Eden Autism Services Begins Construction for New School
Eden Autism Services began construction on its new, uniquely designed autism school.
Princeton, NJ, September 30, 2010 --(PR.com)-- On September 23, 2010, Eden Autism Services held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of its new, uniquely designed autism school in Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton, NJ. Opening remarks were made by Eden Autism Services Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Eden parent, Jason Frede. He thanked the crowd for joining Eden on this momentous occasion and spoke of ‘hope’ and ‘action.’
“These are words that come to mind when I think of Eden and what it has meant to my family and me,” said Frede. He also stated that the Centers for Disease Control latest statistics show that 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism every year and when Eden was founded 35 years ago that statistic was 1 in 10,000. Frede acknowledged that research is critical, but in the meantime treatment is vital.
“This is where Eden comes in and calms parents’ fears, provides a nurturing environment for children and adults, and supports and educates the professional community – here in Princeton and well beyond,” said Frede.
The Honorable Helen E. Hoens, New Jersey Supreme Court Justice and Eden parent provided the Keynote address. She spoke of what a great day it is for individuals with autism and their families and acknowledged Eden as world-wide leader in the field of autism education and support services. She spoke of her son Charlie who was profoundly challenged when he came to Eden when he was 8 years old. He is now 26 and resides in an Eden group home and is employed through Eden’s Adult Employment division. She moved the crowd to tears when she spoke of how Eden helped her to achieve her own dreams.
“Eden gave me the chance to become more than just Charlie’s mom, it gave me the support I needed to achieve my own dreams as well,” said Hoens. “That is why I am so thrilled and honored to be here today, because every time I get up to give a speech, every time I get introduced as a Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and every time I step out into that very grand Supreme Court courtroom down in Trenton, I know that I wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for Eden.”
Hoens continued to say that the groundbreaking ceremony was about more than a building.
“Today is about a vision of a better world with a brighter future for autistic people and their families. A vision made possible by the people who are Eden, because that is what truly sets Eden apart. The people, the ones who dedicate their lives to working with children and adults like my son.”
Eden staff, who have utilized three decades of knowledge and best practices in teaching individuals with autism, worked closely with KSS Architects and V.J. Scozzari and Sons, Inc. to design a building which will be a model of service delivery and include a convenience store and office training room to be used to foster job preparation skills, a commercial kitchen for use with Eden’s new culinary arts program, two-story gymnasium, a cafeteria; and of course classrooms, administrative offices and Wawa House, one of the nation’s first early intervention programs funded by Wawa Inc.
The new school project is being funded in part by Eden’s Nurturing Today, Embracing Tomorrow capital campaign. $4 million of the campaign’s $7 million goal is to be used towards Eden’s new school. The remainder is to be used to create an endowment to cover the shortfall in government funding for Eden’s adult services.
According to Hoens, “The endowment for adult services is critical because in a world where there is no cure for autism and where children eventually graduate from school, more and more adults will need the programs that Eden has created. And sadly, those growing numbers will face the dim prospects of fewer and fewer dollars available to support those programs.”
For more information on Eden’s new school or to find out how you can help contribute to Eden’s Capital Campaign, visit www.edenautismservices.org or call (609) 987-0099.
Eden Autism Services is a national center of excellence. Founded in 1975, Eden provides treatment to children and adults with autism, through its early intervention, education, employment training and residential services. In addition, Eden Outreach provides support and training to families and professionals. Headquartered at One Eden Way, Princeton, NJ, Eden's services extend throughout the US with a satellite operation in Southwest Florida. Visit Eden on the web at www.edenautismservices.org. You can also follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
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“These are words that come to mind when I think of Eden and what it has meant to my family and me,” said Frede. He also stated that the Centers for Disease Control latest statistics show that 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism every year and when Eden was founded 35 years ago that statistic was 1 in 10,000. Frede acknowledged that research is critical, but in the meantime treatment is vital.
“This is where Eden comes in and calms parents’ fears, provides a nurturing environment for children and adults, and supports and educates the professional community – here in Princeton and well beyond,” said Frede.
The Honorable Helen E. Hoens, New Jersey Supreme Court Justice and Eden parent provided the Keynote address. She spoke of what a great day it is for individuals with autism and their families and acknowledged Eden as world-wide leader in the field of autism education and support services. She spoke of her son Charlie who was profoundly challenged when he came to Eden when he was 8 years old. He is now 26 and resides in an Eden group home and is employed through Eden’s Adult Employment division. She moved the crowd to tears when she spoke of how Eden helped her to achieve her own dreams.
“Eden gave me the chance to become more than just Charlie’s mom, it gave me the support I needed to achieve my own dreams as well,” said Hoens. “That is why I am so thrilled and honored to be here today, because every time I get up to give a speech, every time I get introduced as a Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and every time I step out into that very grand Supreme Court courtroom down in Trenton, I know that I wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for Eden.”
Hoens continued to say that the groundbreaking ceremony was about more than a building.
“Today is about a vision of a better world with a brighter future for autistic people and their families. A vision made possible by the people who are Eden, because that is what truly sets Eden apart. The people, the ones who dedicate their lives to working with children and adults like my son.”
Eden staff, who have utilized three decades of knowledge and best practices in teaching individuals with autism, worked closely with KSS Architects and V.J. Scozzari and Sons, Inc. to design a building which will be a model of service delivery and include a convenience store and office training room to be used to foster job preparation skills, a commercial kitchen for use with Eden’s new culinary arts program, two-story gymnasium, a cafeteria; and of course classrooms, administrative offices and Wawa House, one of the nation’s first early intervention programs funded by Wawa Inc.
The new school project is being funded in part by Eden’s Nurturing Today, Embracing Tomorrow capital campaign. $4 million of the campaign’s $7 million goal is to be used towards Eden’s new school. The remainder is to be used to create an endowment to cover the shortfall in government funding for Eden’s adult services.
According to Hoens, “The endowment for adult services is critical because in a world where there is no cure for autism and where children eventually graduate from school, more and more adults will need the programs that Eden has created. And sadly, those growing numbers will face the dim prospects of fewer and fewer dollars available to support those programs.”
For more information on Eden’s new school or to find out how you can help contribute to Eden’s Capital Campaign, visit www.edenautismservices.org or call (609) 987-0099.
Eden Autism Services is a national center of excellence. Founded in 1975, Eden provides treatment to children and adults with autism, through its early intervention, education, employment training and residential services. In addition, Eden Outreach provides support and training to families and professionals. Headquartered at One Eden Way, Princeton, NJ, Eden's services extend throughout the US with a satellite operation in Southwest Florida. Visit Eden on the web at www.edenautismservices.org. You can also follow Eden on Facebook and Twitter.
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Contact
Eden Autism Services
Aileen Kornblatt
609-426-8656
www.edenautismservices.org
Aileen Kornblatt
609-426-8656
www.edenautismservices.org
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