Media Coverage

Suburban Trends
By Donna Rolando, Staff Writer
Nov 25, 2007

Feast at First Reformed Church now holiday tradition for many

NewBridge's clients find fellowship

Not everyone who gathered at the First Reformed Church Wednesday for a pre-Thanksgiving feast had nowhere else to spend their holiday.

Many came because they were following their hearts to their extended family-those who share their trials week in and week out and probably best understand what it means to suffer mental illness.

As has become an annual tradition, NewBridge Services served a feast-turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings-to members of its mental health and senior citizen community.

A larger crowd than usual-close to 100 including senior citizens seeking holiday cheer-gathered for the occasion at First Reformed Church and planned to spend the day basking in the warmth of the season.

Patty Colvin, spokeswoman for NewBridge, explained that the Thanksgiving feast drew such a crowd because for the first time the clients from three day-treatment centers in West Milford, Pompton Plains and Wayne gathered for the meal under one roof. These centers provide day treatment-everything from life skills to counseling-for those with mental health issues.

The ties that participants have already forged during hours spent at the centers added the glue of togetherness to the gathering.

"It's great! It gives us a chance to all be together as an extended family," said Nancy Sisco, who shared her expressions of thanks for a "bounty" of everything from peace to friends.

Across the festive dining table, Terry Robertson agreed, "This is my extended family. It keeps me going when I don't want to."

Robertson said that she and other members of the NewBridge program have been through a lot together and she appreciates that she can share her thoughts without fear of being judged or misunderstood.

Brian Klecak of Butler said that the feast gives a "sense of belonging" to those who don't have families to gather with on holidays.

"It's a nice thing to have," said another attendee, John Dimeck of Summit.

And Bob Parker, executive director of NewBridge, said one purpose of the feast is to fight the holiday blues that can be a problem even for those who don't suffer from depression.

"That's why we work hard to celebrate in a positive way," Parker said. "Once we begin to think about what we can be thankful for, those feelings of sadness dissipate."

The feast was made possible with the help of donations, the generosity of the First Reformed Church and catering from the Hometown Market in this community.