Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Featured on Cable Television Show

Top Quote CAU discusses disability employment awareness month with Mayor of Elizabeth, NJ. End Quote
  • (1888PressRelease) November 02, 2017 - Elizabeth, NJ - Joanne Oppelt, Assistant Executive Director of Business Development, Community Access Unlimited (CAU), was recently interviewed on Cablevision’s Our City television show hosted by Mayor Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth, NJ. CAU assists people with housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities. Community Access Unlimited (CAU) provides support programs and services to adults with disabilities as well as youth served under the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Joining Joanne on the show was Sharon Mohry, a long-time CAU member and Shoprite employee.

    When asked to explain what are the benefits to employers hiring CAU members with disabilities, Oppelt stated, “They are dedicated. They love their jobs and are there for a long period of time. They help the moral and diversity of the place. There are also some tax credits available depending on what type of accommodations you need.”

    Oppelt added, “Businesses who are open to hiring people with disabilities are really finding it is in the best interests of the company as well as the employee.”

    To watch the interview and To see more of Community Access Unlimited's media outreach visit website.

    Joanne Oppelt is the Assistant Executive Director of Business Development at Community Access Unlimited (CAU), a statewide nonprofit in New Jersey supporting people with disabilities and youth served under the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. This is Joanne's second stop at CAU, having served as Development Director from 2002 to 2011. While with CAU Joanne has been responsible for raising more than $9 million in funding, increasing the agency's funding base by more than 50 percent and increasing annual operating revenue by $1.75 million.

    Prior to her return to CAU Joanne served as the Executive Director of Caring Contact, a crisis listening hotline and community trainer. While at Caring Contact Joanne significantly increased the number of calls taken each year, expanded training and introduced innovative programs such as Save Our Youth, which focused on preventing teenage suicide. Other stops in her career have included Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey Chapter, March of Dimes, Maternal Family Health Services and consultancy.

    Joanne also is an accomplished author, sharing tips of her success as a fundraiser and nonprofit executive through four books, "Confessions of a Successful Fundraiser," "Succeed in Your Nonprofit Funding Partnerships," "Power Your Organization's Fundraising" and "Moving Up to Executive Director."

    Joanne sits on several community-focused organizations, including the North Jersey Health Collaborative and the Union County Continuum of Care. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Bethany University in Santa Cruz, CA, and a Master of Health Administration degree from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

    "Our City" can be seen on Cablevision Ch 18 Tuesdays 5:30 pm/ Wednesdays 6:00 pm/ Fridays 5:30 pm.

    About Community Access Unlimited
    Community Access Unlimited (CAU), celebrating its 38th year in 2017, supports people with special needs in achieving real lives in the community. CAU provides support and gives voice to adults and youth who traditionally have little support and no voice in society. CAU helps people with housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities. CAU also supports opportunities for advocacy through training in assertiveness, decision-making and civil right. CAU currently serves more than 6,000 individuals and families, with the number served growing each year. For more information about CAU and its services, contact us by phone at 908.354.3040, online at www.caunj.org or by mail at 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.

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