Newsletter for the JESPY Community

Winter 2024 Edition 

RECORDS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

JESPY recently announced a Records Management Business that includes scanning and digitizing paper records. The service is provided through JESPY's Work Readiness & Employment Engagement department. As part of the service, JESPY partnered with the Jewish Historical Society (JHS). The collaboration involved creating a digital archive of important documents from the Bob Max collection. 

Participating JESPY clients worked on document preparation which included removing staples, unfolding papers, scanning, and ensuring that fragile antique photos and papers were handled with care. This work will help preserve the archive and allow the JHS to share its historic resources across multiple platforms.

JESPY PROGRAM 'INFORMATION SESSIONS'

Several departments at JESPY are regularly hosting virtual information sessions to update and inform clients and their families about the various components of JESPY services and programs. To date, JESPY’s Work Readiness & Employment Engagement, Residential Services, Community-Based Supports, Day Habilitation programs have hosted sessions that outlined program highlights, available activities, and opportunities; and provided an open dialogue for questions and answers from session participants.

PLANNING BOARD APPROVES THE JESPY CENTER

The South Orange Planning Board voted on November 4, 2024 to approve JESPY House’s application for The JESPY Center, which is a transformative project aimed at providing a fully accessible residential, service-oriented, and program space for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). The state-of-the-art building will feature 31 units serving at least 46 clients. Click here to learn more.

COLUMBIA BANK VISITS JESPY HOUSE

Employees from several local Columbia Bank locations visited JESPY’s Day Habilitation program as part of their Annual Day of Giving. During a comprehensive presentation, they learned about various aspects of the Day program as well as the many other services provided by JESPY. The volunteers then participated in a fun and interactive Japanese yarn braiding activity - called Kumihomo - with clients; and later enjoyed a hot cocoa bar with toppings.

If your company is interested in having a group of employees volunteer at JESPY, please contact us at events@jespy.org.

MAKE A WISH COME TRUE!

What better time than the holiday season to purchase an item that will further the creativity, development, and socialization of JESPY clients? The items on JESPY’s Wish List will assist in the continual delivery of enriching and valuable programming to clients participating in our programs and services.

Your purchase or contribution to the purchase of an item will support our clients’ journey toward independence and help enhance their daily living skills and enjoyment. Items include communal Friday night dinners for 60 clients, a vital signs monitor, and craft design machine.



If you’d like to make just a partial payment toward a Wish List item, please click here. Once on our donation page, add a note that mentions the Wish List item that should receive your donation. Thank you for supporting JESPY clients!

SAFETY FIRST!

Sergeants Jose Albino and Nick Lanero from the South Orange Police Department recently came to JESPY to speak to clients who participate in the Day Habilitation and Engagement & Enrichment programs. They spoke to clients about the importance of pedestrian safety. Topics included crosswalks, distracted drivers, and safety while walking throughout the community. The session included a Q&A with clients.

CLIENT CARE

In an ongoing effort to educate clients about wellness, JESPY partnered with two organizations for health-related presentations. Staff from Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center visited JESPY to conduct safety clinics that addressed Choking Prevention, Salt in Your Diet, Eating Healthy During the Holidays, and hosted a flu clinic to vaccinate clients and staff. A partnership with Planned Parenthood included specialized workshops for male and female clients that addressed: Hygiene & Self Care; Consent & Boundaries; Personal Safety & Public/Private Behaviors.

Clockwise - starting top right: Male clients at JESPY participated in a Planned Parenthood session; staff from Cooperman Barnabas pose after administering vaccines to JESPY clients and staff; clients from the Day Habilitation program took part in a presentation about Healthy Eating During the Holidays with Jenifer Stein, an educator with the Community Health and Outreach Team at Cooperman Barnabas.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT JESPY THIS MONTH?

Thinking about a year-end gift to JESPY? Thank you!

Yes, there is still time to make a gift to JESPY to help us provide our wide range of programs and services to support our clients on their independence journeys.

Did you know that JESPY accepts gifts of appreciated assets, such as publicly traded securities? Not only do gifts of appreciated stock allow donors to avoid or minimize capital gains tax, in many cases, they allow donors to consider a larger gift than a cash gift. Plus, they are SO easy to give, and they get to us fast. 

Please contact Amy at aengel@jespy.org to find out how you can make a gift of stock to JESPY and help make a difference in the lives of our clients.

Rather support JESPY with a different type of gift? We welcome gifts from Donor Advised Funds, gifts from a qualified IRA*, gifts via check or online with an e-check or credit card.  Plus, don’t forget to check whether your company matches donations. It is a wonderful way to double or even triple the power of your gift.

*For gifts from a qualified IRA (a Qualified Charitable distribution or rollover), the funds must be transferred to JESPY directly to count toward your required minimum distribution. Please be sure to consult your financial and/or tax advisor.)

FOLLOW JESPY ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

What better way to keep abreast of the latest JESPY news than by following us on social media? Join our followers and supporters on various platforms by clicking the links below:

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Audrey Winkler

Executive Director

 Please visit us at www.jespy.org

for more information about JESPY House services.