GIRL SCOUTS TEAM UP WITH NJ FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND TO INCREASE SENSITIVITY OF DENVILLE MERCHANTS

This Spring, girls from Denville’s Cadette Girl Scout Troop 554 will visit Denville merchants to deliver a training program that will enable them to assist customers who are blind or visually impaired more effectively.

The girls are trained to provide retail clerks, cashiers, restaurateurs and service-oriented business with suggestions specific to their type of business. These suggestions and guidelines will make it easier for persons with vision loss to patronize their business and increase the level of satisfaction for both the business and customer. The Denville Chamber of Commerce will help connect the girls to member businesses.

The girls came up with the idea as the centerpiece of their Silver Award Project. Having seen NJ Foundation for the Blind (NJFFB) instructors teaching travel skills to adults with visual impairment in Denville Center, the girls decided to approach the Foundation about their idea. Officials from NJFFB agreed this was a much-needed project that would enhance their students’ self-confidence and independence. NJFFB has worked closely with the Girl Scout troop providing sensitivity training, rules of etiquette, and other helpful insights and materials.

If you are not contacted and want to schedule a Girl Scout training for your business, please contact troop leaders Donna Banks-Ficcio at 973-983-0979 or Jennifer Waverczak at 973-586-0985.

For more information on the NJ Foundation for the Blind programs contact our program assistant at 973-627-0055, Ext. 312 or via email at registration@njffb.org.

NJFFB Hosts Lunch ‘N Learn for Vision Partners

On Wednesday, February 13, NJFFB hosted an event to increase awareness of our programs within the vision rehabilitation community. 58 vision professionals, including optometrists, low vision therapists, vision rehabilitation therapists, mobility instructors and many others had an opportunity to learn about the new and exciting ways in which we are serving adults who are blind or visually impaired, as well as their family members. There was also ample time designated for learning about the myriad of services provided by our vision partners, including those provided by our event co-sponsor, Home Instead, which provides caregiver services for seniors. To learn more about the services offered by Home Instead, you can contact their main office located in Morris County at 973-442-8383.

NJ Foundation for the Blind Enters 2008 with New Executive Director and New Mission

Denville, NJ. January 14, 2008.

The New Jersey Foundation for the Blind (NJFFB), known to most New Jerseyans as Diamond Spring Lodge, opens 2008 as its first full year of operation under the banner of its new leader and new mission.

Iris Torres, named the Foundation’s Executive Director in 2007 is acutely aware of the growing issue of blindness and the Foundation’s role in meeting the challenge. She has worked professionally with children and adults who are visually impaired for over thirty-five years and has received the Teacher of the Year Award from the New York Public School system and the Nat Seaman Award from the New York State Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. As a person with a congenital visual impairment herself, she has been a lifelong advocate for persons with disabilities.

Ms. Torres quotes the alarming statistics from the American Foundation for the Blind, which forecasts that the number of blind and visually impaired persons will double in just twenty-five years. “Many adults will suffer age-related vision loss, and live with that condition for another twenty or thirty years,” explains Ms. Torres. “That is the reason the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind is now focused more intensely on assistive technologies and adaptive living skills.”

Once a popular residential social and recreational center for the blind, the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind’s Diamond Spring Lodge has been a fixture on the Denville landscape for over fifty years. Started as a summer camp property for blind women and weekend social events during the 1950’s, the Foundation became more rehabilitation-centered in the 1990s. In 2006, the Foundation began the process of transforming itself into a comprehensive learning center that teaches a variety of specialized skills to adults who are blind or visually impaired.

Residential programs are no longer offered at Diamond Spring Lodge, replaced by daytime classes running for 10-week sessions, two days per week, year round. The program is running at near capacity, about 50 students per class. The classes are augmented with special Holidays at the Lodge Programs, which are a blend of recreational, social and hands-on projects and a condensed 6-week summer program of core rehabilitative courses.

“The Foundation’s professional staff helps students become more self- reliant and safe through small classes and one-on-one instruction in orientation and mobility, home management skills, communication via the Internet and email, organization techniques and assistive technology skills,” explains Ms. Torres.

According to Ms. Torres, when students graduate the program they are often able to live independently and adapt to the community activities and leisure pursuits they enjoyed when sighted.

“Of course, our residential capacity provides unlimited opportunities for future program expansion,” acknowledges Ms. Torres, “but for now, we are very pleased with the outcomes of our daytime program. There is a world of difference between our students the first day they arrive at the Foundation, unsure and fearful, to the self-reliant and skilled graduates who are prepared to live with the challenges of their vision loss.”

The New Jersey Foundation for the Blind is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization supported by contributions from the public. Tuition is income-based and transportation is provided from many areas in Northern New Jersey and Union County. For more information, visit the website at www.njffb.org or call 973-627-0055.

Pictures of Iris:

Halloween Happenings

The community turned out in force on Saturday afternoon, October 27, to the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind’s 2nd Annual Halloween Event. Local families and their children enjoyed many Halloween-themed games, live music and magic, tons of sweet treats, all ending in a huge costume parade. Thrill seekers found lots to scream about in the Haunted Room and Creepy Corridor.

But most importantly, this was a chance for the sighted community to meet our students and former students who are blind or visually impaired. Hopefully, our guests learned that the special needs of the blind do not prevent them from participating in the fun and enjoying the company of sighted people of all ages.

In addition to our dedicated staff, many volunteers made this event a great success. We’d like to publicly thank Denville Girl Scout Troop 1933, led by Lucille Kuiser; the students of the Morris Catholic High School Honor Society, led by Dr. Fred Preston; Sonja Dolisi of Boonton Township; and the members of the Tzu Chi Foundation of Cedar Grove for making this a memorable event for over 400 participants.

Some pictures from the Halloween Party:

First Founders Day a Success

The New Jersey Foundation for the Blind (NJFFB) held its first annual Founders Day on June 30, 2007, which commemorated the life work of NJFFB founder and long-time board member, Helen Gromann. Over 150 people attended the event, which featured an art exhibition of 45 pieces of artwork created by Foundation students in the following elective courses: Artist’s Studio, Pottery Studio, and Weaving Studio. As wine, appetizers, and refreshments were served, John Lenis and Hal Keshner provided contemporary jazz background music, creating a formal art show atmosphere for the event.

Some highlights of the day:

Ellen Sandman, Denville’s town administrator, shared her knowledge of the history of Diamond Spring Lodge.

Joseph, the Foundation’s art therapist, spoke about the artists and their displayed artwork.

John , the Foundation’s music teacher, introduced the music program for the event. Three of the Foundation’s most recent graduates sang a song called, “Don’t Laugh at Me.” Performances also included “Someone to Watch Over Me” performed by Jane Degenshein and Hal Keshner, and “Danny Boy” performed by John Luland and Hal Keshner.

John Gromann shared some of his fond memories of his wife Helen.

The auditorium was officially named Helen Gromann Hall, and a plaque was unveiled that will be mounted in the Hall to commemorate her life’s work and dedication to the Foundation.

Notable Quotes:

“I think last Saturday was a phenomenal day. Everyone there did such a wonderful, beautiful job. It came across with so much elegance and class. It was magnificent. It makes me proud to say that I am a part of the NJ Foundation for the Blind.”

Trish Ebel

“The Dedication yesterday was wonderful. You all did such a great job on this. It was very professional and very fitting for a Helen Gromann event. The art pieces were outstanding. I can't believe the talent that was exposed yesterday.”

Mary Ann Speenburgh

“The classiest event I have attended at the Foundation”

Patricia Healy

Statements from the artists:

“When I lost my sight, I did not know that I could still be an artist. I had to challenge myself throughout the Artist Studio, and eventually I started to create out of sheer love for the art. Focusing on clay work, I am exhibiting several pieces made for my grandkids. They call me MuMu, so the collection is entitled, ‘MuMu's Pride.’ It was so much fun and so relaxing to play with art supplies that I am now thinking of making a small portion of my home into my very own artist studio.”

Rebecca Irvin

“I could not believe those little fabric scraps would turn into such a beautiful quilt. I am quite proud of how much I accomplished this term. My little lumps of clay became actual pottery pieces. I had these ideas in my head and the clay really became what I wanted it to. I am so proud of what I accomplished and look forward to finally using my own sewing machine at home.”

Tara Carty

Some pictures from Founders Day:

This event would not have been possible without the generous donations we received.

The Foundation would also like to send a special thank you to Hal Keshner and the Tzu-Chi organization for their kindness and generosity.

Foundation Family Mourns the Loss of Helen Gromann

Helen Gromann, one of the Founders of Diamond Spring Lodge and a Board member for 50 years, passed away on January 6, 2007. It was Helen's unswerving commitment to establishing a facility for blind women that led to the creation of Diamond Spring Lodge. From the beginning, whatever the Lodge needed, Helen made sure it was available. She secured the early contributions that made the purchase of the property and its early renovations possible. When the task was enormous and the funding small, she organized volunteers to clean and paint. She recruited staff and teachers, developed programs and was a fixture at every special event. In October, 2005, Helen and her husband John were honored with the Founders Award at the Lodge's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Both in her service at the Lodge and in her long time work with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Helen Gromann's commitment to making the lives of the visually impaired better, continues on at The NJ Foundation For The Blind and inspires the work being done here every day.

In that spirit, the Board voted at its January meeting, to name the auditorium Helen Gromann Hall in her honor. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her devoted husband, John who stood by her side throughout their lives together. It has always been a joy to see this intertwined couple compliment each other in every step of their journey through life. Helen will be greatly missed by all who knew her, although her spirit will remain with the Foundation forever.

Daily Record Obituary on Helen Gromann

Longtime resident of West Orange Mrs. Helen M. Gromann (nee McGrath) of West Orange died on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at St. Cloud Health Care Center, West Orange. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at St. Josephs R.C. Church, West Orange. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the QuinnHopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston. Born in Astoria, N.Y., Mrs. Gromann was raised in Maplewood, and then settled in West Orange 50 years ago. After graduating from Columbia High School in Maplewood, she received her bachelor of arts degree from the College of St. Elizabeth and then earned her masters degree in social work from Fordham University in New York. She worked for the State of New Jersey in Newark with the Commission for the Blind for 40 years, retiring in 1984. She also founded the Diamond Spring Lodge of the Foundation for the Blind in 1953. Mrs. Gromann was the beloved wife of John Gromann, and cherished sister of Grace Ryall of Livingston and Irene Cash of Berkeley Heights. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for the Blind Diamond Spring Lodge, 230 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville, N.J. 07834.