Grad Student Helps Create Holiday Celebration for Morristown Teens

January 5, 2026 — Sarah Ribaudo, a graduate student in FDU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, brought the holiday spirit for 70 high school students in December.

Through her internship with Positive Pathways Counseling, a Morristown-based nonprofit that provides free counseling and support services to local teens, Ribaudo coordinated a holiday celebration for students at Morristown High School.

Ribaudo worked with South + Pine, a popular Morristown restaurant, to secure food donations for the event. She works at the restaurant, as well.

Ribaudo stands behind the food for the party she helped coordinate.

“This celebration helped our students feel seen, supported, and valued,” says Marlene Scrivo, director of Positive Pathways Counseling. “We could not have done this without Sarah’s compassion and initiative, and the generosity of South + Pine.”

Previously, in the fall, Ribaudo helped organize a fall festival fundraiser with the restaurant to raise funds for the program’s student snack cabinet, and she has played a leadership role in restarting the organization’s boys’ soccer group.

The organization works directly within schools and the community, helping students build resilience, navigate challenges, and access essential mental health support.

“Sarah has built strong, trusting relationships with our students, who seek her out throughout the school day,” Scrivo adds. “Her work reflects the heart of what Positive Pathways is about.”

“Her work is a great example of an FDU student applying her academic training in a meaningful, community-impactful way while building strong local partnerships,” says Sam Aboudara, a board member of Positive Pathways Counseling.