It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Deptford, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that”
“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that”
“Great place to work for”
“There's one thing I look for in an Agency and that's Communication, Communication covers a”
“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved”
“Kathy and her caretakers made our difficult situation less difficult. They were warm , accommodating”
“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”
“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”
“Great place to work for”
“There's one thing I look for in an Agency and that's Communication, Communication covers a lot, how a Company interacts with its Clients and Their Employees if You have Happy Employees You Will have Happy Clients All the Agency wants is Happiness for All: I really Enjoy working for Always Best Care! The End????”
“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved with my family for all of those years. She has always been a part of our family, and I would trust her with any situation that should arise. Kathy is and has been a loyal friend to both me and my father. She watched all my children grow up and has always been active in their lives. If there was ever a family emergency Kathy was always there to assist with any of our needs. We treasure her friendship and know that we can always count on her support in any situation. I can honestly and highly recommend Kathy Godwin's business as a care provider. I know that all clients she receives will get the best care and attention that they deserve. I would not hesitate to use her service for my personal family.”
“Kathy and her caretakers made our difficult situation less difficult. They were warm , accommodating and willing to go the extra mile and that means the world to our family. We had a lot of questions and they had all the answers. I highly recommend this company to anybody who is going through the difficulties of hospice or just needs that extra helping hand with their loved ones. 6 stars!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Deptford, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Deptford, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Deptford, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Crime & SafetyNational Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is April 13-19. West Deptford Fire Department is proud to celebrate emergency dispatchers. The Communication Solutions Group, Community ContributorWEST DEPTFORD...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
The Communication Solutions Group, Community Contributor
WEST DEPTFORD— In an average year, over 240 million 911 calls are made in the United States, with emergency dispatchers being the first point of contact in any emergency situation. According to the NJ EMS Data Repository, New Jersey handles over 1.5 million incidents annually. For National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), April 13-19, West Deptford Fire Department celebrates and honors the invaluable contribution made by telecommunication personnel to public safety.
NPSTW is a week dedicated to acknowledging and thanking telecommunicators for their critical role in emergency response. Every day and night all across the country, public safety telecommunicators answer emergency and non-emergency calls. They connect callers to emergency care and provide valuable resources to those in need.
Emergency dispatchers also provide crucial information to firefighters and EMS personnel every day. West Deptford Fire Department knows firsthand the critical role that telecommunicators play in public safety. Without their dedicated service and hard work, the timely response and effective management of emergencies would not be possible.
West Deptford Fire Department Provides the Following Tips for Speaking to 911 Telecommunicators
Calling 911 is very stressful and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. If you choose to call 911, know what to expect and how to react:
This NPSTW, West Deptford Fire Department, expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to telecommunicators and all emergency dispatchers across the nation for their unwavering commitment to public safety.
Are you ready to protect the community and respond when a fire or another emergency call comes in? Sign up to volunteer with our team www.westdeptfordfirefighter.org.
Garciagaona was working as a contractor at a private home along Big Timber Creek in Westville when he lost his footing on an embankment and entered the water, according to the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management. The incident prompted a large-scale response involving dive teams and marine units from Gloucester, Camden, and Cumberland counties, authorities said.It is with deep sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Valentin, a devoted husband, loving father of two, and the...Posted by ...
Garciagaona was working as a contractor at a private home along Big Timber Creek in Westville when he lost his footing on an embankment and entered the water, according to the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management. The incident prompted a large-scale response involving dive teams and marine units from Gloucester, Camden, and Cumberland counties, authorities said.
It is with deep sorrow that we share the sudden passing of Valentin, a devoted husband, loving father of two, and the...
Posted by Sarah Porter on Thursday, May 15, 2025
His body was recovered by dive teams at 9:29pm on Wednesday, officials said.
R.i.p to Valentin Garcia-Gaona this hits different when it happens right out side your window, i watch these guys landscape every day on my street
Posted by Teddy Bullock on Thursday, May 15, 2025
A fundraiser has been launched for Garciagaona's family, which includes his wife, Joanne and two daughters, Nicole and Sheena. As of Friday, May 16, $6,390 has been raised.
With deep regret and complete sadness I'm very sad to announce my dear friend Valentin García has passed on to heaven...
Posted by Robert Hauck on Thursday, May 15, 2025
To view the fundraiser, click here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice West Deptford-National Park and receive free news updates.
BRIDGEPORT, NJ — Starting Monday, the Commodore Barry Bridge will reduce to one lane in each direction every weeknight for several weeks, impacting travel on the span that brings South Jerseyans closer to Philadelphia.The closures will occur weeknights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews replace the bridge's barrier wall. The work will take around four or five weeks, weather permitting, according to the Delaware River Port Authority, which operates the bridge.Drivers using the bridge on weeknights should expect delays, especia...
BRIDGEPORT, NJ — Starting Monday, the Commodore Barry Bridge will reduce to one lane in each direction every weeknight for several weeks, impacting travel on the span that brings South Jerseyans closer to Philadelphia.
The closures will occur weeknights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews replace the bridge's barrier wall. The work will take around four or five weeks, weather permitting, according to the Delaware River Port Authority, which operates the bridge.
Drivers using the bridge on weeknights should expect delays, especially on Thursday and Friday nights, when shore-bound travelers typically bring heavier eastbound traffic.
The Commodore Barry Bridge is one of several that spans the Delaware River, linking Gloucester County and Chester, Pennsylvania.
The bridge's movable barrier wall separates eastbound and westbound traffic. It can be adjusted to accommodate traffic demand on the five-lane span.
Before the concrete barrier was installed in the early 2000s, there was no physical separation between eastbound and westbound traffic. There was merely an empty buffer lane and overhead signals to indicate lane direction, the DRPA says.
Crews are replacing the concrete barrier with a modern steel system and a new barrier transfer machine that enhances safety and offers better crash protection, the DRPA said in an advisory.
Similar steel barriers have been installed on the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges, which the DRPA also manages.
The upgrades are part of a $220 million rehabilitation project for the Commodore Barry Bridge that's slated for completion in 2028. Work will also include blast-cleaning and repainting the bridge, concrete deck repairs and other safety upgrades.
On average, 41,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day.
A grocery store chain with over 400 locations across the country is opening its fourth South Jersey grocery store in Gloucester County in the Garden State.There are current locations in South Jersey in Marlton (227 Route 73 S) and Haddon Township (640 W Cuthbert Blvd), and one in Cliffwood, which is in Monmouth County.Spouts Farmers Market Grocery, which is similar to a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods, has announced a brand new 23,256 square foot building in the Southwood Shopping Center at 875 Mantua Pike in West Deptford, set t...
A grocery store chain with over 400 locations across the country is opening its fourth South Jersey grocery store in Gloucester County in the Garden State.
There are current locations in South Jersey in Marlton (227 Route 73 S) and Haddon Township (640 W Cuthbert Blvd), and one in Cliffwood, which is in Monmouth County.
Spouts Farmers Market Grocery, which is similar to a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods, has announced a brand new 23,256 square foot building in the Southwood Shopping Center at 875 Mantua Pike in West Deptford, set to open on June 27, according to their website.
“Both the ownership group and Sprouts Farmers Market are elated to introduce the Sprouts brand to West Deptford, NJ. This addition promises to delight the local community, catering to the increasing demand for natural grocery stores in the area. Corinne Giletto, Director of Client Services at Vantage Commercial, shared in a press release.
Sprouts gives its customers a unique grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. It is known as a health-focused supermarket that offers a wide variety of natural foods, organic produce, and healthy food options. They have a deli, meat counter, and are even known for Sushi.
Here are some of the things you can expect at Sprouts Farmers Market.
View this post on Instagram
They already have a bunch of things planned for the grand opening, which are all laid out on their website, and include a Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6:45 a.m., with the first 200 in-store shoppers receiving a FREE reusable bag filled with samples at 7 a.m.
Here is a look at the plans for opening day:
They will be having a Pop-up Party, with samples out front, the Great Scale Showdown contest, and a scavenger hunt on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Plus, all customers who sign up for a Sprouts account will be entered for a chance to win a $500 Sprouts gift card.
"The residents in the area have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of an organic grocer for many years,” Giletto continued.
What are your thoughts on Sprouts Farmers Market adding another store in South Jersey? We’d love to hear from you! Join the conversation by messaging us on the app!
Where to get the best bagels in South Jersey.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.SchoolsThe Center provides essential resources to help convert ideas into reality and launch the next generation of entrepreneurial innovators.RCSJ News, Community Contribu...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
RCSJ News, Community Contributor
|Updated Thu, Apr 24, 2025 at 2:26 pm ET
On Thursday, April 17, Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ), Rastelli Foods Group, and the Gloucester Country Board of Commissioners celebrated the most recent product of a fruitful partnership – the new Rastelli Entrepreneurship Center at RCSJ.
“This is an exciting day for each and every entrepreneur who has dared to dream,” remarked Gloucester County Commissioner director, Frank J. DiMarco. “It is with great pride that we welcome you to the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rastelli Entrepreneurship Center. Today marks a bold new chapter for Rowan College of South Jersey and a powerful investment in the future of innovation, business, and student success.”
Strategically located within the Rastelli Business and Corporate Center on RCSJ’s Gloucester campus, the Rastelli Entrepreneurship Center will provide essential resources to help convert ideas into reality. Students will have access to a co-working space, a dedicated meeting room for business planning, and a packaging demonstration area to support product development.
“Today, we recognize more than just the opening of our new Center,” stated Dominic Puggi, Ed.D., dean of the Division of Business Studies. “We celebrate the launch of an entrepreneurial hub designed to empower students with the skills, tools, and experiences they need to succeed. Not just in the classroom, but in the real world. And this moment would not be possible without the generosity, vision, and commitment of the Rastelli family.”
The Center’s opening comes just two years into RCSJ and Rastelli Foods Group’s premier partnership, designed to support new program development and provide scholarship assistance to help launch the next generation of entrepreneurial, culinary, and agricultural innovators. This past year, seventeen students received a $2,000 Rastelli Foods Group Business Studies scholarship; with additional scholarship support available for students enrolled in business-related certificate programs through the Division of Career & Technical Education.
The partnership also places a strong emphasis on creating pre- and post-graduation employment opportunities for RCSJ students and graduates, along with mentored internship experiences. One of the Business Studies students recently selected for a Rastelli internship – Bella D., a Gloucester campus Computer Graphic Arts major – spoke as part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I’d really love to thank RCSJ for this opportunity to be here today and extend my sincere gratitude to the Rastelli family for selecting me for this incredible internship which I’ll begin this fall,” she shared. “Being welcomed into the kind of place where innovation and hard work go hand-in-hand means so much to me. I'm excited to contribute, gain real-world experience, and grow alongside a team that is making a difference.”
Bella discovered one more reason for excitement when Lauren Rastelli DeMarco invited her to be the Rastelli family’s special guest at the Rowan College Foundation’s annual Blue & Gold Gala. The April 24 event will honor Ray Rastelli, the man she was here to introduce, as the Foundation’s “2025 Person of the Year.”
“It is a true honor and deeply personal privilege to introduce someone who means the world to me, my uncle Ray Rastelli,” said Rastelli DeMarco, vice-president of marketing and instrumental figure in the Rastelli Entrepreneurship Center’s design and function.
“To the world, he's a renowned entrepreneur, the driving force behind the Rastelli Foods Group, and a visionary who's helped to reshape the food industry. But to me, he's just my uncle. The same man who has always believed in hard work, leading by example, and showing me what it means to truly dream big and never give up.”
With that introduction, Ray Rastelli, founder and president of Rastelli Foods Group, took the podium to share his own entrepreneurial journey. He spoke about the people who supported him along the way – including his brother Tony Rastelli, the company’s co-founder and vice-president – and how that support helped him to conquer his fear of failure and fully embrace the realization that "it's not a straight path to success.”
“At the very, very beginning, there were lots of people who just believed in me – a 19-year-old kid who had a lot of big dreams, a lot of hustle, and a tremendous fear of failure. And that’s what we're going to be able to create here – a safe space where we can believe in people,” shared Rastelli. “This is going to be a place where people can dream big. Where they can have bold ideas. It's a place that will be safe for failure.”
“True entrepreneurs will never, ever stop learning, they will never stop improving, and they will never stop dreaming,” he continued. “Even at 68 I still wake up with ideas every morning. I bring them to my team and most of them think I'm crazy. Some of those ideas stick and some of them don’t stick; but unless you dream – unless you have some of those crazy ideas – you as an entrepreneur will never really have the opportunity to do something very, very different.”
Beyond its physical space, the Rastelli Entrepreneurship Center will foster innovation through workshops, seminars, and networking events; connecting students, faculty, and industry professionals to encourage creativity, collaboration, and the life-long learning opportunities which Rastelli espouses. The Center will also be including our community’s youngest aspiring entrepreneurs; plans will soon be announced for a summer Rastelli Entrepreneurship Camp for high school students with big ideas.
“We are thrilled at the addition of the Rastelli Entrepreneurship Center, as are our Board, our Commissioners, and most importantly, our student body,” remarked Frederick Keating, Ed.D. “And by that, I mean those who are here with us today and those that will pass through these halls and benefit from this Center in the days and decades to come – because Ray saw it. Because he had a vision and Lauren helped to deliver it.”
To learn more about RCSJ’s premier partnership with Rastelli Foods Group and how it benefits students, visit RCSJ.edu/Rastelli.
856-432-6030
