Atkins Recognized by SMILE of Hopatcong Residents for Funding Construction of Their Dream Home

West Orange, N.J. (June 4, 2019) – Atkins Companies was presented with a framed letter of appreciation for constructing a new 4,700-square-foot independent living facility located in Hopatcong, N.J. for residents of SMILE (Steven Milford Independent Living Experience) of Hopatcong. SMILE is a nonprofit dedicated to establishing safe and uniquely designed homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The home was completed in September of 2018 and can accommodate five adults with developmental disabilities, marking the first completed independent living facility for SMILE of Hopatcong.

Founded in 2010 by Allan and Patricia Milford, The Steven Milford Independent Living Experience (SMILE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they face the challenges of adulthood. Steven Milford, the organization's namesake and the 31-year-old son of Allan and Patricia Milford, was the driving force behind the founding of SMILE. Steven has Down syndrome and his parents were concerned about their son's care into adulthood. Recognizing independent living as a feasible alternative when parents or caretakers are no longer able to provide for their loved one, SMILE was established with the goal to construct safe and uniquely designed community homes for individuals with developmental disabilities on waiting lists for independent housing.

In December 2012, Chris Colabella and Mark Gruber of The Law Firm of Gruber, Colabella, Liuzza & Thompson, a local Sussex County law firm, donated land to SMILE of Hopatcong for the construction of an independent living facility. In 2013, the organization began fundraising efforts and Fox Architectural Design started developing the design for the home later that year. In July 2014, the Atkins Companies agreed to fully fund the construction of the home as a component of their ongoing development work in Hopatcong, N.J. and construction began in March 2017.

"When we were approached by the town of Hopatcong in 2014 with the opportunity to fund the SMILE of Hopatcong independent living facility as a component of our Mariner's Pointe project, it was an easy decision," said Bob Atkins, Managing Partner of Atkins Companies. "It has always been our goal to improve the local communities in which we work but being a part of this life-changing project allowed us to truly make a difference and enrich the lives of SMILE of Hopatcong's residents and their families. It was great to meet the residents during their visit to us and we are thrilled to learn that they are thriving in their new home."

In October 2018, five residents moved into the welcoming and modern 4,700-square-foot space, which was custom-built to accommodate adults with special needs. SMILE's first home is equipped with oversized bathtubs, a community room, ADA-compliant shower stalls with seating and extra-wide staircases and hallways. Featuring five bedrooms and multiple kitchens and living areas, the new home allows each of the residents to live independently and gain valuable life skills while enjoying their hobbies and social activities.

"The completion of this home would not have been possible without Bob Atkins and the Atkins Companies. Our family, our organization and our board of directors could not be happier with where SMILE is right now," said Allan Milford, President and founding partner of SMILE. "The energy around the new home in Hopatcong is exciting—all of the young men there seem to be really blooming. They function as a family. We can't wait to see what the future holds as we continue to grow and help as many people in this isolated community as possible through SMILE."

Carl Strehl, a SMILE of Hopatcong resident added, "I love living here because we have Smiley the dog, we have great people that help us, and the house is great. I get to walk to get the mail and go across the street for pizza and Quick Chek."

For more information about SMILE of Hopatcong or to make a donation, please visit https://www.smilefil.org/.