Neighbor News
Alternatives Names TJ Maxx of Woodbridge Employer of the Year
Alternatives, Inc.named TJ Maxx of Woodbridge Employer of the Year, and recognized community partners, staff members and clients.
RARITAN, N.J., December 14, 2017– Alternatives, Inc., a provider of comprehensive services for people and families with special needs in Central New Jersey, named TJ Maxx of Woodbridge as Employer of the Year for its efforts to support the employment goals of Alternatives clients. Alternatives also recognized clients, staff and special members of the community at the Alternatives Annual Award Dinner last week in Somerset, N.J.
Alternatives Client Awards
Alternatives awarded Michael Mavuro its prestigious Paul Manion Award. The Paul Manion Award recognizes and honors someone whose positive attitude and spirit have served as an inspiration to others and it pays tribute to all clients who have made significant achievements. Named after one of the agency’s very first clients, it is the highest honor awarded to a client.
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“Mike was chosen as our Paul Manion Award recipient this year, not because of the challenges he has faced, but for the manner in which he met those challenges,” said Nancy Good, president, Alternatives.
“Mike has received services with Alternatives for 25 years and, with the care and encouragement of his staff and family, he has come to take a great interest in his community and his surroundings. He is an outstanding example of perseverance.”
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Recipients of Outstanding Achievement Awards included: Poloyna Santiago, Gabriel Gonzalez and Raul Marquez.
Santiago experienced years of domestic violence before she moved to the Franklin House Transitional Housing program with her children. She was once vulnerable and unable to provide her family with stability. Now, with the help of Alternatives, she is studying for her driver’s permit, ESL and GED. She also recently found her own apartment and is ready to strike out on her own. Gonzales lived in a Group home for many years, but recently showed much improvement in his daily living skills and was able to move into a more independent living arrangement. He is now a central part of that home where he shares his energy and kind attitude. Marquez, who receives supported employment through Alternatives, needed an advocate with employers to express that his deafness was not a barrier. He was recently promoted to a full-time position at work where he is considered a great asset.
Client award recipients were chosen by their own Alternatives Consumer Advisory Committee for demonstrating outstanding achievements in the past year.
Alternatives Community Awards
In addition to naming TJ Maxx of Woodbridge as Employer of the Year, Alternatives recognized several other community service partners.
Pam Mastro, Mental Health Administrator with the Somerset County Department of Human Services, was recognized for her advocacy on behalf of Alternatives clients and the mental health field as a whole.
“She is 100% guided by what is in the best interest of consumers no matter what challenges might exist,” said Good.
Community Service Awards were presented to Union Avenue Pharmacy and the North Brunswick First Aid & Rescue Squad for their supportive partnerships with Alternatives.
Alternatives Employee Awards
Alternatives also recognized two employees who were nominated by staff for full-time and part-time Employees of the Year.
The Full-Time Employee of the Year award was presented to Keisha Graham of Piscataway, N.J. Graham is a Case Manager at Franklin House Transitional program for homeless mothers and their children.
The Part-time Employee of the Year award was presented to Crystal Socha of Warren, N.J. Socha is a case manager with the permanent housing program for homeless individuals.
About Alternatives, Inc.
Since 1998, Alternatives, Inc. has provided comprehensive services to individuals and families with special needs to enable them to reach their highest level of independence and integration into the community. Alternatives has a person-centered philosophy that is dedicated to providing each person served with the support they need to assist them in achieving their goals. Alternatives is committed to being the social service agency of choice in providing residential and support services to people in the Greater Central New Jersey community. For more information visit www.alternativesinc.org
