A Shooting Star

Congratulations to DPD, Catholic Charities, New Jersey Association of Community Providers - NJACP Community Star, Anthony Iovine!

For more than twenty years, the mission of The New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) has been to assist member agencies as they provide quality supports and services for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.  NJACP Member Agencies provide services and supports for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Anthony was honored on May 7th along with other fine individuals, who happen to have intellectual and developmental disabilities, from throughout New Jersey. 

Anthony is often seen as DPD’s mayor when he is out in the community…greeting everyone he meets and everyone knows his name. 

Anthony has shown determination and strength through many trials and tribulations over this past year.  He moved to a new home in an unfamiliar neighborhood, left his Knights of Columbus Council and friends behind in his former community. His mobility and cognitive skills have changed and he uses a wheelchair to get around now. He recently lost a housemate and friend of many years.

Through all of these changes he moved forward. He now uses his wheelchair like a pro and he has even gotten back to bowling recently!  He has made new friends and they have helped him to stay in touch with the old ones. He has become involved with his new neighborhood, parish and Knights Council at St. Therese Church in Succasunna.  He has been a good friend to all of his housemates and he has been supportive and compassionate through the illness and loss of his friend, as he has always been over the years.  At age 71, he is still as funny and as strong as ever.  His sense of humor and love of life are as much a part of the day as are his very unique infectious laughter and smile.

Anthony enjoys giving back to his community and is also a member of DPD’s Fight for the Right community service group and has participated in many events and drives to help soldiers abroad and veterans locally, local animal shelters, food pantries and many other worthy causes. 

Please join us in congratulating Anthony Iovine from Walsh House as DPD’s NJACP Community Star.