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5SAN ANTONIOby: Michelle "Candi" Smargissowhere I found my "culinary " inspiration,Alice Waters, for her edible school yardmovement and her philosophy, "thestudents learn by doing".Candi pictured with Kingsway CEO Christine Robinson in San Antonio at the2018 NAPSEC ConferenceI recently had the honor of being chosen for the NAPSEC (NationalAssociation of Private Special Education Centers) National Direct CareWorker of the Year. When I found out that I would be receiving this award,I automatically thought of all my coworkers who could have easily taken myplace. Working at Kingsway Learning Center, I've stood shoulder to shoulderwith some of the most giving and compassionate people in this community.Coming to work every day and seeing them makes me feel good knowing weare working together to help the students at Kingsway find their way.After receiving the news of this honor, I was invited to attend the NAPSECConference in San Antonio, Texas. I accepted and I was able to participate inmany engaging and informative meetings. Being there helped me realize thatthe special needs community is eager to grow within a diverse communityof like minded and dedicated people. It was powerful and encouraging.Toward the last days of the conference was the award ceremony and I quicklyrealized that I would indeed have to say a few words. I was unsure on how toapproach it, so I went with my feelings and spoke about how I came to findthis community. Somehow, l mustered the courage and spoke. I cried but Igot through it. I wanted to share what I said on that day to express how I feelabout my job, the students and the people I work with."I would humbly like to thank NAPSEC for choosing me and honoringme with this great gift of acknowledgment. I would also like to thank myadministration, Christine Robinson and Phil Rodriguez for all of theirencouragement and support. I could easily be standing here with 20 or moreof my colleagues who are a group of dedicated, warm and enthusiastic peoplewho are committed, like myself, to our school and our students. Both ofwhich greatly benefit from them. I would not be standing here today withouttheir help and support as well. I would like to briefly tell you how I found myway into this community. While raising my children, I was fortunate enoughto attend culinary school in the evenings where I earned my degree. That'sPrior to this, before coming to Kingsway,I would often think about the childrenand adults I would encounter in myown community who were speciallychallenged, and thought I would like towork in that environment and find a wayto give back.So as it worked out, on my first Halloweennight in my newly purchased home, Iwas ready for my first "trick or treat"experience. My doorbell rang and Iopened it to find a little girl in a wheelchairdressed as a princess. When she left, I wasreduced to tears, as it touched me in a waythat I never experienced before. Needlessto say, I would think of her often.Years later when I was ready to return towork, I knocked on Kingsway's doors andthankfully they took me in. As it turnsout, on my first day in our secondaryschool, I was awaiting the arrival of myclassroom students, when in rolled thatsame little girl I first met at my door yearsearlier. She was now a teenager. My heartleapt as I realized at that moment I waswhere I was supposed to be. A few yearslater I sat with her parents, with an openheart as I watched her graduate.I feel very blessed to be able at this timein my life to be working at KingswayLearning Center, among our communitydoing the two things I cherish the most- cooking and helping our speciallychallenged students in the place thatwarms my heart and soul. the kitchen.

6EAGLES PEP RALLY!Before Super Bowl LII, staff at both Kingsway campuses held pep rallies for students to give thePhiladelphia Eagles some encouragement before playing the New England Patriots. I think it's safeto say it paid off, as the Eagles had a little extra pep in their step as they defeated the Patriots tobecome World Cahmpions! Check out some photos fom both campuses!

CANDY LAND SENSORY EXPERIENCEStaff at our Haddonfield campus turned the Sensory Room into a Candy Land sensory experiencefor our students! The staff did a great job recreating many of our favorite parts of the popular boardgame to incorporate them into the room. Take a look!7

8HADDONFIELD WINTER CONCERTTalented is certainly one word to describe our students! Check out some photos from our HaddonfieldWinter Concert as students sing and dance to some of their favorite songs!

9DR. SEUSS WEEKHeld annually on March 2nd, Dr. Seuss Day is a holiday that celebrates the birthday of TheodorSeuss Geisel – otherwise known by the pen name by which he authored children’s books: Dr. Seuss.During the 1990s, the National Education Association advocated for a day to celebrate reading allover the United States. On Dr. Seuss Day it is customary to read a favorite book with your child. Itcould be one of Dr. Seuss’s books or it could be another children’s book author. The concept of theday is to engage children in reading and to get them to read on a regular basis. Check out some ofthe photos from students engaging in Dr. Seuss Week at our Haddonfield Campus.PARTNER WITH KINGSWAYCommunity Based Instruction (CBI) at Kingsway involves the useof sustained and repeated instructional activities that take place inpartnership with local businesses that provide authentic job placements.Research suggests that a student can benefit from the opportunity tolearn through a real occurrence, and our experience confirms this.A partnership we recently developed is with The Salvation Army ofTrenton. Every year Salvation Army of Trenton hands out 200-300Thanksgiving baskets, and several Kingsway students were able tohelp this past November! Students worked alongside employees of TheSalvation Army as well as some NJ State Troopers to hand out the basketsto families in need on Thanksgiving.Interested in partnering with Kingsway or learning more about our CBIProgram? Contact mflowers@kingswaylearningcenter.org.Pictured left: Job Coach Neil Plasky andKingsway student Elisabeth.

10THE STAFF LOUNGEA Q/A With New Adult Program Manager Jason Bintliffhere that I found my passion. In the12 years I have worked with thisgroup, I have held many differentroles, including that of a directsupport professional, programmanager, and program director.Q2. Explain your new role and whatyou hope to accomplish.Kingsway's New Adult Program ManagerJason BintliffQ1. Give us a little informationabout your background. Previouswork experience, education, etc.I attended Rowan Universitywhere I graduated with a BA inSociology. I then earned my MA inAdministration of Human ServicesfromWilmingtonUniversity.Currently, I sit on the HumanServices Advisory Board for RowanCollege at Burlington County,where I have been a member since2011. I began my journey as aCertified Nurses Assistant, however,after working with the geriatricpopulation for two years, I decidedto switch gears and began mycareer working with adults withdevelopmental disabilities. It wasIn my current role with Kingsway,I am tasked with the responsibilityof opening and overseeing theoperations of the forthcomingadult day program. I truly believethat Kingsway’s vision for offeringeducational and enriching dayand employment programming isunique and innovative.Q3. What made you want to cometo Kingsway and what do you thinkso far?My decision to come to Kingswaywas made after I walked out of myfirst interview. After hearing theteam’s vision for what they believeday and employment programminglooked like, it mirrored so closelyto my own that it seemed to bethe perfect fit. My only hope wasthat the people in the room thatI interviewed with would agree.There is a tremendous need at thismoment for day and employmentprograms in the state that providethe same quality of services thatKingsway Learning Center providesin their school. Being able to aligna day program with the reputationand foundation that Kingsway hasdeveloped over the years makes myjob as the leader of the day programthat much easier.So far, the thing that has jumped outat me since I’ve started is how muchKingsway is a mission and valuesdriven organization.Q4. Any fun hobbies or personalinterests on the side?I am an absolute fanatic when itcomes to the Phillies, Eagles, Union,and Liverpool FC (English Soccer).I have played soccer my entire life,playing at the collegiate level, soa lot of the lessons in leadershipthat I have learned, I have throughteam sports. I also run (althoughI wouldn’t consider that a “fun”hobby) and love hanging out withmy wife and crazy kids.Q6. What do you see in your crystalball?I see the adult program at Kingswayabsolutely flourishing. Currently,the state is undergoing changes inhow programs are provided, offeringthe consumer more autonomy as itcomes to personal choice. Given thevision and values that Kingsway hasfor its adult program I fully expectus to be a top destination for adultswith developmental disabilities andtheir families, when choosing whoand where they would like to receivetheir services from.

Eagles Giveaway WinnerWe held a special contest, giving away anautographed football signed by PhiladelphiaEagles Defensive End Brandon Graham. Weasked our online community to donate 25or more for our programs. We are pleasedto say we raised 1,700! The lucky winner,randomly selected by the donor list, was DukeBraun. Congratulations Duke! Thanks to allwho donated and a special thanks to BrandonGraham for signing the football!CARE TO PLAY A ROUND OFGOLF?11Register for Kingsway's22nd AnnualGolf Tournament!Tuesday, May 15, 2018Pennsauken Country ClubSeeking sponsors, golfers andvolunteers!Register online /Thank you, from KingswayWe want to thank every friend, parent, family member, former student or parent, local business and staffmember for their generous donations during the last quarter. These donations helpKingsway students reach their fullest potential.Annual FundEagles GiveawayMemorialsBill and Beth CaldesMr. and Mrs. David PannerPamela PowersLinda AltadonnaAnn Marie BaumanJohn BigosDuke BraunJamie BricknerMaryann CondiLisa DavisJoan EckartJustin EmeryCarol EspositoBrandon GrahamTanya HindsRebekah KrickThomas LicataNancy McStayGinger O'MalleyRichard WeldonWilliam YorioIn Memory of Thomas Arenth:Elizabeth DalzellLorraine M. ReustleMarcia and Stephen RobertsMr. and Mrs. Craig RohnerMarc and Lori RolloKathleen RolloGene W. SharplessBarbara VandenbosShirley WennerSubaruIn Memory of Liana Raday:Charles and Kathleen PintoJoan Conlan MistieShaw FamilySanFilippo FamilyJoanne M. RispoGina M. RispoIn Memory of Reid Trager:Sandra H. Brown

Kingsway Learning Center and Services144 Kings Highway WestHaddonfield, NJ 08033Kingsway Learning Center and ServicesCOURIER4th Quarter 2017Donor HighlightFrom the CEOMeet Kingsway parent Jaime,Snyder and her daughterAbby!,At Long Last, A DreamComes to onprofit Org.US POSTAGE PAIDPermit No. 1540Bellmawr, NJ08099New to KingswayMeet our new AdultProgram Manager JasonBintliffTake a lookinside for thesestories andmuch more.VisitUs!

to present this prize to Kingsway Learning Center. Throughout this contest, we learned about the amazing work that takes place in both of Kingsway's locations, and we saw that drive and entrepreneurial spirit to take their nonprofit to the next level," said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. NJBIA's Big Shot contest launched on Oct. 3.