July 2025 News
Happy July!
The month of freedom, vacations and news from Eiros Group!
Freedom, Independence, and Gentle Teaching: Building a Life of Belonging
by Kristen Mathews, Chief Operations Officer
As we honor Freedom this July, we’re reminded that independence means more than doing things alone, it means having the right relationships and opportunities to build a meaningful life. At Eiros Group, our approach through Gentle Teaching helps people experience true freedom by fostering connection, safety, and choice.
In practice, this might look like helping someone find a home where they feel secure and comfortable. A place that reflects who they are and where they can thrive. Independence doesn't always mean living alone, it can also mean choosing who to live with, decorating their space the way they want, or having control over their daily routines.
We also support freedom by helping people choose the right staff to walk alongside them. Instead of just “assigning” someone, we guide people through the hiring process to identify what they want in a support person, interviewing candidates, and ultimately finding the right fit. When a person feels safe and respected in their home they are more likely to grow in confidence and explore new possibilities.
Community mapping is another powerful way we nurture independence. By exploring local resources like libraries, gyms, volunteer opportunities, or social groups we help people discover spaces where they feel connected and valued. Sometimes it’s as simple as finding a favorite coffee shop or joining a community art class. Other times, it’s partnering with advocacy groups
or other programs that align with a person’s passions.
Gentle Teaching reminds us that freedom is not just the absence of restriction it’s the presence of relationship, dignity, and purpose. This month, let’s continue to walk alongside the people we support, not to lead or direct, but to empower. Together we can help build lives where freedom and belonging go hand in hand.
We Can Make a Difference!
by Donald Widerkehr, Parent of an Eiros Group customer
Our daily lives seem to get busier and busier. Most American adults are struggling to keep up and free time is in danger of being extinct. Double (or Triple) that for the parents of special needs children or adults.
At the same time, there are big issues impacting the special needs community; possible cuts to Medicaid, the shortage of affordable housing with entrenched interests who fight against it despite the state mandates. There are limited recreational opportunities available for adults with special needs.
It’s easy to fall in the trap of being too busy to get involved. Or thinking that “there’s nothing I can do about it” Get involved! Write your congressman! Show up at town meetings! Organize with like minded people. No one can change the world on their own, but all of us can make a difference, even if all we do is raise awareness of the issue with our leaders. For example, how many people outside the special needs community even realize that Medicaid provides critical services to the disabled community that can’t be replaced? There actually are people in positions of leadership who want to help.
Even if you can’t solve the big issues, solving a little one is big to someone. Getting involved provides networking opportunities with other special needs parents as well as a potential social outlet.
Welcome Home Coldbrew!
by Kim F., Customer & Desiree Coyle, Supports Broker
Kim began volunteering at the Homeward Bound Animal Shelter driven by his interest in becoming a cat parent. Through his time there, he developed valuable skills in caring for and playing with the resident cats awaiting adoption. This hands-on experience deepened his understanding of feline needs and the adoption process.
After settling into his new apartment, Kim took the exciting step of adopting a cat of his own—his new companion, Coldbrew. With encouragement and support from his family and support team, Kim is actively turning his hopes and dreams into reality, one pawstep at a time.
“I felt loneliness and often others were busy. Now that I have Coldbrew, I am happy and do not feel lonely anymore. She is calm, relaxing and cuddly. I am so happy that she is now part of my home, and that I can play with her, and cuddle her. It also gives me the responsibility of taking care of her and making sure she has everything she needs.”
Another Supports Broker Success!
Each of Eiros Group's Supports Brokers are solutions-centric. Meaning, their goal is to work with customers and their families in a wide variety of ways to make challenges easier.
Whether it is taking someone out in their community to discover their new favorite grocery store, restaurant or activity; helping the customer create methods that work best for them to complete daily chores, such as grocery shopping or pay bills, each of our Supports Brokers work with Eiros Group customers to find solutions that work best for them.
The high cost of prescription medications is a significant concern for many individuals; but it is an even greater challenge for people with disabilities. Many require medication to manage
chronic conditions and even require specific ways in which these medications need to be administered.
Read this great contribution from Jenifer, an Eiros Support Broker who found a great solution for a family to reduce medication costs, and make life easier for the customer, the family, and their finances! Well done Jenifer!
The Difference a Little Research Makes!
by Jenifer Jones, Supports Broker
I have a customer who is on a very strict diet and can only take his medication once compounded. Mom was spending over $500 a month on his prescriptions AFTER insurance coverage. She had asked me if I could assist in finding any discount plans or reimbursement programs.
After months of searching, I happen to be driving past a building that said Hometown Pharmacy Compounding Center. I stopped to take took a picture so I could contact them directly. I called and explained what I was looking for and provided Hometown Pharmacy the name of the prescription, the doses and the current cost. Not only could this pharmacy reduce the cost by 50% but could also provide shipping for a small fee. I was so excited to share this news with my customer and his family and noted the sense of relief from this financial burden.
Each month, we receive submissions from Eiros Group Employees, the people we support, and their families, about a variety of topics including services, insights, vacation or holiday experiences, family memories or traditions, favorite recipes and stories about life with disability. If you would like to submit an article, photos or both for consideration in an upcoming edition, please send to: maryb@eiros-group.com We are grateful for all of the contributions to our newsletter!
Come Work With Us ! We have a number of open positions throughout New Jersey! Want to learn more? Click here and apply today!
July Eiros Group
Anniversaries & Birthdays!
Happy Birthday to Tina N., Laura S., Keyonia B., Ryan B., and Grace O.!
We also want to wish Happy Eiros Group Anniversaries to Femi A., Desiree C., Mark D., Robin E., Tara H., Merle S!!
Thank you to all of you for being a part of our amazing group!!
Attention NJ School Districts!
If your district is hosting a Transition or Resource Fair this year or in the Fall, please send us the information so that we can not only attend, but also share the news! Email us here!
Gentle Teaching As Our Core: Rediscovering the Basics Together
Last year in Regina Canada, Eiros Group's Kristen Mathews attended the Gentle Teaching International Conference in Canada. During the conference, Simone Schipper and Floris van de Kamer invited participants to return, not to something new, but to something essential: the heart of Gentle Teaching. Their session, “Gentle Teaching As Our Core: Our Basics Rediscovered,” was not just a presentation. It was a guided experience in reflection, connection, and re-grounding.
Together, they offered a reminder that sometimes, in the midst of progress, innovation, and busyness, we need to pause and revisit our roots. Not as an act of going backward—but as a way of going deeper.. Below is an excerpt from her presentation. To read the entire presentation visit: Creative Options Regina.
Back to the Pillars: Safe, Loved, Loving, Engaged
With a room full of people, the session asked: What do these words truly mean to you?
They returned to the four core pillars:
- Safe: As Floris reminded us, “When there is no safety, there is no learning.” Safety is foundational. It’s not just physical—it’s emotional, relational, and cultural.
- Loved: Feeling seen without needing to explain yourself. It’s in the quiet understanding, the knowing look, the small acts that affirm your worth.
- Loving: As one participant said, it’s not only about receiving love—it’s also about having the freedom and safety to give love. To show warmth and care to others.
- Engaged: Engagement is where relationships live and grow. It’s about showing up for others and inviting them in, in ways that are meaningful to them—not just what we assume connection should look like.
Together, these pillars create the condition for something Gentle Teaching calls companionship—a sturdy ship, as Simone and Floris joked. It’s a vessel strong enough to carry us through both calm and stormy waters, powered by collective care.
The Tools of Gentle Teaching: Rediscovered Through Dialogue
Beyond the pillars, the Gentle Teaching philosophy includes four relational tools: Eyes, Voice, Hands, and Presence.
Simone and Floris invited attendees to engage in small group discussions around these tools. Each person gravitated toward a symbol that resonated most with them, joining others at poster stations for guided reflection.
The conversations that followed were rich, vulnerable, and deeply human.
Here are just a few of the insights shared:
- Eyes: A participant with ADHD shared how their wandering gaze can be misinterpreted as disinterest. Another said that eye contact, for them, is the deepest form of connection. And yet another reminded us that furrowed brows or rolling eyes can shut down trust just as quickly as words can build it.
- Voice: Voice is more than sound—it’s expression, connection, reassurance. Even for those who don’t use verbal speech, the tone and intention of a caregiver’s voice carries love and safety.
- Hands: Conversations around hands centered on consent and intent. Touch can be healing, but it must be respectful and mutual. It’s not about what we want to give—it’s about what others are ready to receive.
- Presence: Some spoke about showing up with calm and attunement. Others noted how presence must shift based on the person and the moment—it’s not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes we lift up. Sometimes we simply sit beside.
Defining Engagement: More Than Activities
A group discussing “Engaged” reflected on how often systems push for activity over authenticity. One participant shared how they shifted their support from “getting people out into the community” to simply setting the dinner table together. The table became a space for quiet connection—no fanfare, just presence and care.
Engagement, they reminded us, doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes, it means doing less—with more intention.
Rediscovering What Matters Most
In true Gentle Teaching fashion, the session didn’t end with a takeaway—it ended with a shared experience. Participants were invited to reflect on their own stories and sense of connection to the philosophy’s elements. Many shared memories of breakthroughs, moments of joy, or times when a simple gesture changed everything.
Simone and Floris reminded us that while the storms of life—both personal and professional—are inevitable, the strength of companionship helps us weather them. And that no matter where we are in our journey with Gentle Teaching, it’s always okay to revisit the basics.
Because the basics aren’t just where we started—they’re what carry us forward.
To read the full presentation, please visit creativeoptionsregina.ca
If you have had a change in email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers or any other information, it is ESSENTIAL that you contact us to make sure it is all up to date. This information also needs to be up to date with Support Coordinators, and on your ISP, if applicable. If you need help, or have had a recent change, please contact your Supports Broker right away!
Arm In Arm in Mercer County:
48 Hudson Street, Trenton NJ
Monday and Wednesday : 9:30AM to 12PM
61 Nassau Street, Princeton NJ
Monday and Wednesday : 11 AM to 4 PM
Tuesday: 1 PM to 7 PM
Mobile Food Pantry
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township 08648 (Mercer County Library)
Mondays at 2 PM to 4 PM
142 E. Hanover Street, Trenton (located at Trenton Meeting of Friends)
Tuesdays 9:30 AM to 12 PM
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4th of July Events
NORTH:
4th of July Celebration
All day family fun starting at 7am
State Fair Meadowlands
MetLife Stadium
1 MetLife Stadium Drive East Rutherford
Fireworks July 3-4: 10pm
4th of July Festivities at Foschini Park
278 River Street Hackensack
July 4: 4pm
Independence Day Celebration
Riverside Ave Lyndhurst
July 2: 8:30pm
Parade Fairview Ave and E. Century Road Paramus
July 4: 9am
Annual Ridgewood 4th of July Celebration
Wilsey Square
Monroe Street and Godwin Ave Ridgewood
July 4: 10am
Livingston’s 4th of July Celebration
July 4: 9am-9:30pm
4th of July Festival and Fireworks
Exchange Place and Hudson River Waterfront
July 4: 9:30pm
Lebanon Boro 4th of July Parade
Main Street-Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park
July 4: 10am
CENTRAL:
Independence Day Fireworks
820 Jerusalem Rd Scotch Plains
June 29: 7pm
Independence Concert and Fireworks
Veterans Park
2206 Kuser Road Hamilton
July 1: 6pm
Celebrate Stars & Stripes
Sadowski Parkway on the waterfront
July 3: 3pm-9:30pm
Annual Independence Day Fireworks
Alvin Williams Memorial Park Sewaren
July 3: 4pm
Lavallette Patriotic Bicycle Parade
President Ave and Boardwalk
July 3: 9am-11am
Independence Day Fireworks
Franklin Township Municipal Complex
July 3: 6pm-10pm
SOUTH:
Bordentown Independence Day Fireworks Celebration
Joseph Lawrence Park
317 Ware Ave Bordentown
July 3: 4:30pm
Freedom Festival at The Camden Waterfront
Wiggins Waterfront Park
2 Riverside Drive Camden
July 3: 5pm
Medford Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
Freedom Park
86 Union Street Medford
July 3: 6pm
Mount Holly Independence Day Celebration
Iron Works Park
157 Wollner Dr Mt. Holly
July 3: 5pm
Riverton 4th of July Celebrations
Friday, July 4
All day events
4th Of July Concert and Fireworks
Giampietro Park
3231 E. Landis Ave Vineland
July 4: 7pm
Woodstown 4th of July Parade
Friday, July 4
Events start at 10am
Hamilton NJ Fireworks
Tuesday, July 1
6 to 9:30pm
Galloway Township
Friday, July 4
Events start at 9am
Tropicana 4th of July Fireworks
July 4: 10pm
July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Beach at Huntington Ave Margate
July 4: 9pm
Northfield July 4th Parade
Shore Road and Jackson Ave Northfield
July 4: 10am
July is Disability Pride Month!
Fiscal Intermediary (FI) Transition Update
As you may have read earlier in the year, NJDDD announced that Acumen Fiscal Agent has been chosen as the new fiscal intermediary for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) Self-Directed Employee Model.
In case you missed it, there is more information is on the Acumen-NJ website.
NJDDD recently updated that Individuals in Cohorts 1-4 (or their Authorized Representative) should have completed Acumen enrollment by June 30th.
Support Coordinators of individuals in Cohorts 1-4 must have plans revised and approved (that include transitioned vendor services) by July 7th.
From June 26 – July 31 (and potentially beyond), Acumen and DDD will host weekly transition update webinars, with Q&A, on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. These webinars are for support coordinators, supports brokers, vendors, and individuals and families, but anyone may attend.
JULY 3
REGISTER NOW: July 3 Acumen Transition Update and Q&A
JULY 10
REGISTER NOW: July 10 Acumen Transition Update and Q&A
JULY 17
REGISTER NOW: July 17 Acumen Transition Update and Q&A
JULY 24
REGISTER NOW: July 24 Acumen Transition Update and Q&A
JULY 31
REGISTER NOW: July 31 Acumen Transition Update and Q&A
It is very important that you complete an official enrollment with Acumen if you previously had PPL.
If you have not yet completed the application, Eiros Group can help. Our Brokers are trained and ready to help! Contact
KristenM@Eiros-Group.com
NJ Transit Has Discount Packages Including Beach Excursions!
Whether you’re headed to the beach, or any of New Jersey’s great summer destinations, you can take advantage of NJ TRANSIT’s promotional discounts that are running throughout the summer.
Save on summer travel by using various promotional codes in the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, including beach excursion fare discounts for low-cost, round-trip weekday tickets to some of New Jersey’s most popular shore destinations.
Details for all promotions can be found at www.njtransit.com/summer. There is also a great offer to bring a friend along with a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal where customers can get a free trip for a traveling companion with the purchase of a round-trip ticket. NJ TRANSIT has plenty of deals and discounts for everyone!
Find Your Happy Place
This annual guide includes information about the County’s accessible beaches, walkways, ramps, parking, curb cuts and surf chair availability. It also provides detailed information about 2025 beach fees, lifeguard hours and amenities as of the time of publication. Click here to view the guide
Upcoming events throughout NJ
Below are upcoming activities or events throughout New Jersey! If you are hosting a similar type of event, and would like it included in our newsletter, please send to maryb@Eiros-Group.com
*Please allow 2 weeks or more advance notice. Thanks!
NORTH:
Liberty Science Center
Titanic, The Artifact Exhibition
Ongoing until September 1, 2025
Western Adventure Awaits
Saturday: 10:30am to 5pm
Sunday: 10:30am to 5pm
CENTRAL:
Summer Concert Series
July 11 through August 22
Magic on the Beach
July 7: 6 to 7:30pm
Wildwood Crest Summer Music Series & Food Truck Festival
Free Wednesdays: 4 to 9pm until August 20
See events link for music line-up
July 11 through 13
Friday: 4 to 11pm
Saturday: 10am to 11pm
Sunday: 10am to 6p
Lead Fest Mercer County State Fair
Runs through July 7: 5 to 11pm
ONLINE:
Transition to Adult Life Webinars presented by NJ DDD
Dates are ongoing throughout 2025
If you are hosting a similar type of event, and would like it included in our newsletter, please send to
maryb@Eiros-Group.com
*Please allow 2 weeks or more advance notice. Thanks! Please note, we are relaying information found on other websites or through other organizations, and doing so as a service. Please confirm event details and information directly.
