Source: AdlerAphasiaCener.org
Naomi Gewirtz, of River Edge, NJ, recently joined the Adler Aphasia Center as their new President and CEO.
Gewirtz has spent the past two decades working in the non-profit sector for national organizations including The Young Survival Coalition and The Union for Reform Judaism, as well as organizations focused in Northern New Jersey including UJA of Northern New Jersey and UJA Metrowest. She brings to Adler Aphasia Center her experience working for mission-centric organizations where her career has spanned development, volunteer management, human resources and operations.
Aphasia is a communication disorder that impairs the expression and understanding of spoken language, reading and writing. It is usually causea by a stroke or traumatic brain injury and affects 40% of these survivors. While it affects a person’s ability to communicate, it does not affect one’s intellect.
With three full service facilities based in Maywood, Toms River and West Orange, NJ and Aphasia Communication Groups located throughout the state (Belvidere, Bridgewater, Haddonfield, Hammonton, Maywood, Monroe, Morristown, North Bergen, Scotch Plains and two groups in Toms River, NJ), the Center has an innovative post-rehabilitative therapeutic program that addresses the long-term needs of people with aphasia and their families. It is the only one of its kind in NJ, an area with an estimated 70,000 people living with aphasia, and is considered the world leader in long-term, post-rehab community-based care.
The Center’s programs and activities are facilitated by speech-language pathologists and healthcare professionals who share the primary goals of enhancing the communication skills of its members and providing opportunities for social and peer support, while building members’ self-esteem and confidence. Caregiver needs are addressed through weekly caregiver support groups.
Training and educational programs are offered to healthcare professionals, consumers, educators, students, speech-language pathologists and others interested in improving the quality of life for those affected by aphasia. The Center is also actively engaged in research efforts that examine the impact of its programs.
Founded in 2003 by Elaine and Mike Adler, its mission is simple: to provide help for those living with aphasia and their caregivers and to expand awareness and knowledge of aphasia.
For more information about the Center’s programs, services, communication groups, and caregiver support, visit their website at AdlerAphasiaCenter.org or call 201.368.8585.