Learning Disabled Adults Show Talents at JESPY House

The only such program in New Jersey and one of less than a dozen similar programs in the country, JESPY House, in South Orange, serves a population that traditionally falls through the cracks: adults with learning disabilities who traditionally would have gone to group homes or become lost within the mental health system.
 
There are currently 160 adults of all ages in the JESPY system who are receiving the training, skills development, and vocational support necessary to become active and productive community participants. Unlike residents of most group homes, JESPY residents are an integral part of South Orange community — going to restaurants, the library, supermarkets, the town pool and community center.
 
One of these adults is Yuri, who moved into the JESPY residence seven months ago. He had graduated high school several years earlier and earned a degree in events planning but couldn't find or keep a job. He was basically sitting at home watching TV and (getting into trouble) on the internet. He had no friends and no social life.
 
Within a month of moving in he was placed in a volunteer position at Daughters of Israel (a geriatric and rehabilitation center in West Orange), where he worked as a transporter for the residents. He became very friendly with some of them, particularly the Russian-speaking residents, with whom he spoke Russian.
 
When Daughters’ staff discovered this hidden skill, they hired him as a translator and computer tutor for one day a week. Yuri volunteers the rest of the week. He now has many friends and a very active social life. As a result of his continually improving life skills and experience, JESPY staff hope that they will soon be able to find him a full-time job and eventually move him into his own apartment in the community.
 
JESPY House is a partner agency of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ in Whippany. The information above was supplied by the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ in Whippany.