November 2024 Newsletter

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other." 

~ Randy Pausch

Editorial 

Dear Dawn to Dusk Community,

As we enter the month of Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders. Our employees are our biggest strength and our backbone, without whom we wouldn’t be in a position to provide all the services and engagement options at our program. Our leadership team consisting of Director of Program Management, Emily Pope, Activities Director Maureen Murphy-Fernandez, Director of Nursing Mike, Director of Transportation, Dietary Services and Facilities, Lourdes Batista, Program Coordinator, Melanie Bisaha, our Behaviorists, Jayshree Krishnaswamy and Kavitha Gurumoorthy, our DSP Supervisor, Kenny Adyefa, and  our Transportation Coordinator, Ramel Blocker, lead their respective departments with the help of all our support staff without whose hard work, we won’t be able to provide such a wonderful program for service for our participants our families. Yet, our best is yet to come. 

The participants and families that we support are our most important stakeholders. When our service falls short of their expectations, they are patient with us and provide us with gentle feedback, giving us an opportunity to make corrections and improve. I am thankful for the constant support and feedback that we receive from our participants, their families and the group homes that some of our participants live in. I want you to know that Dawn to Dusk will always be a work in progress. We learn everyday and operate with a growth mindset.

I want to thank all the vendors, suppliers and business partners that we work with, without whose support and cooperation it would be difficult to run a successful operation. We look forward to continuing working with you and driving each others’ success.

And finally, all of you, our readers and our community. Thank you for your constant support and having us in your thoughts. Wishing you good health and wellbeing always!

~Sesh Subramanian

Life Skills and Growing Independence

Building Independence

In our “What’s Cooking” segment this October, participants used the spirit of our recent visit to Giamarese Farms by picking to bake delectable pumpkin muffins. Each person had to utilize precision and team work, as participants utilized roughly 15 ingredients for the recipe. From locating each ingredient on the tables to accurately measuring them, everyone involved, enhanced, and sharpened their kitchen skills. The combination of spices, flour, and pumpkin puree results in warm and inviting muffins that filled our center with the scent of autumn. Alongside our muffin-making, our participants also made healthy rice crispy treats. By substituting marshmallows with peanut butter, they created a nutritious twist on a classic snack, which proved to be a scrumptious end of the day treat as our snack. These cooking sessions not only nurtured culinary skills but also reinforced lessons in team building and independence, leaving everyone with a taste of sweetness in their mouths.

Self Expression Through Creativity

Creative Self-Expression

With the spooky season in full swing, our Music Enrichment activity sessions focused on turning the rhythms and beat patterns the participants have been working on into song! The participants spent their weekly Music Enrichment sessions learning the song “Dem Bones,” in which they not only play the beat and sing the words, but they also built an anatomically correct (model) human skeleton with each progressive verse in the song! At Dawn to Dusk we know that one size most certainly does not fit all, and it is our pleasure to be able to present informational lessons to your loved ones using a wide array of modalities to ensure that everyone has an opportunity and the motivation to engage with a lesson based on his or her own interests. Ask your loved one about “Dem Bones,” they just might surprise you with all they have learned! 

Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing

Exploring the Five Senses: In October, Dawn to Dusk participants began exploring the seasonal shift through each of the five senses. Starting with smell, the participants had an opportunity to explore different seasonal scents and learn about their origins. From herbs and spices such as fennel, thyme, rosemary, ginger and star anise to sweet scents like vanilla, pumpkin, and cinnamon, the seasonal scents were abundant! The participants also explored the sense of touch in October, playing a fan favorite game called “What’s in the Bag?” in which brown bags were filled with different autumnal textures. The participants took turns reaching into a bag, feeling the item inside the bag, and then matching the item they felt in the bag with the correct picture and label card. By isolating each sense, the participants in this activity have an opportunity to focus on exploring and tuning more deeply into the sensory experiences of the changing world around them. We look forward to continuing our seasonal senses exploration in November!

Leisure and Recreation

In October, the D2D Book Club delved into “A Boy Named Bat,” a charming story that captivated both our participants and our staff. This book, centered around a young boy who has autism named Bat who befriends a baby skunk. The story’s themes of friendship, understanding, and empathy resonated deeply, sparking great discussions in the quiet room. Initially, most participants reacted with an “ew” to the skunk, but their views evolved to “I want a skunk as a friend,” which was wonderful to witness. Our Book Club does more than just read books, it encourages a love of reading and facilitates emotional shifts through storytelling.This not only enriches our weekly Book Club sessions, but also strengthens the community bonds among participants and their evolving personalities. 

Community Corner

Community Outings: 

As October rolled in, we enthusiastically embraced the cooler weather in our community outings, enjoying a blend of indoor and outdoor activities. Our participants enjoyed one of their last outdoor excursions at the beautiful Sayen Gardens in Hamilton Township, savoring the vibrant autumn colors. We introduced a thrilling new experience at Spirit Halloween, where friendly encounters with witches and ghouls added some excitement. The South Brunswick Library offered a quiet escape along with interactive exhibits and educational workshops that enhanced our love for learning. Meanwhile, at Knob Hill Country Lanes, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as participants showcased impressive bowling skills, cheered on by friends. These outings provided a rich mix of serene moments, spooky thrills, and lively social interactions, making October a memorable month filled with diverse experiences.

Our GAP program participants also got to visit the Monroe Department of Public Works as a part of their field trip. They received an in depth overview of the recycling process and learned and participated in a visual demonstration of how styrofoam gets recycled.

Lunch Outings: 

Lunch outings with friends are always a highlight for the participants at Dawn to Dusk, and October saw us revisiting some familiar favorites that everyone enjoys. This month, we had the pleasure of dining at Chick-Fil-A, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sigri Indian BBQ, and Gyro King. These spots offer a comforting variety of flavors that cater to everyone's tastes. Each visit provides our participants with a consistent opportunity to engage with the community, practice menu selection, and manage their budgets in a relaxed, social setting. These outings are cherished moments that foster independence and enjoyment, making each meal a valuable part of our social calendar. We’re eager to continue these delightful dining experiences through the fall season!

Special Events: 

Giamerese Farm Outing: In October, Dawn to Dusk Wellbeing Center returned to the beloved Giamarese Farms in East Brunswick for a day filled with classic autumn activities and learning. Our hayride journey was not just a ride through the scenic farm but an educational tour where we learned about the various farm animals, the upkeep of the farm, and the seasonal offerings available throughout the year. As we traveled around the farm, our guides shared insights into the daily operations and the care that goes into maintaining such a vibrant agricultural environment. After the enlightening hayride, each participant had the joy of selecting their own pumpkin from the farm's pumpkin patch. Back at our center, these pumpkins turned into canvases for decoration, allowing everyone to express their creativity while getting ready up for our Halloween celebration. This memorable trip to Giamarese Farms not only gave us a taste of farm life but also left us with festive decorations and heartwarming memories to cherish.

This October, D2D’s Halloween party was a spooktacular celebration filled with games, music, and lots of laughter. We kicked off the festivities with a series of classic party games that had everyone engaged and excited. Participants showed off their Halloween costumes, and their anatomy skills in “Build a Skeleton,” followed by a twist on the traditional game “Pin the Whiskers on the Cat”, which brought many giggles. The excitement continued with “Pumpkin Hot Potato”, a thrilling game of passing the pumpkin around before the music stopped. Our “Witches Broom Hockey Relay” had teams racing in a spirited relay, sweeping their way to victory. 

The highlight of our party was the grand dance party featuring our “Monster Mash. Our participants who learned dances and songs during our music enrichment sessions showcased their moves, turning the auditorium into a dance floor. We capped off the day by gathering around for a viewing of “The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” providing a heartwarming end to a day filled with Halloween fun and friendship. The day was ended with the delicious spider snacks made during activities. This year’s party not only celebrated the season but also the spirit of our wonderful community at Dawn to Dusk.

If you have any questions or suggestions about the Day Program, please contact Emily at: emily@dawntoduskwellbeing.com          

Photo Gallery

Enjoy some special moments and smiles in our photo gallery here.