Our Center

Achieve Academy for Adults is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Most of our clients reside in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, though we accept others from surrounding counties.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower adults with neurodiversity to enhance social communication and cultivate meaningful relationships, explore personal interests, further develop daily living skills, and foster community belonging through personalized programming, individualized activities, therapeutic support, and skill-building opportunities.

Community Generousity

The Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children has made possible the Achieve Academy for Adults facility through an extensive renovation of the space leased from Brookdale Community College. This remarkable transformation was made possible entirely through the generous contributions of dedicated donors and successful fundraising initiatives.

The renovated environment offers a modern, accessible, and welcoming space that enhances the learning experience for all participants. By revitalizing these facilities, MOFFC and BCC have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to creating optimal educational settings where adults can develop essential life skills and pursue their personal growth goals in a supportive community atmosphere.

Our Dedicated Professionals

Expertise

Our instructors bring extensive expertise to their roles, with a minimum of five years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. This depth of experience enables them to provide knowledgeable, compassionate support tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Training

Every team member receives mandatory training to ensure full compliance with Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) policies and procedures. Achieve Academy provides all team members with additional training beyond the required DDD training in a variety of useful, current topics relevant to the field. This ongoing professional development maintains our high standards of care and keeps our practices aligned with current best practices in supporting adults with I/DD.

Safety

All individuals involved with Achieve Academy for Adults have undergone thorough vetting, including complete criminal history background checks, to ensure each client’s safety. This applies to everyone from our governing board members to office staff, instructors, and support professionals.

The Achieve Café

Our fully working café provides a real-world environment where clients learn essential culinary skills. Below are some examples of the activities clients participate in:

  • Meal planning
  • Grocery shopping
  • Food preparation
  • Cooking
  • Serving

These represent just a sampling of the culinary skills our clients develop. The café features comfortable booth seating where clients enjoy family-style meals together, fostering social skills and community building.

Life Skills Apartment

Our comprehensive apartment facility includes a main living area, a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Here, clients develop critical, independent living skills including, but not limited to:

  • Organizing and folding clothing
  • Proper garment hanging
  • Bed-making
  • Laundry sorting and washing
  • Dishwashing
  • General home maintenance
  • Social skills

Leisure, Interest & Hobby Room

Dedicated spaces in our center allow clients to explore and develop personal interests. These areas include examples such as:

  • Puzzle stations
  • STEM learning center
  • Creative arts spaces
  • Gaming activities
  • Shared social spaces

Our clients engage in a wide variety of creative activities, including but not limited to:

  • Jewelry making
  • Painting
  • Ceramics
  • Scrapbooking
  • Crafting
  • Other activities aligned with their individual interests and talents

We continually expand our offerings based on client interests. These activities promote cognitive development, fine motor skills, and creative expression.

Fitness Center

Our fitness room is equipped with appropriate exercise equipment to help clients maintain physical health and wellness. Supervised physical activities promote healthy habits, improve motor coordination, and support overall well-being through regular exercise routines tailored to individual abilities.

Sensory Room

Our specialized sensory room provides a therapeutic space for clients to regulate sensory input. This calming environment helps clients manage stress and sensory challenges through carefully designed lighting, textures, sounds, and equipment. We continuously update our sensory offerings to provide the most effective support for our clients’ varied needs.