Greetings and I hope this finds you well. Spring is a time for reflection and new beginnings.
We are so thankful for seeing our AMIB family grow with the addition of our 17th and 18th group homes opening last year. We packed the venue at our recent Holiday Party with the new individuals, their family members and additional staff we had hired to take care of them. With the unfortunate passing of Ken Carson, Jr., such a prominent and long-standing Board Member of the AMIB, we are thankful for knowing him, his contributions to AMIB and following in his vision for the organization. We are also thankful that his daughter Colleen Healey has volunteered to move into the vacant Vice President role Ken had held. Lastly, we are thankful for Lillian Johnsen’s leadership and stepping in as Board of Trustee President for the previous 3 years. Knowing her parents, who were founders and board members when I first started in 2000 and then getting to know Lillian and her sister Cheryl, more personally and professionally over the last decade, following in their parent’s footsteps, has been my honor and pleasure.
As for new beginnings, we look forward to the new faces of our Board of Trustees and the installation of new officers. Also, I have identified and procured two additional homes in Monmouth County, so we look forward to the accessible barrier free renovations to commence, with ultimately opening up AMIB’s 19th and 20th group homes in 2026.
Best in health,
Aaron Soto