The Day Center is Back!

There was no red-carpet walk, no photographers or preening celebrities, but this was definitely a grand opening for Skylands.

After 15 long months of a COVID imposed shutdown, our Day Habilitation Center in Hackettstown partially re-opened on July 12th.  

Residents of Skylands Center’s two group homes are once again boarding vans each weekday morning to be driven by staff members to the center for a day of structured activities.  Arrangements are now underway to resume our activities in the surrounding community, which are a popular part of the Skylands experience.

"The day program has always been a big part of our consumers' lives and they’re happy to be back," said Christian Ardila, who supervises the day program.

To minimize the risk of exposure during the COVID emergency, Skylands Center’s consumers did not leave their group home properties except for medical visits.  That meant keeping the group homes operating 24x7 every day and staff from the center have pitched in to take shifts at the group homes

"It's been a challenge, but one that everyone pulled together to meet," said Nicole D'Amrbrosi, Skylands executive director. "We're proud of our staff and delighted to see some of our consumers at the center again!"

Our greatest need at this time (and we’re not alone), is the recruitment of dedicated and passionate team members. We are hiring Direct Support Professionals and Van Drivers to join our team at Skylands Center. If you know anyone who would be a great fit with our family, please have them contact Skylands Center at 908-850-6440.                                                                     

We couldn’t be more excited to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and start a new normal type of day at Skylands Center’s Day Habilitation Center.  Thanks to the whole Skylands community for staying positive and patient through it all.