The Christmas holiday season has arrived, and Elite Preparatory Academy celebrated it with our good friends from The SMILE of Hopatcong. We met the wonderful residents of The SMILE for the first time in October 2025 during a visit to their two homes. They showed us how they live through guided tours of their rooms, which reflected their unique tastes, interests and personalities. We discovered that The SMILE is a very caring community built on love. It has been our privilege to experience their joy and fellowship.
The SMILE (The Steven Milford Independent Living Experience) began in Hopatcong in 2010. It is based on a beautiful vision “where every adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live with dignity, independence and joy.” The SMILE aims to “promote independence and community inclusion. Where residents cook, work, learn and live with pride. Through individualized supports and meaningful connections, we help each person grow not just in skills but in confidence, belonging and joy.”
Two representatives from The SMILE made a holiday visit to the EPA administrative office and one English class taught by Joseph Richard Preville (Critical Reading & Cultural Contexts). They brought their warmth, joy and holiday cheer to our students and the campus.
The EPA Community Service Club prepared personalized holiday posters and delivered Christmas cookies to the SMILE residents. We look forward to deepening our friendship and meaningful collaboration with The SMILE in 2026.
