because of you! - Opportunity Project

OP-DATE
TThe
HE O
P P O R T U N I T Y PProject
R O J E C T NNewsletter
E W S L E T T E R • • FFall
a l l 22013
015
Opportunity
2013 HIGHLIGHTS:
Veterans’ Services
Nutrition and Wellness at OP
Our Members at Work
Brain Injury Awareness
In the Community
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
IT’S BEEN A GREAT YEAR
BECAUSE OF YOU!
u Brain Injury Awareness Month 2015
u Nutrition, Health and Wellness
u Healthy Brain Healthy Me
u Gumbo Cook of Challenge
Executive Director Report
I am so pleased to
present this OP-DATE
60 East Willow
issue.Street
We have been doing
Millburn, Newmany
Jerseynew,
07041
exciting and
973-921-1000
challenging
activities to
www.opportunityproject.org
expand
our
services
and
@opproj.org
provide more program
Board
Ofof
Trustees
Board
Trusteeschoices for our members.
In this issue you will
Marc
E.E.
Berson,
Esq.Esq.
Marc
Berson,
Carol
Albanese
Chairman
Chairman
Executive Director
see photos and read
reports from our staff
Lisa
Goldman
Lisa
Goldman
describing
our new community partnerships,
Vice
President
Vice President
new
Ritatechnology
S. Yohalem and new programs.
Rita
S. Yohalem
Vice saw
President
2012
OP enter into a partnership with
Vice President
Gemma
M. Giantomasi,
Esq. New Jersey Health
the
Veterans
Administration
Marla
S.
Smith
Secretary
Care System to provide vocational services and
Treasurer
community
integration services to returning
Kerri B. Levine
Treasurer
Gemma
M. Giantomasi,
Esq.
veterans
diagnosed
with brain
injury. As with
all Secretary
survivors, our veterans need long term
Members
support
the crisis and rehabilitation
Kerri after
H. Berson
Salvatore A. Davino
have
passed. A.
We are honored to be given this
Salvatore
Harriet Derman,Davino
J.S.C. (ret.)
opportunity
to
give back to those who have
Harriet
Derman,
Angelo J. Genova, Esq.J.S.C. (ret.)
given
so much!
Angelo
Genova, Esq
Stephen
M.J.Greenberg,
Esq.
Stephen
M.
Greenberg, Esq.
Murray
Kushner
In 2012, we received
Deborah
Phillips
Deborah
Phillips
ourBarbara
second Sobel
three year
Marla S. Smith
accreditation
from CARF
Theodore
Barbara
SobelStampoulos
(the
Committee
onEsq.
David
S. Stone,
David
S. Stone,
Esq.
Accreditation of
Rehabilitation
Facilities).
Opportunity
Project
Team
Opportunity
Project
Team
This certification allows
Carol
Albanese,
LCSW,
Albanese,
LCSW,
MSWMSW
usCarol
to
continue
providing
Executive
Director
Executive
Director
Supported Employment
Tara Kapleau, LPC, MS, CRC
Services
to
our vocational
Tara Kapleau,
Program
Director LPC, MS, CRC
members
allowed
Program
Coordinator
Melissa
A.and
Cardinale,
MSus to enter into a
Memorandum
of Understanding with the VA.
Nutrition Counselor
Takia Ruff, BA
Andrea Cohen, RN
Communications
Unit Counselor
Nurse
Educator
With
these
accomplishments, there
Elizabeth
Daugherty
Jacqueline
Marino
have
been challenges:
Office Manager
Resource Unit/
•Michael
Financialchallengesduetofundingcutsfor
Moran, MS, OTR/L
Community Integration Counselor
Occupational
Therapy
Counselor
brain injury
services
and a transition to a
Louis
Norton,
MPA
Arlene
Lieberman,
M.Ed.,
CRC We are
Managed Care system
of funding.
Vocational
Counselor
Vocational
Counselor
involved in a strong committee of providers
Jacqueline Rizzi
to
makeand
our
voices
Rhonda
Brown,
BAheard in this area.
Cognitive
Integration Counselor
Case Management
Counselor
•Community
Wearemourningthelossofthreeofour
Tom Shea, PsyD
wonderful
members
Amy Sigona,
MS who will always be
Vocational
Counselor
remembered.
Development
Director
Amy Sigona, MS
Development Director
Most
of all during
the triumphs and challenges,
Elizabeth
Daugherty
Melissa Wish, LSW
we
have
been
able
Office
Administrator
Social Work Counselor to count on your support
and we humbly thank you. We couldn’t do it
without your generosity and dedication to
our mission.
MESSAGE FROM
FROMTHE
THECHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN
MESSAGE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
2015 marks our 21st year of providing programs and
As I look
backwho
oversupport
the pastus
year
at
We appreciate our community
with
services
forpartners
brain
injury
survivors.
As
I look
back
donations and in-kind services.
Opportunity Project, I am struck by the
over the years, I am truly impressed by the success
programs
and theand
daily
Barnabas Health of Opportunity
breadth ofProject’s
our successful
programs
on our members and the community. We
debbyyoga (Debbieimpact
Kaminsky)
on its members and the
remainimpact
the first
and only free standing Clubhouse
Diabetes Foundation
community.
end of our
Downtown Millburn
Development
program
in the Alliance
stateNearing
of (DMDA)
Newthe
Jersey.




 Glenwood School Walk A19th
Thonyear, in 2014 we will celebrate our
 Investors Bank
The mission of Opportunity Project (OP) is to
20th Of
year
of operations- Wow! It is truly
 Millburn Short Hills
Chamber
Commerce
empower
persons
with brain injuries to achieve
 Neiman Marcus Short
Hills
hard toself-determination,
believe that an ideapersonal
formulated
by
self-esteem,
growth,
Marc
Berson,
Esq.
 E.
Sodexo
Food
Services
independence
attainment
of their
parents ofand
twothe
young
adult brain
injury
Chairman
 Starbucks
full potential.
survivors coming together in a back office
 Words Bookstore
in Millburn
would
blossom into
this
This Op-Date is filled with reports,
pictures
and highlights
of Opportunity
Marc E. Berson, Esq.
Project’s
accomplishments of important
2015. We continually
re-evaluate
organization that calls all of the
Chairman
Clubhouse programs to adapt to members’ needs. This year we added the
Opportunity Project’s Clubhouse home.
Occupational Therapy Unit and Social Work Unit. To better serve our
members, we have grown the health and wellness initiatives in partnership
This
OP-DATE
is filled
with
reports,nutrition
pictures,program
information
of the
with
Barnabas
Health.
Our
part-time
has now
become
a full-time,
5
day
per
week,
Nutrition
and
Wellness
Clubhouse
Program.
business & accomplishments of OP this past year. From receiving
OP’s
injury
awareness
and fundraising
activitiessuccesses
continueintoserving
be a
ourbrain
second
3 year
CARF accreditation;
to unique
critical part of the Clubhouse’s efforts. Our Annual Golf Classic was the
oursuccessful
community
of returning
Veterans;
to theand
expansion
of our
most
to date,
raising over
$300,000;
Brain Injury
Awareness
Month
events
continue
to grow,
focusing
onfor
community
corporate
Nutrition
Wellness
program
funded
by
the Merckand
Company
Theand
DMDA
Girls Night
Out raised
$1,000
OP
brain
injury
awareness.
It
has
been
quite
a
year!
Foundation with assistance provided by Barnabas Health; to the
growth
of our
vocational
program
with
of so
It is
only with
your
support that
we are
ablethe
to help
provide
themany
muchofneeded
programs
and services
to brain
injury survivors.
OPanhas
servedsuccessful
hundreds
community
and business
partnersit has been
overall
of year.
adultsWe
with
thethat
demand
for the fundraising
Clubhouse services
canbrain
onceinjury
again and
report
our annual
efforts
continues to grow. Membership is
including
Jean Day,
The Yankee Raffle and our Annual Golf
life-long
andBlue
our doors
are always
open.
With
diminishing
Classic
have
surpassedgovernment
the prior year’s donation and sponsor totals.
support
dollars
we
are
forced
to do support.
We thank you for your ongoing
more with fewer funds and yet no
We are proud to partner with the
member is ever denied services due
Millburn Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks
toalso
donations
can
lookfrom
to the
ourGlenwood
Board School
of trustees
through
their
OPwho
was honored
at their
Come
to We
lack
of
financial
resources.
2012 Walk A Thon – We were able to purchase
Together Gala
commitment,
dedication
and support continue
to in
be2012.
a vital part
new satalight® technology
for our members
Weoflook
forward toProject’s
the future
with and continued success.
Opportunity
growth
anticipation and thank you for all
that you do for Opportunity Project.
I am so proud of how far OP has come, of the incredible staff that
Carol
Marc
E. Albanese,
Berson our Executive Director, leads and of our incredible
Chairman
members who continue to teach and set the example for all of us.
On the Cover: Photograph by Steven Hockstein – Harvard Studio Photography
Opportunity Project Founders: Marc E. Berson, Lisa Goldman and Rita Yohalem.
On Words
the Cover:
Photography
by Steven
Hockstein
- Harvard
Studio
Bookstore
in Maplewood
donated
proceeds from
their book
salesPhotography
to OP.
1
2
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH
We could not have done all of this without
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
the generous support of all of our sponsors
Executive Director Report
and donors. THANK YOU to everyone
I am so pleased to
We appreciate our community partners who support us with
who participated and helping to ensure that
present this OP-DATE
donations and in-kind services.
Brain Injury Awareness Month 2015 was a
issue. We have been doing
tremendous success.
 Barnabas Health
many new, exciting and
 debbyyoga (Debbie Kaminsky)
challenging activities to
GUMBO COOK-OFF SPONSOR
 Diabetes Foundation
expand our services and
u Investors Bank
 Downtown Millburn Development Alliance (DMDA)
provide more program
Mayor Robert Tillotson of Millburn presenting 2015 proclamation
u The Millburn Fire Department
 Glenwood School Walk A Thon
choices for our members.
 Investors Bank
In this
you
We
are issue
proud
towill
announce our
Injury
 Brain
Millburn
Short Hills ChamberHEALTHY
Of Commerce
BRAIN HEALTHY ME
Carol Albanese
see photos Month
and readactivities are more successful
Awareness

Neiman
Marcus
Short
Hills
Executive Director
SPONSOR
reports
fromThis
our year
staff BAM 2015 raised over
every
year!
 Sodexo Food Services
u Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
describing our new community partnerships,
 Starbucks
$38,000 and we educated more
community
new technology and new programs.
 Words
Bookstore
members than ever about brain
injury!
CHAMPION SPONSORS
2012 saw OP enter into a partnership with
u Century 21 Construction
theWe
Veterans
Administration
Jersey Health
launched
BAM 2015New
on March
2 with Mayor Robert Tillotson
u The Fidelco Group
Care System to provide vocational services and
of Millburn who issued a proclamation declaring March 2015 as
u The Fairholme Foundation
community integration services to returning
Brain Injury Awareness Month in the town of Millburn. BAM 2015
u Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
veterans diagnosed with brain injury. As with
packedour
fullveterans
of activities,
bothterm
old and new. There were so many
allwas
survivors,
need long
eventsafter
andthe
activities
thatrehabilitation
we couldn’t share it all on one page!
support
crisis and
AMBASSADOR SPONSORS
have passed. We are honored to be given this
u Industrial Properties
Look for our
BAM
symbol
through-out this OpDate to
opportunity
to give
back2015
to those
who have
u Hollister Construction
learn
given
soabout
much!our first ever “Healthy Brain Healthy Me Wellness
u Kenneth Mandelbaum
Day” and our Gumbo Cook-Off Challenge between Millburn
u Morgan Stanley
In 2012, we received
The DMDA
$1,000 for OP
Mayor
Robert
Tillotson and Firefighter Dave Hammond,
of theGirls Night Out raised
our
second
three year
u David and Marian Rocker
Millburn Fire
accreditation
fromDepartment.
CARF
u Block & Zuckerman
(the Committee on
Our BlueJean
Accreditation
of Day tradition continues and is now
ADVOCATE SPONSORS
Rehabilitation
Facilities).
in its 20th year!
Our Speakers Bureau was very busy
u Network Management Solutions
This
certification
allows to local businesses on their brain
giving
presentations
u Howard Kaminsky
usinjury
to continue
providing
awareness
days. Employees throughout New
u Susan and Ilan Hirschfeld
Supported
Employment
Jersey participated
by making a donation so they could
Services to our vocational
FRIEND SPONSORS
dress casually while learning about the causes, signs and
members and allowed us to enter into a
u Valley National Bank
symptoms
of
brain
injury
and
prevention.
We are proud to partner with the
Memorandum of Understanding with the VA.
With these accomplishments, there
have been challenges:
u The Wish
Family
Millburn
Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks to donations from the Glenwood School
OP Napolitano,
was honored at Quigly
their Come
u Hunrath,
& Taylor
2012 Walk A Thon – We were able to purchase
Together
Gala
in
2012.
new satalight® technology for our members
PARTICIPANTS
• Financialchallengesduetofundingcutsfor
brain injury services and a transition to a
Managed Care system of funding. We are
involved in a strong committee of providers
to make our voices heard in this area.
u
u
u
u
u
• Wearemourningthelossofthreeofour
wonderful members who will always be
remembered.
Most of all during the triumphs and challenges,
we have been able to count on your support
and we humbly thank you. We couldn’t do it
without your generosity and dedication to
our mission.
u
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
Fox Rothschild LLP
Investors Bank Short Hills & Iselin
Massage Envy Short Hills
Sports Training Physical Therapy
The Learning RX Short Hills
Fox Rothchild, Sports Training Pyhsical Therapy, Hollister
Words Bookstore in Maplewood donated proceeds from their book sales to OP.
Construction Services, and Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi
3
2
ABOUT THE CLUBHOUSE
Executive Director Report
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Our mission is to empower
our members
to achieve their goals — Our
I am so pleased
to
We appreciate our community partners who support us with
philosopy has always
beenthis
andOP-DATE
will continue todonations
be “By The
Members,
present
and
in-kind services.
haveThe
beenMembers!”
doing
For The Membersissue.
and We
About
With your support we
 21
Barnabas
many
new, exciting
and
have been providing
services
to our members
for
years! Health
 debbyyoga (Debbie Kaminsky)
challenging activities to
Diabetes Foundation
expandof
our
services and
OP has served hundreds
members
with braininjury–Our
Clubhouse is
 Downtown Millburn Development Alliance (DMDA)
provide more program
continuously evolving and growing. Our members
have a broad spectrum
 Glenwood School Walk A Thon
choices for our members.
of abilities, interests and causes of brain injury. 
Recognizing
their changing
Investors Bank
In
this
issue
you
will
needs and preferences, we have developed new Clubhouse
 Millburnprograms
Short Hills Chamber Of Commerce
Carol Albanese
see
photos
and
read
to
better
serve
their
needs.
The
Clubhouse
is
divided
into
units
which

Neiman
Marcus
Short Hills
Executive Director
reports from our staff
incorporate all program operations and activities,
providing
training
 while
Sodexo
Food Services
describing our new community partnerships,

Starbucks
for members to learn key pre-vocational and daily living skills to assist
new technology and new programs.
 Words Bookstore
them in their everyday life.
2012 saw OP enter into a partnership with
the
Administration
New Jersey Health
• Veterans
Cognitive
and Community
To go directly to OP Website
Care System to provide vocational services and
for more information scan
Integration Skills Unit
community integration services to returning
the below QR Code.
• Nutrition, Health and
veterans diagnosed with brain injury. As with
Wellnessour
Unit
all survivors,
veterans need long term
•
Occupational
Therapy
Unit
support after the crisis
and rehabilitation
•
Social
Work
Unit
have passed. We are honored to be given this
opportunity
to give
back to those who have
• Vocational
Unit
given so much!
In 2012, we received
our second three year
accreditation from CARF
(the Committee on
Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities).
This certification allows
us to continue providing
Supported Employment
STROKE
Services to our vocational
MOTOR
VEHICLE
members and allowed us to enter into a
16%
Memorandum ACCIDENT
of Understanding with the VA.
The DMDA Girls Night Out raised $1,000 for OP
LEADING CAUSES OF BRAIN
INJURY FOR OP MEMBERS
40%
With these accomplishments, there
have been challenges:
MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
One of the Members’ favorite groups is “I Am A Work In
Progress”. Members share their thoughts about recovering
from brain injury and what their goals are for the future.
Thanks to donations from the Glenwood School
2012 Walk A Thon – We were able to purchase
new satalight® technology for our members
OP Member Yasin:
We are proud to partner with the
Millburn Chamber of Commerce.
OP was honored at their Come
Together Gala in 2012.
• Financialchallengesduetofundingcutsfor
OTHER ABI
brain injury
services and a transition to a
ACCIDENT/
35%
ManagedVIOLENCE
Care system of funding. We are
involved in a strong committee of providers
5%
to make our voices heard in this area.
• Wearemourningthelossofthreeofour
wonderful members who will always be
remembered.
Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI) is an external blow or jolt to the head
“I’m a work in progress because I am trying to troubleshoot
my own problems and learn how to think through issues and
solve them on my own. I’ve come really far and I’ll never give
up. I also like to empower my OP friends to work on their
independence skills and confidence.”
or body.
Acquired
Injury (ABI)
is caused
by a loss of oxygen to
Most
of all
duringBrain
the triumphs
and
challenges,
the
brain
after
birth
due
to
medical
causes.
Examples
we have been able to count on your support include stroke,
hypoxia and anoxia.
and we humbly thank you. We couldn’t do it
Words Bookstore in Maplewood donated proceeds from their book sales to OP.
without your generosity and dedication to
our mission.
4
2
NUTRITION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS AT OP
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Executive Director Report
I am
sobecome
pleased to
Wehere
appreciate
our community partners who support us with
Health and Wellness
has
a central theme
at
present this OP-DATE
andUnit
in-kind services.
Opportunity Project. Starting with funding for donations
our Nutrition
issue. We have been doing
HEALTHY BRAIN
and counselor in 2012 from the Merck Foundation,
it has grown

Barnabas
Health
many new, exciting and
by leaps and bounds
with the activities
additiontoof both 
an debbyyoga
Occupational
HEALTHY ME
(Debbie Kaminsky)
challenging
Therapist and a Nurse
Educator,
thanks
to
funding
from
the
 Diabetes Foundation
MARCH 18, 2015
expand our services and
Healthcare Foundation
ofmore
Newprogram
Jersey.
 Downtown Millburn Development Alliance (DMDA)
provide
 Glenwood School Walk A Thon
choices for our members.
New this year, we held a Health &
forInvestors
Bank
Our goal is to provide
awareness
and
education
our
members
Wellness Day focusing on how exercise,
In this issue you will

Millburn
Short
Hills
Chamber
Of management
Commerce and nutrition affects
on how
nutrition, see
wellness
therapy affect their
Carol
Albanese
stress
photosand
andoccupational
read

Neiman
Marcus
Short
Hills
Executive
overallDirector
health. Members
in individual counseling
your brain health, promotes prevention
reports participate
from our staff
 Sodexo Food Services
sessions and
group
activities partnerships,
focusing on nutrition planning,
describing
our new
community
and helps with recovery.
 Starbucks
new
technology
and new
grocery
shopping,
mealprograms.
preparation, exercise, meditation
and
 Words Bookstore
improving
their into
ability
to performwith
activities of daily living.
Sponsored by Barnabas Health and
2012
saw OP enter
a partnership
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health
and held on Congressional Brain Injury
Care System to provide vocational services and
community integration services to returning
Awareness Day, the day featured food
veterans diagnosed with brain injury. As with
tastings, chair massages from Massage
all survivors, our veterans need long term
Envy and health and wellness discussions
support after the crisis and rehabilitation
by local professionals including Debby
have passed. We are honored to be given this
Kaminsky of the Newark Yoga Movement,
opportunity to give back to those who have
Rosann Bostonian Ph.D, Miriam Belov
given so much!
MAT, RMT and Barbara Mintz MS, RD.
In 2012, we received
The DMDA Girls Night Out raised $1,000 for OP
our second three year
accreditation from CARF
(the Committee on
Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities).
This certification allows
us“Itohave
continue
providing
lost 30 pounds
by participating
“I have been working with my
Supported
in nutritionEmployment
counseling”
Occupational Therapy Counselor on
buttoning my dress shirt on my own”
Services to our vocational
members and allowed us to enter into a
We are proud to partner with the
Memorandum of Understanding with the VA.
With these accomplishments, there
have been challenges:
Thanks to donations from the Glenwood School
2012 Walk A Thon – We were able to purchase
new satalight® technology for our members
• Financialchallengesduetofundingcutsfor
brain injury services and a transition to a
Managed Care system of funding. We are
involved in a strong committee of providers
to make our voices heard in this area.
Millburn Chamber of Commerce.
OP was honored at their Come
Together Gala in 2012.
Special thanks to Amanda
Aymar of the Health &
Wellness Co-Op of Millburn
Short Hills for her efforts
and dedication to ensure the
success of this event.
• Wearemourningthelossofthreeofour
wonderful members who will always be
remembered.
Most of all during the triumphs and challenges,
“We are learning about healthy
“I have learned about different
weexercises
have been
able
to and
count
cooking techniques”
in yoga
group
howon
to your
do support
and
wesafely”
humbly thank you. We couldn’t do it
Words Bookstore in Maplewood donated proceeds from their book sales to OP.
them
without your generosity and dedication to
our mission.
5
2
VOCATIONAL SERVICES
Executive Director Report
I am so pleased to
present this OP-DATE
issue. We have been doing
many new, exciting and
challenging activities to
expand our services and
provide more program
choices for our members.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
We thank our community partners who
providepartners
our members
with community
We appreciate our community
who support
us with
opportunities
and
support
us with
donations and in-kind services.
donations and grants.
 Barnabas Health
u Aaron Printing
 debbyyoga (Debbie Kaminsky)
u Allstate
 Diabetes Foundation
u Diabetes Foundation
 Downtown Millburn Development
Alliance (DMDA)
 Glenwood School WalkuA Thon
Downtown Millburn Development Alliance
 Investors Bank
u Healthcare Foundation of NJ
In this issue you will
 Millburn Short Hills Chamber Of Commerce
Carol Albanese
u Investors Bank
see photos and read
 Neiman Marcus Short Hills
Executive Director
reports from our staff
 Sodexo Food Services u Kean University
describing
our
new
community
partnerships,
Created in 2001, our Vocational Program was
especially
 Starbucks
u Kessler Foundation
new technology
and
newthe
programs.
designed to
meet
unique needs of adultswho
have
Words Bookstore
u Martini Bistro
sustained
brain
and provides
2012 saw
OP enter
intoinjuries
a partnership
with real-life experiences in
the Veterans
Administration
New
Jersey
Health
which evaluation, training and monitoring
are done both
Care System
provide
vocational services
and
withintothe
daily operations
of the Clubhouse
and in the
community
integration
services
to
returning
community. Through a day structured around meaningful
veterans diagnosed with brain injury. As with
work, vocational members not only participate in personally
all survivors, our veterans need long term
valuable activities but also pursue individual goals and the
support after the crisis and rehabilitation
redevelopment
of skills.to be given this
have passed.
We are honored
opportunity to give back to those who have
Opportunity Project contracts with the State Department
given so much!
u Massage Envy of Short Hills
u Merck Foundation
u Millburn Fire Department
u Millburn Short Hills Chamber of Commerce
u Montclair Art Museum
u PaperMill Playhouse
u Roxy Shoes
u Rummel Foundation
of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to provide the
u Shenck Foundation
In 2012,
we received
following
services:
The DMDA Girls Night Out raised $1,000 for OP
our second three year
• Workfrom
Evaluation
accreditation
CARF and Work Adjustment Training
(the Committee
(WE/WAT) on
Accreditation
of
• Supported
Employment
Rehabilitation
Facilities).
• Job Coaching
This certification allows
• Long term Follow Along Services
us to continue providing
Supported
Employment
We are
excited by the number of employers who offer
Services
to
our
vocational
their ongoing
support to our program and are pleased
members
and
allowed
us to enter
into a Partners, ShopRite
to welcome our newest
Employment
Memorandum of Understanding with the VA.
u ShopRite
u Smart Family Foundation
u Starbucks of Millburn
u United Way of Northern NJ
u Valley National Bank
of East Brunswick and the Millburn Free Library.
With these accomplishments, there
THANK
YOU
have been
challenges:
Thanks to donations from the Glenwood School
2012 Walk A Thon – We were able to purchase
new satalight® technology for our members
TO OUR EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS
• Financialchallengesduetofundingcutsfor
brain injury services and a transition to a
u Special Olympics New Jersey
u Aerosoles Menlo Park
Managed Care system of funding. We are
Barnabas Hospice and
u Arts
involved
in aUnbound
strong committee ofuproviders
to make
our voices
u JSDD
WAE heard
Centerin this area. Palliative Care
u Sam’s Men and Boys Clothing
• Wearemourningthelossofthreeofour
u JESPY House
We are proud to partner with the
Millburn Chamber of Commerce.
OP was honored at their Come
Together Gala in 2012.
u ShopRite
of East Brunswick
wonderful
members
who will always
be
u La Strada
Pizzeria
remembered.
u VA New Jersey
u Millburn Free Library
Health Care System
Most of
during the
u allMontclair
Arttriumphs
Museum and challenges,
Whole Foods Market
we have been able to count on yourusupport
Montclair Art Museum Art Truck, Valley National Bank,
u New Eyes For The Needy
Allstate Foundation, Downtown Millburn Development
and we humbly thank you. We couldn’t do it
Words Bookstore in Maplewood donated
proceeds from their book sales to OP.
Alliance, and Investors Foundation.
u
Sage
ElderCare
without your generosity and dedication to
our mission.
6
2
OUR OP MEMBERS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
ARE FROM SEVERAL
Executive Director Report
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
NEW JERSEY COUNTIES.
This
OpDatetois dedicated to our donors, funders
I am
so pleased
We appreciate our community partners who support us with
and community
have amazed
present
this OP-DATEpartners who
donations and in-kind services.
13%
andWe
humbled
usdoing
with their financial support,
issue.
have been
1%
2%

Barnabas
Health
many
new, exciting and
encouragement,
ideas and compassion for the
 debbyyoga (Debbie Kaminsky)
challenging
activities
to Members.
Clubhouse
and our
15%
33%
 Diabetes Foundation
1%
expand our services and
 Downtown Millburn Development Alliance (DMDA) 17%
provide
program
Nowmore
in our
21st year, our Clubhouse program
 Glenwood School Walk A Thon
choices for our members.
is continuously evolving 
andInvestors
growing.
Our
3%
Bank
In this
issue
you
will
Members are diverse, come from
a
wide
range
Millburn Short Hills Chamber Of Commerce
3%
Carol
Albanese
Carol
Albanese
seeof
photos
and read backgrounds and are accepted
socioeconomic

Neiman
Marcus
Short
Hills
Executive
Director
Executive Director
reports
from our
staff
primarily
from
central andnorthern
NewServices
Jersey.
Sodexo Food
describing our new community partnerships,

Starbucks
Membership is life-long and no Member is ever denied services due to
new technology and new programs.
 Words Bookstore
lack of financial resources.
2012 saw OP enter into a partnership with
theIn
Veterans
Jersey Health
a time Administration
where there areNew
increasing
demands on us all to seek and find
Care System to provide vocational services and
financial stability, there are obstacles, conditions and rules that affect
community integration services to returning
that possibility. Over the years, funding that was supportive of people
veterans diagnosed with brain injury. As with
brainour
injury
has been
reduced
all with
survivors,
veterans
need long
termand changed, including a transition
to a managed
care system
of funding. Yet, we persevere in our
support
after the crisis
and rehabilitation
commitment
to
our
Members.
have passed. We are honored to be given this
opportunity to give back to those who have
given
much!
Yearsoafter
year, our members and their families, as well as agencies and
13%
have told us that “there is no place like the Clubhouse”.
In professionals,
2012, we received
The DMDA Girls Night Out raised $1,000 for OP
couldthree
not year
do this without your support. WE APPRECIATE
ALL
ourWe
second
accreditation
from
CARF
THAT YOU
DO!
(the Committee on
Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities).
This certification allows
us to continue providing
Supported Employment
Services to our vocational
members and allowed us to enter into a
We are proud to partner with the
Memorandum of Understanding with the VA.
GUMBO COOK-OFF CHALLENGE
With these accomplishments, there
have been challenges:
Thanks to donations from the Glenwood School
2012 Walk A Thon – We were able to purchase
new satalight® technology for our members
• Financialchallengesduetofundingcutsfor
brain injury services and a transition to a
OP Member Yasin shares his personal Firefighter Dave Hammond, Millburn Mayor Robert
Managed Care system of funding. We are
story with our guests.
Tillotson and Millburn Fire Chief Michael Roberts.
involved in a strong committee of providers
to make our voices heard in this area.
Millburn Chamber of Commerce.
OP was honored at their Come
Together Gala in 2012.
OP Members, the Millburn Fire Department, Investors
Bank Staff and Mayor Robert Tillotson
• Wearemourningthelossofthreeofour
Over 150 guests were in attendance and a great time was had by all as Firefighter Dave
wonderful
members
who will always
Hammond
and Millburn
MayorbeRobert Tillotson challenged each other to a Gumbo
remembered.
Cook-Off. Sponsored by Investors Bank and the Millburn Fire Department. The event
$9,000
Opportunity
Projects Brain
Most raised
of all during
thefor
triumphs
and challenges,
we have been able to count on your support
and we humbly thank you. We couldn’t do it
without your generosity and dedication to
our mission.
Injury Awareness Month Campaign.
Words Bookstore in Maplewood donated proceeds from their book sales to OP.
7
2
NON PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
UNION NJ
PERMIT NO. 419.
60 East WilloW strEEt
Millburn, nEW JErsEy 07041
DID YOU KNOW?
UPCOMING EVENTS
An estimated 5.3 million Americans – a little more than 2 percent of the U.S. population –
currently live with disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Free Information Series
On an annual basis in the U.S. 1.7 million people will sustainfor
a TBICaregivers
and 52,000 will die
a result of TBI.
& asGuardians
Every 21 seconds, one person in the U.S. sustains a TBI.
Falls are the leading cause of brain injury, followed by motor-vehicle
traffic crashes,
and assaults.
Join us for informative
presentations
to address issues faced by
caregivers
guardians
of adults
Children aged 0 to 4 years, older adolescents aged 15-19 years,
and and
adults
aged 65
yearsaffected
and by brain injuries.
Sponsored by
older are most likely to sustain a TBI.
Opportunity Project and Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, P.C.
9,000 children and adults in New Jersey are hospitalized each year because of
brain
injury.
6:30
to 8:30
PM
at
Exposures to blasts are a leading cause of TBI among active duty military personnel in war zones.
60 East Willow St., Millburn, NJ 07041
Veteran’s advocates believe that between 10 % and 20% of Iraq Veterans, or 150,000 and
09/30/15 Guardianship for Adults with Disabilities
300,000 service members have some level of TBI.
September 28, 2015
Brooklake Country Club
Florham Park, New Jersey
10/14/15 Accessing Appropriate Adult Services
Homes:
Creative
Optionsfor
for
Thanks to
your is
generous
and to
ongoing
support, Opportunity04/13/16
Project isBeyond
able toGroup
provide
crucial
programs
There
still time
register.
Housing
and
Residential
Supports
brain injury survivors. In 2014 we will celebrate our 20th anniversary and look forward to celebrating with you.
05/11/16 Medicaid, SSI and other Important Entitlements
StayFor
up more
to date
with Opportunity
on Facebook and on
Twitter @Oppproj for the latest news and updates.
information,
contact Project
Kerri Levine
06/08/16 Maximizing Services through NJ Self Directed
Services Program
at 973.467.4300 ext. 3113
or e-mail: [email protected]
SPACE IS LIMITED: Please RSVP to Melissa Wish at
[email protected] or call 973.921.1000 ext. 108