About Us

Mission

1978

JESPY House was established

300

Currently serving adult clients with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities 

24/7

JESPY House provides constant care for our clients

South Orange-based JESPY House is a non-profit organization that has supported adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for over 45 years. Clients, age 18 and up, are guided in various areas along their journey to independence and leading fulfilling lives. JESPY’s philosophy is to promote self-direction, choice, and independent community living. Clients come from across the country to build lives in a community they can call their own.

In conjunction with clients and their families, JESPY works to break down communication and physical barriers they may have experienced to ensure that all clients have access to opportunities for full inclusion and advancement in their undertakings.

To that end, JESPY continuously advocates for the rights of those with disabilities; works to increase public awareness surrounding disability issues and concerns; and disseminates essential information and support to assist clients and their families in making informed choices about their lives and their future.

JESPY House History

In the beginning: 1978 - Jespy House opens with four clients and three staff, 1981 - First Jespy Client Moves into Community-Based Setting with Support Services, 1982 - First Jespy Couple Marries. Over a Dozen Couples Have Married Since, 1989 - Jespy Purchases First Multi-Use Site For Recreation and Vocational Services, 1990 - Jespy Becomes a Beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ, 1998 - Laurie House, Jespy's First Residential House, opens for 6 clients.

Present Day: 2010 - Judith Schechner Recreation & Wellness Center Opens, 2018 - Jespy Celebrates 40th anniversary with 250 clients and 90 staff, 2019 - The Michael Och House, a center for aging at Jespy opens for 9 clients, 2020 - Jespy goes virtual with over 100 weekly activities for clients, 2021 - Independence House, Jespy's 6th Residential House, opens for 6 clients, 2022 - Celebrates grand opening of Tico's Gym at the Jespy clubhouse.