Paramus Foster Home Has Ridgewood Company To Thank For New Kitchen

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. -- The kitchen of a Paramus group home was in serious need of some TLC.

Jerry Binney, CAFS president and CEO; Trudi Dial, Woodlea/Path I Advisory Council president; David Ulrich, CEO of Ulrich, Inc.; Robert Elfers, president of Ulrich, Inc.; and Carla Fels, Advisory Council secretary, in the renovated kitchen.
Photo Credit: *contributed*

08/04/2016 5:30 a.m.

Folks from Ridgewood-based Ulrich, Inc., however, stepped up to make it happen.

It was Children's Aid and Family Services' Path I group home for boys in therapeutic foster care that was showing its age, with a lack of storage space and lighting, and cabinet doors falling off.

And that kitchen gets a lot of use, with three meals and two snacks prepared daily for the eight boys, ages 5 -12, who live in the house.

"The children in our care have endured abuse, neglect and trauma, and many of them haven't eaten regularly before coming to us," said Jerry Binney, CAFS president and CEO. "For them, the kitchen is vitally important. It is truly the hub of the house."

Carla Fels, a member of the Woodlea/Path Advisory Council – a group of volunteers whose mission is to enhance the lives of children living in the agency's group homes – approached Ulrich, Inc., for guidance.

Its CEO, David Ulrich is a member emeritus of that advisory council, and he'd overseen a complete renovation of the agency's Woodlea group home in Ridgewood in 2008.

Ulrich and Robert Elfers, president of the company, donated their services as project managers -- and they obtained substantial discounts and donations from subcontractors and suppliers.

These businesses includied Blackman Plumbing Supply, EGC Drywall, Nelson Electrical Contracting, Oberg & Lindquist Appliances, Stone Surfaces, TDM Development, Tim Vanderberg Plumbing & Heating, V&S Flooring, Wagoner & Son Painting and Wall Covering, and Wood-Mode cabinetry.

The project included new cabinets, countertops, island, flooring and lighting.

"The children are thrilled with their new kitchen, and we are deeply grateful to Ulrich, Inc., for this amazing work," Binney said.

"Seeing the newly remodeled kitchen and how it improves and brightens the house for the children and staff who reside there conveys a great deal of satisfaction for everyone involved in this very worthwhile endeavor," Ulrich added.

For more info on CAFS call 201-261-2800 or visit its website.

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