The Opportunity Project Vocational Program provides Work Evaluation, Work Adjustment Training and Supported Employment programs.  Through the vocational program, individuals with brain injury are provided with the necessary support, tools, and guidance to obtain and maintain competitive employment.  Both group and individual sessions and workshops are provided on a variety of topics such as resume writing, work ethics, behavior, interviewing skills and interpersonal skills.

Opportunity Project has been at the forefront of community integration for individuals with brain injury since it opened its doors in 1996.  With the addition of the vocational services program in 2001, Opportunity Project continues to be the only free-standing independent Clubhouse in New Jersey.  The Opportunity Project Clubhouse Program fills the critical gap in the rehabilitation process for people with brain injuries, and is a national model for other community-based services for persons with brain injury.  The mission of Opportunity Project is to empower persons with brain injuries to achieve self-esteem, self-determination, personal growth, independence and the attainment of their full potential.

Brain Injury: Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone

Brain Injuries do not discriminate

After a successful showing of his Spring 2012 collection on the runways of New York Fashion Week, celebrated designer Derek Lam unveiled his latest creation, a limited edition t-shirt for Brain Injury Awareness Month.  The shirt will be on sale throughout March with all profits supporting programs for people with brain injuries at Opportunity Project in Millburn, N.J.

Derek Lam for Opportunity Project

The shirt was created as a unique partnership between Derek Lam, Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey and Opportunity Project bringing the Brain Injury community together in support of March’s activities.

Click here to purchase your shirt online or purchase in person at Gito in Millburn.

Carol Albanese, Executive Director of Opportunity Project, praised Lam for his efforts to support Brain Injury Awareness.  “Brain injury can happen to anyone, any time and at any age.  We’re thrilled that Derek is supportive of our cause and donated his time to design this beautiful shirt to increase awareness of this critical health issue.”

Derek Lam for Opportunity Project

“So many people are affected with a brain injury, yet as an invisible condition, few people in this country understand the affliction.  I designed this t-shirt with the hope that more people gain an awareness and understanding of this condition and find ways where they can help,” said Derek Lam.

Every year, over 1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury, leading to permanent disability in many cases.  Brain Injury Awareness Month was created to acknowledge the causes and consequences of brain injury and the need for greater prevention, research, education, and advocacy on behalf of individuals who sustain a life-changing brain injury.

About Opportunity Project:

Since 1994, Opportunity Project has provided services to over 500 people with brain injury and their families.  The Opportunity Project Clubhouse is a unique program created by and for adults with brain injuries who are seeking the “next step” in their journey of recovery.  The Clubhouse provides an environment of support, challenge and choices that create independence and productivity in our members.  The ultimate goal is full integration back into family, work and community after a person sustains a brain injury.  For more information, visit their website at www.opportunityproject.org.

About Brain Injury Association of America

The Brain Injury Association of America is the voice of brain injury. Through advocacy, education and research, BIAA and its nationwide network of chartered state affiliates bring help, hope and healing to the millions of Americans who have a lifelong disability because of brain injury, as well as their families and the professionals who serve them. For more information, go to www.biausa.org ,  or call the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443.

About Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey

The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey is a non-profit organization that brings together people with brain injury, their families and friends, and concerned allied health professionals to improve the quality of life people experience after brain injury.   For more information to www.bianj.org or call (732) 745-0200.

• Mayor Sandra Haimoff of Millburn will be presenting a proclamation declaring March as “Brain Injury Awareness Month” on Wednesday, 3/7/12 at 11:00 a.m. at Opportunity Project.
• BlueJean Day focuses on brain injury community awareness and education, while raising funds for Opportunity Project’s programs and takes place all month long!  This year, the focus is on concussion awareness and prevention.  BlueJean Day is simple and fun. Companies designate a day when employees can wear jeans to work.  This is a great team building opportunity for your organization.  Employees who donate $5 will receive a brain injury awareness bracelet and raffle tickets to win great prizes.  Raffle prizes include tickets to the PaperMill Playhouse, a gift certificate to Martini Bistro and an exclusive Dyanne Belle Opportunity Project silver bracelet.  Click here for more information.
• California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is hosting a new fundraising event for Opportunity Project in recognition of CONGRESSIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS DAY ON 3/21/12.  The fundraiser will be offered at two CPK locations:  The Short Hills Mall and the WillowBrook Mall on 3/21/12.  CPK will donate 20% of sales to Opportunity Project for each guest that presents this flyer which can be downloaded here.

For more information about Opportunity Project’s brain injury awareness month activities, please contact Amy Sigona, Development Director at 973-921-1000 or by email at asigona@opportunityproject.org.

 BlueJean Day 2012 is focused on concussion awareness and prevention!

•  Over 1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain a TBI each year
• Every 21 Seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury
• About 75% of TBI’s that occur each year are concussions or other mild forms of TBI

 Please join us as a SPONSOR in 2012 and help us educate the community about concussion!

BlueJean Day is simple and fun.  Companies designate a day when employees can wear jeans to work.  This is a great team building opportunity for your organization.  Employees who donate $5 will receive a brain injury awareness bracelet and raffle tickets to win great prizes.  If your dress code does not permit jeans, designate a theme day where everyone can wear a specific color or type of clothing (i.e. Hawaiian shirts).

The funds raised from BlueJean Day support the Opportunity Project Clubhouse.  Our mission is to empower persons with brain injuries to achieve self esteem, self determination, personal growth, independence and the attainment of their full potential

SIGN UP TODAY!  When you register as a Sponsor or Company Participant, we will send everything to make your event a success, including flyers, donation envelopes, wristbands, raffle tickets and car magnets.   To sign up, click here for a registration form.   For more information, please call Amy Sigona, Development Director at 973-921-1000 x 105 or email her at asigona@opportunityproject.org.

Thank you in advance for your participation.  Your support will make a difference in the lives Opportunity Projects Members and their families.

Carol Albanese, Executive Director of Opportunity Project presented the 2011 Millburn High School Football Team with a community service award for their “PLAY SMART” project at the 2011 Awards Dinner Program held at the Short Hills Club on December 2, 2011.

The team partnered with Opportunity Project and the United Way of Millburn Short Hills to support brain injury awareness by collecting sports helmets.  The team collected 124 helmets which will be refurbished and distributed to children and teens.  The players created collection boxes and placed them in drop off locations throughout Millburn.   Special thanks go out to High Gear Cyclery and The Garage for serving as collection locations.

“It was a pleasure to work on this project with the Millburn High School Football Team and the Fifth Quarter Club.  This project was such a tremendous success.  These young men played a key role in bringing the community together to raise awareness about brain injury.  We are thrilled to announce that we anticipate continuing this campaign throughout the year” said Carol Albanese.

 Our Friend, Our Colleague

In the years that Bob was involved with OP, he became interwoven into the tapestry of our daily lives – there is a space that will not be filled because he brought an outlook and attitude toward life that was uniquely his own.  These characteristics had strong impact on us all, but mostly our members who so closely identified with him. Upon hearing of his passing, many of our members said “there will never be anyone like him – we will always miss him.”

We were all honored and blessed to know him.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Registration:  10:00am – 11:00am

Brunch:  11:00am – 12:30pm

Shotgun Start: 12:30pm

Cocktail Hour:  6:00pm

Dinner/Awards:  7:00pm

We invite you to join us for a great event!  Sponsorship packages and individual tickets are still available.    Individual tickets, which include brunch, golf and dinner are $450.  Dinner only tickets are $150.

For more information, please  click here  for the 2011 golf classic brochure and registration form or email  golfclassic@opportunityproject.org.

EVENT SPONSORS

The Fidelco Group – Marc & Randi Berson

Fidelity Land Development Corp. – Fran and Sal Davino

The Freidus Family

Anonymous

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Industrial Properties, Inc

KRE Group -  Murray Kushner,  Jonathan Kushner,  Jeremy Kaplan

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, affiliates of Barnabas Health

Prudential Financial, Inc

The Sobel Family Foundation

Sudler Family Foundation

GOLD SPONSORS

Genova, Burns & Giantomasi

INSTAR

Lucky VIII Films

Valley National Bank

Wells Fargo

SILVER SPONSORS

Berkenkamp Realty Group

Cappelli Enterprises Inc.

FEDWAY…where you come first

Hanini Group – Samer & Thafer Hanini

Hollister Construction Services

Investors Bank

The MCJ Amelior Foundation

WB Engineers │ Consultants

The Golf Classic is this year’s only event.  Please join us for golf, cocktails and dining in support of Opportunity Project – a national model for providing programs and services for people with brain injury.

• EVENT SPONSOR $10,000
• PLATINUM SPONSOR $5,000
• GOLD SPONSOR $3,600
• SILVER SPONSOR $1,800
• DRIVING RANGE SPONSOR $2,500
• PUTTING GREEN SPONSOR $1,500
• PRIZE SPONSOR $1,500
• HOLE SPONSOR $500
• DINNER SPONSOR $3,500
• LUNCH SPONSOR $2,500
• COCKTAIL HOUR SPONSOR $1,500

For sponsorship information, contact Kerri Berson 973.467.4300, x3113 or email golfclassic@opportunityproject.org.

Teaching Kids Bicycle Safety and Helmet Awareness

Several months ago, Brandon Hamilton, a 17 year old Millburn teen was looking for a community service project to fulfill the requirements for his Eagle Badge. He approached Carol Albanese, Executive Director of Opportunity Project,Inc. in Millburn to ask how he could volunteer.  Ms. Albanese told him “we have the perfect project for you”.

Carol Albanese suggested to Brandon that he join Opportunity Project in helping raise awareness in the community about brain injury prevention and helmet safety.  Brandon did this by enlisting the aid of his Eagle Scout Troop 17 of Saint Rose of Lima Church, and raised $500 to purchase new helmets for the children served by the Kids Division of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and the Morristown Neighborhood House.  The Neighborhood House provides a variety of services to children including pre-school, before/after school childcare, summer camps and more.  The Community Food Bank Kids Divison provides children classroom supplies, new clothing, and nutritious, kid-friendly meals.  When asked why he decided to do this project, Brandon said “this was an important activity because I know how important it is to wear a helmet.  I play in many sports activities and my parents have always insisted that I wear my helmet.”

Joining forces with High Gear Cyclery of Millburn and AAA of Florham Park, Opportunity Project held a helmet and brain injury awareness day for children who attend the summer program of the Morristown Neighborhood House.  Nick Burton, Manager of High Gear Cyclery welcomed the children to their store in Millburn where the children were fitted appropriately with helmets.   “We couldn’t have thought of a better way to get the word out about the importance of riding bicycles safely by wearing a bicycle helmet” said Nick.  The helmets were purchased at cost for the children with the funds raised by Brandon to go along with gently used bicycles they will be receiving from the Good Goes Around program in Short Hills.

A pizza luncheon and awareness talk by Chief Barber of the Millburn Police Department took place afterwards at Opportunity Project, where the children were also provided with goody bags supplied by Ed Baginski, Traffic Safety Officer of AAA.  The children who eagerly participated in the activities were so excited about their helmets that they didn’t take them off.  Sandra Mintor of the Morristown Neighborhood House said “This is a day that truly impacts our children, the heart of Opportunity Project and the heart of our program together can do great
things to make a difference in the community”.