CTC Academy’s 2026 Gala Honors The Vermylens’ – A Legacy of Dedication at Our 32nd Annual Gala – Changed for Good

Fair Lawn, NJ – [February 26, 2026] CTC Academy is proud to announce that we will honor the Vermylen Family and Nancy Barr Vermylen’s Enduring Legacy at our 2026 Gala, Changed for Good, recognizing their longstanding commitment to our students, families, and mission. Board Member Robert Vermylen and his family have demonstrated extraordinary generosity, compassion, and dedication, making a lasting impact on our community and continuing to inspire all who know them.

“Seeing a smile on a child’s face, hearing that one of our students reached a new milestone, and knowing that our efforts are an important part of a parent’s support network is very fulfilling for me and my family.” -Robert Vermylen

As CTC Academy celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is especially fitting to honor Rob and the Vermylen family, whose decades of service and generosity reflect the history and spirit of our organization.

For more than 30 years, Robert Vermylen has been a dedicated member of the CTC Academy Board of Directors, continuing a deep family commitment to the school and its mission. He followed in the footsteps of his mother, Nancy Barr Vermylen, a beloved past Board President remembered for her generosity and leadership. The Vermylen family’s support has made a lasting impact on CTC Academy. In Nancy’s memory, they helped renovate and expand the Early Enrichment Program space and sponsored the state of the art playground at the Oakland campus. This year’s Gala Fund-A-Need will support the renovation of the Fair Lawn campus playground — a meaningful and fitting tribute to a family whose generosity has helped create welcoming spaces for our students to learn and grow.

We hope you will join us in celebrating our honoree on Thursday evening, June 11, 2026, at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. For reservations, sponsorship opportunities, ad journal participation, or to learn more about supporting the event, please contact our Development Department at 201-797-7440 or info@ctcacademy.org, or visit our event website at
changedforgood.givesmart.com.

CTC Academy is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational and therapeutic services for students with a diverse array of developmental disabilities through our collaborative educational program and support services for students and families.

We first opened our doors as the Cerebral Palsy Center of Bergen County, NJ, on March 29, 1950. We began as a Center for children with Cerebral Palsy but over the past 70 years we have evolved into an innovative education institution that provides creative education and advanced therapies to students with many different types of disabilities – students who face physical, medical and developmental challenges.

Now we offer two schools and follow the school continuum from Preschool through age 21 as well as Early Enrichment for children ages 18 months through 3 years. Our Fair Lawn campus offers Early Enrichment, a State-Approved Preschool, and a K-2 Program, while the Oakland campus provides a State-Approved Grades 2-12 and a Transition Program for students ages 18-21 and beyond.

Our Mission: Enhancing the lives of children and young adults with special needs, and their families, by providing an enriched educational, therapeutic and supportive environment.

Our Vision: Fulfilling the potential of all people with special needs.

CTC Academy depends on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations to support our mission. The Development Department of CTC raises funds and awareness in order to provide enhanced programs, adaptive equipment, expansion of facilities and programs and extracurricular activities for our students and their families.

Contributions are tax deductible and there are many opportunities to help. If you are interested in making a general donation, learning more about available sponsorship opportunities, making a gift of stock, providing support for a specific piece of equipment or program and you would like more information contact Audra Hoffman, Director of Development at 201.797.7440 x 3227 or e-mail at ahoffman@ctcacademy.org. If you would like information about upcoming special event fundraisers visit us at ctcacademy.org. We are incredibly grateful for your support.

Now enrolling! For more information contact CTC at (201) 797-7440 or (201) 612-5677.