Monthly Archives: January 2023

Thanksgiving at Nutley Family Service Bureau

Ever wonder what Thanksgiving for 200 would look like? Look no further than Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB).

Each year, NFSB gives away gift baskets filled with food for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. This is a benefit of clients who are enrolled in their pantry services.

This year, NFSB plans to provide traditional meals to more than 200 individuals. The baskets will include items like turkey, stuffing, potato mix, and more.

Here’s what Pantry Assistant Manager Joan Roake said of the experience:

“Nothing is more gratifying or exciting than being a Pantry volunteer leading up to Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. We can always use more hands, even after hours for people who are unavailable during the day. It’s a great way to see the difference we make in the community.”

Whether you volunteer in a pantry, kitchen, or agency office, you can use your skills for the greater good all year round. Have you ever volunteered during the Thanksgiving season? Share your experience below!

Individual Education Program/Plan (IEP) helps a child with his learning and development.

When a caring teacher advocates for the kids in her classroom, change occurs.

Noticing that 4-year-old Kyle was wandering off during large or small group activities and struggling with directives, Newark Day Center teacher, Ms. Osborne, made observations and took notes on Kyle’s behaviors. Soon after, she brought her concerns to the family workers, social worker, and eventually the parents, who were encouraged to speak with the child study team of Newark Public School. These pros set Kyle on a new path–one that includes an IEP.

An IEP, Individual Education Program/Plan, is a written plan that describes the programs and special services a student is required to follow in order to be successful. Kyle’s IEP recommended that he receive educational, speech, and occupational therapy assessments and an autism consultation.

These accommodations were implemented and, after time, Ms. Osborne reports that Kyle was improving more every day and beginning to communicate and interact more. In all, the IEP process was a success as it helped Kyle and his family prepare for grade school.

Hats off to the staff of Newark Day Center who were able to help get Kyle on track with his learning and child development.🙌

Mental health has now reached crisis mode

Unfortunately, it seems that it took a global pandemic for people to start seeing mental health as equal to physical health.

Carolyn Beauchamp, president, and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey says, “Until the pandemic, people saw mental health and physical health separately. I think that’s shifting because of COVID-19. People are much more aware of depression and anxiety.”

And yet, the resources are inadequate. Just to name a couple of concerns:

  • The system of care is limited with too few centers and clinics.
  • Society at large is lacking an understanding of what it means to have a mental health problem.
  • New Jersey is ill-equipped to help those seeking counseling or psychiatric help, with extended wait times and limited resources.
  • The number of trained individuals in the field of mental health is not on par with the demand.

Although mental health has been a concern for decades, it has now reached crisis mode. It has impacted enough of our everyday institutions that it can’t be ignored. Says Beauchamp:

“The [mental health] crisis has gone on for more than two years and it’s not going to go away. It hits every aspect of our society, from school, to work, to all kinds of things. I think the opportunity is now and I think the chance of making change is now.”

Will you be a part of the change?

You can leave a legacy in New Jersey and help to make an impact on the ongoing mental health crisis when you donate to the Holiday Fund.

Learn more when you visit holidayfund.org.