NEWS RELEASE
Matheny Employee Runs for Those Who Can’t
October 29, 2024, Peapack, NJ – Julia Halsey, Exhibits and Collections Coordinator for Matheny’s Arts Access Program, is getting ready to run in her first New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3. Halsey is raising funds for an organization called ADAPT Community Network, an NYC-based nonprofit that provides important programs, services, and opportunities for people with disabilities.
Halsey works full time with artists in the Arts Access program at Matheny. Arts Access offers programming in the fine, performing, and literary arts. Using systems and techniques specifically designed for each discipline, clients can create pieces of work that are distinctly their own. The program improves the quality of life for the artists and those around them, and aids in changing the perception about the capabilities and talents of people with developmental disabilities.
Halsey joined Matheny in 2021 after moving to New Jersey from her hometown of Southampton, New York. “Matheny is such a special place to work,” she says. “I have a background in art history, and after seeing the phenomenal work coming out of the program, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It’s been an honor getting to know these talented individuals through their art.”
Halsey began training for the marathon in July, and has been running a minimum of 45 miles a week ever since. Her running journey started in 2020 when looking for ways to stay active during the pandemic. Since then, Halsey has run thousands of miles to prepare to cross the finish line at the NYC Marathon, a goal she never imagined possible just four years ago.
It wasn’t enough for Halsey to just run the marathon – she wanted to run for a cause. When an opportunity arose to fundraise for ADAPT Community Network, she knew it was the perfect fit. “Working at Matheny, I see firsthand how empowering our programs are for our clients,” she says. “I wanted to support an organization that aligns with our mission.”
With only 9 days left until the marathon, Halsey is already thinking about the next one. “This won’t be my last race,” she says. “I hope to be able to support Matheny in the next one! Consider supporting Halsey and ADAPT Community Network at fundraisers.hakuapp.com/julia-halsey or donate directly to Matheny in her honor.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Julia Halsey adds to her thousands of miles run.
About Matheny
Matheny’s mission is to provide exceptional care and an optimal quality of life for children and adults with special needs and medically complex developmental disabilities. Matheny is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and is headquartered in Somerset County. It was founded in 1946 after Walter and Marguerite Matheny’s son, Chuck, was born with cerebral palsy (CP) into a world ill-equipped to care for children with special needs. Matheny patients have a diverse range of medical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Lesch-Nyhan Disease (LND) and a wide range of rare diseases. Matheny is comprised of a special hospital, five community group homes, an adult day center, a non-profit private special school, and outpatient clinics serving the community. To learn more about Matheny, visit us at http://www.matheny.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram: @mathenymedical..
