Rising Treetops: Comprehensive Services and Future Vision for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

By:  | September 11, 2024 |  |  Monmouth County

By Matt Doherty

Rising Treetops in Oakhurst, a sanctuary for individuals with developmental disabilities, has been making a significant impact for over a century. Under the leadership of Executive Director Robert Pacenza, who has been with the organization for 14 and a half years, Rising Treetops continues to provide essential services, including overnight respite and summer camp programs.

Founded in 1906 as the Crippled Children's Eastside Free School, Rising Treetops has evolved significantly over the years. Originally established in the Lower East Side of Manhattan to provide educational opportunities for children with disabilities, the organization quickly expanded to include a summer retreat in Oakhurst, New Jersey. This location offered a respite from the polluted city environment, initially serving children affected by tuberculosis and polio.

By the mid-1940s, the organization shifted its focus entirely to its Oakhurst location, transforming it into a sleepover summer camp. This decision coincided with the public school system beginning to offer education to students with disabilities. From 1946 onward, Rising Treetops operated as a traditional summer camp, welcoming individuals of all ages, including adults, for extended stays.

The organization expanded its services year-round in the mid-1980s, thanks to state funding for out-of-home respite care. This allowed Rising Treetops to winterize its facilities, build an indoor-outdoor enclosed pool, and expand its activities building to include more classrooms for therapeutic recreation.

Today, Rising Treetops offers a wide range of services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The organization provides overnight respite care, a summer camp, an after-school program, and a day camp during the summer months. These programs cater to individuals with various disabilities, including autism and intellectual disabilities.

Pacenza explained, "Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with special needs. We aim to provide respite for their families through a year-round camp experience." Rising Treetops also accommodates emergency placements, allowing individuals to stay beyond the planned session schedule if needed, provided the organization has sufficient staffing.

The organization serves clients as young as eight, though they occasionally accept seven-year-olds for short stays or day programs. There is no upper age limit, and they have served individuals well into their 70s and 80s. Many older clients continue to return because they have been coming to Rising Treetops since they were young, and they enjoy the natural environment as a break from city life.

Rising Treetops relies on community support to continue its mission. Recently, they held a successful fundraiser in Rumson, raising approximately $75,000 to support the purchase of a new 14-passenger wheelchair-accessible bus. This event, a tradition for the past 18 years, is crucial for funding the organization's operations and specific projects.

Pacenza highlighted the importance of community involvement: "We've become sort of the go-to place for high school students to satisfy community service hours." The organization's volunteer program welcomes individuals and groups from local schools, universities, and businesses. Volunteers participate in various projects, from clearing nature paths to assisting clients with their personal goals.

Rising Treetops Board Member Caitlin Bovo emphasized the inclusive nature of the volunteer program, stating, "Our volunteer program is designed so any age can be involved just as we serve all ages of clients. My goal as an engaged board member is to raise awareness in Monmouth County and surrounding areas so we can serve more clients and families. Any amount of help is always welcome and impactful to us."

Looking to the future, Rising Treetops is exploring new ways to serve its community. The organization recently launched the LEAPS program (Learning Experiences and Practical Skills), aimed at helping individuals with the potential for semi or full independence. This program focuses on skill-building and adaptive functioning for individuals with moderate to high functioning levels. Participants in the LEAPS program engage in activities like planning their days, doing chores, and learning essential life skills in a supportive environment.

Rising Treetops is also considering expanding its services to include permanent residential facilities, such as group homes. Pacenza explained, "An organization like ours, which has people who have been coming to us for decades, could provide important continuity of care for families." This expansion would offer clients a familiar environment where they can continue to thrive.

What sets Rising Treetops apart is its 15-acre campus, which offers a unique respite experience in a natural setting. Unlike typical respite facilities, which often operate in hotels or group homes, Rising Treetops provides a peaceful retreat where individuals can enjoy nature and engage in therapeutic activities.

The organization's commitment to serving a wide range of ages and diagnoses, along with its comprehensive programs, makes it a valuable resource for families in Monmouth County and beyond. As Pacenza noted, "When people learn about us, they tend to stay involved or have their loved ones come to us for some level of services."

Rising Treetops at Oakhurst continues to fulfill its mission of enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and providing respite for their families. Through its comprehensive programs, community involvement, and future vision, the organization remains a beacon of hope and support for those it serves. As they look to the future, Rising Treetops is poised to expand its impact and continue its legacy of compassion and innovation.