Community Options

Community Options, Inc. is a 501(c)3 national nonprofit organization[1] that provides housing and employment supports[2] to people with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury. The organization's headquarters are located in Princeton, New Jersey and it has offices in 10 states, employing more than 4,000 people with disabilities.[3] Community Options was founded by Robert Stack in 1989.[4] In 2015 Community Options was named the fourth-largest nonprofit organization based in New Jersey.[5]

History

The organization was founded in February 1989 by Robert Stack, the President and CEO, along with a small group of disability advocates, including Dr. Colleen Wieck, Frank Zak, Paul Hritz and Elizabeth Pendler, to create residential and employment supports for individuals with disabilities. As of 2008, the organization supported over 1,400 people with disabilities.[6] Community Options also advocates for the deinstitutionalization movement. The organization states that all people with disabilities should live in community-based settings and be released from out-of-state-run institutions [7]

In 1992, Community Options opened their first four group homes in New Jersey. From 1995 to 2011, group homes were opened in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.[8]

The New Jersey House of Representatives honored Community Options for 25 years of service on February 10, 2014.[9] On May 8, 2014, the organization gave Thomas Kean, the 48th governor of New Jersey, it's Betty Pendler Award for his years of service dedicated to people with disabilities.[10][11]

Cupid’s Chase 5K

Cupid’s Chase 5K is an annual fundraising race presented by Community Options.[12] It takes place every year on the Saturday of Valentine's Day weekend. Cupid’s Chase 5K began in Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium in 2009.[13][14] In 2014, Cupid’s Chase took place in 24 cities across the country.[15]

In 2020, Under Armour signed a multiyear sponsorship of the race.[16] In 2020, the race took place in 31 cities in the U. S.[17][18] In 2021, Cupid’s Chase is scheduled to take place in 34 cities and will include virtual attendance options, due to ongoing concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic.[19][20]

Services

Community Options operates several businesses in the United States that employ people with disabilities.[21] Community Options opened Vaseful, a nonprofit flower shop, in 1999.[22] A second shop opened in Princeton in 2019. Employees are responsible for credit card processing, phone orders, shipping, distribution, inventory management and floral arranging.[23]

In 2008, Community Options opened Presents of Mind, a nonprofit gift store. Employees' duties include retail management, point-of-sale software, customer relations skills and store layout.[24] The Daily Plan It is an office and conference space for local businesses. Employees are responsible for customer service and facilities maintenance. The first Daily Plan It opened in Princeton, NJ in 1997[25] and there are additional Daily Plan It facilities in Morristown, NJ and Wayne, NJ.[26] Community Options and the Parents Group opened The Red Ribbon Academy in 2013. The Red Ribbon Academy medical day program provides medical, therapeutic and recreational supports to people with severe developmental disabilities.[27]

iMatter Conference

Community Options hosts an annual national conference to discuss services to people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury.

Betty Pendler Award

Starting in 1991, Community Options annually selects a distinguished person who exemplifies the mission of Community Options as the Betty Pendler Award recipient.[11][28] Pendler was a member of the board of directors for AHRC New York City. Pendler, who passed away in 2001, was known for her work for people with disabilities as well as raising a daughter with a developmental disability.[11]

References
  1. USAID " Registered U.S. and International PVOs" "USAID", 2013
  2. "Find organizations in your community" " Disability.gov", 2014
  3. Stansell, Kaitlin. "Organization helps people with disabilities regain normalcy during coronavirus isolation". Live5News. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  4. "Cupid's Chase 5K in 6 NJ Towns to Help Disabled". NJ Spotlight News. 2014-02-06. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  5. Danielle Mack, " NEW JERSEY'S TOP Nonprofit Organizations" Archived 2014-12-21 at the Wayback Machine, NJBIZ, 2013
  6. Dilshanie Perera, "Princeton Resident Named to Gov. Richardson’s Task Force", Town Topics, Wednesday, 30 July 2008
  7. Matt Hammond, "Hopewell to break ground for group home", "The Times", 21 October 2012
  8. "A Brief History of Community Options, Inc." "Community Options, Inc.", 2014
  9. Hon. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, "Celebrating The 25th Anniversary of Community Options","Congressional Record Volume 160 Number 24", 10 February 2014
  10. "History", "Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities", 2014
  11. O'Connor, Jeff. "Elaine Katz to receive Betty Pendler Award". MyCentralJersey.com. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  12. Ambrose Salmini, "2014 Cupid's Chase NYC " "RUNNING Series", 5 March 2014
  13. "CUPID'S CHASE 5K RUN Overall Results" Archived 2013-10-23 at the Wayback Machine "compuscore", 14 February 2009
  14. "Past Races" "Princeton Running Club", 14 February 2009
  15. Matlin Smith, "Cupid's Chase 5K benefits nonprofit Community Option" "The Las Cruces Sun-News ", 05 February 2014
  16. "Cupid's Chase 5K Announces Under Armour Sponsorship". Town Topics. Oct 14, 2020.
  17. "Community Options to host Annual Cupid's Chase 5k at Vestal Coal House". WIVT - NewsChannel 34. 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  18. Himler, Jeff. "Cupid's 5K in Latrobe a loving benefit for adults with special needs | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  19. Himler, Jeff. "Cupid's Chase charity race in Latrobe adds virtual option". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  20. "Cupid's Chase | Community Options, Inc". Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  21. " Enterprises " "Community Options, Inc.", 2014
  22. Curran, Philip Sean (2019-07-01). "Community blossoms at Princeton's Vaseful Flowers and Gifts". Community News. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  23. "New Brunswick’s Vaseful gets ready for Mother’s Day" Archived 2014-08-20 at Archive.today "News 12 New Jersey", 9 May 2014
  24. PHIL GARBER, "‘Presents of Mind’ is gift to disabled" "Mount Olive Chronicle", 30 January 2009
  25. Brendan Kuty, "The Daily Plan It in Morristown teaches job skills to the developmentally disabled" "New Jersey On-Line", 14 October 2013
  26. Flammia, Dino. "New NJ site offers paid work, training to those with disabilities". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  27. "Testimony of Linda Zani Thomas of The Parents Group" "New Jersey Legislature Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Public Hearing" 13 March 2014
  28. Giannantonio, Christina (2015-05-19). "Katz receives Betty Pendler Award". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
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