The relationship between Berkowsky and Associates, Inc. (BAI), and Community Options began in Spring 2021. Through a mutual consultant and Community Options’ need for an architect, BAI came recommended by reputation for sincere partnership to mission-based organizations. Through this engagement, BAI has provided Community Options with site studies, design, and construction management for offices, a flower shop, group home, and day centers throughout New Jersey.
From these accomplishments, BAI was invited to attend Community Options’ 35th Annual Fundraising Gala, and for our founder, Mark Berkowsky, to Chair the Silent Auction. Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options, mentioned Mark in his letter to attendees, “Mark Berkowsky…showed creativity that resulted in an exciting set of distinctive auction items. I thank Mark for his exemplary leadership and all of the donors who contributed to the auction.”
Mark led the Silent Auction Committee through virtual meetings over the span of six months. The auction was conducted through live and virtual bidding and prizes included private retreats, NFL and MLB game tickets, concert tickets, jewelry, artwork, and much more. These were donated by many of the Community Options’ regular contributors.
Mark was in attendance with his wife Nadine, daughter and BAI CEO/CFO, Siri Berkowsky Heinrichs, with her husband Bruce Heinrichs, and son and BAI Executive Vice President, Eric Berkowsky with partner Alexandra Schubach. Together, they enjoyed networking and seeing the live gift-giving, but were most enamored with what no successful event could go without–the orchestra, Philadelphia Brass. It was truly a night to remember and BAI was so honored to be included.
About Community Options
Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, Community Options is a national nonprofit organization with the mission to develop housing and employment support for persons with disabilities. The organization supports 6,000 people with disabilities and families across 12 states. You can read more about Community Options here.
About The Partnership
Working with nonprofit organizations and local betterment initiatives has always been part of the BAI ethos so this was a very easy partnership for us.
Our first project was the design and build out of newly acquired office space for select administrative departments and Daily Plan It, Community Options’ integrated employment program. Businesses can lease space from Daily Plan It and receive professional reception and clerical support services, while employees (people with and without disabilities) gain skills in office management.
Since then, BAI has completed numerous other offices and day centers, and designed a group home and new Vaseful Flowers. The day centers are a place for facilitated training, skill development, and caregiving. Vaseful Flowers is another employment enterprise for developing retail sales and store management skills.
We see the design of these spaces to mean more than capacity, programming, and economy–it’s about accessibility for the end users and enabling their initiatives to ultimately expand on the organization’s mission. We’re proud to be a partner to Community Options and to have completed an outstanding six projects together in the last three years. We look forward to many more opportunities together.
See more about our Community Options projects here.
