Thank you to our generous donors who contributed to the WJCS 2024 Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive, children and parents in WJCS Early Childhood Programs as well as in our mental health clinics were delighted to receive toys, games, and gift cards that brightened their holiday season. Clients in our WJCS Outpatient Services for People with Developmental Disabilities Program created beautiful artwork in gratitude for the gifts they received from the Drive (see above, right)!
We’re deeply grateful to the many legislators and legislative staff who attended our New York State Delegation Breakfast on January 24th. Our dedicated government officials who visited WJCS headquarters and shared in important discussions about our programs, services, and funding needs included: Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Susan Tolchin, Special Assistant for Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Senator Shelley B. Mayer; Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg; Assemblyman Steve Otis; Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky; Assemblyman Chris Burdick; Michelle Sterling, Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, and David Zeigler Assistant to Assemblyman Peter Harckham
What a beautiful and thoughtful birthday celebration! Westchester resident Allison Friedland asked friends to donate money for a new computer lab for the WJCS Mary J. Blige Center for her 50th birthday. Allison raised over $10,000 which, along with her donation, was used to purchase eight new computers, software, desks, and computer stations. The computers will be used for clients, many of whom don’t have computers at home, to take GED classes, do homework, prepare resumes, search for jobs and college scholarships, apply to colleges, interview virtually for jobs and colleges, and access community resources.
Participants in WJCS Shelanu (“Ours”) and Supper Club programs, both of which are supportive communities for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, enjoyed an outing to Manhattan, which included warming up with hot cocoa in Bryant Park.
We’re excited to announce a new program for individuals with special needs: the WJCS Wellness Incentive and Support Program. In partnership with UJA Westchester & The Butler Foundation, clients will learn cooking skills, participate in fitness & wellness classes, build community, and make friends in a supportive space!
WJCS joined UJA-Federation of NY in Scarsdale to create flower arrangements for Holocaust Survivors in the WJCS Share Shabbat program. Helga Ludin, a member of our WJCS Holocaust Survivor program, shared her powerful story. The flowers were delivered to survivors along with a delicious kosher Shabbat dinner. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers!
WJCS Yonkers NNORC (Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) continues to ease the way for seniors in Northeast Yonkers to age safely in place. Some of their events this month include meditation, chair yoga, Tai Chi, and art classes.
GREAT GRANT NEWS
We are so grateful to the kindness of our donors, supportive government officials, and generous foundations.
WJCS has received a $200,000 award through the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program to update our cybersecurity resources and purchase new servers for our clinics, headquarters, and co-location sites.
The WJCS Yonkers Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) has received a 5-year renewal from New York State Office for the Aging. The NNORC seeks to transform the community into a vibrant environment where seniors can age comfortably in their homes.
Kids’ Club Tarrytown has awarded WJCS a $10,000 grant to provide under-resourced families in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow access to high-quality ParentChild+ home visitation enrichment services.
VOLUNTEER AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER!
Give back to our community by becoming a WJCS Volunteer! We are always looking for volunteers in our programs throughout Westchester. Click here to get involved!
Planning for our WJCS 2025 Gala is in full swing! It will take place on Tuesday, April 8, at 6:30pm at the Brae Burn Country Club. We are proud to be honoring Joel S. Beckman and Gillian Rittmaster. RSVP today! Click here to purchase tickets and packages.
Interested in becoming a Gala Corporate Sponsor? Click here to view our Sponsorship Opportunities!
