From the Executive Director

Welcome to PROCEED, Inc.’s website! You may be a curious consumer, an ex-consumer, a current funding agency, a potential financial supporter, a parent, a teenager, a senior citizen, or an individual looking to get involved. This may be your first step in learning more about our organization, or you may have already been to see us in person a few times. Whoever you are and wherever you’re coming from, you can be sure that there is a place for you in PROCEED’s eclectic and ever-evolving community.

PROCEED is made up of children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Our clients and employees represent a multitude of races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientation. We at PROCEED Inc., embrace this organic diversity by striving to develop, promote, and provide services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and that encourage the growth of healthy communities. We work towards achieving these goals by ensuring that all services are delivered in keeping with our 40 year-old tradition of caring for the unique needs of the individuals, families, and communities we promote.

When I reflect on my years at PROCEED, I look back with pride on my experiences and on our accomplishments. In the twelve years I’ve been Executive Director, and in the thirty-two plus years I’ve worked for PROCEED, I’ve been able to witness the sense of community and inclusiveness that can be built simply by caring for others, regardless of who they are, where they come from, and what stage of life they happen to be in.

The services we offer are unmatched in quality and address a range of our community’s greatest challenges by taking a holistic approach to service delivery. We use cutting edge, science-based implementations of effective behavioral interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS and other illnesses; the transitional house offers a safe-haven for individuals living with HIV/AIDS; and our counseling programs tackle problems ranging from substance abuse treatment to child abuse prevention. Each year, the home energy conservation and utility assistance programs touch the lives of thousands of families across Union County; we assist individuals and families in crisis to prevent homelessness, find jobs, and connect with other community resources; and we teach people how to build their bank accounts, supporting them as they save up for a large asset, whether it is a college education or a new house. Our two preschools are an important part of who we are as well. They offer children ages 3-4 a challenging curriculum that gets them ready to be successful students while providing parents with a safe, nurturing place to leave their children while they are away from home. Meanwhile, our capacity building team brings what we’ve learned by providing these services at home to other HIV/AIDS and substance abuse service organizations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S.A. Virgin Islands.

Unlike other nonprofits, PROCEED does not focus on just one area of service or on one particular type of client. We are always changing, always adapting, always examining and anticipating the needs of those around us. As you learn more about PROCEED, you will realize that we are tireless and optimistic in our work and that what drives us is a very human passion for nurturing individuals and communities.

I encourage you to browse through our website and learn more about our services. If you see a service that might be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to give us a call for more information or to come see us in person and speak with our enthusiastic staff. We at PROCEED believe that strong individuals make strong communities, and we look forward to helping you keep your community strong for many years to come.  

With best wishes,
Teresa Soto Vega, MPA
Executive Director