Connections at Home is a non-profit organization, whose mission is to use technology to help decrease social isolation among the elderly, and help clients and their families strengthen ties and stay connected.

Our offerings include:

  • Providing our clients with a senior-friendly desktop, laptop, or tablet computer, which help our clients stay connected with loved ones via email, video chat, and Facebook, as well as allowing them access to news, weather, games, music and the internet. Our social workers do weekly outreach via video chat and gives them a friendly person to chat with who can also help them with their social service needs.
  • A comprehensive Resource Guide on our website which lists medical, social, and community services, including those providers who make house calls to the homebound elderly.
  • A monthly Caregiver Support Group, held on the second Thursday of each month, offered in both an afternoon and evening session. A monthly Grief Support Group held on the second Tuesday of the month, in the afternoon and evening.
  • Food drives to supply food the seniors in need, as well as providing Thanksgiving meals and holiday gifts and visits to our clients.  

Our Staff

Alex Kent, Executive Director

She is responsible for assessing candidates for our program, distribution and training on the computer and tablet, outreach to the senior community, and the CAH website. Previously she worked for Montclair Township as the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, and the Montclair Public Schools’ Health and Wellness Partnership. She has also worked as a consultant in the area of pedestrian safety. She holds a Masters degree in Public Health from Montclair State University. alex.kent@cahnj.org

Maureen Karsen, Lead Social Worker

She is responsible for coordinating the Social Work staff, weekly video chat visits with patients, moderating the Caregiver Support Group, and assisting with social service needs as necessary. Maureen previously worked with adults with mental illness and disabilities at Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth NJ. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown New Jersey. maureen.karsen@cahnj.org

Ann Koenig, Social Worker

Ann video chats with clients through the Telekin computer or Grandpad, and provides assistance with social service needs when necessary.  She also leads our Caregiver, and Grief Support Groups. Ann’s experience includes serving adults with disabilities, at-risk youth, and families.  She holds a Bachelors of Social Work degree from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a Masters of Social Work degree from NYU. ann.koenig@cahnj.org

Lynn Kuran, Social Worker

She is responsible for weekly Skype visits with patients utilizing the Telikin computer, and Grandpad tablet, and assisting with social service needs as necessary. Lynn has over twenty years’ experience working with individuals and families as a case manager and community educator in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She holds a BS in Psychology from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey and a Masters in Social Work from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. lynn.kuran@cahnj.org

Ilana Mazur, Social Worker

She is responsible for weekly Skype/video chats with clients utilizing the Telikin computer and the Grandpad tablet, in addition to assisting with their social service needs.  She also runs the Grief Support Group. Ilana has over 30 years experience working with individuals, families and groups. Ilana previously worked at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston NJ and Jewish Family Service (JFS) in Florham Park NJ. She has a BS in Psychology from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York and a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University in New York. ilana.mazur@cahnj.org