The missing piece

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The local JCC has weekday programs, noted Gayle Fremed, director of the special needs department there, the Pizza with Pals monthly program and Soulmates twice a month. “Both programs have typically developing peers, high school and college students, who socially interact with students. This way they can model socialization and communication skills for the special needs participants.” As for a Shabbat program, she said, “We can’t do it; we are not open on Saturday.”

Madraigos has a morning program, Monday through Thursday, called Tal Techiya for 18 to 24 year olds. It’s an alternative learning program with social workers and social work interns, a transition program to guide students to college, yeshiva, and work. “It’s based on the need in the community,’ said Rabbi Josh Zern, executive director of Madraigos. “We identified the morning group as a need; we were not approached (regarding a Shabbat group) as a particular need so we haven’t developed it at all. Whatever the community needs and we can identify it and it is within our mission, we will gladly provide it. Out program has been growing exponentially over the years. If there is anything we can do, we are more than willing to help.”

“There definitely is a need for graduates of programs, a big need,” said Avigail Silberman, Manager of Ohel’s group home in Cedarhurst. She noted that there are Shabbatons, after school programs and Sunday programs up to age 21 and that Ohel has a dating program for special needs adults. Noting that two of the residents there are high functioning, she added, “if enough call we may set something up. There are not much social opportunities.”

Kulanu, a local school that serves the special needs population currently serves up to age 21 but has the capabilities to incorporate other ages. “He should contact us,” said Jonathan Cooper, director of the social service part of Kulanu and a social worker there. “That’s how programs get started,” he explained. “Someone says, ‘I need something; I want something.’ If we get enough people we start a program.”

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