By Cathy Miller

Not everyone is able (or willing) to step up and advocate for those in need. Decades ago, Carolyn Wolf realized an urgent need to better the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

“Forever” – it seems – Carolyn has tirelessly advocated on their behalf, helping establish groundbreaking programs and working directly with the consumers. She has been recognized by several organizations for her efforts, including being named Citizen of the Year by the Phillipsburg Chamber of Commerce and receiving the Distinguished Employee Service Award from The Arc of Warren County. And on Nov. 5, Wolf will be inducted into the Warren County Hall of Fame.

Carolyn was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, graduated from Liberty High School and then from Cedar Crest College with highest honors, earning her degree in Biology/Secondary Education. She was married to the late Dr. Frank Wolf, Jr for 58 years, and currently resides in Mountain Lake.

She spoke with great pride of her four children and four grandchildren. The youngest of her children, Chris, was born with a disability. She admitted thinking at the time “it was a tragedy.” In those days, there was no support for parents of children children with disabilities. She went on to say, beaming, “He turned out to be the best thing in my life.” Chris is now 52.

Carolyn is fond of saying, “We don’t always get to choose the tune life plays for us, but we better learn to dance to it.” And trip the light fantastic she did!

She became involved with The Arc of Warren County, where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are supported to make choices, be as independent as possible, work, achieve, make friends and otherwise enhance society.

She served as their first Executive Director from 1980-1985. It was during this time that she worked to establish the first community residential homes and family support services, and oversaw the expansion of Camp Warren to include an all purpose building and residential cabins.

Camp Warren, with a 3:1 staffing ratio, is designed for campers with disabilities, five years and older, to enjoy fun-filled days packed with assorted programs, group activities and day trips – all under the protective umbrella of The Arc’s mission.

Carolyn feels one of the most important things she accomplished was helping launch Project First Step. She collaborated with Warren County Special Education Services Directors and Public Health Nursing to create the early intervention program which serves children, newborn up to three years old, who are born with developmental delays. For her, Project First Step was particularly meaningful, since it didn’t exist when her son was born.

She also served as The Arc of Warren’s Director of Recreation Services from 1991 to 2014 where she enjoyed working directly with the consumers to promote community integration. She noted, “Helping people develop physical and social skills to become part of the community was the most fun.”

Retired after 40 exhilarating years coaching Special Olympians, Carolyn now enjoys gardening, reading, travel and time spent with family, friends and pets.

Carolyn is honored to have been involved in the development of programs which have enhanced the quality of life for people of different abilities and their families. She’s grateful to all whose commitment to The Arc’s mission has created opportunity for these individuals, including family and friends, The Arc staff and volunteers, support affiliates, and the Warren County community as a whole.

Even with all her accomplishments, Carolyn feels most gratified by the loving expressions of friendship and appreciation from The Arc consumers and families themselves.

After graduating from college, she firmly believed that education was everything. Ultimately, she came to understand the meaning of, “The more you know, the more you know what you don’t know,” attributing the shift in her philosophy to everything she has since learned in life.

Inside Warren would like to congratulate Carolyn Wolf on her upcoming induction into the Warren County Hall of Fame on November 5.

This year’s honorees in addition to Wolf are Dr. Nick Avallone, Charles Fineran, Paul Sterbenz, Gary Gray, and posthumously, Marie Maier. The Nov. 5 event at Hawk Pointe Golf Club is open to the public. For ticket information, go to  https://conta.cc/3RPYbo7.  

The Arc is a nonprofit charitable organization providing quality services and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, helping them live a good life. They assist families to solve challenges associated with the lifelong care of their family members. As an advocacy organization, The Arc creates the kind of universal environment where the people they serve are accepted and respected in the community.