See What's Coming Up for the Fall 2016 Season at JESPY!

Newsletter for the JESPY Community

Fall 2016 Edition

A BUSY SUMMER AT JESPY HOUSE

Sports Uniform Fundraiser JESPY House clients participate in a large variety of sports programs throughout the year including NJ Special Olympics and other competitions in softball, bocce, bowling, tennis, track and field and more.  With an eye towards developing a consistent uniform design across all sports, the Client Council's fundraising committee organized a successful South Orange Community Fair and Barbecue on Saturday, August 20th. Proceeds from the BBQ totaled more than $950. Participants enjoyed games, music, face painting, barbecue treats and raffle prizes.   We thank our South Orange commercial businesses for their many contributions towards raffle gifts that delighted the winners, both old and young!

Major Renovations Ongoing at 102 Prospect! The JESPY House Laurie Administrative and Clinical Services Center is undergoing a major makeover both inside and out. Along with the primary goal of improving accessibility for our clients, floors and furnishings will be updated. When the dust settles, on the first floor we will have a new accessiblie bathroom; an automatic entry door; a new private room for counseling sessions or other meetings.  Worn carpeting will be replaced with smooth wood flooring for better mobility. New furniture and a fresh coat of paint both indoors and outside will complete the makeover.  (Automatic entry doors will also be installed at Judi House and Mitchell House.) These renovations have been made possible through the generosity of Halle and Max Myers, who have honored their Uncle Steven, a JESPY client, by targeting their B’nai Mitzvah gifts to JESPY House.

JESPY Clients Speak Up to Local Elected Officials About Accessibility Issues

Essex County Freeholders President Britnee Timberlake listens to concerns of JESPY clients.

JESPY client Bryan Krantz alerts South Orange Board of Trustees about timing of traffic lights that restrict the flow of traffic.

Rev Up NJ Voter Registration Drive for People with Disabilities The Client Council's Advocacy Committee organized a successful Rev Up New Jersey informational event on Tuesday, July 13th. They welcomed local elected officials Hackensack School Board Member Tim Hoffman, one of the youngest elected officials in NJ; East Orange Councilman Mustafa Brent, a Newark Fire Department Captain and fierce advocate for those with disabilities; and Essex County Freeholder President Britnee Timberlake, a champion for the interests of the developmentally disabled. The event attracted more than 50 attendees from the JESPY community, all enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage in the political process. The elected officials were impressed by the knowledge, strength and capacity of JESPY clients to advocate for their needs and encouraged them to become leaders for their cause.      Voter registration applications were available and JESPY staff assisted clients with their completion. They all are looking forward to voting for the first time in the November presidential election. JESPY Clients Attend South Orange Board of Trustees Public Meeting At the September 12th South Orange Board of Trustee Public Meeting, members of the JESPY Client Council Advocacy Committee, accompanied by Executive Director Audrey Winkler, brought their concerns about accessibility and safety issues for people with disabilities.   Many issues were addressed: unsafe intersections for people with mobility issues; need for flashing yellow lights or stop signs at specific street crossings; and snow mounds piled up at street corners limiting accessibility to our clients. P resident Sheena Collum took note of the concerns, directly responding to some and assigning others to be further researched by the appropriate trustee or committee. This was the first direct interaction with the governmental process for many of the JESPY speakers.  The group now plans to attend future Town Hall meetings regularly.

JESPY House Honors Denise Dimson Rekem

Honoree Denise Rekem and Board Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs Judy Peskin and Susan Weinstock (l. to r.)   A full house hearing of Denise's accomplishments.

Denise Dimson Rekem, a JESPY board member and lawyer who is a passionate advocate for the rights and protections of families and their children with d isabilities, was honored by the JESPY House community on July 20th at The Above  Restaurant on South Orange Avenue. In addition to a dinner party, delightful music amd many personal tributes to Denise, the event was highlighted by presentations from three JESPY clients who spoke about how JESPY has helped them succeed. We are grateful to Denise for sharing her knowledge of the intricacies of the law as it relates to people with disabilities.  In particular, Denise continues to advocate for our clients and help clarify for us the proposed New Jersey Standard Transition Plan legislation which may limit housing options.

Anti-Bullying Workshop The first of a two-part series of Anti-Bullying Workshops for JESPY clients was held  on September 6th.  JESPY House  Clinical Coordinator Ilene Feinstein and Recreation Supervisor Wayne Branch presented a variety of topics including: Different types of bullying.  Why do some people bully others. Who has been bullied.  What you should do and not do when you are bullied. Over 65 clients were very engaged in the discussions and many shared their personal experiences.  They particularly enjoyed viewing a segment from the What Would You Do? TV show that presented a role play of a bullying experience and asked for audience reaction. A video of the workshop will be available on the Jespy House Inc. YouTube Channel shortly.

The second workshop of the Anti-Bullying series will be presented on Tuesday, September 27th, 6:30 pm at Judi House.

Cello Concert and Music Appreciation Session JESPY clients received a treat on August 11th when gifted cellist Bryce Tempest performed classical and modern pieces at the Day Program, and an encore evening performance at Judi House. In between the beautiful presentations, Bryce engaged the group in discussion about different styles of music and how the cello itself can produce a variety of sounds. The JESPY clients had many questions and reactions, some demonstrating their own knowledge of music and musical instruments.  Bryce is a senior at the School of Music at Ithaca College, and the son of Executive Director Audrey Winkler.  He plans to return to JESPY in mid-October for several addtional educational and enjoyable cello performances.

Social Action Group Gives Back Recreation Counselor Nicole Rambone coordinated a purposeful 9/11 Day o f Appreciation for the JESPY House Social Action Group.  On that important Sunday of remembrance, JESPY clients brought baked goods to the South Orange Firemen & Police Depts.   The Group also prepared s chool supply baskets designated for kindergarten students in Newark. Wayne Branch, Recreation Supervisor expressed, "It's great seeing the clients being taught the value & importance of giving back. It's even greater seeing the enthusiam at which they're embracing these acts of kindness."

Work Readiness and Employment Engagement Team  Makes Great Progress Based upon current trends and best practices in employment services being implemented across the nation, in August JESPY House transformed its Vocational Services Department into the new Work Readiness and Employment Engagement (WREE) Department.  The new model includes: an emphasis on job-related skill development training, both onsite at JESPY and offsite, after a comprehensive work readiness assessment; development of an individual performance plan for every client providing attainable goals reflective of their levels of ability and interests;  expansion of partnerships with community businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide a variety of work experiences and more opportunites to engage in volunteer work, internships or paid employment; and employment support with WREE coordinators spending a majority of their time out in the field monitoring the clients’ performance and consulting with her/his employer. In its first four weeks of operation, the newly energized WREE team has already found more volunteer and paid employement opportunities for our clients than had been found in the previous four years! Prospective employers: Please contact Michelle Rampersant, Employment Engagement Supervisor, at mrampersant@jespy. org or (973)762-6909, Ext. 208 to discuss potential opportunities and benefits of hiring JESPY clients.

Fall Events

Come to the Fall Get-Together! Join us at the next Fall Get-Together on Sunday afternoon, October 16th  at 1:00 pm.  The JESPY community of clients, families, staff, board members and community partners will gather at Judi House, 110 Irvington Avenue, South Orange (between Academy Street and Prospect Street.)  Our department heads and board members will be sharing all the wonderful new, innovative ways we are working to enhance service and care for our JESPY clients! At the e nd our program you will have plenty of time to catch up with old friends and meet the new members of the JESPY team.  This is a meeting you won’t want to miss... but if you can’t make it, no worries, we will film the entire meeting and post the video to our new JESPY YouTube channel .

Cultural Arts Fundraiser -  A Barrel of Laughs!

On September 23rd, about 70 JESPY clients, their family members and staff enjoyed an evening of entertainment at Scotty's Pub and Comedy Cove in Millburn. This fundraiser, which raised $1,200 for JESPY's Cultural Arts Department, featured three comedians offering hilarious reflections on their life experiences. There was something for everyone.

Seton Hall/JESPY House Car Wash - October 1st The October 1st Car Wash, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, is a joint effort between Seton Hall University’s DOVE (Division of Volunteer Services) Program and the JESPY House Recreation Department. JESPY will provide staff, supplies and the event location – Judi House. The JESPY Recreation Department will be selling hamburgers and hot dogs at this event. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase supplies for our very popular JESPY Cafe. The Dove Program is passionate about meeting needs with deeds while exposing their student body to the importance of helping/serving others in the South Orange community. It is Seton Hall’s response to the ongoing call for social justice.

Flea Market Fair - Saturday, October 1st Fall's first outside Flea Market Fair hosted by JESPY House will be on Academy Street between First Street and Irvington Avenue from 10am to 5pm. Find artisanal products, handmade and vintage goods, and unique and bargain items. Proceeds will go towards sponsoring holiday events for our clients. Vendor spaces with tables are still available for rent.  For more information, please contact Catherine at cculbert@jespy.org or (973) 762-0811.

Girl's Night Out - Thursday, October 6th  Girl's Night Out at 7:00 pm in Mitchell House will be both a fun and educational experience with lots of prizes and information to think about. We have collected Vera Bradley bags, jewelry, perfume, make-up and more for pampering. There will be plenty of time for girl talk about relationships and other challenging social issues. Everyone will be going home with a tote bag full of goodies!

JESPY IS.....    A New Marketing Campaign

We are engaging our clients in our efforts to create effective marketing materials.   They will be asked to express their ideas about what JESPY means to them in a contest entitled  JESPY Is. Participants can use their own personal style, whether in words, sentences, poetry, photography or other art forms .  This campaign will help us develop more directed tag lines and information for our marketing pieces. Some of the winning quotes may be used for mugs, posters, etc. Other marketing efforts include a new, updated flyer that describes JESPY's current services. Please click here to view the flyer. The development of the new JESPY website is in process and will be active in October.

Hope You Enjoyed the Fall 2016 Edition of the  JESPY E-Newsletter!

We welcome your ideas, news articles and photos for the next JESPY newsletter. Please email your contributions to Diane Tobing, Interim Communications Director at dtobing@jespy.org  .