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Newsletter for the JESPY Community
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PLEASE JOIN US....
ENLIGHTENING SIBLING PANEL,
MOVIE AND DINNER
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JESPY House, in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, is hosting a sibling panel discussion, movie and dinner that will greatly deepen your understanding of the relationships, responsibilities and rewards for siblings of people with special needs.
Join us for the remarkable story of a group of young people with Down Syndrome that
embarks on a demanding trek through the Indian Himalayas, accompanied by their brothers and
sisters.
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Date: Sunday, February 26th
Location: Judi House, 110 Irvington Ave. (between South Orange Ave. and Prospect St.)
Time
: 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
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Please RSVP to Mara Gellman at (973) 929-3096
or mgellman@jfedgmw.org
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ADVOCATE AGAINST PROPOSED LEGISLATION AFFECTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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JESPY House President Elaine Katz and Executive Director Audrey Winkler traveled to Washington DC earlier this month for Jewish Disability Advocacy Day. They brought back information about current proposals for federal legislation that are a threat to the rights and needs of people with disabilities. Let your local legislators know as soon as possible that they should vote against these proposals.
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Proposal 1:
Federal funding for Medicaid may be transformed to block grants or per capita caps to reduce goverment expenses. Either of these strategies are aimed at limiting the amount of federal funding provided to the state governments in administering Medicaid. Medicaid reimbursements to nonprofit agencies such as JESPY are likely to be reduced, threatening JESPY's sustainability.
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Proposal 2:
The US House of Representatives and Senate are considering a bill that would modify the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If passed, the individual who is being denied access to a store, restaurant, hotel, etc. would bear the burden of telling the business owner that he/she is out of compliance with ADA. There would be a 6 month waiting period before the individual could file a complaint with the Department of Justice.
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In order to assist you in your advocacy efforts, click here
to see an Advocacy Packet that includes:
- Information about the two proposals
- A sample template that can be the basis for letters to your local representatives and senators
- A list of local New Jersey legislators with their office addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses
Let your legislators know how important it is to protect the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
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FINE FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT & DANCING AT THE ANNUAL JESPY JUBILEE
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On Sunday, February 5th, the Crystal Plaza in Livingston was abuzz with JESPY family, friends, staff, board, and community supporters gathering for the 2017 Annual JESPY House Jubilee. This year’s event had the highest attendance ever!
The entertainment was homegrown – all performed by JESPY clients. Music was provided by the JESPY Band, including Harris Engel, Bryan Krantz, Roger Baron, Dan Reuter, Ethan Solendar, Khair Marshall and Jon Banilower. The band was later joined by vocalist Atara Stern with a lovely rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
The afternoon continued with representatives from other Cultural Arts Programs.
- Ari Gershman recited his poem, Life Without Your Parents, about balancing independence from and dependence on your parents.
- The Theatre Troupe read from well-known scripts.
- The Dance Group ended the evening's entertainment with an Israeli folk dance after which all attendees were encouraged to join in.
As customary, awards for recreation (Community Inclusion and Athletics Activities) were presented with the 2016 Grand Prize Winners:
Highest Participation Award: David Finkelstein
Athlete of the Year - Client Choice: Ari Gershman
Athlete of the Year - Staff and Athletic Coaches Choice: Sam Mackiewicz
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Xiara Reyes - Cultural Arts Supervisor and Event Entertainment Organizer
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Master of Ceremonies-Michael Preston
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Athletics Coord. Wayne Branch and Participation Winner David Finkelstein
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Athlete of the Year Sam Mackiewicz
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Board Member Annette Evans
and her son Harold
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More 2017 Annual JESPY House Jubilee photos coming soon at jespy.org
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TALENTED JESPY CLIENTS PRESENT THEIR CREATIVE WRITING
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On Sunday evening, January 15th, JESPY clients presented their creative writings to a packed house at the 8th Annual Poetry/Creative Arts Recital. Cultural Arts Supervisor Xiara Reyes emceed the event at which 20 clients proudly recited their artistic works.
The Writer's Block, a book that includes the creative writings of all the participants, with cover created by Andrea Weisbard, is available for sale. Please visit the JESPY Shop at our website by
clicking here
.
The JESPY Shop also features other creative artwork of our clients.
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Cultural Arts Supervisor Xiara Reyes and
Jessica Barbiero, the first presenter (l. to r.)
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Client Kenny Marino, who has a recently published book of his poetry
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Local artist
Sandy Koterba, who works with our clients, and Executive Director Audrey Winkler (l. to r.)
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Sarah Locker, who presented her poetic works: Spring Time and My Disability
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Over the years at JESPY House, many strong friendships among clients have developed and endured.
Valentine's Day is a great time to recognize Regina and Louis Goldberg, the first two clients who found love and marriage at JESPY. They have already celebrated their
33rd
wedding anniversary!
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As part of Executive Director Audrey Winkler's effort to increase JESPY's organizational efficiency and capacity, two new staff positions have been created.
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Organizational Management Director
Aisha Muslim
Aisha came to JESPY House in June 2016 as a part-time Organizational Management Consultant with more than 20 years of experience in strengthening nonprofit organizations. As the new full-time Organizational Management Director, Aisha's responsibilities include developing procedures and structures for organizational effectiveness and analysis; developing and implementing performance measures; evaluating cost and quality of contract services; and assisting in organizational change initiatives.
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Development Director
Amy Engel
Amy is an accomplished development professional who has raised millions of dollars for community and national organizations for more than 20 years. Amy's goal as Development Director is to increase JESPY House's sustainability by directing and implementing short and long term resource development; leading a diverse strategy of major and planned gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and annual giving; and supporting the Executive Director in Trustee engagement and philanthropy.
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CANTOR RIKI LIPPITZ LEADS A HAVDALAH SERVICE
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On Saturday, January 28th, Cantor Riki Lippitz from Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange, and her husband Rabbi John Schechter, led an exciting and inspirational Havdalah service for JESPY clients and their families.
Havdalah is a Jewish ritual that marks the end of Shabbat. The event was filled with spirited singing, dancing and storytelling, with Cantor Riki strumming her guitar. This ritual includes the lighting of a special braided candle, blessing a cup of wine and the smelling of spices. To make the celebration more meaningful, clients each crafted a braided candle of traditional beeswax and created spice bags.
Everyone enjoyed a festive dinner, which included a birthday cake for Arthur Schechner, Chair of the Judi House Fund.
Many thanks to Cantor Riki for providing a wonderful, cultural and educational experience for all of our clients!
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JESPY House
clients, families, staff, board members and community partners met on Sunday, February 12th for our first community meeting of the new year.
The main topic of the session was
JESPY's future plans for sustainability. Executive Director Audrey Winkler began with a r
eview of 2016 activities during which there was a culture of change that resulted in
- revitalized staff
- new programs and opportunities for our clients
- restructuring of programs and departments
Together, these efforts increased organizational effectiveness and efficiencies in JESPY's direct service to clients.
During 2017, the priorities will include:
- Increasing revenue and closing the gap between the actual cost of services and the Medicaid reimburseable rates which will take effect on July 1st
- Private fundraising
- Advocacy to our local legislators to protect funding for direct services that are necessary for JESPY clients to live independently.
Parents, clients, staff and board members will be asked to contribute and volunteer to assist in these efforts.
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Staff supervisors made presentations on JESPY's new Transition Services Program; enhancements to the Day Habilitation Program; and the newly energized Community Inclusion Program (formerly non-athletic Recreation Program).
Director of Operations Mitch Rottenstreich presented the budget and the importance of timely payments for services so that JESPY can function most effectively. Treasurer Bob Blau closed the meeting by pledging the Board's commitment to all sustainability efforts so that JESPY can continue to provide quality services for the next 40 years.
To view the complete powerpoint presentation from this important meeting, click here.
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The Parent Group has developed the first-ever
parent-generated, parent-implementing idea for a new fundraiser -
DINE AND DONATE!
Date: Saturday – April 29th 2017
Time: 4 PM – 10 PM
Place: McLoone’s Boathouse in West Orange
Ten percent of your tab will be contributed toward the JESPY Scholarship Fund.
Volunteers are needed. Please contact Judith Reuter at jreuter228@gmail.com if you can provide some time.
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GIRLS AND GUYS NIGHTS OUT
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The next Girls Night Out will be on Monday, March 6th
The next Guys Night Out will be on Wednesday, March 29th
More details to follow....
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NEW QUICK RESOURCE GUIDE FROM DDD
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The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities has issued a Supports Program Policies and Procedures Manual – A Quick Guide for Families
This 2017 guide summarizes the information in DDD’s Supports Program Policies and Procedures Manual – the rules that govern the Supports Program eligibility and process – in a comprehensive, yet uncomplicated format.
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WITH YOUR HELP -
AMAZON WILL CONTRIBUTE
TO
JESPY HOUSE
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JESPY House is now a registered participant in the Amazon Smile Program that benefits nonprofit organizations!
If you are shopping online at Amazon, please support JESPY, at no cost to you, by linking up with our Amazon Smile account, Jespy House CORE Goldfinger (This is our organization name on its original incorporation documents). A portion of your purchases from Amazon will be donated directly to JESPY!
Click Here to learn more and start shopping with your usual Amazon Account Informaton. Thank you for your help in supporting JESPY!
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We look forward to sharing with you more, exciting happenings at JESPY House as we strive to enable our clients toward success in independent living within the community.
Sincerely,
Audrey Winkler
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