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Monday, January 10, 2011

NJ ORGANIZATION SERVING PEOPLE WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISABILITIES HONORED BY ART-REACH

ArtReach2010
Philadelphia-based Art-Reach presented its 2010 Commitment to Cultural Access Award to Haddonfield, N.J.-based Bancroft, a leading nonprofit organization serving people with neurological disabilities, during the annual Art-Reach Jazz Brunch at the Hyatt Philadelphia Bellevue. (Photo left:  Bancroft staff member Linda Miller, volunteer Peter Fisher, NBC10 news anchor Dawn Timmeney and Bancroft President Toni Pergolin.)

Bancroft frequently partners with Art-Reach to offer cultural opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Art-Reach provides discounted tickets to concerts, shows and other events to people who are supported by Bancroft, in exchange for Bancroft’s membership in the organization. Art-Reach also has arranged for artists to perform at Bancroft’s Judith B. Flicker Residences in Voorhees, which serves older adults with neurological disabilities.  
“Bancroft truly understands how arts and culture can improve the lives of people with disabilities,” said Michael L. Norris, executive director of Art-Reach. “The organization not only engages frequently with Art-Reach; Bancroft also initiates many other cultural activities for the people in their programs.”

Before an audience of nearly 300 guests, NBC10 news anchor Dawn Timmeney presented Art-Reach’s award to Bancroft President Toni Pergolin. “Access to cultural and lifelong learning opportunities is critical to personal fulfillment and good health for everyone—children and adults, people with disabilities and without,” said Timmeney, “so we are very fortunate to have organizations like Bancroft and Art-Reach for making this a priority.”

Art-Reach connects people with disabilities and economic disadvantages to cultural experiences so they enjoy and benefit from the transform-ative powers of the arts. Founded in 1986, it’s the only nonprofit organization in the Philadelphia region solely focused on increasing cultural participation among all underserved audiences.

clip_image001Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft serves 1,300 children and adults with intellectual and develop-mental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Founded in 1883, the organization has sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Pro-grams include early childhood, education, voca-tional, supported employment, structured day programs, rehabilitation, community living, behavioral treatment, and in-home and outpatient services.
Bancroft strives to ensure that every person is given opportunities for lifelong learning and fulfillment. It does this by altering perceptions and supporting people with neurological challenges in achieving their life goals as valued and respected members of our world.
For more information about Bancroft or to make a donation, visit www.bancroft.org.