ECLC of NJ Opens PRIDE Center for Adults with Special Needs!

On March 22, ECLC of New Jersey celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of the new Bergen PRIDE Center in Saddle Brook to serve adults with special needs.

An overflow crowd of excited guests filled the center's main room, including Saddle Brook Mayor Robert White; Bergen County Commissioners Mary Amoroso and Germaine Ortiz; township Planning Board Chairman James Maniscalco; ECLC Board members, staff, families and clients.

The new center is bright and airy, offering a central room for large gatherings, a kitchen and smaller side rooms for dedicated enrichment activities. Clients can workout in the fitness room, learn skills of daily living in a model apartment, practice computer skills in a technology room and more!

This beautiful new facility allows the PRIDE program to expand, while continuing to offer the same high-quality, enriching program as in the previous location. PRIDE focuses on social appropriateness; skills of daily living; community participation; and soft skills for the workplace.

In addition, the new location at 250 Market Street provides an easy stepping-off point to reach area businesses and facilities.

"At PRIDE, we believe learning and achievement are lifelong goals that guide our program operations. We seek to provide clients with a full and satisfying life by engaging them in meaningful and enjoyable activities," said PRIDE Director Christina Klimkowski. "We have an unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of services and learning environment for our staff and program participants. This new center is a bold reflection of that commitment."

About PRIDE

PRIDE was launched in 2008 for graduates of ECLC’s two schools and has grown into two centers, in Florham Park and the new Saddle Brook location. The program is available to adults with developmental disabilities, ages 21+. All graduates of ECLC’s schools are offered a spot in PRIDE, as appropriate. Eligible clients can qualify for funding through the N.J. Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities (NJDHS/DDD).

About ECLC of New Jersey

ECLC of New Jersey was formed in 1970 by a group of parents to provide early intervention services to a handful of preschool children. The acronym originally stood for “Early Childhood Learning Center.”

Today, the acronym has been updated to mean: “Education, Careers & Lifelong Community.”

ECLC is an accredited, nonprofit, educating students ages 5–21 with autism spectrum, Down syndrome, severe learning and/or language disabilities or multiple disabilities at two schools. A separate entity called Community Personnel Services (CPS) provides post-graduate transition services, support coordination and job placements to any special-needs adult. The PRIDE program offers pre-vocational training, independent living skills and more.