SERV opens new home for youth with intellectual disabilities

SERV Achievement Centers, a division of SERV Behavioral Health System (SERV BHS), celebrated the grand opening of a group home for youth ages 14 to 17 with intellectual and development disabilities on July 23. 

The 5-bedroom home is one of three homes in Willingboro that came to fruition through an award from the N.J. Division of Children and Families to provide services for children and their families.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Regina Widdows, President/CEO of SERV BHS, and Bob Bacon, Chief Operating Officer of SERV Achievement Centers, addressed more than 40 guests, including representatives from youth organizations, area corporations, SERV board members, and staff. “I am so thankful to so many of you who have been with us every step of the way so that this day would come,” Widdows said.  

The homes are dedicated to providing youth with a safe, nurturing and therapeutically supportive environment. The program includes a comprehensive array of services to assist the youth in acquiring skills needed to successfully return to their family home. Under the direction of Kristina Escobar, a board-certified behavior analyst, SERV’s highly trained staff will develop individual support plans and identify goals for each youth to foster personal growth, development and independence in a supportive environment. Staff also will work jointly with the youth’s parent/guardian to ameliorate any challenges before the child returns home.

For access to care, call 1-833-CAN-SERV.

Champions, Finalists of the 29th Volley For SERV

Congratulations to the Champions and Finalists of the 29th Annual Volley For SERV Tennis Tournament, held June 12 at Cherry Valley Country Club.

They are:

Womens A: Champs Gwen Guidice & Louise Gengler Thomas and finalists Kei imanishi and Jame Hynes.

Womens B: Champs Donna Nagel & Melissa Jones and finalists Carol MacLennan & Terri James

Mens A: Champs Ben Branche & Dave Russo and finalists Matt Pierson & Matt Geiger

Mens B: Champs Chester Lau & Mike Chow and Finalists Ted Golfinopoulos & Dave Kramer.

Mens C: Champs Eric Goldman & Kevin Mehta and finalists Andre Haupt & Andrew Michinard

Mixed A: Champs Dan Khoo & Ashley Friedman and finalists Christine Grant & Alan Meinster

Mixed B: Champs Barry Szaferman & Sena Hill and finalists Donna & Mark Nagel

Mixed C: Champs Christina & Marty Semmelhack and finalists Patience Nyamadzawo & James Koepple

Young Professionals raise $7K at Beef & Beer

Members of the Young Professionals Group

The SERV Foundation is proud to announce the success of the Young Professionals Group’s 2nd annual Beef & Beer event held on Saturday, April 27, at Big Heads Richboro Pub in Richboro, Pa.

The group exceeded their event goal and raised a net profit of $7,306 through sponsorships, the silent auction, donations, and ticket sales -- a 50% increase over last year’s net revenue!

Members of the Young Professionals Group, who assisted in all aspects of the event from securing sponsors to procuring silent auction items, are: Tim Smith, President; Patrick Brogan, Vice President; Justin Stedman, Treasurer; Eric Goldman, Membership Chair; Joanna Adu, Edward Allison, Nathan Arronson, Deanna Balerno-Ireland, Juli Coppola, Albie Delgado, Jared Martin, Hitesh Patel, Waldemar “Tito” Ronquillo, David Russo, and Andre Trott.

The SERV Foundation is grateful to the generous sponsors who supported the Young Professionals: Silver Sponsor, Johnson Kendall Johnson; and Bronze Sponsors: Greenview Landsculpting; LTM Properties LLC; Lyons & Associates PC; Mercadien; Rapps Pharmacy; Top Quality Services LLC, and Zadlock Landscaping.

The Young Professionals Group, ages 21 to 40, meets monthly at SERV’s Corporate Office in Ewing and plans several fundraisers throughout the year to benefit SERV consumers.

SERV receives ‘Outstanding Provider of Year’ award

SERV Centers of New Jersey, a division of SERV Behavioral Health System, received the “Princeton Tiger Award: Outstanding Provider of the Year” by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA).

The award was presented by NJAMHAA’s President and CEO, Debra L. Wentz, Ph.D., to SERV President and CEO Regina Widdows during NJAMHAA’s “Top of Their League: Courage and Compassion Awards Reception” on April 15 at the Crowne Plaza Princeton.

SERV Behavioral Health System, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, was recognized for providing outstanding clinical care, successfully launching ground breaking innovative programs, providing a supportive work environment for employees, and for steadfastly providing leadership in the behavioral health community.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Ms. Widdows when accepting the Outstanding Provider award. “My sincere thanks go out to SERV Centers’ Chief Operating Officer Pauline Simms and each team member for their dedication to adults and youth with behavioral challenges. I am so proud of the difficult work they do every day to assist our consumers as they work toward building more independent and meaningful lives.”

SERV Behavioral Health System provides services in 11 New Jersey counties include residential services, partial-care programs, vocational training, crisis intervention, in-home services as well as outpatient services that are focused on the individual’s needs.