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News 12 Staff

holybonespart2_2023-05-07-13-54-40

A nonprofit in Pompton Lakes is on a mission to better the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and deliver all natural dog treats. Holy Bones was launched in September of 2022 in the kitchens of ST Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Mary Citi is the director. She talks about their staff and explains how it all comes together. We work Monday through Thursdays from nine to about depending on how many bones we make from 11 30 to 1. And then, um, we also package the bones. I've taught the, um, the bakers how to weigh. They also prepare all the flour and all the ingredients the day before for the next day. So they measure out all the ingredients by themselves and they're very capable and they've learned how to use the mixer and the sheer. And, um, they do, they do a wonderful job. Let's talk to those bakers. Yes, Lisa Laurie, tell us what you do. Um, we make the, um, biscuits and the, um, bit, tell us about your day when you start what you do when you come out until like sometimes, maybe 10, 11. And when you come in the building what's the first thing that you do? Uh, we sign in and then we start the day you start your day and then how does your day progress? What are you doing? What are your responsibilities, uh, making the bones, putting them on the racks and, um, cleaning up afterwards? How do you like doing this? Ok. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What about you, Laurie? I love, um, working at holy Bones. I like, um, measuring the flour and, um, making the bones and the bits and, um, cleaning up and getting ready for the next day. You all have different kinds of bones and bits, right. Describe them. Uh, we have three flavors, peanut butter, sweet potato and chicken. Why those flavors? Are they popular with dog? They are, they seem to be popular. We do really well with all three of them. So, yeah. Where do you all distribute your bones? Well, we have lots of small places like, uh, veterinarians offices. Um, doggy Day cares, um, uh, candy stores, candy stores, uh, pet stores and, uh, in individual, we have a lot of individual people that come and buy right out of our parish center. We have a big stock in there and, um, we also sell many times after, um, masses on Sunday. Next weekend we will continue our conversation with Holy Bones and of course that is Mother's Day weekend. So be sure to join us.

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Holy Bones and Pompton Lakes makes all natural dog treats. They're based at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church. This nonprofit employs people with intellectual disabilities. The director says their biscuit sales are going well. I had contacted William Paterson University to their business department to see if they could help us with the business plan and with um some marketing strategies and they did so much wonder so many wonderful things for us on online. They uh redid our uh website and they also did um um a marketing plan for us and we met every week by Zoom and it was a great group. It was a group of five M B A students. It was just wonderful. You work with Doctor Steven Betts. Yes, we did. And they helped to update and revise your website. Yes, you also met weekly via Zoom for an entire semester. Yes. How did all that work? It worked very well. We really enjoyed ourselves. And the advisory board also would many times jump on the uh zoom meeting to see what was happening and to give some of their opinions and ideas. So it's working pretty well and it has helped our sales. Have they ever come into the building itself to see what's going on? Are they only vets came to see? And one of the students came to see as well? And what did they think? What was their reaction? They, they thought it was very organized and, and, um, everybody was working and everybody knew what they were doing and they really, I think they really enjoyed their visit with us. I bet they did. Father. What about the Franciscan community? Have they been there too? Or are you the only representative, uh, a few friends have been in there to kind of come in and visit? And I think we like everyone else when you go down and see the Holy Bones operation. It's wonderful. I mean, it's a relatively small kitchen but everyone works together in harmony. There's laughter, people take pride in their work, they eat lunch together, they mark milestones together. I mean, it really is the way we all should be working and it really is just a joy and an inspiration to go down and visit and coming up next at nine, we'll talk about the size of the operation and how it works out for those involved.

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We are putting the spotlight on a special program in Pompton Lakes, Holy Bones is based at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church. It creates opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. The director talks about the size of their operation and growth. They opened it up to anybody who wanted to try and then some people realized that they, they couldn't do it very well or maybe there was another program more suitable for them. And then uh we have 16 employees, 16 bakers and packages and they work either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursdays. And then I have one kitchen manager that comes in and she comes in a half hour early and stays until all the bones are cooled and she um mixes all the batches for us and get them ready for when the kids come in at nine o'clock. Where do you find your bakers and tell us what makes them so special? Um I advertised online, um I advertised in the parish bulletin and um I word of mouth, I, I run a ministry at Saint Mary's for people with special needs. A children's ministry for religious education and an adult ministry to provide social events like dances and um Friday night meetings and things like that. So I knew a lot of people to start with. So a lot of them have joined on and some new people have come on. I love the fact that you had your own network to get this launched. Tell us about this ministry. It sounds very special. Well, we uh the children's ministry, we provide a religious education. I have a week long bible camp in the summer for the students. And I have uh right now I'm getting ready to um of 14 Children are making first e and confirmation on Saturday with father. Oh, yes. And I think Marie is, is too humble to toot her own horn, but she really is a legend in the special needs community. She's been a part of Saint Mary's for how many years, Marie? 2037 37 years, she recently won a very Prestine just award from the Diocese of Patterson uh for all of her work. So this uh in this case, this is just a woman who loves what she does and is always looking for new ways to bring the, the the special needs community uh to, to, you know, to bring them everything that she can and everything that the world has to offer. She really is an inspiration to all of us. She sounds like a bright light that we need in the world. And as you heard the father just say CTI was honored for her ministry work with special needs that is coming up in our next segment.

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We are putting the spotlight on Holy Bones based at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes. Speaking of dogs, Marie Citi is the director. She was recently honored for her work with the Special Needs ministry, but was an award given by the Diocese of Paterson and for my work with special needs over all the years. Um It was a very nice father, John went with me and we received our awards and um it was just a beautiful evening. It really was, why is the special needs community? What does it mean so much to you and why did you want to get involved and help them? Well, um it really was because of my mother. Um my mother, I had a sister who was disabled and you see, I hate saying disabled because they are just challenged and different. But her sister was special and she lived with us for many, many years when I was a child. I'm the oldest of six Children. So I became very curious about why, why she couldn't do some of the things that I could do when I was much younger than her. And um I and my mother was just wonderful with her. And my mother actually gave up her own career because her parents were both gone when my mother was young. So she kept the, um, her sister and took care of her and she never went, she was gonna go to nursing school, but she never got to go because her mother passed away before that. And, uh, she took the care of her sister and took her with us. She was part of the package deal when she married my father. And he was very accepting too and he obviously accepted uh the the plan. Yeah. And Gracie, that's her name lived with us for many years. And um that's how I got interested and she gave, she kind of gave me the gift of curiosity and my mother gave me the gift of compassion and empathy that is beautiful. You know, she's probably watching over this entire, I hope that she is. Yes. All right. Let's get back to you, Lisa and Laurie. What does this mean to you? Two? Working with Holy Bones kind of gives you a chance person with uh disabilities to work, in my opinion, in your opinion. Now, when you say disabilities, what is we hate the word again? What is your challenge? Um spelling that kind of thing? But yet when you come here to Holy bones, what kind of talents can you show people that they might not be aware of? Um that I can do it and that they don't treat me as different as other people might. And why does that mean a lot to you too? To be treated like a normal person? Because I hate um how people um treat people with disabilities, like me and others and like lay and Kevin because that really bothers me because we're just like them just have challenges. But yet you overcome your challenges to do what you need to do to succeed. Yes. In Holy Bone. Yes, I do. And what would you like to say to the people at Holy Bones? And what do you say about the people that you work with? What's that like the whole atmosphere um that you can do it and don't let people bother you that says you can't do it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Don't let people tell you that you can't do it. I love her advice tomorrow at six AM. We'll talk about the camaraderie among the staff at Holy Bones and they're just delightful.

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This weekend, we've been learning all about Holy Bones in Pompton Lakes. They make all natural treats for dogs. The program is based at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church. I chatted with two of the bakers right here in our news. 12 studios. Do you and all the other bakers have a good time when you're together. Tell us about that. We do. Do you laugh, cut up, just chit chat? No, sometimes just sit there and chit chat and just talk to each other and that camaraderie means a lot. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What about for you, Laurie? Same thing. Yeah. Um, I really enjoy working at Holy Bones. Um, I like making all the bones for the dogs because I just love dogs. What are your favorite dogs? Um, I like all different kinds of dogs. I like all different sizes. Do you have dogs at home? Uh, no, I actually foster dogs. Foster dogs. Explain I've been fostering dogs since 2019. Now, what do you do when you foster them? Is it like fostering a child? Um, we got, they come in from like either Puerto Rico or Texas and they're just dogs that are just like left on the street that nobody wants to take care of. So we get them and we foster them and then we give them to a good home. Now, we've done a lot of stories about dogs who were flown in from other states because of hurricanes, weather events and things like that. So you probably have to take care of some of these pets as well. Yeah, we have and when they look at you and you look in their eyes, what, how does that feel? It makes me feel really good. It makes me feel happy to see the dog and that they're going to a good home. Oh, well, now when they go to that home, is there a part of you that wants to cry because you gotta say goodbye. Um, a little bit. But I always know that in the next week or two we're gonna get another one. You're gonna stay busy and father a, when you see these bakers at work, what does this mean to you? It's a wonderful thing because it really, I think so often we think of this community as having special needs. But the work at Holy Bones reminds us all that they have special abilities and that, you know, they really have this sense of camaraderie that I'm envious of. They have such pride in their work. You know, it's clear that at the end of the day they go home and they feel that they had a, a job well done and that sense of purpose and success and meaning. It's something I sometimes lack in my own, in my own life sometimes. So it's really inspiring and invigorating to see. And it reminds me that everyone has gifts to contribute, everyone has many talents and abilities to share. And sometimes all we have to do is give people the chance and watch people blossom and grow. I love everything he says. He's so right about that. Coming up next at noon, we'll talk about the future plans for holy boats.

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Our guests in spotlight New Jersey work with Holy Bones and Pompton Lakes. This program is based at ST Mary's Roman Catholic Church. It creates opportunities for people with special abilities. What are your future plans? And how can the community help? Well, um they can buy our bones and we do, we do sell, advertise on the, on the website. We have a Facebook page and Instagram and a website. Um We um we have been doing pretty well with the sales but we need more sales to be able to keep going. You know, I wanna keep going and um I want to um I would like to, I do have a parent of a baker who um is going to try to get us on Amazon so we can sell on Amazon. So that should, that would be a huge thing that happens. Yes. Yes. So, no, we would, if you don't mind, we would love to have a, a large store uh take on some holy bones. So if anyone out there runs a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's or a big national chain, uh pet store, come on, buy Holy Bones. Try out the chicken bones especially works really well. And then let's go national with this. That's our hope in our prayer. You just manifested it. Exactly. That's what I'm hoping so. All of you large chains out there, small ones too. You heard it? Ok? From the father bless them. Ok. Put it out there in the universe. What do you all want people to know as we wrap up the interview? I would like people to know that hiring people with special needs is a really good thing because you can train them to do many, many things. Um, and they are so happy to come to work, they always come to work. Uh, and they're there all the time. They're friendly, they're cooperative. They take direction very well. Um, and I have people, some of the people that work for us, um, have no oral language but they are wonderful bakers and packers. You know, somebody wanted to play music as she's talking. I love that. We'll take it. Go ahead, Lisa. Um, that there's jobs out there for people with disabilities and you want to see more jobs and more opportunities for people with disability. Yes, I do. And what should people know about you that you are an individual who loves a lot? I'm just like everybody else except for the disability. That's right. So see you for the person that you are. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. What about you, Laurie? Um, I just think, I hope we can sell more of the bones and get them out to more people so they can get them to their dogs. And father, you had to make that happen. Right. Absolutely. Absolutely. Our viewers will make that happen. That's right along with the universe. And I would, would like to add that the, the fryers have been so supportive. We had an oven that really wasn't working that great. It was pretty ancient and, uh, uh, we got a second grant from the holy name province for the fryers and we were able to purchase a brand new 10 shelf oven. So that's really working out nice, isn't it? Girls in the oven? Yeah, we all really love that oven. They were such a great group to talk to. I enjoyed every minute of that. All of my segments with Holy Bones will be posted on news 12 dot com and my Facebook page.

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Della Crews spoke with Marie Cioletti, the nonprofit’s director, and others about the group. 

Spotlight New Jersey: Holy Bones

Della Crews spoke with Marie Cioletti, the nonprofit’s director, and others about the group.

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