Staff Spotlight March 2021
Meet Amy VanClief- Transition Counselor
We would like to introduce you to Amy Vanclief, Transition Counselor at Inroads to Opportunities.
Q- Tell us about your journey at Inroads to Opportunities?
A- I started working at Inroads in February 2020, right before the pandemic started. Since the pandemic my routine and schedule changed many times. The students in the Transition Program however work on vocational lessons geared for job preparation, generally followed by paid time for workshop hours.
Q- What are the main challenges that you face as Transition Counselor at Inroads?
A- Some challenges are working on a hybrid model of some students being home zooming in virtually and some students being in person. We try to accommodate everyone based on their needs and learning styles, but sometimes it’s difficult.
Q- Would you like to describe your best day at work?
A- My best day at work is seeing the participants and the transition students happy and content.
Q- What is something that can only happen at Inroads?
A- The staff participants and students are welcoming and accommodating. Everyone is supportive and caring.
Q- This year we went to having 250 program participants, to having 25 staff members, to having temps doing the production. How has this year been in your perspective?
A- I spent the summer not having the traditional summer program for my students. We ended up doing a hybrid learning model and I also worked in the workshop doing production. During that time, I learned so much about production and the participant’s perspective regarding this.
Q-Who is Amy Vanclief in 3 words?
A- Kind, creative and compassionate.
Staff Spotlight February 2021
It all begins with an idea.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
We would like to introduce you to Patty Johns, Workshop Supervisor at Inroads to Opportunities.
Tell us about your journey at Inroads to Opportunities?
I joined Inroads in May 2016. Even though it was a completely new opportunity for me, I immediately started to enjoy it. I love what I do. The participants are wonderful and everyone treats each other with mutual respect. Everything has been good during this journey and hopefully it will last many years.
What are the challenges as Supervisor at Inroads?
One of the biggest challenges is learning how to work with individuals who have mental health challenges because their personality can change day-to-day. Sometimes it’s hard to keep them engaged. As a supervisor I try to help them maintain a positive mood.
Another challenge is when working with participants who struggle with hand eye coordination. I often sit closer to them and work one on one to show them how to do a particular job. They might struggle at first but once they get it, the smile on their face is what get me through.
Would you like to share with us what’s the best day at work looks like here at Inroads?
I used to have participants that would take pictures with me in groups and hang them on the wall by my work area. They would always greet me with a big smile and ask to see how I am doing. The participants make me feel welcome when I come to work.
What is something that can only happen at Inroads?
At Inroads you feel loved when you walk in. I am glad some of the participants are back and I have the chance to work with them. That’s what makes me happy and I am very thankful for this opportunity.
How has the past year been in your perspective?
The past year was very tough. Everything started in March 2020 when we had to send the participants home due to the pandemic. Luckily our management team decided to keep going and we all stayed and pitched in. We put in a lot of long hours, weekends and overtime, which was stressful but we did all of it for the participants because we wanted them to come back to a safe training environment.
What will Inroads look like in the next 5 years?
Hopefully, Inroads will grow and get bigger and we will have the need for another warehouse. There are so many people out there that can benefit from coming here for vocational rehabilitation services. It’s my hope that in 5 years we will have more program participants to train.
Who is Patty in 3 words?
Caring, sympathetic and passionate.
Valentine's for Homeless Veterans
It all begins with an idea.
Inroads to Opportunities program participants are spreading the love this Valentine Season. Over the last month, participants like Maria F. (pictured above) assembly 125+ valentine care packages for homeless or at risk Veterans.
Our friends at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark provide support services for veteran families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Through their efforts, they quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. The Supportive Services are provided to very low-income Veteran families in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union Counties of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Outreach workers from the Newark SSVF program Taina Rodriguez and Ivette David recently visited us at Inroads to Opportunities. (Pictured Above: with President CEO Michele Ford, Director of Vocational Services Cyndy Walsh Rintzler).
Our staff members were incredibly moved by stories that Taina and Ivette told us in regards to working with the veteran population. We are exploring new ways that Inroads to Opportunities can help our veterans through our vocational rehabilitation services.
Director of Vocational Services Cyndy Walsh Rintzler provided participants with a step by step video on how to complete these care packages.
Each of the 125 Valentine’s included tissues, Chapstick, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, masks and a personalized message from each participant.
Inroads applauds the amazing supports that Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark provides our veterans. We hope that these care packages help lift the spirits of our American heroes.
Staff Spotlight January 2021
Michael McCrea- Operations Manager
Inroads would like to introduce you to Michael McCrea, Production Manager at Inroads to Opportunities.
“I have been working at Inroads to Opportunities since 2015, and these years have been 5 fantastic, generation changing, marvelous years. I am very happy to be here.”
Tell us about your journey at Inroads to Opportunities?
I started at Inroads to Opportunities as Operation Manager in July 2015. Being new and in a different type of atmosphere, I had to learn a lot of things, but I knew this place had a lot of love in it, so it helped me to be dedicated to what I do. Now we are to the point that we are running as a “smooth oil machine”.
What are the challenges as Production Manager at Inroads?
My biggest challenge is to keep everyone focused, especially when dealing with our supervisors, which they have people that have to QC, and keep focused on what’s going on around them. My job is to make sure they are in the best possible situation to allow themselves to always stay focused. I am here as support to everybody.
What was your best day of work here over the last 5 years?
I am going to say that “My best day is going to be the next day”. Every time I come here there are always new challenges, and I love to come here and battle those things. Make people better, make people smile, make them comfortable is what encourages me to keep coming every day.
What is something that can only happen at Inroads?
At Inroads we try to bring a lot of good vibes, and SMILING is the reason that allows people to have good vibes. Everyone here is smiling. When it’s raining, snowing, whether is Monday or Friday. At Inroads you will always get a smile, you will always get a “good morning”, no matter what the situation is.
In 2020, we went from having 250 program participants, to having 25 staff members, to having temps doing the production. What has 2020 been like in your perspective?
I feel like this year was like “being on a boat with bumpy waters”. You know the storm is coming and the only thing that you can do is buckle down and just keep heading forward. We all came together as a team, work hard, take those orders and try to keep ourselves outstanding.
What does Inroads look like to you in 5 years from now?
Everyone here has a plan, whether you are here to develop to find work outside, whether you are here to help someone find work outside, whether you are here to develop the skills that you currently have pending to go somewhere. People will get better over the years, we will have more things to getting involved to. Wider horizon, more new jobs.
Who is Michael McCrea in 3 words?
Energetic, encouraging and leader
Seasons Greetings from our Transition Program
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Happy Holidays from Inroads to Transition!
We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe as we close out 2020.
At Inroads, we believe in not only enhancing vocational skills for our students, but also improving social skills and giving back to others. Despite a whirlwind year, our students have grown with the help of our hybrid model, mixing a virtual classroom with in person lessons.
Transition Student Maria colors a “Be Happy,” design for Color Me Smile organization.
This holiday season, our students have been volunteering to help Color Me Smile organization; a non-profit that distributes cheerful drawings and pictures to senior citizen homes and troops overseas.
On December 17th & 18th, students enjoyed ‘Polar Express Days.’
Inroads encouraged students to wear their pajamas to program (including virtually). We made gingerbread houses and enjoying the story of Polar Express read by Transition counselor, Amy Vanclief. For our students who are not able to attend in person, we made sure their materials were delivered so that no one was excluded.
Each year our Transition Program volunteers to wrap holiday presents at various locations. Due to the pandemic, we were unable to make our usual rounds to local businesses. This year, students wrapped gifts in-house for our staff members and family group.
Transition counselor Amy Vanclief maintains our hybrid program for students unable to attend Inroads in person.
We would also like to thank the parents and guardians of our students who have helped us to maintain our transition program virtually this year! We appreciate your support and patience.
On behalf of our students, we would like to wish you a Happy & Healthy New Year!
- Marquis, Chase, Romeo, Maria, Khurran, Manny, Joseph
Holiday Express 2020
December 4th, 2020 New Jersey’s Holiday Express performed virtually for our program participants at Inroads to Opportunities.
Since its inception in 1993, The Holiday Express mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.
This year marks the second annual performance that the band and their amazing musicians and staff donated to Inroads to help make our season brighter. In December 2019, Holiday Express performed live at Inroads for 350+ program participants, staff and family members. Given the circumstances of this year, we were extremely fortunate to have Holiday Express perform and make this event work.
Holiday Express volunteer generously dropped off over 120 lunches and gift bags for our program participants.
Jersey Mike’s donated over 120 lunches for our program participants and staff members, which included a sub sandwich, chips, cookies, candy and a drink.
This year to ensure the safety of our participants, our Holiday Express event was spread out across two of our warehouse buildings. After lunch was served we enjoyed an hour long virtual performance from the Holiday Express Band pre-recorded with an orchestra full of incredible musicians.
Inroads set up two 60 inch TV screens on 6 ft. trusses with professional sound. Our participants danced and clapped along to the music across the entirety of the performance. We set up markers on the floor 6 ft. apart to keep everyone socially distanced. Participants clapped between songs to show their appreciation for the band.
After the performance, each participant was gifted a holiday express tote bag with a variety of goodies.
We would like to send a huge thank you to Holiday Express for making this year possible! Thank you to Jersey Mike’s Subs for a delicious meal and to all the vendors who donated items for our gift bags.
Additionally we would like to thank Liliana Fornes for helping us coordinate this event. Holiday Express staff member Amy Robinson, Tim McCloone and the volunteers and musicians who donated their time and talents.
Last but not least, we would like to thank our staff members who helped us serve meals, deliver gift bags and keep everyone safe. Everyone from our kitchen staff- Rita, Denise, Natalie, Karen & Shantasia, our vocational rehabilitation team members- Michele, Cyndy, Dan, Harry, Bryan,Letty, Tammy, Steve, Martha, Gayl, Dale, Donna, Lynn, and our supervisors and assembly services staff members for helping make our event run smoothly!
Special thanks to Strike Sound and Lighting in Linden, NJ for helping us with this virtual set up!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
36th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
Inroads to Employment Job Coach Lisa Jamison serves Thanksgiving lunch to our program participants.
Tuesday November 24th, Inroads to Opportunities held it’s 36th annual Thanksgiving luncheon for our program participants. A time honored tradition, for many staff members it is our favorite day of the year because we get to serve our participants and see the joy on their faces.
(Left to Right)Inroads Michael G. and Darrin A. enjoying their Thanksgiving meal.
Since 1984 our charity has been serving an annual thanksgiving luncheon to our participants. In 2019, Inroads served 350+ hot lunches during thanksgiving time.
Although this year we have been challenged with the reality of the pandemic, we still managed to serve over 70 participants and our staff members who have been working hard all year to maintain our programs.
Inroads would like to first thank our kitchen staff and supervisor Rita Christiansen for the amazing meal they prepared for us.
Additionally, this would not be possible without the help of our sponsors: Holiday Express Band, Wells Fargo Advisors-Peter Horowitz, Paymedia-Alan Valvano, Staff Management Group-Orlando Reyes, Riverbed Media Partners- Ryan Smith & Sarah Matthews, Bank of America U.S. Trust- Jean Harrison, Javerbaum Wurgaft-Steve Hehl, Meeker Sharkey- Richard Skorupski and Interlink Products Int.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Soft Open Scheduled for October 5th, 2020
Inroads essential staff helped maintain assembly services hand packaging division throughout the 6 month quarantine. 25 staff members maintained the workload of over 200+ participants since March 17th.
Greetings Inroads Program Participants, family members and caregivers,
It has been more than 6 months since we have gotten to see so many of you and you all are missed. We are happy to announce that Inroads to Opportunities is going to have a SOFT opening starting on Monday, October 5th, 2020.
What is a soft opening? Inroads will have a small group return first, and then add more and more to that group as we adjust to the safety and health rules we all need to follow to avoid any spread of COVID-19.
What we need from each program participant:
In the Re-Opening Plan that Inroads sent to the Department of Labor, the areas that each program participant needs to have addressed to return include:
Updated General Medical Form (If you want to return to work, we need this as soon as possible.)
Health Risk Assessment by Inroads Nurse Gayl
Willingness/ Ability to wear a mask
“How do I know if I am in the first group to return to work on Monday October 5th?”
If you receive a phone call from your counselor, Letty or Cyndy, you may be eligible to return to work. If you do not receive a call to return with the first group, please do not come on Monday, unless you have a Mental Health appointment unrelated to work.
Returning to Inroads Safety Checklist:
Bring your mask and be prepared to wear it all day, except to eat
Return to work orientation to learn safety in the workplace
Remain 6 feet apart
Wash your hands regularly
Bring your patience to work
SAFETY VIDEOS
Building One: Workshops 1-5, Cafeteria and Vocational Wing
Building Two: Workshops 8, 10, 11, Market Central & Computer Lab
Building Three: Wellness, Day Habilitation, Workshops 6 & 7
It is important that in order to stay open and keep everyone healthy that throughout the course of the day we all wash our hands and stay 6 feet apart as much as possible.
Upon arrival each morning we will take your temperature and ask the following questions:
Are you experiencing any symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, loss of smell or sore throat?
Have you been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
Have you or anyone you’ve been in contact with traveled outside of New Jersey in the past 14 days?