Newsletter for the JESPY Community
Spring/Summer 2019 Edition  
JESPY'S COLOR WARS!
Relay races, the football target throw, and more! You name the game. JESPY clients competed and had tons of fun at Color Wars ! The annual event, sponsored by Judi House Fund, was recently held on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Grove Park in South Orange. Open to all clients, the day's activities began with group stretch exercises. Decked out in colorful t-shirts that designated teams, clients took part in events that were designed as team-building experiences. All of the games and activities were for athletes and non-athletes. Sportsmanship and comradery were the order of the day. Every team member was a winner!
GO ON AN ADVENTURE WITH RHONDA BADONDA!
For an interesting and unique take on disability, come out and experience a one-woman show by Rhonda S. Musak. Titled Rhonda Badonda – The Adventures of a Girl with a Pain in Her Brain , the JESPY-hosted show will take place June 2, 2019 at 2pm at the South Orange Middle School Theatre. Funded by Judi House Fund, this performance provides a humorous take on how her mind works and how she tackles disability head on. For more information about Rhonda, log on to www.rhondabadonda.com . Click Here to purchase tickets.  
HONOREES RECOGNIZED AT JESPY'S 20th ANNUAL COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DINNER
Honoree Catherine Fisher (L) poses with JESPY staff member Nicole Kyriazis and Marketing & Community Relations Supervisor Tara Roberts. (Right) JESPY’s WREE Admin Lisa Jordan (L) presented the award to BCB’s Claudine Baptiste and Jim Raborn.
JESPY Executive Director Audrey Winkler (center) poses with JESPY's Director of Operations Mitch Rottenstreich and Board Member Elaine Katz. (Right) JESPY Board Member Ahadi Bugg-Levine accepted the award, presented by WREE Support Supervisor Robert Slater on behalf of Jackie & Sons.
JESPY's 20 th  Annual Community Appreciation Dinner took place recently at Giorgio's Ristorante in South Orange. The dinner was JESPY’s way of giving back to those in the local community who have made a difference in the lives of its clients.
   This year’s honorees included NJTV News for their educational and eye-opening feature on Aging with Disabilities in NJ; Catherine Fisher, owner of Sadie’s and Kitchen a la Mode, who has provided JESPY clients with job training and employment opportunities; BCB Bank for being an exemplary community bank and for their ongoing collaboration with JESPY House; and Jackie Podhurst, owner of Jackie & Son Restaurant, who has also provided employment for JESPY clients. Thank you and congratulations to all!
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?
JESPY clients enjoyed the magic of magician Scott Drukker , aka Great Scott. Specializing in family entertainment, Scott’s shows are for everyone. During his performance, which was sponsored by Judi House Fund, clients laughed and participated in unique magic tricks, and enjoyed Scott’s pet Thurston the Parrot. 
KELLER WILLIAMS CELEBRATES RED DAY WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THE OCH HOUSE
As part of their volunteer efforts for their annual RED Day , Camille Estrella and her team at Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct recently came to JESPY’s newest shared house, The Michael Och House, A Center for Aging at JESPY. The group helped clean up the inside and outside areas of the home. Some of the tasks they took on included cleaning, painting, weeding/gardening, and building a patio. RED Day, which stands for Renew, Energize and Donate, is Keller Williams’ day of service. Thanks Keller Williams!
JESPY'S ONGOING OUTREACH
JESPY staff members conduct a presentation at SOMA's Columbia High School about the Transitions program and later talk with interested parents.
JESPY’s outreach efforts are ever expanding. By participating in approximately six conferences, fairs, and open house programs each month, JESPY is providing opportunities for organizations and community members to learn about its services. The presentations also outline JESPY's various programs and activities. Funding options, guardianship, transportation, and residential options are also outlined and discussed. Recent outreach events have included the Autism NJ Transition Conference, Rutgers University Agency Fair, the Bergen County Transition Fair, the JFK Information Expo, and more.
  Columbia High School’s Black Box Theater was the location of a recent Transitions event. The two-hour session was for families of the SOMA School District's Special Services component. This event gave families the opportunity to make connections and share information and personal experiences with JESPY staff and each other.
HAVING FUN WITH SONG ADAPTATIONS FROM "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF"
The JESPY Theater Group recently showed off their acting and singing talents to a full audience at the Judi House. They presented adaptations of select songs and scenes from  Fiddler on the Roof. Job well done!
COMING SOON: ROCK THE BLOCK!
JESPY House, in partnership with Judi House Fund, will host the Second Annual Rock the Block . The music festival will be held July 13, 2019 from 12- 5pm at 110 Irvington Avenue and showcases musicians with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. The event is expected to feature performances from the J Street Band, JESPY House Glee Club, Jesse and the Fancy Cats, Vasco, and several special guest performers. Throughout the day, there will be games and food and beverages for everyone to enjoy. Come and celebrate the talents of the JESPY community at Rock the Block!
CONGRATULATIONS TO NJACP AWARDEE
JILL TERBELL!
JESPY client Jill Terbell was among several individuals honored recently at the NJACP 19th Annual Stars Awards Dinner. Jill was nominated and honored for her tenacity and perseverance during her 31 years as a JESPY client. She has been successfully employed for many years at companies such as Lampstons in NYC and Reed Reference Publishing in New Providence, NJ. She has worked as an administrative assistant at Prudential since 2007. Her work history shows commitment and work and travel independence. NJACP (New Jersey Association of Community Providers) offers support and services to its member agencies that represent and help adults living with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. Congratulations Jill! We’re so proud of your accomplishments!
SAVE THE DATE:
 SOUTH ORANGE GOLF INVITATIONAL
It’s not too early to gear up for the 2019 South Orange Golf Invitational . JESPY House   is this year’s honoree for the event that will be held on September 16, 2019. The Invitational will take place at the East Orange Golf Course in Short Hills, NJ. 
   As the event approaches, there are a number of ways people can help. In addition to purchasing a golf foursome, they can become a sponsor or purchase space in the online ad journal. On event day, registration begins at noon. The Shotgun start is at 1:00pm and dinner/silent auction begins at 6:00pm.
  Started in 2017, the Invitational selects honorees based on their service to the South Orange community and non-profit status. JESPY is honored to have been selected as this year's honoree. For more information, Click Here .   
BEHIND THE SCENES: The Write Stuff

Hiring talented staff at JESPY seems to be our forte. The depth and breadth of our staff's interests and capabilities serve to enrich our clients'experiences.
This is the first in our series, "Behind the scenes of staff at JESPY".

STAGES: Poetry & prose that reflect a life’s journey is the recently-published book of poetry by JESPY’s Communications Specialist Sonya Kimble-Ellis. The book, available on Amazon , contains pieces written over the course of several decades exploring social issues; her love of music and the arts; family; nature; the human condition; and more. Sonya is also the author of several activity and picture books for children and teens. Her poem “We Are Jazz” is included in the book and was featured as part of Newark’s 350 th Commemorative Anniversary. 

Bravo, Sonya! We applaud your many talents!
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
Executive Director
  Please visit us at   www.jespy.org
for more information about JESPY House services.