September 24, 2025 — Elite Preparatory Academy (EPA).
Senior writer and Editor-in-Chief: Boge Xiao
Thanks for contributions from Kayden Cheung’s summary, Mrs. Doris’s photos, and the whole Community Ambassador Club participation
Today felt less like a meeting and more like a first step toward a shared community. Our Community Ambassador Club welcomed The Smile of Hopatcong, a local nonprofit serving adults with disabilities. Guests included Ms. Susan Weiland, Director of Community Affairs; her husband, Mr. Scott Weiland, who once attended school in our building when it was a public school, and two SMILE residents. The conversation offered students a direct look at the organization’s day-to-day work, its funding model, and discussed ways EPA students can contribute.
We didn’t just “learn about a nonprofit.” We met our neighbors. Ms. Susan outlined SMILE’s main programs: Tuesday recreation nights, Wednesday bowling. Also, there are karaoke nights and dance parties, summer camps to zoos and parks, Thanksgiving dinner open for 24/7 every day except for Thanksgiving day on Christmas, birthday celebrations for every resident. Next, Mr. Scott reminded us of scale and proximity: 12 residents, two adjacent houses in Hopatcong, a community room roughly the size of ours—and only a two-minute drive from EPA campus, making frequent collaboration both practical and sustainable in the future.
We also talked about how SMILE sustains itself. The real operating funds are a diversified mix: rental income from its buildings, citywide fundraising, and deep local bounty so that the houses were built through donations. While state funds help underwrite staffing, SMILE is not solely reliant on government sources, rather volunteers, clubs, families, and neighbors all matter.
Most importantly, we set a tone for why we serve. According to Kayden Cheung, Pastor Mike’s line is most touching to him: it’s “not just because you want to change people’s lives, but because your own life will be changed.” Students discussed how serving alongside residents can broaden their perspectives, build empathy, and reveal unexpected strengths—whether that’s learning practical skills like cooking or simply practicing presence and patience. That is the standard we intend to meet.
Looking ahead, we planned cross-club collaborations to amplify impact and offer helpful activities. For example, the Cooking Club prepares healthy meals for events and residents’ birthday, and the Photography Club documents service days through cameras. Then, the Handcrafting Club creates small EPA gifts, with the Student Council to raise awareness and participation. What’s more, the Music and Rock/Pop/Piano Clubs share performances, including Theater Class to stage community entertainment, and Board Games Club hosts fun games. With Halloween approaching, EPA students also hope to join SMILE’s festivities to help create a welcoming, inclusive celebration.
Next Step (Actionable): 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1st, we will visit the SMILE community to plan on-site volunteering and confirm our first joint events. Photos from today’s meeting serve as both highlights and an official activity record of this new partnership.
Call to Join: If you are interested in participating or learning more, you are welcome to contact Dr. Joseph or the Community Ambassador Club leadership, Sam Cheung and Kenneth Liu.