Newsletter for the JESPY Community | | A Message From the Executive Director | | |
Our future is bright…As we look ahead, our commitment to JESPY’s mission remains unwavering: to support adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in leading independent, fulfilling, and connected lives. What will move us forward isn’t just continuity, but intentional strategic growth that deepens the quality of our services while expanding opportunities for our clients.
A central part of this vision is our Go Big for JESPY Capital Campaign and the realization of The JESPY Center and The Hub. This transformative initiative represents more than new spaces. It’s a bold investment in the future of adults with IDD. Both facilities will serve as dynamic, inclusive environments where clients can access essential services, build life skills, have affordably priced housing, pursue employment opportunities, and engage meaningfully with their peers in spaces that are fully accessible. By bringing together programs, resources, and support systems, we are creating a foundation for greater independence and long-term success.
JESPY is meeting the needs of our ever-evolving clients. We continue to listen closely to the individuals that we support, their families, and our staff as our direction reflects a supportive environment that enables our clients to thrive and achieve their goals.
Equally important is our responsibility to advocate for our clients. JESPY remains a strong voice for diversity, inclusion, and dignity, working alongside partners and stakeholders to break down barriers and create pathways for greater independence and belonging in both the community and the workforce.
None of this happens without the dedication of our staff, the trust of our families, and the generosity of our supporters. Together, through initiatives like Go Big for JESPY, we are not just sustaining a mission, we are building a future where every client can thrive.
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Audrey Winkler
Executive Director
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JESPY board members not only provide leadership, governance and stewardship, they also engage whole-heartedly with our clients. Several hands-on activities, underwritten by individual board members, took place over the past few months, providing clients with a great sense of adventure and creativity! Each program took place at Judi House, which is one of JESPY’s recreation spaces.
Board Member Jordan Davis, who is on the Fundraising Committee, hosted a charcuterie board event (along with his cousin Heather Bier) as well as a cake decorating activity with his daughter Paige, where clients enjoyed learning new skills and expanding their culinary knowledge.
| | Clients also used their decorating skills during a fun and tasty cookie decorating session (below) hosted by Board Member Suki Shikiar and her business partner Heather Gilheany (of Suki & Heather Real Estate Group). Suki is on the board’s Nominations and Governance Committee and Chair of the Judi House Fund. | | A visit from Rizzo’s Wildlife World in Flanders, NJ (below) gave clients an up-close look at and feel for a variety of animals—from furry friends to scaly species. The event was sponsored by Dean Kameros, who is on our board’s Finance Committee. During the activity, clients curiously and fearlessly interacted with turtles, snakes, chinchillas, lizards, alligators, and more! | | |
In partnership with the Community Health & Outreach Department at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, JESPY clients participated in an engaging and informative presentation titled “Get Your Heart Into It.” Led by Nahyr Felix, Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Cooperman Barnabas, the session empowered clients with knowledge about heart disease, its signs, and treatments.
The focus on wellness continued with an interactive “Balance and Falls” session, conducted by Alissa Percival, an Occupational Therapist at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center. During this presentation, clients learned important strategies for maintaining balance and preventing falls.
| | A Community Celebration of Crossing Guards | | |
The recent Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast was a wonderful celebration of community partnership and gratitude. It was hosted by Walk Bike Ride South Orange in collaboration with JESPY House and the Maplewood and South Orange Police Departments.
Held at JESPY, the event was spearheaded by Tara Roberts, JESPY’s Community Relations Supervisor and former Walk Bike Ride committee member.
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In addition to the crossing guards, attendees included several JESPY clients; Sergeant Jose Albino and officers from the South Orange Police Department; Maplewood Chief of Police Albert Sally and several officers; several South Orange Village Council Members; Walk Bike Ride Committee Chair Julia Flath; Maplewood Deputy Mayor Malia Herman; representatives from South Orange and Maplewood (SOMA) Board of Education; and JESPY House Board President Dr. Ahadi Bugg-Levine.
Refreshments were generously provided by Sonny’s Bagels, Whole Foods, Able Baker, Bakes by Izzy, and Gencarelli’s Bakery, adding a delicious touch to an already special morning.
| | In a great show of community acknowledgement, crossing guards were celebrated by South Orange and Maplewood police departments and council members from both towns (left). At right, several crossing guards pose with JESPY clients Shane L. and Ny-Sheer C. Shout out to Shane who went above and beyond to make the crossing guards feel truly welcome. | | |
Many caring supporters made our annual JESPY House Food Drive a great success! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and beyond, an enormous amount of food was donated to support Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), a hunger relief network with a location in Orange, NJ.
MEND’s Operations Manager Cameron Johnson brought the organization’s colorful Chili Pepper van to collect the donations. The van was welcomed by several JESPY clients including client Jessica M. (below), who is a proud and active MEND volunteer. Items collected included cereal, jars of peanut butter, pasta, and shelf-stable milk.
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Thanks to generous donations, the items collected included:
Grains & Pasta
- 162 boxes of pasta
- 84 boxes of rice
- 74 boxes of cereal
Protein & Pantry Staples
- 232 cans of tuna
- 77 jars of peanut butter
- 48 jars of pasta sauce
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Other Essentials
- 85 shelf-stable milk containers
- 45 jars of spices
Overall, JESPY and our supporters donated 765 pounds of nonperishable food items to MEND!
| | Mark Your Calendars: JESPY 2026 Spring Gala | |
Community, celebration, and meaningful impact will come together at our 2026 Spring Gala on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30pm at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club, benefiting adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities supported by JESPY.
Join us in celebrating our JESPY clients and honoring Bottle King (Inclusive Employer Award), Elizabeth Broadhurst of Little Apple Arts (Community Pillar Award), and Jason Miller of Sonny's Bagels (Community Pillar Award).
Bottle King is an employer that has partnered with JESPY to aid in the growth, independence, and gainful employment of JESPY clients.
Elizabeth fosters the clients' love of theater and music during sessions that focus on a specific show, culminating in a presentation for friends, family, and the JESPY community.
Jason has shown compassion and generosity in every interaction, positively impacting JESPY clients and JESPY's support team. In addition, Sonny's Bagels is a JESPY House client-employer.
To purchase your tickets, support the event, or submit a digital sponsorship ad, visit https://www.jespyhouse.org/SpringGala or email events@jespy.org.
| Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Borkowski | | |
We’re thrilled to celebrate an exciting achievement within our JESPY team!
Due to her dedication and detailed attention to client support, JESPY Senior Floor Facilitator Stephanie Borkowski was recently nominated for a statewide New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) Leadership Award. She was recognized for her contributions, professionalism, and the positive impact she brings to JESPY clients.
At JESPY's Day Program, Stephanie coordinates client trips, ensures that group sessions start and transition seamlessly. Beyond her various day-to-day responsibilities, she created an interactive curriculum focused on Daily Living and Life Skills that include personal grooming and building social skills.
Congratulations Stephanie on your well-deserved recognition!
| Help JESPY Meet the Match! | |
Philanthropists Leon and Toby Cooperman awarded JESPY’s Go Big for JESPY Campaign a $13.25 million matching gift to invite community support. Help us Meet the Cooperman Match and close out the final 8% needed to unlock the match.
The Go Big for JESPY Campaign is designed to continually open doors. The Campaign will enable JESPY to further our mission of empowering adults with disabilities with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to thrive at work, in the community, and beyond!
Go Big will create two new mixed-use buildings, The JESPY Center and The Hub, to provide clients with the additional learning, recreation, and residential opportunities they need to continue to thrive. For information on how YOU can make a difference, visit https://www.jespyhouse.org/GoBig.
| Connect With JESPY on Social Media | | |
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Please visit us at www.jespy.org
for more information about JESPY House services.
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