Page 7 - Success Story Newsletter 2019 E3

A Day in the Community: A Royal Experience

They say that life is composed of a series of special moments and
memories, so we try to enrich the lives of our program participants
by helping them have more of them!

Our Sayreville location is one of nine day programs across the state
serving hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. This summer we shared a new experience with our
program participants when we were specially invited to the
Make-a-Wish Castle in
Monroe, NJ. The Sayreville
staff consisting of Elizabeth
Ciancia, Andrea O'Brian, and
Quetcy Sosa, entered the
mesmerizing new world castle
with 15 of our participants. We
were immediately welcomed
with great warmth and taken
into the grand castle to admire its elements of beauty. The participants
were in awe. A special highlight of the trip was the “wish room” where

we learned that “no wish or dream is far from reach.” Everyone
left with that message embedded in our minds and feelings of hope and
happiness. It was an experience they still talk about today!

“The Castle staff shared their motto with us to “transform lives, one wish at a time.” This is what I feel
we do every day with our program participants as well. I come to work every day and try to make it the best day
of their lives.”

Elizabeth Ciancia, Direct Support Professional | Sayreville

Artistic Expression

Our Sayreville group recently participated with the locals at
Carteret Park to design a collaborative wing mural. Everyone had
a chance to contribute and demonstrate their skills in painting,
coloring, and cutting up pieces for our project. This mural will
be displayed in a location for all to see. This type of community
involvement is exactly what we at Easterseals represent; enriching
people’s lives with opportunities to live, learn, work, and play
within the community.

- Natalie Alexander, Senior Direct Support Professional | Sayreville