Best Buddies in New Jersey’s Manager of Transition Programs Donna Morgan has been making a splash in schools around Newark with Best Buddies Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Morgan works with students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) as they prepare to enter the workforce, conducting workshops and activities focused on self-advocacy and leadership skill development for the workplace, exploration of work interests and relevant employment opportunities, and engagement in critical job readiness skills. Together, these experiences will increase the likelihood of successful long-term employment for people with IDD.

Morgan’s hard work has earned her the praise of the staff at the schools with Pre-ETS:

“Ms. Morgan of Best Buddies has been so wonderful with the students… She has been able to assist them in defining goals and also giving them the tools to figure out an action plan to achieve those goals… I am so appreciative to Ms. Morgan for helping give my students direction and purpose and look forward to her working with more of our students in the future.”

– Stephanie Dias, School Psychologist, Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology

“Best Buddies has been so significant in providing social skills, self-advocacy, and job exploration for our students. They look forward to meeting with Ms. Morgan, Manager of Transition Programs, on a weekly basis and have nothing but great things to say about her classes. I have had students come to me asking in anticipation if Ms. Morgan is coming in for their classes. I personally look forward to Ms. Morgan’s weekly visit as well. She is an absolute delight and a very positive and inspirational woman. I would be remised if I did not mention how I look forward to seeing her in the beautifully put-together outfits! We love having her with us and hope she returns in the fall.”

– Yvette Harris, MSW, LSW; Child Study Team, Case Manager, Newark Public Schools

“On behalf of the Office of Special Education, thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your hard work and the time you spent supporting students in our Transition Programs across the district. You are appreciated, and I look forward to working with you next year.”

– LaPrice Weatherington, M.Ed., Program Specialist High School Transition, Newark Public Schools (addressed to Donna Morgan)

“I must take a moment to thank Ms. Donna Morgan, Manager of Transition Programs of Best Buddies, for her invaluable support of our students here at American History High. Ms. Morgan has worked with our students in the Autism program on developing their self-advocacy skills in support of their post-secondary employment goals. Ms. Morgan truly dedicates herself to our students and is extremely creative in her sessions. The group of students that she works with demonstrates a wide range of abilities, yet, Ms. Morgan has found a way to meet the needs of every single one of them. I have watched our students come out of their shells and make their voices heard! On top of all of that, Ms. Morgan brings a ray of sunshine with her every Thursday! Her passion is evident! I am BEYOND thankful for Ms. Morgan’s support of our students and look forward to partnering with Best Buddies again next school year!”

– Ameenah Gibbons, School Psychologist; Child Study Team Case Manager, American History High School