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.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Historic Hunt House gets harder without someone by their side. 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 Pennington, 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.
“Could not have asked for a more caring group of professionals. From care giver to”
“ABC COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER IN A CHANGING SITUATION WITH TWO TERMINALLY PATIENTS HAVING”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college,”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides.”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”
“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services”
“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in”
“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me -”
“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care for Mom Monday”
“Could not have asked for a more caring group of professionals. From care giver to support staff, they are exceptional”
“ABC COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER IN A CHANGING SITUATION WITH TWO TERMINALLY PATIENTS HAVING ALZ AND STAGE IV PANCREATIC CANCER. QUALITY OF CARE TAKER WAS SUPERB AND RESPONSIVENESS TO CHANGING NEEDS PERFECT.”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was very lucid and managed his own care with the agency, I was at his house alot and participated in his care with the aids. They were all very caring and he kindly spoke of the owners being very attentive and offered very personalized care. They even visited him. I am very fond of many of the home health aids..they were loving and concerned. They took their job to another level. I even formed friendships with some of them. The golden years are a very delicate part of our lives. Always best care not only offered good physical care to my father, but unbounded love and compassion !!!! Thank you and he is looking down at us. I'm sure.”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was to die in her home. I can’t say enough about how ABC was able to give her a quality of life that she valued as well as provide comfort to her family knowing that she was in good hands with ABC's Caregivers. From the caregivers that always went the extra mile to the fast response we got 24x7 from folks like Carli…you were there for us!”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to care for herself for that night. I called Always Best Care Senior Services (ABC) at the very end of the business day, asking if they could find someone for one night of 12-hour private duty care on pretty much an emergency basis. The ABC team went to work and secured a caregiver for mom within a matter of hours for an 8pm-to-8am care shift at mom's senior living community. We had worked with ABC in the past on a scheduled basis, but this experience was above and beyond the call of regular duty and it truly helped us get through a difficult and stressful episode. We would recommend ABC for any and all of your senior care needs.”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father in day to day activities. Sam helps him with gait training and understands dementia care and how to handle care, the way the client needs it. I would not hesitate using this agency and Sam is excellent.”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college, and they always provided me an aide that is helpful, considerate, and hardworking. Thank you for always providing me with an aide like Ms. Colleta!!”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He was God sent; thank God for him”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides. Thank you again!”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she is paid! I miss her. Her help was timely, professional, and invaluable”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had professional help. Tremendous your service”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The management met with us and assigned caregivers almost immediately. As our needs evolved and increased, they were responsive and flexible. The caregivers were well-trained, kind, hard-working, and truly fine people whom we enjoyed having in the house.”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up the good work, and be safe!”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and concern that was shown for my husband by the Always Best Care staff. Thank you for the exceptional attention to his comfort, as well as the wonderful insights, strength, knowledge, and emotional support you showed our entire family. Watching someone you love make the transition out of this life is a really difficult thing, and your wisdom and comfort helped us navigate this challenging time. I will always be thankful for the service you provided for him. I would also like to acknowledge the excellent care provided to my husband by Ms. Marie Louisjean. We thank Ms. Louisjean for her incredible patience, tenderness, and attention to his needs. We thank her for being such a dedicated caregiver. God has given her a very special talent and He has blessed her with a compassionate heart. I could not have asked for a more passionate group of people. May God continue to bless the Always Best Care staff as you continue to care for people in need.”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They came out to his house and offered suggestions so that he would be able to get around with his walker easily. Their person took great care of my Dad. It is such a relief to my sister and I that we had someone stay with my Dad that was so reliable. I highly recommend them.”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you enough. Thanks for always being there for us in every way.”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and how best to provide workable care solutions for aging relatives. They are well informed on current issues and available options. I speak from my own experience here and strongly recommend then and their company to anyone in need of assistance in this area. They are compassionate and caring people which is critical in their business!”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care they provided for our Aunt and Uncle as they battled with diminishing health and mental conditions. Carmen and Gimbert were always available to us to answer questions and discuss aspects of care that was needed. Without their help the situations that we faced would have been so much worse. God Bless.”
“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services in the future if needed. I would recommend you to anyone needing your help. Again, thank you for caring.”
“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also cared for me and my family.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in caring for a loved one. We have a brother and his significant other who were living independently and when visiting them realized they had not been eating or keeping their home clean. Since we knew of Always Best Care and heard of their excellent reputation we contacted them. They immediately stepped in and assisted us in knowing what steps we needed to take. After taking both our brother and his significant other to the doctors and learning that they had the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease, we met with Carmen who helped us set up a plan. She suggested that we start with a few days a week of in home care so that we would know that they were eating. She provided us with excellent aids that not only helped prepare meals, but also interacted with our family members to encourage socialization. These few days increased to five days a week which left us with Saturday and Sunday to monitor their eating. While this was taking place, Carmen helped us find an Assisted Living Community where they could move. We visited several in the area and decided on one after consulting with Carmen. She and Gimbert were always available to take our calls if we had any questions. They helped us with finding someone to clean out the house and assisted us in relocating our bother and his significant other to their new home. We have recommended Always Best Care to several of our neighbors who have needed assistance with caring for loved ones. Carmen is on top of any situation that needs attention. Whether a person needs an aid for a week, a month or indefinitely she arranges the right person for the client’s needs. Always Best Care, Carmen and Gimbert, cared for our family members as if they were their own family. We would not have been able to care for our family members as well as the aids from Always Best Care.Hopefully we will not need the services of Always Best Care again, but if we do we know that they will be there to help us.”
“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me - her knowledge/advice, genuine caring, and friendly personality. We're managing well and hopefully that continues and if needed, we know to call ABC.”
“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care for Mom Monday through Friday. They are expensive, but that's the going rate, unfortunately. They were very reactive; I called them, and the next day, they were at the house doing the assessment to see what was exactly needed. However, there were two occasions where I called them and did not get a response back within 12 hours. On one occasion, I called them on a Friday afternoon, and they called me back on Saturday at 10:00. But, they're not bad. The person they recommended was wonderful. I don't have complaints about that.”
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. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Kunkel Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Rat's Restaurant or visit Maclean House, don't feel bad. 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.
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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 Pennington, 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 Pennington, 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.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
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 Pennington, 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.
Nate Berman, a senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School, will showcase his documentary, Anything is Possible, at the 23rd annual Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park this Saturday, March 29.The film tells the story of Blake Peters, the only Jewish player on the 2023 Princeton University men’s basketball team, who helped lead them to the NCAA Sweet 16. And after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, how Peters faced antisemitism on campus.On Oct. 7 Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups laun...
Nate Berman, a senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School, will showcase his documentary, Anything is Possible, at the 23rd annual Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park this Saturday, March 29.
The film tells the story of Blake Peters, the only Jewish player on the 2023 Princeton University men’s basketball team, who helped lead them to the NCAA Sweet 16. And after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, how Peters faced antisemitism on campus.
On Oct. 7 Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, killing almost 1,200 people triggering the ongoing Gaza war.
Berman’s interest in filmmaking began in 2023 when he came across his father’s old Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera in his office. His father is a video producer and director.
“I was honestly pretty interested in doing photography at the time,” Berman said. “My friend did it for my school’s basketball team. He made videos and stuff like that.”
Once his father brought the camera home, Berman dove into YouTube tutorials to learn how to use it. That year, he began shooting videos for the basketball team.
“I began to really fall in love with it,” Berman said. “That summer, I upgraded my camera, and during my junior year, I produced my first film during the spring and that was Anything is Possible.”
Berman was inspired to create the five-minute documentary after the Oct. 7 attacks. Deeply connected to his Jewish community, he said the experience left him vulnerable and questioning. At school, he felt vulnerable hearing everyone talking about the attacks and making speculations and accusations about what happened.
He attended a memorial rally at Princeton University, where he met Peters. The two connected through their shared faith and love of basketball.
“At first, I wanted to highlight Blake’s achievements in basketball,” Berman said. “But as I got into interviewing him, I really saw that he’s very deeply connected to his faith just like I was, and so I really wanted to tap into that.”
Berman hopes the film brings the community together and reminds people that they are not alone.
“I saw the hurt in the community, but I also wanted to show a lot of hope,” he said. “I didn’t want to show all the pain that people felt. I really just wanted to bond the community together through our shared hurt.”
The documentary has received positive feedback since Berman’s father shared it on Facebook and LinkedIn.
“I know a little kid said he wanted to work hard and was motivated by Blake,” Berman said. “I thought that the film really sparked a lot of community appreciation.”
Michael Vitellaro, Berman’s video production teacher at the high school, encouraged him to apply to the GSFF.
“I applied to some film festivals in the past, and I got into them, but then recently I have had a streak of not getting into the past five,” Berman said. “So when I got into the Garden State Film Festival I was pretty joyful, honestly.”
Berman and Vitellaro have a close relationship. Berman often stays after class to ask questions and discuss projects.
“He helped me get into film, too, because I took his class sophomore year and that’s what really got me into film,” Berman said. “I think he’s been a big influence on me being a filmmaker.”
Vitellaro worked in television and video production for more than 20 years before switching careers four years ago. Now, he focuses on growing student talent.
“I can give them all the ideas, I can encourage them, but they also have to take matters into their own hands,” Vitellaro said. “I’m glad that he did.”
He praised Anything is Possible and Berman’s approach to a difficult subject.
“Beyond his years, for sure,” Vitellaro said. “It’s close to home for Nathan’s religion, and telling a story like that isn’t easy. It’s a very delicate subject matter and he handled it professionally and maturely. That piece could’ve aired on any network that I worked at in my career.”
As for Berman’s future, Vitellaro is confident.
“I’m very proud of him. It’s well deserved,” he said. “I think he’s at a level that meets or exceeds any festival that he would submit to.”
Currently, Berman is creating short-form sports content and working on a new film he hopes to release in May. He also plans to create a narrative film in the future.
After graduation, he hopes to attend film school. He has applied to programs at USC, Indiana, and Syracuse.
“We’re gonna definitely miss him,” Vitellaro said. “I’m just glad that I was able to guide him and hopefully raise his level from the time that we met to now.”
photos provided by Nate Berman
Hopewell BoroughHopewell TownshipHopewell Valley Central High SchoolHVRSDPenningtonPublish
Good news if you're a fan of Starbucks.Your favorite coffee shop on Denow Road in Pennington has finally reopened.The popular spot in the Stop & Shop shopping center was missed by many, who rely on it for their morning caffeine kick.Renovat...
Good news if you're a fan of Starbucks.
Your favorite coffee shop on Denow Road in Pennington has finally reopened.
The popular spot in the Stop & Shop shopping center was missed by many, who rely on it for their morning caffeine kick.
Renovations have kept it closed for the last three months, but as of yesterday (Monday, March 10), it's up and running again, according to Mercer Me.
The workspace has been redesigned to improve efficiency and finishing touches are being put on the decor.
The store's manager, Sean Coffey, is excited to be back open and welcoming loyal customers back.
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Coffey said, "We're thrilled to have this space open again. The new setup makes everything more advanced and streamlined for both our team and our customers."
Just up the road, there will be an additional Starbucks opening on Route 31 in the old TD Bank building.
If you've driven by recently, you may have noticed the new sign that's gone up.
You won't have to wait long for this new location.
It's expected to open its doors sometime later this month.
Starbucks has been working towards getting back it its roots by streamlining the menu and cutting the products that aren't top sellers.
Recently, it was announced that 13 drinks would be vanishing from the popular lineup.
READ MORE: NJMVC Added More REAL ID Appointments; Deadline May 7
Many Starbucks around the country are adding drive-thru lanes if they don't already have them.
In Mercer On One on Route 1 in Lawrence Township, not too far from Pennington, Starbucks is moving from its current location to a brand new one with a drive-thru within the shopping center.
Dear Hopewell Valley Residents,The members of the Pennington Fire Company would like to express their sincere gratitude to you for your support and assistance during the recent forest fire on Poor Farm Road this past weekend. As you may know, the fire quickly spread across 300 acres and required several days of dedicated effort to contain. Thanks to the quick response from the three Hopewell Valley volunteer fire companies, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Township Career staff and our mutual aid partners, the fire was containe...
Dear Hopewell Valley Residents,
The members of the Pennington Fire Company would like to express their sincere gratitude to you for your support and assistance during the recent forest fire on Poor Farm Road this past weekend. As you may know, the fire quickly spread across 300 acres and required several days of dedicated effort to contain. Thanks to the quick response from the three Hopewell Valley volunteer fire companies, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Township Career staff and our mutual aid partners, the fire was contained with no injuries, and no damage to any homes.
Strong winds and dry conditions caused the fire to grow rapidly requiring a call for additional resources from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Over two hundred and fifty volunteer firefighters responded to the fire, and we are grateful for their coordinated response and diligent efforts to help bring the fire under control. Their professionalism and dedication are commendable.
We’d like to acknowledge the community members who provided food, water and other supplies and support. This kindness is a reflection of the remarkable community that is Hopewell Valley.
Thank you again for your support. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help serve the Valley community as a volunteer firefighter, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely
Roger Demareski
Chief
Pennington Fire Company
Pennington, NJ
609-737-0381
fire departmentforest fireHopewell BoroughHopewell TownshipPenningtonPennington Fire CompanyPublish
One day while out walking with her then five-year-old grandson near the Hopewell, NJ post office, Susan Ferguson says they saw a tiny food pantry, a small, freestanding cabinet where people can leave food for those in need.She says, “When we first used to go to that park in Hopewell he’d say, ‘Oh my gosh there’s crackers in there. Can I have them?’”Ferguson explained to him, “‘This is for people that don’t have crackers at their house and they’re hungry and they can co...
One day while out walking with her then five-year-old grandson near the Hopewell, NJ post office, Susan Ferguson says they saw a tiny food pantry, a small, freestanding cabinet where people can leave food for those in need.
She says, “When we first used to go to that park in Hopewell he’d say, ‘Oh my gosh there’s crackers in there. Can I have them?’”
Ferguson explained to him, “‘This is for people that don’t have crackers at their house and they’re hungry and they can come here, and they can choose a couple of things to take to their house to help them make dinner.’”
Now, she says, her plan is to let him help by going “to the grocery store and have him choose some things…and put [them] on the [pantry] shelves so we really see that it’s not for us and that it’s going to go help somebody else.”
In Pennington, NJ a town with a population of less than 3,000, residents came together originally during the COVID-19 pandemic to create and stock two tiny food pantries and a mobile food pantry to address significant food insecurity in the area.
Food insecurity, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” The New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate similarly frames it using the United Nations’ definition: “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.”
Joseph Lawver, director of the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry (HVMFP), says, “We originally thought we’d be up and running for maybe 90 days or a couple of months. Obviously, that didn’t happen.” He continues, “At first, we delivered to about 35 families. This week [February 12, 2025] we will serve 211 families.”
Hopewell Valley, which includes Hopewell Township, Pennington, and Hopewell Borough, spans approximately 58 square miles and fosters strong community connections among the three municipalities. HVMFP was created in March 2020 by the then-superintendent of Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD), Thomas Smith, Ph.D.
Lawver, who was mayor of Pennington at the time, says, “Tom called together the three mayors and we discussed how to get this up and running.”
One thing in particular prompted Lawver’s desire to collaborate.
He says, “I was concerned that the students enrolled in free and reduced school lunch programs would be further economically impacted by the COVID meltdown.”
HVMFP operates through three main services: home delivery, curbside grab-and-go pickup, and occasional walk-ins. It also collaborates with other food assistance programs, such as Ewing Helping Hands. The YMCA also offered its non-profit status and administrative resources. The pantry is housed in the administrative building of the school district.
Although the overall impact of the program is hard to measure, anecdotal evidence shows there were immediate results. Local resident Alice Connolly, who was homebound during COVID, says she relied on HVMFP for fresh food.
“My nails become much stronger from eating nutritious vegetables like Swiss chard,” she says, adding that she shared her weekly portion with three neighbors. Now that things have gotten easier post-pandemic, she says she regularly donates to the pantry.
Another person who benefitted was a 95-year-old World War II veteran who was hospitalized after contracting COVID.
Lawver says, “He checked into the hospital and nobody ever expected to see him again…COVID was pretty much a death sentence at that point.”
But the man pulled through. Lawver says, “He came back home from the hospital four weeks later. And his family attributed his rebound to the improved diet of fresh fruits and vegetables we had provided him for the two years leading up to his COVID.”
HVMFP now serves an average of 225 families per week—approximately 150 deliveries and 75 grab-and-go pickups.
How these numbers compare to overall food insecurity in Pennington is unclear. The pantry provides food to the Hopewell community without requiring proof of need, while the Trenton Health Team’s 2022 Food Insecurity Index estimated 387 individuals and 171 households in Pennington were food insecure. Equally important is the knowledge that these figures may be underestimations due to factors such as recall bias, social desirability bias, survey design limitations, and underrepresentation of vulnerable populations.
Looking ahead, food insecurity could worsen if proposed cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Social Security take effect. Lawver predicts, “We might see in 2025 and 2026 a 50% increase in our client base if cuts go through. We could easily be serving 300 or 350 families by the end of the year.”
To meet this demand, HVMFP plans to develop a strategic plan, expand its social media presence, strengthen financial practices, and improve communication with stakeholders.
One of the tiny pantries, located near the HVMFP building, was installed by Troop 41 Eagle Scout Todd M. McCoy. A plaque above its glass door bears the motto: “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
The second tiny pantry, called the “Tiny Purple Pantry,” is located in Pennington’s historic district. It was donated in 2021 by Lindsay Manolakos, who collaborated with Pennington Presbyterian Church to place it at a central intersection.
Reverend Mikoski of the Presbyterian Church says, “We all need food every single day,” adding, “When people need food from a food pantry or from the Little Purple Pantry it reminds me of how blessed I am not to have to worry about where my next meal is coming from.”
Hope Anderson, director of Pennington Presbyterian Nursery School, and her kindergarten students help restock the Tiny Purple Pantry, using it as an opportunity to teach both community responsibility and math skills.
Reverend Mikoski recalled one child noticing that the pantry had peanut butter but no jelly and suggesting they bring some the next day.
Manolakos says, over time, she has received inquiries from as far as Seattle about starting similar projects. She says she wants to collaborate with a designer to create a simple self-assembly kit or blueprint for others to follow.
“The idea is to help communities help themselves,” Manolakos says.
HVMFP will host an open house on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
609-455-2886
