August 2024 News from Eiros Group
"Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance, and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun."
Quote by Kent Nerburn
Eiros Group Family Picnic 9/15!
If you're a part of the Eiros Group Family, be sure to R.S.V.P. by Sept. 1st and join us at the Turtle Back Zoo for our Annual Picnic!! If you haven't received your RSVP,
please contact Sheldon asap! We would love to have you join us!
Don't forget to RSVP by Sept.1st!
Direct Support Professionals Support Group
We began our Direct Support Professionals Support Group meeting last month, and it was a great start to what we hope will become a regular source of sharing ideas, solutions and forward momentum!
Our next online DSP Support Group meeting will be on the 19th of August between 1 and 3pm.
If you are at all interested in participating, please reach out to me and I will make sure you are added to the invite list.
Please remember that you will be paid for your participation. I will be sending out a notice this week with the Zoom details to anyone who has expressed interest. You can reach me at
sheldons@eiros-group.com or via text or voice at 269-330-2305
I am looking forward to connecting with more of you this month!
CoG Online Training Sessions
Culture of Gentleness Trainings continue...
This is a required training for Eiros Group employees, and must be complete by Jan. 2025.
Culture of Gentleness Training Sessions:
Friday, August 23 & 30 from 9am-1pm
Thursday, September 12 & 25 from 12pm-4 pm
Wednesday, October 16 & 23 from 5pm-8pm
Saturday, November 9 & 16 from 9am-1pm
Monday, December 9 & 16 from 12pm-4pm
Tuesday, January 14 & 21 from 5pm-8pm
**IMPORTANT** If you have already attended this course, please submit completion information to Sheldon at sheldons@eiros-group.com, or if you have any other questions or concerns.
Nicholas Finds His Own Community!
by Tori Betrix, Support Broker
When I first met Nicholas, he was so excited about finding a new place to live and exploring activities both in the community and virtually. We began by doing some community mapping to identify potential options for some social clubs, and some apartments!
Fortunately, we quickly found a place that seemed to offer the perfect balance of social opportunities and a new environment where Nicholas could truly thrive. The process moved along swiftly, and in just under two months, Nicholas was all settled in!
It’s been a fantastic journey, and I’m thrilled to see him so excited about his new home and the opportunities it brings.
Nicholas shared, “I never thought I would move into an apartment so fast. I thought it was going to take a while, but I moved in pretty quickly. I am pretty happy I moved into my own place and have my own freedom. I have my own bathroom that I don’t have to share with anyone, and I get to try all the different foods I want, and stay up late sometimes."
Nicholas goes on to say, "I’ve been going to some social clubs, and they have really nice people there. We do fun activities, we draw, and we each get to come up with our own ideas! My idea is to make light sabers from Star Wars! I have met some nice people at the apartment too. I have people who come and see me, and help me out when I need it and I really enjoy hanging out with them. They help me with groceries, chores, making dinner and different stuff like that. I like hanging out with them because we go to the movies and stuff sometimes! I am going to try and get a job at the local AMC when the fall starts or maybe the coffee place!”
We are so excited we could help Nicholas find his own place, and that he is settling in to his community and enjoying it!
Eiros Group
Anniversaries & Birthdays!
This month, we are celebrating a lot of birthdays and anniversaries!
We want to wish Happy Birthday to Lindsay B., Roslyn D., Jenifer J., Melvorn K., Heidi K., Brice M., Kristen M., Andre O., Justin V., Corey W., and Kayla Z.!
We also want to wish Happy Eiros Group Anniversaries to Manuel M., Debra S., Liliana C., Jean Marie H., Hyacinth L., Keyonia B., Pam K., Don W., Michele H., and Olivia M., Katie B., Shamia G., Jennifer K. Codie K., Willie W., Jeremy A., David P., Yosef P., Brice M., and Gregory K.!! Thank you for being a part of our amazing group!!
Personality, Upbringing, Life Story and Culture
Who We Are is Rooted in Our Personality, Upbringing, Life Story, and Culture; Our Roots Influence our Past, Present, and Foreshadow our Future Moral Development – the following are a few words of wisdom, as shared by John:
Our relationship with others, our connectedness with others, is what determines the possibility of healing a broken heart; starting out with facilitating the individual’s capacity to feel safe and loved with us and a circle of friends. We have to see “behaviors” as relationship-driven rather than consequence-driven. By helping to create new memories, the person’s violence, isolation, confusion, or even psychosis slowly begin to heal and new memories emerge.
Sometimes the fear and even generalized hatred in a person is so deep that caregivers have to start with just a series of encounters throughout the day entering the very edge of the person’s space and then leaving after a few seconds—teaching the person that we do not wish to be burdensome, in a sense asking the person or letting him/her know that we are not going to demand much of anything, just our momentary presence, and then we will disappear. These moments start with just our physical presence followed by a quick goodbye and then a return a few minutes later. Each return lasts longer and longer. Then a moment comes in which the person is waiting for us and wanting our nearness. We make sure that our mere presence is not seen as a demand. This then extends into longer periods of time until the person learns that our mere presence is good.
The main point of this process is that we enter the person’s space on his/her terms rather than yanking the individual into our space. We realize that the central aspect of all learning is this acceptance and, indeed, longing for human contact. From these early fleeting contacts the process evolves into connectedness.
John McGee
“Mending Broken Hearts: Companionship and Community”
Joining several Police Departments across the State, Medford Township announces they are now a participant in the Blue Envelope Program
The Medford Township Police Department is announcing a new program to assist people with Autism Spectrum Disorder during traffic stops while encountering police officers. It is called the Blue Envelope Program. Those who would benefit from this Program would place a copy of their driver's license, vehicle registration, current insurance card, and a list emergency contacts in the envelope. The program helps a driver on the Autism Spectrum to minimize verbal contact with the officer in a time that might become overwhelming for them due to the police vehicle’s emergency lights, uniform, flashlights, or simple on-scene questioning. The driver can simply provide the envelope to the police officer when their diving documents are requested. There are directions to help guide both the driver and the police officer during this encounter. Directions such as, keep your hands on the steering wheel until otherwise directed and to let the officer know you have a Blue Envelope. It also gives an option for the driver to mark off if they are verbal or non-verbal. The directions for the police officer include, the driver may exhibit signs of anxiety due to bright lights and noises, they may display repetitive body movements or fidgeting and may have unusual eye contact, to speak clearly and allow the driver extra time to response, and if the driver becomes upset consider contacting the emergency contact contained in the Blue Envelope.
If you or someone you care for would benefit from the Blue Envelope Program, please stop by the Medford Township Police Department located at 91 Union Street Medford, NJ 08055 and obtain an envelope which is displayed in front of the Police Services window inside our departments lobby or contact us at (609) 267-8300 and we can arrange to have an officer drop one off to you.
We are growing! We have a number of open positions throughout New Jersey. Want to learn more? Click here and apply today!
Are you, or someone you know looking for either a way to bring more meaning to their career, or a to join a growing and dynamic group of caring professionals? Then you will want to visit our Work With Us page on our website! It is updated regularly, and because we are growing, we have a number of open open positions throughout New Jersey!. Want to learn more? Click here and apply today!
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2024 NJ Self-Direction Conference
The NJ Self-Direction Conference is designed to educate, promote and highlight self-advocacy.
This year's theme of Back to the Future will showcase the lessons of self-direction's past and strategies to enhance self-direction for future generations.
Location - The College of New Jersey, Brower Student Center, Ewing (in-person)
Day One - Thursday, October 31st, 2024; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Social and Networking Event
Day Two - Friday, November 1st, 2024; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Conference and Workshops
Visit www.TheCollaborativeNJ.org for more information.
Social Security Announces Upcoming Changes to Accessing Online Services
Agency Transitioning Authentication Services to Login.gov
The Social Security Administration announced that customers who created an online account (e.g., mySocial Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services. Over five million of these account holders have already transitioned to Login.gov.
The agency is making the changes to simplify the sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services.
“my Social Security is a safe and secure way for people to do business with us,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We’re excited to transition to Login.gov to access our online services, streamlining the process and ease of use for the public across agencies.”
Account holders are encouraged to sign-in now. When the user logs in, they will be presented with an option to easily transition to Login.gov. Once their account is successfully linked, a confirmation screen will appear, and they will have immediate access to their personal my Social Security services or other service that they were attempting to access.
Summer Vacation Fun!
By Kryzie Lewis
Family Vacations are usually something that are planned well in advance but for my family it has become a thing of spontaneity. In recent years as the kids age and less oversight is needed, we have found the joy in a last-minute road trip. The first time my husband and I decided to try this we told the kids to “pack a bag for a week we leave at midnight”! Part of the excitement of traveling like this is to see all the things along the way to our destination.
When we have no clear plan, it is easy to stop and sightsee, veer ff the chosen route to check out a museum or historical place or try cuisine the kids have seen online. The time we spend together in close quarters proves to be the most valuable. The conversation ebbs and flows like the backseat naps and there is definitely no shortage of road snacks! Since, we started taking these road trips we have been many places and seen many things, the kids have been able to experience things outside their daily lives and learn more about the beautiful world we live in.
The No Limits Cafe Training is currently accepting applications for our 2024 10-week paid training programs to help additional adults with intellectual disabilities find meaningful employment and lead productive, successful lives.Thank you for helping us to continue to change the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities.
The desired goal is to place all of our trainees in jobs, collaborating with employers to ensure success. Learn more and apply here
Upcoming events throughout NJ
Below are upcoming fun things to do throughout New Jersey! If you are hosting a similar type of event, and would like it included in our newsletter, please send to info@Eiros-Group.com
*Please allow 2 weeks or more advance notice. Thanks!
NORTH JERSEY:
Stony Hill Farms Sunflower Festival
August 8-13, 19-20, 26-27: 10am-4pm
August 12: 12pm-9pm
August 16: 6pm-10p
August 16: 6pm-9:30p
Non-Profit Day
August 17: 12pm-3pm
Fiesta in America
August 17-18: 10am
4-H & Agricultural Fair
August 21-25
Sussex County Fairgrounds
August 24: 12pm-5pm
NJ DDD Self-Direction Family Networking Sessions
August 27: 1pm-3pm
Fall Flower Festival and Craft Fair
August 31 and September 1: 9am-5pm
Princeton Airport Tours
Every Tuesday until August 27: 10:30am-11:15am
Live Music and Happy Hour at the Boathouse
August 29: 5pm-8:30pm
Movies on the Beach
August 13, 20, 27: 8:30pm-10:30pm
Summer Market at Princeton Shopping Center
August 18: 11am-4pm
African Diaspora Arts Festival
August 19: 12pm-7pm
Jazz and Blues Festival
August 24: 1pm-9:30pm
NJ Clearwater Festival in Asbury Park
August 21-September 1
Womanspace & Partners Community Appreciation Day
August 31: 12pm-4pm
Autism Beach Bash
September 8
Access for Reel- Fishing without Barriers
September 21: 1pm-7pm
SOUTH NEW JERSEY:
Atlantic City Air Show
August 13 and 14
Summer of Love Music Fest
August 24: 2pm-10pm
Heart of Surfing
August 24: 9am-12pm
Hammonton Puerto Rican Festival
August 25
Airfest
August 29-September 1: 10am-4pm
Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival
August 30-September 1
Wildwoods Food and Music Festival
September 7
WEBINARS:
Access Nature Forum
August 13: 1pm
Behavior Constellations- An Approach to Behavioral Presentation of Medical Issues
August 14: 6pm
If you are hosting a similar type of event, and would like it included in our newsletter, please send to info@Eiros-Group.com
*Please allow 2 weeks or more advance notice. Thanks! Please note, we are relaying information found on other websites or through other organizations, and doing so as a service. Please confirm event details and information directly.
Labor Day Weekend Events:
NORTH:
August 31: 1:30pm-4pm
August 30-September 2
September 1: 10:30am
Riverdales 100th Anniversary Celebration
September 2: 10am-5pm
September 2: 10am
CENTRAL:
Annual South Plainfield Labor Day Parade and Fireworks
September 2: 10am
Spring Lake Labor Day Celebration
September 2: 10am-5pm
SOUTH:
Wildwood Fireworks on the Beach
August 30: 10pm
September 2: 8:30pm
Free events in New Jersey:
Sayen Botantical Gardens
155 Hughes Drive Hamilton Township
Princeton University Art. Museum
Elm Drive Princeton
Tuesday-Sunday
Howell Living History Farm
70 Wooden Lane Hopewell Township
Drumthwacket
354 Stockton Street Princeton
Reservation can be made for free guided tours.
Mercer County Library- Museum Passes
New Jersey State Museum
205 W. State Street Trenton
Admission free- fee for planetarium
Art and Coffee Break
Second Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm
Annex Gallery-Historic Smithville
803 Smithville Road Eastampton
Cape May Zoo and park
707 Route 9 N. Cape May
Free- donation’s accepted
Heritage Glass Museum
25 E. High Street Glassboro
The Center for Contemporary Art
202 Burnt Mills Road Bedminster Township
Admission free- suggested $5 donation, fee for classes
Twin Lights Historic Site
2 Light House Road Highlands
The All-Star Sports Museum
8 Burt Street Bridgeton
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
474 Upper Mountain Ave Montclair
Empty Sky, 9/11 Memorial
Liberty State Park
1 Audrey Zapp Drive Jersey City
