ECLC of New Jersey welcomes the community for an evening of fun and fashion, featuring clothing from local shops, including DJ Crater in Chatham, to help support its school for children with special needs in Chatham.
The annual fund-raising gala supports the ECLC Foundation, which supplements after-school programs, field trips, alumni enrichment classes as well as ECLC’s full array of adult services.
This year’s theme, “All Around the Town,” pays tribute to the important role that downtown Chatham plays as an extension of the classroom. ECLC students explore the library, post office, bank, drug store, train station, restaurants and more on walking field trips that enhance their social and independent living skills.
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The gala is set for Thursday, May 9, at the elegant Wilshire Grand in West Orange, starting at 5 p.m., with cocktails and a chance to peruse a huge line-up of tricky tray baskets, with everything from gift certificates and weekend experiences to upscale handbags and trendy electronics. Local businesses can still donate for the tricky tray by contacting ECLC Foundation Director, Heather Alonge, at 973-635-1705 X17 or at halonge@eclcofnj.org.
Students with special needs who attend ECLC’s school will model the latest spring fashions from DJ Crater, the Willow Street boutique in Summit and other local shops. This is always the evening’s highlight as the young people with special needs enjoy a moment of celebrity up on the runway, cheered on by everyone in the crowd.
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Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased on the ECLC Website or by calling the Foundation Director, Heather Alonge.
About ECLC
Founded in 1970, ECLC offers lifelong services, starting with education for children with special needs, ages 5-21, through jobs and day/evening programs for adults, including those with autism, Down syndrome and severe learning and/or language disabilities.
ECLC’s two schools, in Chatham and Ho-Ho-Kus, educate more than 300 children with special needs. As students prepare to graduate, ECLC’s affiliate, Community Personnel Services (CPS), also based in Chatham, takes over, guiding them into the next chapter of their young lives. CPS’s employment specialists help them find jobs in their communities and provide ongoing support and advocacy.
ECLC graduates who are not ready for the workplace are guaranteed a spot in the P.R.I.D.E. program, which offers adult clients an opportunity to enhance their daily living skills, socialize with peers and volunteer in the community. Last year, P.R.I.D.E. in Chatham added a micro-business venture, called P.R.I.D.E.CO, to give clients an opportunity to improve their work skills and earn a paycheck. Recently, a new P.R.I.D.E. Center opened in Paramus specifically for students graduating from the Ho-Ho-Kus school.
Meanwhile, the ECLC Foundation supplements funding for all entities and supports afterschool activities, respite weekends (overnights), alumni programs, adult services and capital projects. Learn more about ECLC.
ECLC is a member of the Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey, a coalition of more than 30 state-approved private special education schools in Northern and Central New Jersey dedicated to helping parents and educators better understand and access appropriate program options in special education. Learn more about the Alliance.
