CAU has successfully completed a groundbreaking investment partnership that integrated the government, business, and nonprofit communities to create safe and affordable housing for Union County residents in need.
CAU, which provides a range of support services for people with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth in Union County, embarked on a capital campaign in 1986 to develop affordable housing for its members, or clients. By 1988 the organization had begun to acquire property, and Executive Director Sidney Blanchard sought to expand CAU’s purchasing power through a new federal low-income housing tax credit program. "Under the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act, enacted in 1986, the federal government provides tax credits for banks or syndicates, in exchange for which they put up money to create affordable housing," according to Joe Guggenheim, housing consultant and author of Simon Publications’ Tax Credits for Low-Income Housing, of Bethesda, Md.
CAU was one of the first nonprofits to pursue the program and form a limited partnership (with CAU as general partner) with the then-Summit Bank, which is now owned by Bank of America. The partnership consisted of eight low-income housing tax credit projects and in July of this year CAU "successfully concluded the relationship with our limited partner-and ahead of schedule," said Blanchard. Such a buyout is standard procedure in Community Reinvestment Act partnerships.
The funds provided by the arrangement financed over 50 housing units, condominiums and apartments in multifamily homes throughout Union County. Significantly, the units remain in operation providing sorely needed housing nearly 20 years later. "Probably over 100 families have found safe affordable housing through these initiatives," says Blanchard. "People have safe housing and they are continuing to live there."
Guggenheim calls the CAU-Summit partnership "a milestone in a unique project. They have taken a difficult program and made it successful for providing housing for people who need intensive services. It is a striking success for the national program." Whereas most low-income tax credit housing projects consist of dozens of units, CAU is one of only a few nonprofit organizations to use the program to create housing on a small scale for people who are also receiving other intensive services. Other nonprofits and community redevelopers could take note, says Guggenheim, since Congress has recently increased the amount of money appropriated for the Community Reinvestment Act.
Bank of America recognizes the CAU-Summit venture as uniquely successful as well. "As a leader in community development, Bank of America understands that creating sustainable affordable housing for people with special needs takes innovation, flexibility and strong partnerships," said Brian Tracey, Community Development Banking Executive, Atlantic Region. "Knowing CAU’s 15 years of success in developing and managing housing and services, we were proud to further leverage its work through a combination of financing and contribution."
A Celebration of Life service for Bill Hubelmeyer, an Elizabeth resident with developmental disabilities who died in 2002, drew approximately 100 people to the First Baptist Church of Cranford/Elizabeth on Union Ave Sunday. Mr. Hubelmeyer lived in Elizabeth with the support of Community Access Unlimited (CAU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities live productive and independent lives. He was devoted to the First Baptist Church where he "never missed a Sunday," ushered, and assisted in the Sunday School. At the service, church members and CAU members became one congregation to honor a man who had deeply touched their lives.
During the service CAU shared with the church and its former pastor a gift from the Hubelmeyer family trust, CAU Executive Director Sidney Blanchard read a resolution by the NJ Legislature honoring Mr. Hubelmeyer’s, and the church membership dedicated a plaque in his honor.
Mr. Blanchard presented Rev. Diana Brown, First Baptist’s current pastor and Rev. J. Wesley Shipp, Mr. Hubelmeyer’s pastor, with donations to support their work. He noted that while the Hubelmeyer family had given the trust to CAU, "what Bill was really about was this church. We wanted to all get together as a community and share the trust with the church and Rev. Shipp. Today is, in part, a recognition and celebration of understanding and community."
Mr. Blanchard also read a resolution introduced by state Senator Raymond Lesniak, who knew Mr. Hubelmeyer. It read in part, "the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly join the church and CAU in honoring the memory of Bill Hubelmeyer...a highly esteemed resident of the Garden State...and a citizen of outstanding character."
Mr. Blanchard told the congregation that he helped move Mr. Hubelmeyer from the Woodbine Developmental Center back to the Elizabeth community in 1985, where he lived first in a supervised apartment, then on his own with two roommates. Mr. Hubelmeyer worked two jobs, voted, paid taxes, attended church, and "lived the American Dream," Mr. Blanchard said.
Rev. J. Wesley Shipp, now pastor at First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, was pastor in the late 80s when Mr. Hubelmeyer joined the Elizabeth church. "The church just loved him," Rev. Shipp said. "He was such a bright light-innocent and straightforward and always positive. He would come to church and announce he had a new job and the church would applaud." Always eager to help, Mr. Hubelmeyer kept the pastor’s water glass on the pulpit filled. "He was always there and wanted to do whatever we would ask him to do," said Shipp. He also had a talent for making church members feel loved. "He treated everybody like they were special," said Rev. Shipp. "Bill never saw a stranger. He didn’t care what color you were, or what accent you had, or how much money or education. You were just you and Bill was just Bill."
The church membership dedicated a plaque that will hang in the church in memory of Mr. Hubelmeyer, "whose kind and gentle spirit will live with us in our church." Barnard Judd, of Plainfield, who played his saxophone during the service, was one of several church members who spoke. He remembered that Mr. Hubelmeyer had supported his early efforts at playing the saxophone in church. "Bill would record my playing. And he would tell me, 'keep doing it. You sound good.'"
Many CAU members attended the service and recalled Mr. Hubelmeyer. The Rev. Aleyah Lacey, a support counselor at CAU, called Mr. Hubelmeyer the kind of man who leaves "footprints in your heart." She said, "Bill’s membership at The First Baptist Church enabled him to proudly walk the streets in Elizabeth knowing that he was connected to the community. During his final years at Cranford Health and Extended Care Nursing Home, the visits from the ministers and congregation of his church were highlights. He always said, 'they didn’t forget me.'"
Since 1979 Community Access Unlimited has provided services, including housing, employment, educational, and recreational programs for over 7,000 people with developmental disabilities. In 1985 the organization added a youth services component for at-risk youth. Its mission is to provide community access through effective and comprehensive support services for its members, giving them the opportunity to lead normal and productive lives as citizens integrated into the community.
When three adults with developmental disabilities formed their own company a year ago to educate social service professionals about how to deal with clients more effectively, they decided to call it Jump Start. Adelaide Daskam, one of the group’s founders, along with Sid Katz and Samuel Jenkins, says, "We were brainstorming about what names we wanted and Jump Start seemed to be the right one-we are always jumping to do something." All three are members of Community Access Unlimited, a nonprofit organization that supports people with developmental disabilities and houses and sponsors Jump Start at 80 W. Grand Street. Daskam, Katz, and Jenkins have long been advocates for people with developmental disabilities. But with Jump Start they are taking their show on the road.
Jump Start presents at national, regional and local conferences. Last December it was Boston, for the Arc national conference; in March it was Arizona for the American Network of Community Options and Resources conference; and they are just back from presenting on leadership and relationships at the NJ Alliance for Full Participation Conference in Washington, D.C. In November, Mark Straka, Jeff Relles, Sidney Katz, and Myrta Rose will head, with the Helping Hands officer, to the N.J. Association of Community Providers Conference in Atlantic City to present "Don’t Let Your Disabilities Control You."
Bernadette Adams, Director of Advocacy programs at CAU, says of the Jump Start team, "CAU sponsors Jump Start, but members have total control of everything. They have a board, hold weekly meetings and make decisions." They deliver workshops with titles such as "Labels are for Soup Cans." Daskam says that this workshop aims to help professionals "understand where people come from and how to talk to them in the right way."
Jump Start also includes 15 consultants, CAU members who develop their own workshops, to help other people with developmental disabilities address specific issues. Steven Agolia is a Jump Start consultant who presented a workshop entitled "How to Deal With Everyday Challenges" to 250 people in Philadelphia. He says, "I try to get as many people involved as possible. I give them my ideas and I get feedback. It’s good all the way around."
Daskam, who has been a CAU member for 26 years, says Jump Start has taught her how to work with people in the public. She says she enjoys the traveling and that the hardest challenge is facilitating communication among Jump Start staff. "We need to make sure people have things to do and have meetings," she says. She also points out that Jump Start puts on educational workshops for corporations or community groups for a fee. For more information on Jump Start or to inquire about workshops, please call 908-354-3040.
Union Center National Bank and Community Access Unlimited (CAU) marked a milestone in their partnership when CAU paid off a $1.5 million low-interest mortgage issued by the bank in 1993 to finance housing throughout Union County for people with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth.
The 15-year mortgage enabled CAU, an Elizabeth-based social service agency that supports individuals with disabilities and youth emerging from the foster care system with a range of services, to refinance 25 housing units in Elizabeth, Linden, Hillside, Plainfield, and Roselle.
More than 60 people--adults with developmental disabilities or youth "aging out" of the state foster care system--have utilized housing supported by the Union Center mortgage. According to CAU Executive Director Sidney Blanchard, "This mortgage is the end of a specific business relationship that has enhanced the lives of many people by providing them with safe and affordable housing. Union Center National Bank is a well-established local bank known for its responsible work with the community, and its relationship with CAU epitomizes that work."
The transaction reflects the bank’s commitment to meeting the needs in the communities it serves. Union Center President and Chief Executive Officer John J. Davis said, "The bank is always supportive of anything for the betterment of community, and we offered a preferential rate on the mortgage."
According to Blanchard, the mortgage was "only the beginning of an ongoing, mutually beneficial working relationship between CAU and the bank that has lasted through the years." Davis notes, "We have been involved with Community Access since its beginnings and will continue to be. They provide a tremendous service to the community."
Community Access Unlimited’s Humanitarian of the Year Award honors a person who has had ongoing support and influence throughout the state of New Jersey on behalf of people with disabilities and at-risk youth. It is one of the top honors CAU can bestow.
Ann Baran is Senior Vice President/External Affairs & Hospital Services at Trinitas Hospital, a post she has held since January 2000. In her role at Trinitas, Ms. Baran supervises Government Relations, Community Outreach, Marketing, Planning, Public Relations, Construction, Real Estate, Materials Management, Environmental Services, Food Service, Facilities Management, and Information Technology.
Ann also sits on the Board of Trustees of Community Access Unlimited, Inc. She has volunteered many hours on behalf of people with disabilities and at-risk youth. Ann was instrumental in shaping the Board and its decision-making as the Agency solidified its vision and mission. Ann was instrumental in establishing a linkage with Community Access and the individuals that support the mission as well as the individuals served by the Agency.
Ann’s influence is far reaching. She serves on a number of civic, non-profit and business boards on a local and statewide basis. She is a Board member of the United Way of Greater Union County, Leadership New Jersey, the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and the Union County Alliance. She has received numerous awards and citations from various national, state, county and local professional organizations and community-based groups. Most recently, Ann received the first to be presented United Way of Greater Union County Dolores "Dell" Raudelunas Spirit of Caring Award.
Prior to working at Trinitas Hospital, Ann was Director of Operations at the Gateway Institute for Regional Development at Kean University from 1997 to 1999. From 1985 to 1997 she worked for the Union County government serving as County Manager for approximately 9 of those years. Prior to this she held several high-level administrative positions within the State of New Jersey's Department of Human Services.
Ann received a BS and MS degree in Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and an MA in Public Administration from Rider University. She resides with her husband in Milltown, New Jersey. Ann has two wonderful children that make her proud.
Each year Community Access Unlimited presents an award for outstanding support and advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and youth aging out of foster care. This year, CAU is proud to honor all the members of Community Access.
Community Access members with disabilities are actively involved in advocating on their own behalf. They have conducted leadership trainings for self-advocates and professional workshops at countless local, state and national conferences. They have also networked with political and civil rights leaders across the nation and have testified before various legislative committees.
Members have formed the Helping Hands Self-Advocacy Group. The Helping Hand Self Advocacy Group began in 1984. Advocates are involved in legislative updates, letter writing campaigns, accessibility & voting campaigns, "Meet Your Candidates" events and more. They attend leadership trainings, state and national conferences and have conducted many professional workshops. Helping Hands is one of the oldest and strongest self-advocacy groups in the state of New Jersey.
Advocates also plan and implement an Annual Members' Day. Members Day is an all day event dedicated to educating and celebrating members in the programs supporting people with disabilities. Members Day is always planned by the members, for the members. It includes workshops and trainings that have been identified by the members.
Their newest venture is Jump Start. Jump Start was incorporated in 2003 as a limited liability corporation. It is owned and operated by members. The mission of Jump Start is to keep self-advocates, service providers and the community at-large well versed in the needs, desires and civil rights of people with disabilities. Jump Start offers consultation services for the development of self-advocacy groups, provides sensitivity training to service providers, and outreach to the community regarding the rights and quality of life needs of people with disabilities. Some of the trainings that Jump Start offers are People First, Labels Second; Person Centered Planning; What is Self-Advocacy?; Married with Children; Couples and Relationships and We Have Different Abilities, Not Disabilities.
The youth at Community Access are also active in advocacy efforts. Several members are active with the Division of Youth and Family Services Youth Advisory Board and with the Union County Child Welfare Reform Council. Active participation with these community-based organizations ensures that the voices of our youth are heard in Union County and New Jersey.
Several youth at Community Access are also active in the youth organized Member Action Committee. The Member Action Committee is a group of youth who take part in structuring program policies and procedures, advocate for improving their neighborhoods and the Elizabeth educational system, and train staff on how best to work with them. For example, in the Elizabeth school system, students are not permitted to take textbooks home with them. CAU youth advocated for and achieved buying books that could be kept at their residences. They also wrote letters advocating for more policing of their neighborhood to reduce the crime rate.
We salute the members of Community Access Unlimited for their leadership in advocacy. The mission and vision of CAU would not be achieved without the years of advocacy and leadership provided by countless members of CAU.
The recipient of the Geller Award exemplifies a person has made considerable commitment in their relationship with Community Access Unlimited (CAU) including their scope of volunteer activity; has made a notable impact by significantly strengthening his/her association with CAU programs and its members; takes the initiative; and best reflects the universal concept of Volunteerism in its truest meaning to serve as an inspiration to others. This year, CAU is honored to award the Geller Award to Daniel Herzog.
Dan is a steadfast ally of Community Access. He is one of the founding members of the Colleen Fraser Committee. Colleen Fraser was President of The the Board of Community Access Unlimited when she was killed in the 2001 during the terrorist attacks. Dan unselfishly donated both time and money to establishing the Colleen Fraser Award Memorial Fund. He has been a staunch supporter of the Award Selection Committee and a financial contributor to the fund ever since it was established.
Dan has not only been active in supporting CAU, but has also strived to help people with developmental disabilities thrive in their interpersonal relationships. From 1982 to 1995 Dan was a caseworker for the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities. During his tenure as caseworker, Dan was assigned to assist a number of CAU members achieve independence. Dan was a remarkable caseworker. He knew that in order to make a difference he needed to be present for meetings with members in the evenings and on the weekends and he did what it took to support the members he served. He has been published in Mental Retardation, the journal of the American Association on Mental Retardation; the American Personnel and Guidance Association journal, The Journal of Sexuality and Disability and Social Work and Sexology, a journal for social workers. He has also published several book reviews on the topic of disability and sexuality. In addition, Dan has appeared on public television in the Netherlands and WJZTV in Baltimore Maryland on the subject of human sexuality.
Dan holds a Masters of Arts degree in Child and Family from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He also holds a Masters of Social Work degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick. In addition, Dan pursued post-masters studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey and a diplomate of the American College of Sexologists.
Dan has enjoys collecting and selling antiques, stamps and postcards. He is past President of the Garden State Postcard Club and current Chair of the Garden State Postcard Show. He has also held the post of Assistant Secretary of the West Essex Philatelic Society. He was named in Who’s Who in North American Philately.
It is an honor and a privilege to present Dan Herzog with the annual Geller Award.
When you support our agency, be it through annual giving, hope chest donations, tribute cards, car donation, tickets to special events, or corporate sponsorships, you are contributing to the growth and development of a person with developmental disabilities or an at-risk youth and helping them live independently as a productive citizen integrated into the community. Donations like yours go to help people with developmental disabilities in need of services who are on the long state waiting list for services (over 7,300 are on this list with 4,000 in the Urgent category), computers to enhance reading and math skills and to enhance job readiness, or needed office equipment for efficient running of day-to-day operations. Community Access receives a minimal 1.5% cost of living increase this year through our state contracts. In the meantime, we face double digit percentage increases in health insurance, utilities and travel expenses alone.
In the past 26 years, CAU has grown to an agency supporting teens and adults with disabilities in advocacy, housing, life skills training and assistance, education, employment assistance, recreation, health maintenance, crisis intervention and more. Each year, CAU provides services to over 3,000 people with disabilities and youth throughout New Jersey.
We need your help to maintain our current supports and to reach those in need. Help us to give vulnerable people the supports they need to live in our society. Please give generously.
Remember when you got your first place? Chances are you needed not only furniture, but also things like bed linens, cooking utensils, silverware, a broom, mop and other sundry items. Perhaps you had the help and support of a family during this transition. CAU works with youth and people with disabilities who don’t have that kind of family support. They rely on CAU transitional programs to ease them into a more independent life.
You can be a part of helping a young person or a person with disabilities get into a place of their own. The CAU Hope Chest is a program that helps young people and people with disabilities get settled into a residence of their own with a few necessary items to get off on the right foot. Hope Chests consist of laundry baskets filled with new household items such as towels, bedding, pots and pans, irons, silverware, kitchen utensils and the like. A Hope Chest is something that is a big financial help as one furthers their independence in the community.
If you would like to contribute to our Hope Chest program and help a youth or person with disabilities transition into the community a little easier, please call our Information and Referral Coordinator at 908-354-3040 ext. 272. Your contributions are appreciated and tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Do you have a car that you are thinking of selling or trading in for a newer car? How about donating it to Community Access? Although you won’t gain the cash, you will gain the tax deduction of the value of the car to the extent provided by law. Unlike many car donation programs, CAU does not involve an intermediary in the contribution process so that 100% of your gift goes to a deserving member who is receiving supports from one of CAU programs.
All vehicles must be in good working condition, and have limited cosmetic damage. The owner of the vehicle must possess the title of the vehicle being donated. Your potential donation is checked out by our certified mechanic and a decision is made whether or not to accept your donation based on condition and the current needs of our membership. Transportation of the vehicle to CAU is the donor’s responsibility. You will receive a letter from CAU describing your donation which can serve as receipt of the donation for tax purposes. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
Once an individual receives their vehicle, their lives are immediately changed. They now have expanded opportunities in employment, education and socialization. Since the inception of this program, Community Access Unlimited has given vehicles to numerous individuals. A recent car recipient, John, graduated from High School and is now attending Lincoln Technical School studying to be an electrician. In addition to his studies, John works at CAU part-time as a security guard. He uses his car to get to both work and school.
If you are interested in finding out more about our car donation program or donating a used vehicle, please call our Information and Referral Coordinator at 908-354-3040 ext. 272.
You can remember a loved one on any occasion by purchasing a leaf on Community Access Unlimited’s Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is located at Community Access Unlimited’s main office in Elizabeth. The cost of a leaf is $50 ($10 for members receiving services from CAU). Engraving is $.25 for each additional character after the first 25 characters. If you would like to purchase a leaf or would like additional information, please call (908)354-3040 ext. 272.
Do you know that CAU has Tribute Cards available? The cards have the CAU logo on the front and an opaque insert. This thoughtful gift supports our specialized programs and services so that people with disabilities and at-risk youth can realize a life of independence, dignity, achievement and opportunity. You can obtain CAU Tribute Cards by calling our Information and Referral Coordinator at 908-354-3040 ext 272. We will personalize your card and send it out for you. Tribute cards make a great gift when you want someone to know you are thinking of them.
There are currently over 7,300 people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey who have been placed on a state waiting list for services. Almost 4,000 of these people are in the Urgent Category. CAU receives hundreds of calls a year from those desperately seeking services. Many have found hope in the services provided by CAU.
The Community Support Program (CSP) provides assistance to people with development disabilities and families caring for people with developmental disabilities to promote independence. CSP provides comprehensive support services including life skills assessment and training, personal care, cleaning, budgeting, money management, cooking, nutrition, menu planning, shopping, recreation, social events, vacation planning, medical appointments and more. Members or their families contract for services on a fee-for-service basis. CSP has been in operation since 1981.
Many members of CSP are their own guardians. Some live with their families and some live on their own. Some families are very involved in the CSP program, along with the member, and some are not. If families are involved, they most often act as advocates for their loved ones, for example questioning bills or suggesting goals.
Debbie is a member of the CAU Community Support Program. She wanted to improve her interpersonal and social skills so that she could be more of an advocate for people with disabilities. Debbie has attained her goal: she has conducted workshops at both the regional and national levels in the last year.
Michael is also a member of the CAU Community Support Program. Michael wanted to work on his budgeting and money management so that he could move into an apartment on his own. Michael worked hard developing his skills. He has now found an apartment on his own and is now paying rent and managing his household bills.
CSP services are available in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Union Middlesex and Somerset Counties. For more information about Community Access' Community Support Program, call CAU's Information and Referral Coordinator at 908-354-3040 ext. 272.
The Recreation and Education Program offers an array of educational, social and recreational events. These activities are offered on a regular basis.
Educational and classes include:
- Reading classes: Every Other Monday from 5:00-6:00 PM
- Helping Hands Self-Advocacy Group: First Tuesday of every month from 5:30-700 PM
- Bible Study: Second Tuesday of every from 5:30-6:30 PM
- Math & Computer classes as requested
Inexpensive social and recreational events include:
- Dinners at area restaurants
- Karaoke at the Hilton
- Movies, pizza and popcorn
- Ice cream socials
- Bowling
- Bingo and pizza or subs
Other recreational events include trips to:
- Newark Bears games
- Atlantic City, both day-long and overnight
- Wildwood Beach, Amish Dutch Country, and a Cruise
Call the Information and Referral Coordinator for more information at 908-354-3040 ext 272. Discounts are available if you join the agency as a member.
Community Access was recently awarded a three year grant from the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service to implement a Foster Grandparent Program. The Foster Grandparent Program is part of a national network of programs that provide older Americans the opportunity to put their life experiences to work in helping their communities. The program believes an intergenerational approach to addressing community issues benefits both program participants and service recipients. Foster Grandparents serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers for at-risk children and youth with special needs.
Community Access Unlimited's program address the needs of youth in foster care and young parents who have disabilities. Foster grandparents may serve in a variety of settings, all geared to helping children and their families. They may work with children in the Union County school system providing children with reading, remedial assistance, task organization and help them develop their self-esteem. They may be placed in classroom settings to serve children who will benefit from one-on-one school-related learning activities. They may work with pregnant and parenting teens providing emotional support, mentoring and acquiring parenting skills in conjunction with meeting academic goals. Foster grandparents may also work with abused and neglected children, helping them to develop interpersonal skills and providing them with positive intergenerational relationships. Volunteers will serve 20 hours per week.
If you are interested or know of someone who may be interested in this program, please call 908-354-3040. Foster Grandparents receive $2.65 an hour (tax-free) for their service, reimbursement for travel, meals during service, annual physical examinations and accident and liability insurance while on duty. The program is open to people age 60 and older with limited incomes. All applicants undergo a background check and interview as well as pre-service and in-service training.
For more information about opportunities available through CAU’s Foster Grandparent Program, please call 908-354-3040.