Community Options
{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| logo =
| formation = {{start date and age|1989}}
| type = 501(c)(3) non-profit
| purpose =
| key_people = {{plainlist|
- Robert Stack
- Dr. Colleen Wieck
- Frank Zak
- Paul Hritz
- Elizabeth Pendler
}}
| slogan =
| logo_size =
| name = Community Options
| abbreviation =
| founder = Robert Stack
| region = United States
| website = {{url|https://www.comop.org/}}
| focus = Disability services
| revenue =
| location = Princeton, New Jersey
| tax_id =
| founding_location =
}}
Community Options, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization[http://www.pvo.net/usaid/pvo.asp?i=3043&INCVOLAG=YES&INCSUM=YES&VolagText= USAID " Registered U.S. and International PVOs"] "USAID", 2013 that provides housing and employment supports[https://www.disability.gov/resource/community-options/ "Find organizations in your community"] " Disability.gov", 2014 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 12 states, supporting more than 5,000 people with disabilities.{{Cite web|last=Stansell|first=Kaitlin|date=11 April 2020|title=Organization helps people with disabilities regain normalcy during coronavirus isolation|url=https://www.live5news.com/2020/04/10/organization-helps-people-with-disabilities-regain-normalcy-during-coronavirus-isolation/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411065755/https://www.live5news.com/2020/04/10/organization-helps-people-with-disabilities-regain-normalcy-during-coronavirus-isolation/ |archive-date=2020-04-11 |access-date=2021-01-14|website=Live5News|language=en-US}} Community Options was founded by Robert Stack in 1989.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2014-02-06|title=Cupid's Chase 5K in 6 NJ Towns to Help Disabled|url=https://www.njspotlight.com/news/uncategorized/cupids-chase-5k-held-in-6-nj-towns-for-non-profit-organization/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001084643/https://www.njspotlight.com/news/uncategorized/cupids-chase-5k-held-in-6-nj-towns-for-non-profit-organization/ |archive-date=2020-10-01 |access-date=2021-01-14|website=NJ Spotlight News|language=en-US}}
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.Dilshanie Perera, [http://www.towntopics.com/jul3008/other3.php "Princeton Resident Named to Gov. Richardson’s Task Force"], Town Topics, Wednesday, 30 July 2008 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 state-run institutions and large congregate settings.Matt Hammond, [http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/10/hopewell_to_break_ground_for_g.html "Hopewell to break ground for group home"], "The Times", 21 October 2012
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.[http://www.comop.org/about-us/history/ "A Brief History of Community Options, Inc."] "Community Options, Inc.", 2014
The United States House of Representatives honored Community Options for 25 years of service on February 10, 2014.Hon. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2014-02-10/html/CREC-2014-02-10-pt1-PgE189-3.htm "Celebrating The 25th Anniversary of Community Options"],"Congressional Record Volume 160 Number 24", 10 February 2014 On May 8, 2014, the organization gave Thomas Kean, the 48th governor of New Jersey, its Betty Pendler Award for his years of service dedicated to people with disabilities.[http://www.nj.gov/humanservices/opmrdd/home/history/ "History"], "Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities", 2014{{Cite web|last=O'Connor|first=Jeff|title=Elaine Katz to receive Betty Pendler Award|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2015/05/10/community-options-honors-elaine-katz/26999765/|access-date=2021-01-21|website=MyCentralJersey.com|language=en-US}}
As of 2021, Community Options supports over 4,500 people with disabilities. With approximately 5,000 employees, it is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in New Jersey.{{Cite web|last=Media|first=George E. Jordan {{!}} For NJ Advance|date=2021-03-28|title=COVID is adding scores of newly disabled employees – and challenges – to the workforce|url=https://www.nj.com/business/2021/03/covid-is-adding-scores-of-newly-disabled-employees-and-challenges-to-the-workforce.html|access-date=2021-07-19|website=nj|language=en}} Community Options operates over 550 group homes in the country, including 150 in New Jersey and 120 in Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|last=Brubaker|first=Harold|title=Elwyn, a 168-year-old lifeline for many families, is struggling under financial strain|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/elwyn-media-mclister-financial-challenges-group-home-operator-20200605.html|access-date=2021-07-19|website=www.inquirer.com|date=5 June 2020 |language=en}}
In 2022, Community Options entered Iowa to transition people from Glenwood Resource Center into the community.{{cite web | url=https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-12-20/new-nonprofit-hopes-to-fill-gaps-left-by-closure-of-glenwood-resource-center | title=New nonprofit hopes to fill gaps left by closure of Glenwood Resource Center | date=20 December 2022 }}
Cupid's Chase 5K
Cupid's Chase 5K is an annual fundraising race presented by Community Options.Ambrose Salmini, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvAwVsU7HK0&list=UU5gBJeug96ESCdbPiuylQoA "2014 Cupid's Chase NYC "] "RUNNING Series", 5 March 2014 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.[http://www.compuscore.com/cs2009/janfeb/cupid1.htm "CUPID'S CHASE 5K RUN Overall Results"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023211705/http://www.compuscore.com/cs2009/janfeb/cupid1.htm |date=2013-10-23 }} "compuscore", 14 February 2009[http://www.princeton.edu/~run/races.html "Past Races"] "Princeton Running Club", 14 February 2009 In 2014, Cupid's Chase took place in 24 cities across the country.Matlin Smith, [http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_25069806/cupids-chase-5k-benefits-nonprofit-community-option#sthash.sI1m3NKC.dpuf "Cupid's Chase 5K benefits nonprofit Community Option"] "The Las Cruces Sun-News ", 05 February 2014
In 2020, Under Armour signed a multiyear sponsorship of the race.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=Oct 14, 2020|title=Cupid's Chase 5K Announces Under Armour Sponsorship|work=Town Topics|url=https://issuu.com/witherspoonmediagroup/docs/tt_10-14-20_digital_issue|access-date=}} In 2020, the race took place in 31 cities in the U.S.{{Cite web|date=2020-02-04|title=Community Options to host Annual Cupid's Chase 5k at Vestal Coal House|url=https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/up-to-the-minute/community-options-to-host-annual-cupids-chase-5k-at-vestal-coal-house/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=WIVT - NewsChannel 34|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Himler|first=Jeff|date=5 February 2020|title=Cupid's 5K in Latrobe a loving benefit for adults with special needs {{!}} TribLIVE.com|url=https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/cupids-5k-in-latrobe-a-loving-benefit-for-adults-with-special-needs/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205193732/https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/cupids-5k-in-latrobe-a-loving-benefit-for-adults-with-special-needs/ |archive-date=2020-02-05 |access-date=2021-01-15|website=triblive.com}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Himler|first=Jeff|date=|title=Cupid's Chase charity race in Latrobe adds virtual option|url=https://lancasteronline.com/news/health/cupids-chase-charity-race-in-latrobe-adds-virtual-option/article_258699b5-240f-506e-8f1a-ef6aba7019f9.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-15|website=LancasterOnline|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Cupid's Chase {{!}} Community Options, Inc.|date=14 March 2019 |url=https://www.comop.org/cupidschase/|access-date=2021-01-15|language=en-US}}
Services
Community Options operates several businesses in the United States that employ people with disabilities.[http://www.comop.org/services/enterprises/ " Enterprises "] "Community Options, Inc.", 2014 Community Options opened Vaseful, a nonprofit flower shop, in 1999.{{Cite web|last=Curran|first=Philip Sean|date=2019-07-01|title=Community blossoms at Princeton's Vaseful Flowers and Gifts|url=https://communitynews.org/2019/07/01/community-blossoms-at-princetons-vaseful-flowers-and-gifts/|access-date=2021-01-14|website=Community News|language=en-US}} A second shop opened in Princeton in 2019. Employees are responsible for credit card processing, phone orders, shipping, distribution, inventory management and floral arranging.[http://newjersey.news12.com/multimedia/new-brunswick-s-vaseful-gets-ready-for-mother-s-day-1.7973518 "New Brunswick’s Vaseful gets ready for Mother’s Day"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140820182959/http://newjersey.news12.com/multimedia/new-brunswick-s-vaseful-gets-ready-for-mother-s-day-1.7973518 |date=2014-08-20 }} "News 12 New Jersey", 9 May 2014
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.PHIL GARBER, [http://newjerseyhills.com/mt_olive_chronicle/news/presents-of-mind-is-gift-to-disabled/article_5ea12c2a-2779-53b8-a02c-f0aa99b4f79a.html?mode=story "‘Presents of Mind’ is gift to disabled"] "Mount Olive Chronicle", 30 January 2009 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, New Jersey, in 1997Brendan Kuty, [http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2013/10/video_the_daily_plan_it_in_morristown_teaches_job_skills_to_the_developmentally_disabled.html "The Daily Plan It in Morristown teaches job skills to the developmentally disabled"] "New Jersey On-Line", 14 October 2013 and there are additional Daily Plan It facilities in Morristown, New Jersey, and Wayne, New Jersey.{{Cite web|last=Flammia|first=Dino|date=5 November 2020|title=New NJ site offers paid work, training to those with disabilities|url=https://nj1015.com/new-nj-site-offering-paid-work-training-to-those-with-disabilities/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106154905/https://nj1015.com/new-nj-site-offering-paid-work-training-to-those-with-disabilities/ |archive-date=2020-11-06 |access-date=2021-01-14|website=New Jersey 101.5|language=en}} 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.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/budget_2015/031314/Thomas_L.pdf "Testimony of Linda Zani Thomas of The Parents Group"] "New Jersey Legislature Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Public Hearing" 13 March 2014
Annual Conference
Community Options hosts an annual national conference to discuss services to people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury. In 2024, the conference was held in Santa Fe, NM.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
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.{{Cite web|last=Giannantonio|first=Christina|date=2015-05-19|title=Katz receives Betty Pendler Award|url=https://www.nj.com/essex/2015/05/katz_receives_betty_pendler_award.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128132711/https://www.nj.com/essex/2015/05/katz_receives_betty_pendler_award.html |archive-date=2021-01-28 |access-date=2021-01-21|website=nj|language=en}} Pendler was a member of the board of directors for AHRC New York City. Pendler, who died in 2001, was known for her work for people with disabilities as well as raising a daughter with a developmental disability.