July 2020

Leaders Instilling Hope

Access Services is blessed to have leaders throughout the organization that work to keep us on track and remember our mission. These leaders look and act different and may or may not have a title that says they are a leader. They influence others towards achieving the greater good, and they are essential to the services and supports we provide to individuals. Access Services would not have become who we are today and would not have experienced growth without our leaders throughout the organization. These leaders have never been more critical or more needed than over the last few...

Your Donations Make a Difference

Street Outreach and those we serve cannot thank everyone enough who has donated to our program during this incredibly trying time. Our community has managed to take the global feeling of helplessness and turn it into an opportunity, more than ever, to serve others.  What a beautiful thing to witness. Being able to provide these necessary items to those who need it most has opened our eyes to the meaning of the word “essential.”

Update on Life Day Programs

The Life Day programs are looking forward to reopening our doors, and actively planning for how to do so safely.  Guidelines put out by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the CDC are being implemented in the reopening plan, program space is being reconfigured to allow for social distancing, and COVID 19 trainings and cleaning protocols will be completed by all levels of...

Evolving to Meet Our Client's Needs

Across the country, nonprofits have creatively pivoted during COVID-19 to provide critical service offerings. At Access Services, we have worked hard to ensure the physical safety of our families and clients, while also working hard to meet their emotional, spiritual and social needs.

Every day, we are inspired by the way our programs and staff evolve to provide the best care possible. Services that were traditionally...

Welcome to the Family

On July 1, 2020 we welcomed ALTEC Services as a division of Access Services. We are proud to partner with an organization that is also mission minded and committed to quality services.

The merge with ALTEC brings the exciting addition of Employment Services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism in Bucks and Montgomery County. Employment Specialists and Job Coaches work with individuals to locate and maintain employment in the community.

The Ben & J Show Discuss Autism and Police Interactions

Ben Hartranft and Jamiel Owens are igniting change, one conversation at a time. Each week, they facilitate candid conversations around autism, with experts including self-advocates, parents, authors, national speakers, artists and more. Recently, the duo hosted a panel focusing on the critical topic of police interactions with those on the autism spectrum. The diverse panel included... 

Know Where the Needs Are

We live amidst multiple national crises in which congregations are asking “how can we best serve the needs of our community?”  Even with good intentions, faith communities struggle to discern where local needs exist and how, amidst a pandemic, they can safely serve others.  These are questions that Access Services wants to help faith communities answer.  Each day, Access staff members receive calls about specific needs in our area and are looking for congregations to partner with in providing support.  Through bringing together Access’ knowledge of local needs and congregations’ resources to meet them, our region can experience greater healing during this challenging time.

Contact our Chaplain and Director of Intersect, Dave Eckert at 215-540-2150, x1286 or email DEckert@accessservices.org.

Positive Pedalers Update

Thank you Positive Pedalers for Mental Wellness for naming Access Services as a beneficiary of the 2020 event.  The Pedalers pivoted from an in-person bike riding event to a virtual event that raised more than $5,300.  In addition to those who rode their bikes, people also walked or ran in support of mental wellness during the last weekend in May and made a donation. 

In 2019, Patti and Joe Dille combined their passion for mental health and biking to form Positive Pedalers. The event was designed to promote mental wellness by getting people active. Its other purpose was to raise awareness of, and funds for, critical mental health supports in Montgomery County.  They hope to return to an in-person event in 2021.

For in-kind donations, please contact Linda at 215-540-2150, 1357 or email LWasilchick@accessservices.org.

Work With Us!

Full-time and Part-time Direct Support Professionals for our Group Homes in Allentown, Bethlehem and Freemansburg.
Provide one-on-one supports to adults with developmental disabilities/Autism who live in our Lehigh Valley group homes. Our person-centered staff work with the individuals’ personal goals and help those individuals maintain or increase their level of independence and live their best lives. Click to view job.

Open Your Heart and Home by Becoming a Lifesharing Provider

By becoming a Lifesharing Provider, you will have the opportunity to open your home and share your life with an adult with an intellectual disability. Your support and assistance will enrich an individual’s life by affording them the opportunity to become a fully participating member of their community and empowering them to reach for and achieve their goals and aspirations. Individuals in the Lifesharing program often attend school, work and day programs.

• Individuals typically have mild to moderate support needs
• Our host families choose who they will take into their homes
• We have a reputation of being a supportive organization
• Competitive rates and training provided
• Short and Long-term options available