By Cathy Miller

The COVID pandemic has taken people to near-unimaginable heights in their efforts to maintain business and clients. One local organization to successfully meet the challenge is Abilities of Northwest Jersey, dedicated to improving the employability and quality of life for people with different abilities by providing training and individualized services.

Through the monumental work of Cindy Wildermuth, Chief Executive Officer, Sue Zukoski, Chief Operating Officer, and Abilities’ dedicated staff, they were able to keep the lines of communication with their 400 consumers open. Nobody ever said “we can’t,” but rather pushed onward “to do.” On September 28, Abilities re-opened their doors.

Travel back in time and check out the creative ways Abilities’ Choir has continued to sing their hearts out in this unusual time.

In February 2018, Patricia Evans joined Abilities as their music and arts director, and soon thereafter established their music program. In September 2018, Inside Warren posted a story about the new Abilities’ Choir, covering their debut performance at the Grand Opening of Abilities’ Phillipsburg location. In short order, the Abilities Choir acquired their official moniker, The Rockstars, which they live up to every day.

Patricia affectionately refers to these singers as “my guys.”

Prior to COVID, The Rockstars, under Patricia’s direction, performed at Rossi’s Festival of Trees in December 2018 and 2019. They also sang at an outdoor holiday event in December at Woods Family Services in Langhorne, PA, as well as at DASACC (Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault Crisis Center) in early November.

Patricia said there are now 50 Rockstars with varying levels of ability and participation. It’s been difficult getting everyone to join a virtual meeting, but on September 29, there were 25 members in attendance!

When everything shut down in early March 2020, Patricia received a call from an Abilities site and was told six of “her guys” were there. She quickly broke out her guitar and they sang a couple songs together, from her location to theirs! It was bliss. And inspiring.

Since then, she’s regularly held virtual musical gatherings, moving to once a week get-togethers via Facebook, and since early May, utilizing Microsoft Teams – all with their own limitations and distractions.

The first time Patricia saw the faces of “her guys” remotely, she recalled, “It was like they were looking at a television, they weren’t used to interacting with the computer. It was so nice to see and hear them once we began to talk.” It took away her fear of COVID, “These guys are just being, as open and loving as always. They give me courage and sustenance.”

Over time, with a better understanding of the technology, the concept of “rehearsal” has evolved. “My guys are getting good at this,” Patricia laughed. Although the rehearsals look and sound very different than they did eight months ago, The Rockstars enjoy seeing their friends on the computer happily making a “joyful noise.”

Going forward, there are interesting plans to merge a small group live performance with some pre-recorded harmonies, as well as streaming a live Rockstars rehearsal into the Phillipsburg and Flemington Thrift stores so customers can interact with the performers.

For more information visit www.abilitiesnw.org