On February 13, 2026, the halls of The Phoenix Center in Nutley, NJ were filled with handmade valentines, joyful music, and the kind of meaningful connection that defines true inclusion.
As part of its Inclusion Program, Phoenix Center students with autism and other disabilities welcomed neurotypical peers from Washington Elementary School for a day centered on friendship, empathy, and celebration.
A Celebration with Purpose
The Valentine’s Day event featured:
- A heartfelt exchange of handmade valentines
- Two age-based Valentine’s Day dances (ages 5–12 and teens through 21)
- Real-time social interaction and shared learning between peers
The day wasn’t just about sweets and decorations, it was about building bridges.
For neurotypical students, the experience offered a powerful lesson in tolerance, diversity, and understanding that every child learns differently. For Phoenix Center students, the opportunity to engage with peer role models supports communication skills, social growth, and confidence-building.
As Executive Director Julie Mower, M.A.Ed., shared:
“We encourage parents and teachers to foster opportunities to create meaningful interactions like this. This not only diversifies the educational experience of all students, it creates an environment of sharing and tolerance and embracing differences and learning approaches.”
Media Spotlight on Inclusion
The impact of the event extended beyond campus walls. Local media outlets highlighted this heartwarming collaboration, including:
- Coverage from News 12 New Jersey on Valentine’s Day (2/14)
- Feature coverage from The Star-Ledger, spotlighting this Nutley-based initiative
If you missed the television segment, you can view the shared clip here:
Facebook Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1L2qRq2EjJ/
Why Inclusion Matters
The Phoenix Center serves students ages 5–21 from 56 districts across eight counties in New Jersey. As an accredited, not-for-profit school dedicated to the educational, behavioral, and therapeutic needs of students with autism, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities, its mission goes beyond academics, it builds community.
Events like this Valentine’s Day celebration demonstrate what inclusion looks like in action: shared experiences, shared joy, and shared growth.
In a world that often highlights differences, The Phoenix Center is teaching students and the broader community how to celebrate them.