Our Mission
The mission of STRIVE is to build and promote access to a wide platform of support services for individuals across a diverse spectrum of abilities, specialized needs and communities.
ADULT DAY PROGRAM
Ages 21 and older
Our Day Program
STRIVE is a structured skill development day habilitation program for adults ages 21 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities.STRIVE (Self-sufficiency, Tolerance, Responsibility, Independence, Values and Equality) is a member-centered program that honors personal development and choice by fostering independence, developing social and life skills, and strengthening community inclusion.
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Transportation
We provide daily pick up and drop off to our members within a pre-determined radius from the STRIVE day program location.
AFTER SCHOOL RESPITE
Children, teenagers and adults under the age of 21
Our Respite Program
STRIVE After School Respite is for children, teenagers and adults under the age of 21. We provide a range of activities including arts and crafts, games, puzzles and outside play, all while encouraging social interactions with peers. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring a weekly supply of snacks for their child, teenager or young adult.
Hours
Monday – Friday
2:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Transportation: We do not provide transportation to and from the program. However, we will work with families to help secure transportation through their sending districts.
Life Skills. Community Experiences. Enriching Activities.
STRIVE emphasizes participation in community-based activities providing the men and women we serve with new opportunities to explore and expand their horizons. Our activities are geared toward exploring health and wellness, outdoor adventures, volunteering at local establishments, going to restaurants and completing errands in the community. All activities encourage new interests and help build socialization and living skills.
When the members of STRIVE are not out in the community, they are enjoying a variety of on-site activities. Activities such as arts and crafts, music, technology lessons and exercise classes promote stress reduction, enhance expression and expand the individual’s palette of interests.
When the members of STRIVE are not out in the community, they are enjoying a variety of on-site activities. Activities such as arts and crafts, music, technology lessons and exercise classes promote stress reduction, enhance expression and expand the individual’s palette of interests.
STRIVE is equipped with an open, sunny remodeled space that allows for a full range of exciting opportunities.
The multi-sensory room allows our members to explore and develop their senses and skills in a safe and pleasant environment. The multi-sensory room is designed to stimulate the senses of sight, hearing and touch and serve as a space where our members can relax and relieve stress and anxiety. It also helps members hone their coping and self-regulation skills, increase awareness and encourage positive behaviors.
The Social Café operates as both a dining area for members and a reception area for STRIVE events. After a morning out in the community, members enjoy their lunch and the company of fellow members at The Social Café. The café also serves as an opportunity to learn important life skills such as proper table manners and socialization skills.
In the studio, members have access to creative arts experiences designed especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have opportunities to use art and music as a tool for self-expression, enjoy the creations of others and learn about the art/music making process. After visiting art galleries, museums and concerts, the Creative Connections room is a wonderful area where members can explore their newly sparked creativity by making creations of their own.
The movement studio is fully equipped with a professional sound system, mirrored walls and mounted ballet barres. The members enjoy movement activities, including dance, yoga, Zumba and other exercise classes in this state-of-the-art studio.
STRIVE’s fully-equipped commercial grade kitchen is used regularly by members to learn basic life skills in meal preparation. Members regularly prepare their own meals and on special occasions, display their newly acquired culinary skills by creating sumptuous buffets for family and friends.
After-School Respite FAQs
Call the Perform Care hotline at 1-877-652-7624 and complete a family support services (FSS) application, indicating your child is in need of after-school respite. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once you complete the application, please inform Children’s Aid and Family Services to begin the intake process.
Absolutely. The rate for after-school respite is $25 per hour or $6.25 per 15 minutes.
The members of our after-school respite program have a wide variety of choices in activities. Our bright, sunny space is equipped with a sensory room, game room filled with a variety of puzzles and other stimulating activities, a “toy library” containing hundreds of books and toys for our younger members to explore, a creative connections space dedicated to art & music, a beautiful and fenced-in onsite playground, and a studio to encourage movement, yoga, and Zumba! Our after-school respite aides are trained to encourage and promote social and life skills, to ensure learning and skill building is continued throughout the day.
No, we do not provide transportation to and from the program. However, we will work with families to help secure transportation through their sending districts.
After-school respite operates Monday-Friday, from 2:45-6:30 p.m. Please note: If your child does not attend school due to a holiday, school break, or other reason, we cannot provide after-school respite.
No, we do not administer medication. However, all of our after-school respite aides are CPR and first-aid certified and trained to respond to medical emergencies.
YES! For in-home respite or other support requests, please contact Kristine Vidaillet at kvidaillet@cafsnj.org OR at 201-740-7007. Currently, we provide Agency Hired Respite (in-home respite), Summer Camp 1:1 Aides and Individual Support Services (teaching daily living skills in-home) through Perform Care. Please note: you will need to contact Perform Care (1-877-652-7624) to start the application process and possibly be assigned to a Care Management Organization (CMO) before accessing or receiving these supports.
We provide Summer Camp 1:1 Aides through Perform Care. Please contact Kristine Vidaillet at kvidaillet@cafsnj.org OR at 201-740-7007.