Open Vistas donates to South Orange YMCAs Strong Kids Program
MONROE Participants from the Open Vistas Day Habilitation program in Middletown donated $280 to the South Orange Family YMCAs 2012 Strong Kids Campaign last week, which was made possible through the their redemption of 5,300 refundable bottles and cans over the past year.
Y officials said the funds will be directed toward scholarships for children and families with economic hardships that are preventing them from experiencing activities offered by the Ys Monroe campus.
Open Vistas is a day habilitation program that makes community inclusivity possible for adults with intellectual disabilities and spectrum disorders. Its mission is to build social capital for the individuals participating so that they may realize full, meaningful lives in their community as contributing and valued citizens, according to Open Vistas officials.
The fund raising for the YMCA has made it possible for the people in our program to create ongoing relationships with the people they meet at the pick-up sites for the recyclables each week and also at the redemption center at Hannafords, Open Vistas Program Manager Shelly Fabiszak said. The volunteers help other people be good to the environment and at the same time are provided with a way to help a worthy cause.
Initially, according to Michele Bernieri, the Ys wellness director, the funds raised from the bottle and can redemption was going to be split 50/50 between the Y and Open Vistas. But it was the clients who visit the Y each week to pick up the recyclable materials who decided the Y should get all the money.
We are very honored to have these wonderful people visit us every week and equally grateful they have decided to donate all these funds to the Y, she said.
Nancy Kriz