Monday, Dec 2, 2024
Rider receives 2024 Community Partner Award from The Arc Mercer
by Adam Grybowski
On Nov. 15, Rider University received the 2024 Community Partner Award from The Arc Mercer, an organization that provides employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Mercer County. The award was presented at the organization’s annual Fall Gala in Hamilton, New Jersey.
For more than six years, individuals from The Arc have been hired by Rider and Gourmet Dining Services, LLC, which operates Rider’s dining services. They work five days a week in Daly Dining Hall, Rider's main residential dining facility, serving hot food, sanitizing dining tables, refilling napkin dispensers and organizing seating areas. Gourmet’s regional district manager, Peter Ehlin, played a central role in bringing Rider and Arc together.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from The Arc Mercer,” says Mike Reca, Rider’s vice president for University Operations. “It’s inspiring to see how this partnership has created real opportunities for independence and personal growth, making a difference for the workers from The Arc as well as our campus community.”
The Arc Mercer is dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities by providing resources that help reduce the impact of their disabilities through education and advocacy. The organization serves more than 1,000 children and adults, offering programs that promote personal development, job training, recreation, and independent living.
“Rider’s collaboration with our vocational program has not only enhanced opportunities and programs but has also resulted in real employment and greater independence for those we serve,” says Steven P. Cook, The Arc Mercer’s executive director.
The partnership reflects Rider’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to make a positive impact both on campus and in the wider community,” Reca says.
In addition to its partnership with The Arc, Rider Dining supports other community-based initiatives, including a collaboration with Meals on Wheels of Mercer County, which delivers nutritious meals to elderly and homebound individuals.
