The participants who attend Allies’ Day Habilitation Programs are always looking for ways to contribute to and give back to the local community, and those at the Green Brook program are no exception.
A small group of volunteers visits the Middlesex County Library every Wednesday to volunteer. The group arrives at about 11 a.m. and stays for an hour helping with any tasks library staff need help with.
“Everyone seems to really enjoy what we are doing, and the library definitely appreciates our help,” Marcus Cheatam, Program Manager at the Green Brook Day Habilitation program, said. “I can see each participating individual taking on a leadership role to properly work together and complete the tasks they are given.”
Tasks the volunteers are asked to tackle change by the week, but common duties include cleaning and sanitizing the toys in the section of the library dedicated toward small children. One other task the group has consistently worked on is discontinuing books that might have been damaged in the flood that occurred in July 2025.
“They jumped at the opportunity for us to come in and volunteer,” Patrick Cilbrith, Vocational Specialist at the program, said. “The Middlesex Library has been absolutely fantastic to work with.”
Before volunteering, attendees of Allies’ day programs would regularly visit the library to borrow books and utilize resources. During one visit, Cilbrith spoke with library leadership about having folks who attend Allies day programs come in and volunteer every week.
“It was really a teaching moment,” Cilbrith said. “We are really working to remind folks to be good citizens.”
Since getting started with the library, everyone who regularly attends the volunteer hours has started to get their own value out of the time spent. Beyond giving back to the community, volunteering at the library gives volunteers the opportunity to develop skills and follow passions at their own pace. One participant is using the time spent at the library to develop skills that will make it easier for him to get a job. Another volunteer has been borrowing books to learn and share that knowledge with other attendees of the Green Brook Day Habilitation program.
“It is really cool to see that the highlight of the week for our volunteers is this service,” Cilbrith said. “It is heartwarming to see their interest in giving back.”