ECLC Graduates 15 Students with Special Needs

With caps and gowns, the stirring sounds of Pomp and Circumstance and parents’ cell phones recording every step, ECLC of New Jersey graduated 15 students with special needs from its Chatham school last week.

The grads received high school diplomas conferred by their hometown districts. In a moving ECLC tradition, they were all afforded an opportunity to speak, and some used augmentative speech devices to communicate.

One Chatham grad summed up the bittersweet feelings of all saying, “I have mixed emotions about graduating tonight. I am happy, excited but also a little nervous,” said Emily Boehmer of South Orange.

The class included Kathleen Maguire of Chatham, who began at ECLC when she was 12 year old. Kathleen will stay in the ECLC “family” by entering the P.R.I.D.E. Adult Program in nearby Florham Park. The day program offers adults with special needs a nurturing environment to continue learning and growing in their independence. P.R.I.D.E. is exclusively for ECLC graduates.

Another Chatham school graduate, Brian Curci of Cranford, is off to college! Brian will enroll at East Stroudsberg University’s “Career, Independent Living & Learning Studies program.” The program provides individuals with intellectual disabilities a learning experience in a campus environment, where life and work skills are accelerated by daily encouragement in the life of a university. The program includes living off campus and acquiring proficiency to function among others without disabilities on campus. In addition, the program offers personal development activities combined with classes designed to develop essential skills for independent living and future employment

During the graduation, many students paid tribute to their families. Joshua Moreines of Cranford started his speech by saying, “First, I would thank my family for sending me to ECLC.” Joao Simoes of Caldwell drew a few laughs when he quipped, “Dad, you are my best friend. I love that you are goofy.”

Andrew Costanza of Nutley said, “I am truly thankful for the support you have given me, mom and dad. You give me emotional support, if I am worried about something, and you always encourage me.”

Graduates received community awards from the Chatham Jaycees, the Kiwanis Club of the Chathams and Madison and TD Bank.

About ECLC

ECLC stands for “Education, Careers & Lifelong Community” and serves more than 800 children and adults from 11 counties who have special needs, including autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities. The nonprofit’s two private schools educate nearly 300 students.

All students graduate with a clear plan for their future. ECLC offers two paths: employment services through an affiliate, Community Personnel Services (CPS) and a day program called P.R.I.D.E. Some students combine these options, by working part-time and attending P.R.I.D.E. on a part-time basis.

The CPS employment specialists help graduates find jobs in or near their hometowns and provide ongoing support and advocacy in the workplace. This year several graduates will begin new jobs in retail and food service.

The P.R.I.D.E. Adult Program, with centers in Florham Park and Paramus, enrolls nearly 200 adults. In P.R.I.D.E., adults choose their schedules, from a wide range of options, including fitness, computers, book club, food shopping and cooking, yoga, fine arts and more. They also venture out into the community each day for volunteering, field trips and other activities.