The Bear Cave

Opening the Door to Opportunity

A transition program for students 18 - 21 years old

located in the center of Hawthorne community

OUR MISSION

To foster the skills necessary within the community

setting for a successful transition from school to adulthood.

Program Components Within Our Home

Our young adults have the opportunity to experience the responsibilities of living on their own from 8:00 am to 2:15 pm, Monday through Friday. The students are responsible for budgeting, meal planning, completing household chores, laundry and basic household maintenance. They are responsible for running a mock restaurant once a month for the public. For more information regarding the Cafe click here. The students also maintain the T-Shirt enterprise, "Bear with Me Graphics" and a copy center for jobs throughout the school district to gain appropriate job skills in a variety of career clusters.

Program Components Outside Our Home

Outside the home, the young adults participate in community-based instruction, travel training, and structure learning experiences. This allows our students to learn how to navigate the community and gain the employ ability skills necessary to become successful members of society. Our young adults also have the opportunity to interface with other students in transition programs in our area to reinforce social skills.

For more detailed information regarding this program click here.

This program is supervised by...

Mrs. Jessica Pignatello, M. Ed.
Director of Special Programs
(973) 423-6469 x2504

Staff includes...

Ms. Danielle Forshay
Special Education Teacher/SLE
[email protected]

Ms. Danielle Luecht
Job Coach/Para-Professional

Mr. Alexander DeFrancis
Job Coach/Para-Professional

Mr. Joseph Walker
Transition Coordinator
[email protected]