparing
the soil to harvesting and distributing the crops. Each year, a bountiful harvest of vegetables,
herbs and flowers are produced which are then
made available for sale in local communities or
donated for use in homes supported by Allies.
Customers select from a bountiful harvest.
Proceeds from sales go back into the program
to help purchase supplies for the next season.
“I have never worked at a garden farm before
and I like coming here. I like getting fresh air,
learning about growing vegetables and it’s
peaceful.” says Kenny Hauser, program participant.
Plans are being made to prepare the land for
next season and because no chemicals have
been used on the farm since the inception of
the program, it is eligible for organic designation in the upcoming year.
Project Grow is made possible
through strong community partnerships between Allies, Mercer
County
Community
College
DREAMS Program, The Arc
Mercer, Verve Restaurant in
Somerville, NJ and The Somerville
Farmer’s Market.
Kenny Hauser participates in Project Grow located on the campus
of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor.
Many volunteers come from the
corporate and private sectors along
with donations from local individuals and wholesale nurseries.
Keeping In Touch 11
Fashions Galore
Arriving in Mid-Spring 2012 was Allies’ Fashion
Show featuring clothing from Greensleeves
Boutique modeled by Allies’ clients. Models were
escorted by local business and community leaders that included former Hamilton Mayor, Jack
Rafferty, Freeholder Pat Colavita, Mike Pratico,
Michael Paglione, local banker Nina Melker,
Mercer County Community College President, Dr. Pat Donohue and Ann Marie Pratico.
Master of Ceremonies was Joseph Bocchini.
The fashion show was held in the Nottingham
Firehouse Ballroom, 200 Mercer Street in
Hamilton, NJ.
With two locations in New Jersey, Mount Holly
and Somerville, Greensleeves Boutique accepts
slightly worn and used clothing and makes them
available to Allies’ clients and general public for
a nominal cost. Greensleeves also provides onsite job training and education programming for
people with disabilities under the auspices of
Allies, Inc. The program is designed to teach
clients new job skills, to work creatively on
teams, and to offer participants the ability to
earn their own money while gaining an understanding of environmental sustainability.
12 Keeping In Touch
Thank you to the Allies’ models for their enthusiasm and great spirit: Jonathan Allen, Jessica
Almeida, Judy Anderson, Jackie Anndeherz,
Tommy Anthony, Ralph Aviles, Alisha Blau,
Tawanda Beachum, Mitchell Brust, Janine
Depetris, Dana Dinunnizio, Carol Duncan,
Diane Falco, Tyisha Fletcher, Denise Franco,
SallyJean Gosselin, Kenny Hauser, Louise
Hernandez, Florence Isabelle, CarieLena
Jackson, Patrice Jetter, Michael Judge, Kim
Kline, Edward Krampert, Darren Lawe,
Tammy Lehman, Mary Lerke, Jackie Lewis,
Matthew McCarthy, Daniel McMurtie, Sharon
Meager, Jorge Murphy, Stacey Rizas, Brandon
Robinson, Roseanna Roth, Sharon Royster,
Carmin Ruiz, Regina Rush, Sue Serpe, Tommy
Sharperson, Michelle Tollen, and Jameelah
White.
...Strutting Their Stuff!
Keeping In Touch 13
WHY FUNDRAISING IS IMPORTANT TO ALLIES . . .
As a nonprofit organization that relies mostly on
government funding in order to operate, there is
still a pressing need to raise unrestricted money
to fill funding gaps that will allow for better and
faster services for those with special needs and
disabilities battling autism, blindness and visual
impairments, cerebral palsy, deafness and hearing impairments, developmental disabilities,
down syndrome, learning difficulties, mental
retardation, multiple sclerosis, perceptual and
neurological disabilities, physical disabilities,
spina bifida and traumatic brain injuries.
Your support is vitally important in helping
these individuals lead lives of dignity, filled
with hope and respect.
14 Keeping In Touch
This annual appeal is so important to our
clients, who are also our Family.
TODAY, you can help by:
1.Mailing a check payable to Allies, Inc.
for any amount to 1262 Whitehorse Hamilton Square Rd, Bldg. A, Suite 101,
Hamilton, NJ 08690
2.
Going on-line to donate using our secured
website www.alliesnj.org.
Thank you in advanced for your donation and
support.
The Allies’ Family
Greensleeves Boutique offers
invaluable on-site training
By Geri Lordi, District Manager-Greensleeves
“I like going to work every day and meeting new people. I enjoy showing customers around the
store and sharing new ideas.”
Donna Cleveland, Greensleeves Employee
Donna Cleveland enjoys going to Greensleeves
to work and to participate in vocational training.
Greensleeves is where Donna has been learning
and developing her customer service skills. She
is currently responsible for answering the phones
and assisting customers in the boutique, along
with helping to keep the store looking beautiful.
When Donna is asked what new things she has
learned on the job she eagerly shares her knowledge about the importance of recycling and tips
on how to help the environment. She is quick to
point out how together; we can all make a difference in our communities.
Greensleeves was developed by Allies to provide
on-site training to individuals with disabilities.
The program offers participants the opportunity
to discover how to help reduce their carbon foot-
Donna is busily organizing clothes for display.
print and learn to become stewards of the community. Working at
Greensleeves helps to develop the
confidence and experience needed
to work in the community. Through
these green program discoveries,
participants have initiated and continue to foster engaged responsive
citizenship.
Displays created by program participants and staff.
Greensleeves is a nonprofit green
initiative…Dedicated to teaching
sustainable living…Improving the
lives of people with disabilities and
contributing to the beauty of our
home towns.
Keeping In Touch 15
Allies, Inc./Keeping In Touch
1262 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road
Building A, Suite 101
Hamilton, New Jersey 08690
FREE MATTER FOR
THE BLIND AND
HANDICAPPED
~~ THIS NEWSLETTER IS PRINTED IN 14+ FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED ~~
Allies...Where Hope Becomes A Life