Naomi Wish's Mitzvah Project!
How fortunate I am, to be able to celebrate my Bat Mitzvah at the age of 85. As part of this meaningful milestone, I am taking on a mitzvah project, just as the Jewish kids do.
For my project, I am raising funds for JESPY House, which provides life-changing services to over 400 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This organization is especially meaningful to me, as it is the community that will support my grandson, Max, as he continues to grow toward independence.
I would be truly grateful for a donation of any amount. Every contribution helps me reach my Mitzvah Project goal and makes a real difference.
With love and gratitude,
Naomi Wish
JESPY House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Tax ID 22-2186490.
Thank you for choosing to support Naomi Wish with a donation to the Go Big for JESPY Campaign!
JESPY is truly one of a kind. It offers full wraparound services within a walkable community - giving individuals the opportunity to live, work, and fully participate in daily life with dignity and purpose.
Through JESPY, adults with IDD receive support in areas such as:
- Employment readiness, job coaching, and workplace skills (both hard and soft skills)
- Supervised housing to learn independent living skills such as meal planning, shopping, cooking, budgeting, and safety
- Health and wellness, including personal fitness training and nutrition counseling
- Social development, including building meaningful friendships
- Recreation and enrichment through art, music, theater, trips, and Special Olympics
- Public transportation training to navigate the community independently
Every service is designed to help individuals reach their personal goals and live as independently as possible.
Right now, this support is more critical than ever. Medicaid funds all adult disability services in New Jersey, and with potential budget cuts scheduled for the end of 2026, organizations like JESPY need community support to continue providing these essential programs.
For our family, this cause is deeply personal. JESPY represents opportunity, dignity, and a future where Max - and so many others - can build meaningful, independent lives. Knowing a place like this exists gives us hope.
JESPY has a bold and responsive plan to achieve our mission for all of our clients, today and tomorrow.
JESPY House is a trusted nonprofit organization that has flourished and thrived for nearly 50 years to advance independence for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Clients have remained part of JESPY for decades, buildings have expanded to evolve with the programs, employers in South Orange and surrounding communities have embraced JESPY clients, and families have peace of mind and heart knowing JESPY is doing what it can, will, and must for their loved one.
With decades of accomplishments, JESPY now looks to the future. To learn about Go Big for JESPY, The JESPY Center, or The Young Adult Hub, please click HERE.
Develop 66 new units of housing
for clients in all life stages.
Improve client diversity through targeted outreach and
program development.
Expand facilities to provide more programs and services.
Upgrade accessibility and technology to improve
client services.
Strengthen partnerships to respond to new opportunities.
Increase diversification of funding sources so JESPY continues to thrive.
In July 2023, philanthropists Toby and Leon Cooperman presented an extraordinary challenge to the JESPY Community. The Cooperman Family offered a challenge grant of $13.25 Million – a transformational gift that will impact generations of JESPY clients. With excitement and urgency to unlock the Cooperman match, JESPY seeks philanthropic gifts to raise an additional $13.25 Million dedicated to the Go Big for JESPY campaign.
With your help, we will meet the Cooperman challenge of $13.25M and ultimately reach and exceed our goal.
Your gift today is long-lasting and life-changing for JESPY clients of today and tomorrow.
Thank you for celebrating this special moment with me!
- Naomi
Ways to Give (click to open)
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Cash gifts
via personal, bank, or Donor Advised Fund check may be sent to:
76 South Orange Avenue, Suite 205
South Orange NJ 07079
Multi-year Pledges
Please contact Amy Engel to submit a Go Big for JESPY Letter of Intent to make your commitment.
Stocks and Securities
Make a long-term impact by donating stocks or other securities which you have held for one year or more. Please contact Amy Engel at aengel@jespy.org or 973-437-3770 to apprise us of your intent to make a stock transfer and we will put you in touch with our broker at Merrill Lynch. Providing us with this information ensures stock gifts are appropriately attributed to the donor as the donor's name is not provided with the stock information.
Planned Gifts
We welcome your commitment to JESPY’s future through a bequest, beneficiary designation, or other planned gift valued over $5,000. We are grateful to those loyal supporters who want to ensure their legacy furthers JESPY’s mission in years to come. Please contact Amy Engel to discuss and to make your commitment with a Go Big for JESPY Letter of Intent.
Matching Gifts through your employer may be an opportunity to double or triple the size of your gift or pledge. Please meet with your employer’s Human Resources representative to determine if you are eligible for a matching gift to JESPY House.
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FOR A CONVERSATION REGARDING LEADERSHIP GIFTS AND/OR NAMING OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT
Amy Engel, aengel@jespy.org, 973-437-3770
Director of Development, Marketing & Community Relations
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Gifts of $25,000 or more may be payable over a three-year period. Contact Amy Engel at 973-473-3770 today.
Need More Information?
For a conversation about your Leadership Gift and Naming Opportunities, please contact
Amy Engel, Director of Development, Marketing and Community Relations at 973-437-3770 or aengel@jespy.org.