Devereaux visitors learn pizza business from a pro

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — Colin Smith, the owner of John’s of Arthur Avenue Pizza, asked his visitors how they enjoyed their pizza.
They responded to "Mr. Colin" with cheers and thanks.
The pizza-lovers are from Devereux Tristate Adult Day Care in Milford. They were accompanied on their March 1 visit by BJ Horning, who supervised the outing. She said everyone enjoys the visits, which help connect Devereux clients with the community.
The Devereux center helps people with disabilities.
John’s of Arthur Avenue Pizza, located in Milford’s old Lumberyard, has been helping the Devereux visitors learn how to make a great pizza. They got to tour the kitchen, pitch in, and enjoy the delicious result afterwards. Some expressed surprise at how much work it all takes.
“If I had money on me, I would tip you and your staff too!” Paulie told Smith.
Smith said, smiling, that he wouldn't have accepted it.
Paulie loves to talk. He added, enthusiastically, “This was the highlight of my day!” He described the pizza as "wonderful," "fantastic," and "spectacular."
Ricardo, another visitor, agreed.
“I liked it a lot!” he exclaimed with a big smile.
Smith provides all the pizza and beverages for their visits free of charge.
“I do it because I’m very fortunate and not everyone is, and I like to give back,” said Smith.
“John’s of Arthur Avenue Pizza has been really great about helping its clients with intellectual disabilities," said Cindy Cartwright, admissions specialist at the Devereux center, in an email. “He takes them on a tour of how you make pizza, gives them T-shirts really from the kindness of his heart, and he’s donating his time too.”
The pizzeria just celebrated its five-year anniversary is due to expand in the summer, he said. The business supports many area fundraisers for a range of good causes.
Horning said she knew Smith from when her son worked at John's.
“I approached Colin and asked if we could figure out something," he said.
She's already brought three groups of six to the restaurant. She takes them to other places around the area, where they do volunteer and community service work.
School to workHorning has 30 years of experience in special education. It's not hard to handle the groups while driving the van, especially if the outing is to a place they enjoy.
“They’re well-behaved and socially appropriate,” she said.
Past itineraries have included visits to the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry (PEEC), Honesdale Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, and the Office for the Aging, where the Devereux visitors help prepare food. Some are naturally more suited to some tasks, such as cutting and preparation, while others are more at home with the clean-up.
Cartwright said Devereux has a school-to-work transition program in Newfoundland, Pa., which has includes about 36 people.
"Our mission is to assist individuals with disabilities to unlock their human potential," she said. "We are always trying to promote and increase our individuals’ skills such as team building, socializing, following directions and provide them with educational experiences.”
She noted that March is Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month.
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pocono is located at 1547 Mill Creek Road in Newfoundland and may be reached at 570-839-6140. Cartwright may be reached at 570-839-6147 or 570-647-9233.