SERV-BHS logo-edited

At SERV we share our experience, support and guidance with children, adults and families as they work to recover from and cope with mental illness, addictions, challenging behaviors, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Social
    Social
  • Vocational
    Vocational
  • Residential
    Residential
  • Educational
    Educational

For Access to Care:
Call 1-833-CAN-SERV
or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Latest News

  • SERV awarded emergency grant from LTCF

    SERV was one of 14 nonprofits in the Lawrence community to receive a special emergency grant from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, May 21.  

    The $4,000 grant will help SERV provide personal protective equipment, arts and crafts, and games to group homes

    … Read More

  • Cranford Group Home gets creative during shutdown

    How do you stay busy and ease your anxiety while confined to your home during a global pandemic?

    For the residents at SERV’s Cranford Group Home, there’s only one answer: You have to get creative.

    Since Governor Murphy issued his stay-at-home order in March, the residents at the Cranford Group

    …     Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Latest News

  • SERV awarded emergency grant from LTCF

    SERV awarded emergency grant from LTCF

    SERV was one of 14 nonprofits in the Lawrence community to receive a special emergency grant from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, May 21.   The $4,000 grant will help SERV provide personal protective equipment, arts and crafts, and games to group homes… Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

SERV Foundation Fundraisers

Biker group shot

Many thanks to all the riders in the 2nd Annual Poker Run, sponsored by SERV’s Young Professionals Group.

The event raised $3,000 for SERV’s youth programs.

Awards

2019

Nonprofit of the Year, presented to SERV Behavioral Health System by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association for demonstrating impactful achievement to provide greater opportunity and improve quality of life. 

Outstanding Provider of the Year, presented to SERV Centers of New Jersey by the N.J. Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies for providing outstanding services, undertaking innovative programs, providing a supportive work environment and offering leadership in the community.

2018

Mohammad Shafiq Award, presented to SERV Centers of New Jersey by the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, recognizing excellence in the practice and provision of psychiatric rehabilitation services in New Jersey.

IT Hero Award for Outstanding Use of New Technology and/or Delivery System, presented by the N.J. Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies.

Excellence in Housing Management Award, presented to SERV Properties & Management from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

SERV Sites

SBHS counties 200

 Click to see a larger image.

Consumer Success Stories

  • Pearl Hadley, center, a family care provider with SERV Centers of New Jersey-Hudson County, is flanked by two of the three SERV consumers who live in her home in Jersey City – Elsie, left, and Rosa.

    Family Care Provider opens her home to recovering women

    “Eighteen years have come and gone since mama passed away …But, now I’m with Ms. Hadley. What a wonderful lady – no more rags, (I have) nice suits, dresses and pants. I get to travel and have cookouts and go to church with her. She cooks, I clean, but get compensated for it. No more depression or laziness.” — Excerpt from “The Hadley Residence,” a composition from “Reflections” by Elsie W., a… Read More
  • Bernard J

    Former chauffer is back in the driver’s seat

    As an executive chauffer for many years, Bernard J. traveled many roads. However, for this 59-year-old man who battled Paranoid Schizophrenia, it was the road to recovery that perhaps was the most difficult to navigate. The “friendly” voices in Bernard’s head would give him directions to destinations in northern New Jersey and New York where his employer needed to go, and at times he’d have to whisper to them, “I… Read More
  • Harry, a consumer with SERV Centers Passaic County for 20 years, sits in the back yard of his apartment building on a recent day in autumn.

    When Harry met SERV

    Ask Harry T., a sports enthusiast and an avid Mets fan, if he is following the 2009 World Series games on television during this first week in November, and he answers, “Nah, I don’t like the Yankees.” But, if there is a Giants or Jets football game, a Nets or Knicks basketball game, or a Devils or Rangers hockey game any time on television, Harry is usually parked in front… Read More
  • Jen, left, and Sue are residents of Bloom House, a 150-year-old farmhouse in Middlesex County that is home to five SERV women recovering from severe and persistent mental illness. This high-independence program is the first of its kind for SERV Centers of New Jersey.

    SERV consumers flourish at Bloom House

    For 150 years, the large country kitchen of this farmhouse in Middlesex County has been an inviting place for several generations of the Bloom family to welcome guests as they enter through the rear door. The warmth of this room is no different today, as three of Bloom House’s five residents greet a visitor on a recent autumn morning. Jen, Sue and Tresea graciously offer their guest a cup of… Read More
  • Christian displays his crayon-and-pencil drawing, “My Neighborhood,” which was selected for an exhibit at the Arts Unbound museum in Orange for artists with disabilities. His artwork is a depiction of the SERV Achievement group home where he lives in East Windsor.

    SERV consumer’s artwork displayed at museum for people with disabilities

    Christian R. views his neighborhood as one with colorful houses surrounded by neatly trimmed green lawns nourished by bright sun rays. Therefore, when the 18-year-old consumer with SERV Achievement Centers was asked by his teacher at The Academy Learning Center in Monroe Township to draw “My Neighborhood,” that is how Christian accurately depicted the SERV group home where he lives in East Windsor, N.J. Rachel Stern, the teacher at the… Read More
  • Ronald Pitak sits in a room he painted at SERV Centers Passaic County where he is a consumer and a part-time maintenance worker. He also is the inventor of The Pitak helmet for firefighters, miners and rescue workers.

    Consumer invents life-saving helmet

    He can cite the countless jobs, positions and hobbies he says he has experienced in his 61 years: an Army paratrooper in Vietnam, a softball and baseball umpire, a scuba diver, a lifeguard, a horticulturist, a hunter. And now, because of the few years he spent as a firefighter in West Paterson, Ronald Pitak can add one more to his “Jack-of-all-trades” list – inventor. Ronald, a consumer with SERV Centers Passaic… Read More
  • Wayne L., a consumer with SERV for two years, is attending barber school, while also giving haircuts to fellow consumers at Serenity House and the Leonard building.

    SERV consumer has shear talent for barbering

    A shave and a haircut costs much more than the two bits (25 cents) required in the old days, but Wayne L. offers a relatively better bargain in 2009. A resident at SERV’s transitional Serenity House in Mercer County for men recovering from mental illness and substance abuse, Wayne is honing his barbering skills on fellow consumers at the group home for a mere $5, while also working toward his… Read More
  • Greg stands outside a group home in Middlesex County, where he is working on painting the dining room. He is the first SERV consumer to be hired as a permanent part-time employee with SERV’s maintenance department.

    Consumer becomes first part-time employee with SERV’s maintenance department

    Dressed in his navy blue Yankees hooded sweatshirt and jeans, Greg H. is not too concerned about getting drops of pink ceiling paint on them. In fact, he remains free of any splatters as he dips the long-handled roller into the pink paint and applies it to the ceiling of the dining room at SERV’s group home in Middlesex County. He explains that while the paint looks pink in the… Read More
  • Helena hugs her daughter MaryAnna during the baby’ christening in early March.

    Supporting mom and baby is a first for SERV

    “Good morning, SERV Behavioral Health System. This is Helena. May I help you?” The cheery greeting comes through loud and clear over the phone as Helena P. readies to direct the incoming call to the Progressive Achievement Center in Ewing, N.J. As SERV Achievement Center’s part-time receptionist for the Progressive Achievement Center (PAC), Helena, 26, keeps post and greets visitors at the nonprofit organization that has employed her since last… Read More
  • Shanna-Rae shares her poetry at a SERV Recovery NJ Conference.

    Recovery is sheer poetry

    Shanna-Rae M. loves to write poetry. “Give me a subject and five minutes and I could come up with one,” says Shanna-Rae, 47, a consumer with SERV Centers Passaic County.   In fact, her thoughts flow like a river current when she is writing about SERV and recovery or penning a tribute to SERV-Passaic Director Kim DeRosa “to make her feel special.” There is hope and encouragement In every word you… Read More
  • Tim ‘reframes’ his life with SERV

    Tim ‘reframes’ his life with SERV

    “I gave myself a chance when I came to SERV, because I was out of options.” That leap of faith is how Timothy M., a consumer with SERV Centers Hudson County, describes his journey from the despair of mental illness, addiction and homelessness to his current state of psychiatric stability, imminent independent apartment living in SERV’s Supportive Housing Program, and nearing the completion of his master’s degree in English literature.… Read More
  • Chuck E. of Union County

    SERV consumer nurtures his mind, body and spirit

    Chuck E. of Union County (NJ) is modest when speaking of his phenomenal success toward wellness and recovery from bipolar disorder. “Yes, I have had successes,” the 25-year-old says, but adds that he will not feel truly accomplished until he is living on his own, has a job and is a contributing member of society. Chuck already is well on his way toward those goals due to his steadfast determination,… Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

45 Years Serv Logo color

Spring Magazine

ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Click to Read

SERV Art Calendar

2019 SERV CALENDAR FINAL web p01

SERV's 2020 Art Calendar features the top 10 winning entries from consumers with SERV Centers of NJ and SERV Achievement Centers. The calendar is produced by the SERV Foundation as an end-of-year fundraising effort. Click for a preview or to receive a free calendar in the mail, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.