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Community Counts: Coming Together to Celebrate Holidays

2024-12-11T14:00:13-05:00December 12th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Loneliness was declared a public health epidemic in 2023 by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. A 2024 American Psychiatric Association poll found that 30% of adults reported having experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week during the past year. Ten percent said they feel lonely every day. The array of programs and services we offer at Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest non-profit agencies in Westchester, range from mental health, trauma, and disabilities to senior care, early childhood development, educational enrichment, LGBTQ+, caregiver support, Jewish educational, spiritual, and cultural enrichment, and much more. What ...

Voting On the Spectrum: Empowering Neurodiverse Voices in the Electoral Process

2024-10-08T15:22:57-04:00October 8th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: , , , , , , , |

By: Nicholas R. Primavera, MS, MBA, Program Coordinator of WJCS Shelanu & Supper Club Voting in any election can be scary and anxiety provoking. Voting is a fundamental right and a vital aspect of public participation, but for individuals on the autism spectrum, the process can present unique challenges. From understanding complex ballot language to navigating crowded polling places, these obstacles can sometimes discourage participation. However, with proper resources, support, and understanding, voting can become an accessible and empowering experience for everyone. In this article, I will explain some of the challenges I have observed, along with some of the ...

Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week

2024-09-06T15:58:59-04:00September 8th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: , , , , , |

It's Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week! At WJCS we are so proud to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at WJCS. Our DSPs work with developmentally and intellectually disabled adults who live in our 12 group homes across Westchester County. They provide a caring home environment where residents are supported in maintaining and learning daily living skills, enjoying social activities, and pursuing employment while also assisting with medical, emotional, behavioral, and mental health support. The work of DSPs in our Community Programs Division speaks to our value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). ...

Exciting News from our WJCS Vocational Programs

2024-06-27T16:31:05-04:00June 27th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

We are thrilled to share exciting news from WJCS’s vocational training program, which promotes skill-building for young adults with autism in preparation for the workplace. Two participants, Lindsay and Andrew, have achieved a significant milestone by moving forward to new opportunities. Their success showcases how our unique approach to job preparation can transform lives. Congratulations to Lindsay and Andrew! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things they will accomplish next. WJCS’s Vocational Program offers classes for residents in documentation preparation, scanning, and file organization management. These classes are held at our Taft Center in White Plains and are ...

Bringing Joy, Connection, and Confidence to Adults with Disabilities

2024-05-20T16:07:10-04:00May 20th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean they don’t have hopes, dreams, things they love to do, good days, bad days… Because of YOU, our adults from all backgrounds with disabilities are living the best life possible and our amazing staff support them every step of the way. Pizza-making tips from an expert chef, a visit to Bryant Park in Manhattan, celebrating Purim, vocational counseling, a fun Supermarket Sweep activity to enhance grocery shopping and budgeting skills, a hibachi dinner, outings to ball games, and much, much more. When you give to WJCS, you help individuals with ...

Helping People with Disabilities Enjoy a Full Life

2024-02-22T09:57:25-05:00February 20th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

People with disabilities tend to experience loneliness and social isolation at significantly higher rates than people without disabilities. They are also at a higher risk for experiencing trauma. Loneliness is a particularly significant driver of poor well-being among people with a disability. Interventions to reduce loneliness make a huge impact. The adults we serve are eager to lead rich, full lives—but they need support. They need help with life skills, like time management and helping with household chores to the best of their ability. They need vocational counseling and opportunities for recreation, socialization, and community involvement. And, some individuals need significant daily care. "All of us ...

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