NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome (NJCTS) is the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Tourette Syndrome (TS). Through partnerships and collaborations, NJCTS provides services, support and education for families; outreach and training for medical and educational professionals; and advocacy for collaborative research for better treatments and a cure for TS. NJCTS is a not-for-profit organization committed to ensuring that individuals with Tourette Syndrome are contributing members of their communities and society at large, the Center is committed to leading the promotion and development of diagnostic and treatment therapies and actively supporting research for a cure.
Tim Howard is the goalkeeper for Everton in the English Premier League and the U.S. men’s national team. He previously played for the MetroStars in Major League Soccer and for the storied Manchester United. In July 2014, he broke the record for most saves (16) in a World Cup game. He also works as a soccer broadcaster on NBC’s weekly coverage of the EPL. Tim grew up in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when he was in the sixth grade. Tim has spoken openly about TS and has educated millions of people across the world about the disorder.
Faith W. Rice is the founder and executive director of the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, Inc. NJCTS was formally initiated in 2004, but Rice’s grassroots efforts in Tourette Syndrome advocacy trace back a decade earlier when her son was diagnosed with the disorder. Before establishing NJCTS, Rice was in marketing, human resources, and strategic planning with the IBM Corporation. That extensive for-profit experience has allowed her to structure NJCTS as a non-profit organization that promotes collaboration and partnerships among individuals, universities, hospitals and other resources to provide services and support for the 1 in 100 children and their families affected by this neurological condition.
The NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy is a four-day intensive program for teenagers in 9th through 12th grade diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. The Academy provides a positive, respectful, safe, and accepting environment centering on empowerment, self-leadership, advocacy skills, and resilience. Participants receive a toolkit of skills for living life as an individual with Tourette Syndrome allowing them to educate others, be a mentor, an advocate, and be a role model. The Academy was created in partnership with soccer superstar, TS advocate, and New Jersey native, Tim Howard, and represents a collaboration with Rutgers University.
The GreaTS Movement. As you know, Tim Howard has been very public about Tourette Syndrome. Now he is upping his game. On June 4, 2015, Tim introduces an important new initiative called The GreaTS. “I am teaming with the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome to bring this platform to light and open the conversation about TS,” said Howard. “Together we are building awareness for TS and, most importantly, directly helping youth find their path to personal greatness. You will feel a movement that asks people to stand with The GreaTS to overcome some of the challenges of TS.” One important part of our initiative is the NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy—an intensive four-day program where teens develop self-leadership, advocacy and resilience skills. Right now you can go at the GoFundMe crowd-funding website to help send a teen to this program. “I have had some wonderful and proud moments in my career. Launching The GreaTS is one of them.” —Tim Howard
Team Up with Tim Howard is sponsored in part by:
Rutgers Men’s Soccer; Verizon NJShares; RUCDR Infinite Biologics; Asurion; Atlantic Health; South Jersey Industries; PennEast Pipeline; JAG Physical Therapy; Connor Strong; New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance; SomersetDevelopment; AMA Consulting; Fresh & Co.; PixiCast; Oxford Realty; The Judy Taub Gold Foundation; J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc.; Flemington Car & Truck Company; Dr. Robert King; The Spar Family; The Tischfield Family; The Omaggio Family; The Sherbondy Family; The Mueller Family; The Warner Rice Family Fund