Community Involvement
As important contributors to the South Orange, NJ community and beyond, JESPY clients have participated in a number of community-based projects with the goal of helping others. Several of those activities and projects are outlined below.
Food Drive Success for MEND!
Many caring supporters made our JESPY House Food Drive was 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 Chilli Pepper van to collect the donations. The van was welcomed by several JESPY clients including client Jessica M., who is a proud MEND volunteer. Items collected included cereal, jars of peanut butter, pasta, and shelf-stable milk.
Interfaith Breakfast
JESPY hosted “Coffee and Conversation with JESPY House” in conjunction with Rabbi Matt Gewirtz of Temple B’Nai Jeshurun (Short Hills) and Father Brian Needles of Our Lady of Sorrows Church (South Orange). The interfaith breakfast brought together leaders of the religious community and several JESPY clients for a morning centered on connection and dialogue.
The clients’ personal stories offered insight into the impact of our programs and services, highlighting JESPY’s ongoing commitment to supporting adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in leading full and independent lives.
In Celebration of Crossing Guards!
The Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast was a wonderful celebration of community partnership and gratitude. Hosted by Walk Bike Ride South Orange in collaboration with JESPY House and the Maplewood and South Orange Police Departments. In addition to the crossing guards, attendees included several JESPY clients; Sargeant 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.
JESPY Trivia Night
Trivia Night - A Community Friendraiser for JESPY House, hosted by Felina Steak, was a great event! The evening was filled with great trivia, fun, and delicious eats. The successful event was attended by JESPY supporters, staff, clients, and board members. Prizes for the Top 3 winning teams included Bob's, Eataly, and Faubourg gift cards.
Inclusive Healthy Community (IHC) Project
The collaboration of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP), JESPY House, and SRS Strategic Associates was recently awarded additional funding from the NJ Department of Health (NJ DoH), Division of Disability Services (DDS) to continue the NJACP-JESPY Model Inclusive Healthy Community (IHC) grant project that began in January 2021.
The NJACP-JESPY Model partners NJACP, SRS, JESPY House, JESPY’s clients, and the South Orange, NJ community to create a more inclusive healthy community for adults with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities (I/DD). The outcomes of the grant will benefit not only people with I/DD, but also individuals with physical disabilities and the community-at-large. Key project components include enhancing accessibility and walkability; placing persons with I/DD on committees that will have an impact on policy, practice, and decision-making in South Orange (SO); and adapting the model so it’s applicable across New Jersey.
The NJACP-JESPY Model project recently completed its two-year cycles. For a complete project overview, click the button below.
Shade Tree Project
JESPY worked in conjunction with the South Orange Environmental Commission's Shade Tree Group (as part of the IHC project) to identifying areas in the community where shade trees should be planted. In addition to determining locales for shade trees, JESPY clients learned areas where tree stumps should be removed and enjoyed an educational presentation on the importance of shade trees for the environment and the community.
Clients participated in a planting at Stop & Shop and also planted a pollinator garden at JESPY. Clients are excited about being part of a shade tree donated by JESPY. Within the South Orange community, 175 shade trees were planted in Spring of 2022 with another 175 trees slated for fall.
Also, to contribute to enhancing, beautifying, and protecting the environment, JESPY joined the Shade Tree Group and the Department of Public Works on November 28, 2022 to plant three shade trees in the area of Meadowbrook Place in South Orange.
Clients have participated in the Group since the summer of 2021 when David Kraiker, who convenes the Group, and Group member Jessica Miller visited JESPY’s Judi House to conduct a presentation about the role clients could play.
Warmth Project
The JESPY House Social Action Committee annually participates in the Warmth Project. The project involves clients anonymously distributing warmth items throughout the South Orange community.
The Warmth Project provides new gloves, hats, mittens, and scarves for those who are in need of the items during the winter months.
During early December, JESPY House Client Social Action Committee volunteers will affix the items to poles and signs around South Orange, along with an encouraging note. In previous years, the Committee has found that those in need take these items and have been grateful for the important act of kindness.
In Support of Animals
Several JESPY clients did their part to support the Township of Union Animal Shelter by collecting pet supplies and goods. They participated in the collection as part of the #bettywhitechallenge, named after the legendary actress Betty white, who had an affinity for animals.