If you were to walk into the Schalks Crossing Day Center, you wouldn’t be there long before being greeted by Mark Driver. Mark is the unofficial ambassador of Schalks Crossing, always quick to greet people with a handshake and ask for their name.
Mark has been welcoming people to Eden for 50 years. His stepparents, David and Jane Johnson, were one of the 14 sets of founding families. “It was an adventure for all of us,” said David. “It was great to watch him grow up at Eden. He’s a great kid.”
From an early age, Mark was very sociable. “He was so friendly and personable. He loved to talk to everybody, and he remembered their names,” said Lead Teacher Ken Dorfman, who worked with Mark when he attended the Eden School. Mark excelled at academics and had the neatest handwriting that Ken had ever seen. Once Mark learned his vocational skills, he spent most of his time working.
His childhood was filled with art and music. Many of the interests Mark had as a child — art, music, dancing, and fashion — he still loves today. He is the first person to start dancing when music is playing, and he is known across Eden for his impeccable fashion sense. He takes pride in picking out his outfit each morning.
“He likes formal things. When he was younger, he wouldn’t wear a T-shirt. He’d always wear a button-down and slacks, never jeans,” said Director of Residential Services Edyta Zak-Burns.
While his hobbies and interests have remained the same, he has continued to grow during his time at Eden. He works at Hinkle Prior Fischer & Oberweis law firm and lives at Lombardi House with six housemates. “Mark has definitely matured over the years,” said Edyta. “He used to be more reactive. Now, he takes a little more time and thinks through his actions.”
At 63 years old, Mark still leads an active lifestyle. In addition to his job at the lawn firm, he volunteers at Princeton Alliance Church. He loves shopping, going to the movies, and being out in his community.
A trip to the mall might seem like a small activity, but to Mark’s dad, it is incredibly important. When Mark joined Eden, there was so much stigma around autism that many individuals didn’t spend time in their communities. “It felt like we used to have to hide these kids. Eden is great for what they do with these guys, all the trips they take. People know who they are now,” said David.
50 years ago, Mark’s parents had a dream of a place where their child could receive the support he needed. Today, Mark is living a full life surrounded by people who care for him and support him. “It’s great because we know that Mark is happy and safe. That’s the most important thing,” said David.