5th Annual iMatter Surf Camp for Children with Autism!

Check out our video from the 5th Annual iMatter Surf Camp for Children with Autism!

5th Annual iMatter Surf Camp for Children with Autism from jessica on Vimeo.

Congrats to our Nashville Office!

Nearly 50 companies among South's best

NASHVILLE, TN – Business Leader will honor the South's top small businesses, including several from Nashville, at an awards ceremony today.

Nearly 50 companies will be honored at the Top 300 Small Businesses of the South ceremony. The event will be held at Brentwood Country Club, 5123 Club Drive, in Brentwood, at 6 p.m.

This year’s event will have a new twist as businesses from nine Southern markets will be ranked against one another. The events will feature a countdown of businesses from number 300 down to the top 10. The top 10 later will be revealed on a special wsradio.com program.

The companies are ranked based on a combination of factors, including percentage of sales generated in their local market, revenue growth, businesses achievements and civic contributions. This past spring, Business Leader asked companies and individuals across the South to nominate the best small businesses in their region.

Events to honor the other selected Southern companies will be held in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Memphis, Miami, Tampa, Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte.

Winners in the Nashville market include:

Cardiac Systems of Tennessee
Bacon MD Laser and Skincare
Budd, Melone & Co. Financial Consulting Group (Nashville)
SageGuard Financial Group LLC
12 Point Signworks
Allstate
Ann Hoke & Associates
BLF Marketing
Business Partners Network, LLC
Cambridge Mortgage Systems
Crown Carpet of Belle Meade
Edward Jones
Elite Properties, LLC
Halo Realty, LLC
Hiller Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
Ignite Wellness
Keller Williams Realty – Harrison Homes for You
Periodontal Care Center
RE/MAX Choice Properties
Rodelle’s Salon Suites
Shannon Insurance Group, Inc.
STAR Physical Therapy
SyMed Development Inc.
The TMA Group
Visionary Eye Clinic
Wang Vision Institute
Warranty Title Insurance Co.
Wood Financial Group, LLC
Prime Colorants Inc.
20/20 Research
Reliant Realty Auction Division
Art Clem Enterprises, Inc.
Guidant Partners
Equilibrium Medspa
Elaborate Images
Community Options, Inc.
Electric Service Credit Union
LPS Integration, Inc.
Deane, Smith Media Innovations
Kraft Healthcare Consulting
United Data Technologies
KaTom Restaurant Supply
Sherrill Pest Control
Liberty Tax Service
USr Healthcare

National Nonprofit Appoints New Jersey Real Estate Expert to Board of Directors

Community Options, a national nonprofit organization with the mission to develop homes and employment for people with disabilities recently appointed a new member to its National Board of Directors.

Kathryn Godby Oram of Godby Realtors recently accepted a Trustee position on Community Options’ Board of Directors. Oram is a resident of Mendham, New Jersey, a mother of six children and a residential and commercial real estate expert in Morris and Somerset Counties.

“As a contributing member of Community Options’ board, Kathryn will have a greater opportunity to help the organization shape the housing and employment future for people with disabilities in addition to promoting quality expansion within our organization,” says, Robert Stack President and CEO of Community Options.

“Kathryn’s experience and insight will assist the board to guide Community Options towards a successful path in the upcoming decade and we are grateful for her service,” Stack added.

Oram will serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors and during her tenure will also be a part of the fundraising committee. Oram has previous experience working with the organization as she served as the Chair of the Annual Spring Event that took place at Grounds For Sculpture, honoring Senator Joseph Kyrillos.

“I am honored to become a Trustee on the Community Options’ board. I have had wonderful experiences working with the organization on a volunteer level and I am excited for what is to come in this new capacity,” says Kathryn Oram.

How to Use Facebook for Fundraising

Accessing new avenues and methods for fundraising is the challenge posed to every development director for a nonprofit organization. Finding creative ways to solicit donations, membership, giving opportunities or just to spread the word about your organization can take up all 40 hours of the work-week (that is actually more like 60+ hours).

The proliferation of Facebook has presented an amazing networking and fundraising opportunity for the nonprofit world. This is particularly true because the demographic for the Facebook user has steadily increased in the 30+ crowd, those most likely to make a donation online or to donate annually to charitable causes. Facebook has created some specific avenues for fundraising, most notably in their “Causes” application. This section allows nonprofits to include their mission among a categorized list of causes to which members can donate. It is worth checking out the guidelines and including your organization if your needs fit the parameters of the application.

Most nonprofits are already present in the Facebook scene and use the network to keep “friends” updated on their activity and to provide a place for friends of friends and others to learn more about the organization. However, the expectation that support for your organization will spread based on basic connections alone may be overly optimistic. More specific strategies may be necessary to use this social networking site for your fundraising and outreach needs.

First and foremost, using Facebook to spread the word about your mission and the work you do should be your baseline goal. Approaching the connections that this social network provides as an opportunity to make your organization known and commonly understood to be performing important work should be the primary goal of your outreach. Establishing a strong network of friends and those that “like” what you are doing will lay the groundwork for any future fundraising or support campaigns.

Next, when you do decide to begin a nonprofit fundraising campaign through your Facebook connections make certain that it is specific. Being clear about why you are raising the money (is it for a project, a program, research, general support etc) and indicating both the goal amount and updates on how close you are to reaching that goal will go a long way in engendering support. In particular, a matching campaign through a grant with a donor that requires you to raise a certain amount privately creates a clear situation in which your Facebook friends can see how their donation can help you reach your goal.

Additionally, do not be afraid to ask your Facebook friends to help you reach your goal. Even if they cannot give individually, ask them to donate their status message or include a wall post that shares their support for your cause with their friend network. The more personalized your requests for support the more likely they are to receive responses. Several reminders and thank you’s for their assistance will ensure that you will receive as much support as possible. At the minimum these posts will raise awareness about your cause and this familiarity will increase the likelihood of a contribution either presently or in the future.

Finally, understand that although Facebook has become a ubiquitous part of our society and even our social interactions, it is not the solution for your fundraising or networking needs. Keep the concept of simply raising awareness about your organization as your main focus for Facebook. If you use it for fundraising as a secondary goal you can use this social network in a way that maximizes its’ potential rather than maxing out your existing connections.

This guest blog is brought to you Nonprofit Software.


About Nonprofit Software

Nonprofit Software helps nonprofit organizations make smart and cost-effective decisions regarding their software purchases. We understand that there are many considerations outside of software, so we developed this resource to take the guesswork out of nonprofit software, with everything from nonprofit volunteer management tips to donation management software advice.

Senator Gordon visits Northern New Jersey Group Homes

Community Options, a national nonprofit organization with the mission to develop homes and employment for people with disabilities, is proud to have Senator Bob Gordon tour two of their northern New Jersey group homes today.
Since 1989, Community Options has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities and today, the organization operates over two hundred homes and seven social enterprises across the United States.

Institutional closure and emancipation of people with disabilities is a top priority for the organization. This week, one of Community Options’ social enterprises, Vaseful Flowers and Gifts became the supplier of white carnations that will be delivered to Legislator’s District Offices statewide. The deliveries will be made on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 and all carnations will be tagged with a very clear message, “Close Vineland Developmental Center.”


“We are honored that Senator Gordon is touring two of our Northern New Jersey group homes today,” says, Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “It has always been our experience that when we are able to give tours of our homes and show the quality of life that people with disabilities are experiencing as a result of living in the community, it speaks for itself,” he added.

Senator Joseph Kyrillos to receive Award of National Significance

Community Options is a national nonprofit organization that has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities since 1989. Each year, the organization gives out the highly regarded and distinguished Betty Pendler Award.

Betty Pendler was a tireless advocate for persons with disabilities. She was committed to people with disabilities, their families, and those who serve them. She was a person of commitment, good will, new ideas and new approaches to service. Betty was a powerful and enlightened advocate.

To continue to honor her memory, Community Options awards the Betty Pendler Award to someone that exemplifies the mission of the organization. Someone who is unwavering in their commitment to ensuring persons with disabilities live their best lives in communities of their choice.

This year, and at their annual spring event at Grounds For Sculpture, Community Options will honor Senator Joseph Kyrillos with the Betty Pendler Award.

Senator Joseph Kyrillos began serving New Jersey's 13th Legislative District in 1988 when he was elected to the General Assembly. After spending two terms in the Assembly he was elected to the Senate where he has served since 1993.

Today, under the order of Governor Chris Christie, a closure plan has been put into place to close the Vineland Developmental Center. This closure will emancipate over 400 women who have been relegated to live in this facility for most of their lives. A developmental center has not closed in the State of New Jersey since 1998.

Senator Kyrillos not only believes in community-based living for people with disabilities, but he is working along side of providers like Community Options to ensure that this closure stays on track. Senator Kyrillos understands that community living is far better than institutional living and that it is morally wrong to institutionalize a person who has done absolutely nothing wrong against society.

"Senator Kyrillos is a great Senator and more importantly, a humble, ethical man who cares about others,” says Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options.

You can see Senator Kyrillos receive the Betty Pendler Award on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7:00pm at Grounds For Sculpture. The organization will also have American Idol’s Scott MacIntyre as the entertainment for the event. Tickets can be purchased online at www.coispring.eventbrite.com or by calling Angelique Rajski at 609-951-9900.

For more information about Community Options, please visit them at www.comop.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityoptions.

American Idol Finalist, Scott MacIntyre to Perform at Annual Fundraiser

Community Options, a national nonprofit organization that develops homes and employment for people with disabilities is proud to announce that American Idol Finalist, Scott MacIntyre will be performing at their upcoming Spring 2011 event at Grounds For Sculpture on May 20, 2011.

As the first blind finalist on “American Idol,” MacIntyre was called “an inspiration to the entire world through your commitment, through your talent” by former judge Paula Abdul. Visually impaired since birth, he started playing piano by ear at age three, began classical lessons at six, and subsequently learned to play organ, guitar, bass and drums. MacIntyre has appeared on Regis and Kelly, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Today Show, Canada AM, Larry King Live, Hour of Power, Access Hollywood, among others and has been profiled on CNN, Headline News, FOX International, Global TV, Sky News Europe, TV Guide, TBN, and local news affiliates across the country. In 2010, MacIntyre was honored by Dr. Robert and Arvella Schuller with the annual award for “promoting positive values in the media” at the Crystal Cathedral in California. Past honorees include Dr. Phil McGraw, John Tesh, Kathy Ireland, Twila Paris, and Roger Williams.

"People with disabilities have unlimited creative potential just like everyone else; sometimes all it takes is the right organization to lend a helping hand.  Community Options is that organization and provides the tools they need in order to be successful," says, Scott MacIntyre.

MacIntyre’s contagious spirit of optimism and heartfelt stories take his audience on an emotional journey of love and yearning, hardship and hope, from someone who deeply understands the challenge of overcoming enormous adversity. Having always forged ahead when the world said to give up, Scott MacIntyre continues to be an inspiration to all who hear his music and story.

“Having Scott perform at our annual spring fundraiser is a tremendous honor. Scott is relevant to our cause and we are very grateful that he is helping us to advance our mission of developing homes and employment for people with disabilities,” says, Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options, Inc.

You can see Scott perform at Grounds For Sculpture on Friday, May 20, 2011 starting at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online through Community Options Eventbrite site by clicking here.

Congratulations on One Year of Service!

One of Community Options most important assets are our dedicated employees. We have very strong professional employees on the front lines and all the way to the board room. This is a reason why our organization has been so successful and it is our pleasure to recognize our great employees on their annual anniversary's!

Today, we congratulate, Joanne Asta, Assistant Executive Director for Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Here is what her supervisor, Diane D'Orazio had to say about Joanne:

"Joanne Asta has been providing oversight to our Northern Ocean County and Monmouth county homes for one year as well as providing support and supervision to the managers of those houses. She has acclimated well to the position and has become an important part of our administrative team. Joanne is a true team player, is easy to work with, and truly has the mission of the agency at heart."

Keep up the great work, Joanne!!!!!

Community Options, Inc. Receives Support from CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

Donation to Community Options, Inc. is part of CVS Caremark Charitable Trust’s $3.3 million in 72 grants supporting causes including children with disabilities and those who are uninsured

Community Options, Inc. announced today that it has received a $25,000 grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation, whose mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Caremark communities. Community Options, Inc. was one of 72 organizations selected from a pool of 660 applicants to receive an individual or multi-year grant for 2010.

Community Options is a national nonprofit organization that has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities since 1989. The funds awarded through the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust will be used to fund their School to Employment Program (STEP) for youth with disabilities.“

The School to Employment Program is revolutionizing the way in which youth with disabilities are transitioning from school to work,” says Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “We are very grateful that the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust had the vision to fund the STEP as the skills acquired are vital for setting a strong foundation for being an adult in the workforce,” he added.“

In today’s challenging economy, it’s more important than ever to support organizations that truly make a difference in the lives of children and families,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, Vice President, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. “The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is pleased to recognize Community Options, Inc. for truly making an impact in the communities we serve through their School to Employment Program (STEP) and we look forward to working with them in the year ahead.”

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust’s grant to Community Options, Inc. is part of $3.3 million in grants awarded to more than 70 nonprofit organizations across the country in 2010. A number of these grants align with CVS Caremark All Kids Can, the company’s signature philanthropic program focused on supporting children with disabilities by raising awareness about inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation and related services.

Other CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grants provide support for medical services for the uninsured, grants to pharmacy schools, scholarships for the children of CVS Caremark colleagues and funding for community organizations for which CVS Caremark colleagues act as volunteers.

About Community Options, Inc.

Since 1989, Community Options has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities. Community Options operates in 37 cities across 10 states supporting thousands of people with disabilities and their families with the help of over 2,500 employees. For more information, please visit www.comop.org.

About the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). CVS Caremark is the largest provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the nation. The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Caremark communities. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at http://investor.cvs.com, or through the Web site's press room at www.cvs.com/pressroom.

Governor Christie Town Hall Meeting - Hillsborough

Today, at the municipal building in Hillsborough, NJ, Governor Christie conducted another town hall meeting to engage with the public. I was greeted with some pretty long lines as evidenced by this picture.



The line went fast as the doors opened and we were all seated. It was exciting to be there and the Governor had not even arrived yet. I think at these types of functions you have your typical crowds. The folks that have a vested interest in being there and who want to engage the Governor and then you have the folks that just want to be disrespectful. I was fortunate to sit right in front of one of the disrespectful attendees who happened to bring his toddler child with him. Go figure.

And then it started.



Governor Christie came out with First Lady, Mary Pat Christie and started to settle in. As he did, you could feel the energy in the room settle as well. Governor Christie has a great sense of humor and made a great introduction touching on collective bargaining, pension and health benefits. There was applause from the audience at the appropriate times and Christie gracefully made his way to the question and answer part of the town hall.

He answered tough questions from the audience. Questions relative to funding for women's health care services, cost of living adjustments, sending his children to private school as opposed to public schools, small business ownership and casino development.

My favorite line of the town hall was when he said, "Every student that steps into a classroom in New Jersey is my responsibility." I like that he makes districts in places like Newark and Camden his business where he did not have a plethora of constituent support. As he said "I think 25 people voted for me in Newark and 17 in Camden." It doesn't matter though, he will continue to support those schools and children because as he said, "I don't want future Governor's to be sitting in classrooms that are failing."



Overall, a very impressive town hall held by Governor Christie and I look forward to attending more of them in the future!

Special Edition of the Choices Newsletter - Cupid's Chase

Please click here to view a Special Edition Choices Newsletter all about the success of the Cupid's Chase 5K Run!

Photo Video of the Cupid's Chase 5K Run - 2011

Untitled from jessica on Vimeo.

Vaseful on the Today Show!

Click play to watch Vaseful Flowers and Gifts being featured on the Today Show!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Teenager does Mitzvah for Local Charities

For one Northern New Jersey teenager, the transition from childhood to adulthood through his upcoming Bar Mitzvah is filled with good deeds. The meaning of the word Mitzvah refers to a moral deed performed as a religious duty. As such, the term Mitzvah has also come to express an act of human kindness. (Wikipedia).  

In addition to studying for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, Robbie Kresch has decided that he will raise money for two charities that are important to him by running in five, 5K races.  One of those 5K races is the upcoming Cupid’s Chase 5K Run taking place on Saturday, February 12, 2011.  The Cupid’s Chase is a national 5K taking place in 24 cities across 10 states on the same day and same time.  Cupid’s Chase is hosted by national nonprofit, Community Options that supports people with disabilities.

“Health and fitness are really important to my family and me,” says Kresch.  “My Dad loved to exercise-running, cycling, and tennis were three of his favorite things to do,” he added.

Kresch is asking for donations in any amount to support his efforts to raise money for Purrs N’ Pups Animal Rescue Team as well as Hearts and Crafts Counseling.  Kresch is donating to Purrs N’ Pups because of his love for animals and because he got his dog from them.  Kresch chose Hearts and Crafts because they helped him, his sister and his mother when his father passed away.

To date, Kresch has raised over $5,000 for his charities of choice and continues to schedule himself for upcoming 5K’s in the area.  So far, he has run two, 5K’s and his third will be the Cupid’s Chase on February 12, 2011.  Kresch has run both races with a time of under twenty-seven minutes.

Come out on Saturday, February 12, 2011 to the Cupid’s Chase in Glen Rock, NJ, to cheer on Kresch as he continues to raise money for his charities of choice and fulfill his goal of five, 5K’s.  To you, Robbie Kresch, Community Options says, “Mazel Tov!”

Community Options rings Opening Bell at the NASDAQ

Nonprofits celebrate their accomplishments in many different ways. Community Options, a national nonprofit that supports people with disabilities has been working diligently on their annual 5K Run, Cupid’s Chase, since March of 2010. People like Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of New Jersey as the national Honorary Chairperson and corporations like Withum Smith + Brown, Gunlocke Furniture, Dani Leather, Haldeman Ford and the Bloomberg Foundation have already made this upcoming event a great success. All of these corporations and the many more sponsors of the Cupid’s Chase have an individual and organizational commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Community Options has worked tirelessly to garner the support of major corporations across the country for the Cupid’s Chase 5K Run and the mission of supporting people with disabilities.

“I encourage corporations across the United States to become involved with the Cupid’s Chase 5K Run that supports an important cause – community housing and employment for people with disabilities,” says Mary Pat Christie. “Community Options is a fantastic cause to align with to increase your corporate social responsibility efforts,” she added.

As a result of this hard work, Community Options, alongside it’s corporate partners, Withum Smith + Brown, Gunlocke Furniture, Dani Leather and even Senator Joe Kyrillos of New Jersey’s 13th Legislative District will be ringing the Opening Bell at the NASDAQ on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 just in time for the upcoming national Cupid’s Chase 5K Run on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

“Ringing the Opening Bell at the NASDAQ is the symbolic culmination of the work the organization has done this year to prepare for our largest annual fundraiser,” says Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “We are very lucky to have the corporate partners we have and the support of the First Lady of New Jersey, Mary Pat Christie, all of which have made this upcoming event already a great success,” he added.

The group will be ringing the Opening Bell at the NASDAQ to celebrate the finest of corporate social responsibility and couldn’t think of a better way to thank their corporate partners than to invite them to ring the bell with the organization. All of the proceeds from the upcoming Cupid’s Chase and the over $100,000 raised over the past year to support the run, will go directly to support people with disabilities the organization supports.

Connecticut Woman Commits to a Cause on her Wedding Day

On the day of their wedding, most brides are worried about seating arrangements, crying while walking down the aisle or getting their hair just right. This is not the case for Kate O'Keefe, a Connecticut resident and Legislative Aide to the Senate Republican Caucus in the Connecticut General Assembly. On the day of her wedding, February 12, 2011, O'Keefe will be running the Cupid's Chase 5K in Hartford.

Last week, O'Keefe received a notification via email for the Cupid's Chase 5K coming up in the Hartford area and knew that she needed to run. O'Keefe started running in high school to train for soccer. Her father ran marathons and she always trained with him but it wasn't until this past summer when she fell in love with running. O'Keefe describes that she wanted a new challenge for herself on a physical level so she signed up for the half marathon in New York and trained all summer and fall. O'Keefe received a lot of support from her family and her fiance, Kenny. Kenny is the first person O'Keefe looks for at the finish line and he is always cheering her on behind the camera lense.

"Kenny and I have been together over 4 years," says O'Keefe. "We got engaged on February 13, 2009, so this weekend has so much significance for us," she added. O'Keefe's father is a judge and he is marrying the couple at a small ceremony of family and friends later that night on February 12th after the race. O'Keefe's mother is her Matron of Honor and Kenny's son is his Best Man. "It's truly an intimate family affair with the people who are most important to us and our lives and we could not be more excited," said O'Keefe.

Running for a cause is highly important for O'Keefe, which is why she chose the Cupid's Chase 5K Run hosted by Community Options. Community Options is a national nonprofit organization that has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities since 1989. The organization operates in 37 cities across 10 states supporting thousands of people.

"I like to run for a cause because I get so much out of just the act of running that if I can do that and even just touch one person or help them in some way just by my entry fee then that is important," said O'Keefe. "I'll run pretty much any race, but the one's that help those less fortunate are the ones that really have an impact," she added.

O'Keefe says that running has given her so much personally by building self-confidence and allowing her to become more physically fit and even says that running is like her free therapy. O'Keefe indicates that she has found a stronger, cooler version of herself that she didn't even know existed as a result of running.

O'Keefe plans to make the Cupid's Chase an annual event that she participates in, but next year she will come across the finish line as Kate McAvoy. McAvoy, O'Keefe's fiance, is the owner of a restaurant chain in Connecticut called the Wood N Tap.

To join O'Keefe at the Cupid's Chase 5K Run, please visit the Cupid's Chase website to register or learn how to become a volunteer.
 


 


 
 
 
 


 

Real Work for Real Pay in San Antonio

Jennifer and Ruben lived with their mother in San Antonio where they grew up. They are brother and sister and they are persons with developmental disabilities. When Ruben approached his mid twenties, as most men do, he decided that he wanted to move away from Mom and live a more independent life. As a person with significant disabilities, he had very little options. He wanted to be independent, he wanted to be his own person and he wanted a job to earn money as all good Texans do.

His mother was being compensated by the state of Texas to assist Ruben to adequately access the community. He wanted desperately to be on his own. About three years ago, Rubin contacted Community Options. Community Options is a non-profit organization that has been doing business in Texas for the last 15 years. The mission of Community Options is to develop housing and employment for persons with disabilities.

Community Options has offices in San Antonio, Amarillo, Dallas, Corpus Christie and El Paso. Ruben contacted the case manager to express his interest in living more independently.

Staff at Community Options worked diligently with Reuben to develop a paradigm in which he could both live independently as possible, but receive support to ensure health safety and well being.

After extensive work and due diligence, staff and Reuben were able to locate a home on the south side of San Antonio. He now resides there with three other men and they have a great life.

However, staff and Reuben were still not satisfied. They knew that there was more to life and that Reuben needed a job. About eight months ago Reuben worked with the Community Options Director of Employment, Wendy Mahan. Her job is to find jobs and develop supports to enable people with developmental disabilities to remain employed. Wendy used her business advisory network and was able to secure a meaningful job for Reuben at the Burger King. Here, Reuben is responsible for restocking supplies and making sure that the restraint is kept in great shape.

Reuben filled with great joy and success at his placement decided that he would talk to his sister, Jennifer about the possibility of her working in a similar industry. She contacted Community Options and was able to secure similar housing on the northern eastern side of San Antonio. Jennifer lives in a lovely home with three other women. She affectionately refers to them as “my sisters.” They do basically what any other family does together. They plan meals and outings. They go shopping for bargains on the weekends and enjoy the community. Jennifer can do this because she contacted the Director of Employment and Ms. Mahan landed a job for Jennifer at Wendy’s. Here Jennifer has similar job responsibly as her brother and she has aspirations to be more involved with kitchen activities.

All in all, both brother and sister are doing well because of the help of Community Options. A year ago they rarely spoke, now the two of them are very close and enjoy each other’s company.

Community Options is a great non-profit and is constantly doing good to help its consumers. On February 12 Community Options of San Antonio will have a 5k race at Brackenridge Park. The race starts at 10 and the registration is at 8. It is called Cupid’s Chase and it is really exciting. Community Options runs this race simultaneously in 24 cities in 10 states. Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of New Jersey (Governor Christie’s wife) is the national Chair and she is challenging Texans to run in this race.

Local Artist Supports National Cause

Wayne Lerman, a local Artist and Architect recently became involved with Community Options to support the Cupid's Chase 5K Run! Lerman will be donating a piece of his fabulous artwork for a silent auction and party taking place on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Gunlocke Showroom in Manhattan.

As an architect who designs buildings, Lerman has always considered himself an artist.

"The expression of the art form is the primary expressive form in my buildings utilizing geometry, shapes, color, texture, and contradiction. It is these elements which I believe make interesting structures which have expression and meaning," stated Lerman. "In my art, I try to express color, form, and textures."



Lerman's work does not grow from a visible form but develops in how he develops the relationship, color, and texture in a composition that creates visual excitement.

Since Lerman deals with realism every day, abstract expression for him is a way to get out of the box without limitations of budget, function, and rules which are elements in the creation of architecture.



Lerman is new to the world of a painter but believes there is a feeling he can create in how his clients view his art or his buildings. It is a stimulation which he hopes makes one energized and free to think of what they imagine.

Lerman is a graduate of Pratt Institute School of Architecture. He has had classes in art, jewelry, and sculpture at Summit Art Center. He is currently at the Guild of Creative Art under James Kent. Lerman's work was recently displayed at the Middletown Abstract Art Exhibition and Cask 591 located in West Long Branch.

If you are interested in bidding on Lerman's work at the silent auction or supporting Community Options, please click here!