Name: Judy Blauvelt

Postion: Director

How did you get started with Integrity House?  Dave convinced me to come to work at INTEGRITY.

How long have you been at Integrity House? 18 + years

What is your educational background? School of Hard Knocks

In one sentence, respond your responsibilities? Assisting staff and members with financial & social services needs.

What is your best memory at Integrity House? Attending many commencement ceremonies to congratulate members and staff on their accomplishments.

What is the best thing about working at Integrity House? The opportunity to work with individuals who care about making a difference in the lives of others.

What do you do for fun? Spend time with family & friends.

What do you want others know about your department? The staff are hard workers and good team players.

Name: Margaret Ross

Postion: Finance and Administrative Assistant 2

How did you get started with Integrity House? I did some volunteer work here when I finished treatment.

How long have you been at Integrity House? 6 years

What is your educational background? I got my GED while I was at Integrity House

In one sentence, respond your responsibilities? I handle welfare applications and help the student-members with their finances

What is your best memory at Integrity House? Working at TC3 Outpatient for women at Integrity

What is the best thing about working at Integrity House? Definitely getting to know my co-workers

What do you do for fun? I’ve been building and shopping for my business

What do you want others know about your department? We have the best dept. in the whole company!

Name: Evan Weiss

Department and Title: Admissions Department – Secaucus Long-term Residential; Assistant Director of Admissions

How long have you been with IH? Approximately 5 years as a paid staff member. Worked as an intern/volunteer in the prevention program, intake, and long-term residential in Newark for 1 year prior to my formal hiring.

How did you get started with IH? I was referred to Integrity House – Newark as a social work intern in my junior year at Seton Hall University. I enjoyed the experience so much that I volunteered in the Newark intake department on a full-time basis throughout the summer before my senior year in college. After transitioning into the adult residential phase for my senior internship, I was offered employment as a Counselor Intern/Van Driver. 

What is your educational background? I hold a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ and a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW – with a concentration in social work administration) from the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in Manhattan. I am also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).

In one sentence, what are your responsibilities? I coordinate admissions into the adult residential substance abuse treatment program in Secaucus, working with various referral sources, including all Drug Court programs, county probation departments, the Work-first New Jersey Substance Abuse Initiative, Federal Probation and Federal Pre-trial, and many community-based substance abuse treatment programs throughout New Jersey.

What is your best memory at IH? Working with a dear friend and valued co-worker, Christopher Ferdinand, to plan a surprise Christmas party for all of the Newark residents on Christmas Day several years ago. We hired a D.J. and procured over $1,000-worth of donated food to provide the men and women with an unforgettable Holiday bash!

What do you think is the best thing about IH? The family atmosphere that the staff members work so hard to cultivate on a daily basis.

What do you do for fun? I enjoy learning and practicing various Spanish-language dialects. I also enjoy playing sports, especially basketball and soccer.

What do you want others to know about your position/dept/program? We truly care about the well-being of all individuals seeking treatment at Integrity House; and we go above and beyond our job descriptions to ensure that individuals entering the program are treated with dignity and respect.

Name: Nancy Vassallo

Department and Title: Teacher, Education Dept. Secaucus

How long have you been with IH? 3 years in August

How did you get started with IH?  I had recently taken the Math Praxis test to become a teacher, I was in the “Alternate Route to Teaching” program, but I had no certification.  I answered an ad on Craigslist, for a math instructor with a certificate of eligibility, and it turned out to be IH.  At the time I had no idea what a therapeutic community was!

What is your educational background?  I have a BA in Psychology from Montclair State.

In one sentence, what are your responsibilities? To make sure that every student member without a high school diploma or GED has an opportunity to learn and perhaps receive his/her GED while here at IH.

What is your best memory at IH? I have many!   One of the best was watching the inauguration of President Obama with the adolescents in their group room.

What do you think is the best thing about IH?  The love and concern of everyone, not just the student members, but the staff as well.  I never thought I could have so much love in me, but I realized the more love you have, the more you have to give!

What do you do for fun? I read a lot, and I belong to a book group.  (I guess some people might not think that’s “fun”!)

What do you want others to know about your position/dept/program? That I want to help each and every student despite their attitudes, and despite being short-handed,  and that I have high expectations for their success.

Name: Lisa Marrow

Position: Receptionist 2 (Newark)

How long have you been at Integrity House: 6.5 years

How did you get started at Integrity House? Well, I went through the program in 2003 and kept in contact after I left. About 6 months later, there was an opening for a Weekend Coordinator in the women’s program and I was hired in that position. I moved into a Counselor position and eventually into the Receptionist position where I’ve been for 3 years.

What is your educational background? I got my GED while I was at Integrity House and am working towards my Associates in Administrative Support at Union County College now. (Lisa got a 4.0 in the spring semester!)

In one sentence, what are your main responsibilities? I manage the multi-line phone system and the front office.

What do you want others to know about your position? Sometimes it can be very chaotic!

What is your best memory of Integrity House? Definitely my graduation day and getting my 5 year plaque.

What is the best part about Integrity House? I love how it feels like we’re a family and people help each other out alot.

What do you do for fun? I really like exercising and walking around Lincoln Park when it’s nice out. Also, I like hanging out with my Mom.