Delores Carhart named to Department for Persons with Disabilities board

OAK RIDGE — The Department for Persons with Disabilities, a Catholic Charities nonprofit organization in the Diocese of Paterson, has announced the appointment of Delores Carhart to its Board of Trustees.

The Bishop of the Paterson Diocese, Arthur J. Serratelli, approved the appointment of Carhart, a resident of Jefferson Township, to a three year term. It was later announced by Board President Joseph F. Duffy.

Carhart has been an employee at Gruenert Center in Lake Hopatcong since 1996 as a specialist in sub contract manufacturing. She is also very involved in the local community, volunteering for the Department’s Fight for the Right Community Service Group, visiting My School, a local day care center, on a regular basis to read to and spend time with children; and volunteering at Gruenert Center’s special needs area, helping individuals with severely autistic behaviors. Carhart also happens to have an intellectual disability.

“We asked Delores to become a member of the DPD Board of Trustees because of her dedication to the community and her continuous advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said DPD Executive Director Scott Milliken. "We look forward to working with her as a member of our senior leadership team.”

The mission of the Department for Persons with Disabilities Board of Trustees is to carry out the mission of the agency: “…DPD provides residential, vocational, spiritual, and social services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Through competent and compassionate care, DPD empowers each person to become active, contributing, and valued members of their community, and to participate fully in life with dignity and respect. As a Catholic Charities Agency, DPD strives to end discrimination toward people with disabilities and works for social change by being a voice for justice and advocacy, and convenes others to do the same.”

“I am a happy person, who cares about the people who live at DPD," said Carhart. "I had a tough couple of years before moving into the Department and they helped me when I needed it. I look forward to giving back.”

Carhart is one of 12 children who lived at home with her family until she was 13. At 13, she was admitted to Vineland State School and later transferred to Johnstone Training and Research Center before moving to North Jersey Developmental Center. Carhart was institutionalized for 32 years before moving to DPD’s Finnegan House in 1989.

“DPD is an organization that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Delores is a great ambassador of social change having been institutionalized for many years and now thriving in an inclusive and community integrated environment," said Duffy, DPD board president. "Delores is a great addition to the DPD Board of Trustees who will help keep our mission at the forefront of what we do. We are very excited to have Delores as a member of our Board of Trustees.”

Carhart agreed.
“People with disabilities have a lot to say and contribute. I am happy to be a new board member and look forward to volunteering my time to help make a difference.”

To learn more about the Department for Persons with Disabilities, visit dpd.org or facebook.com/dpdcc.