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Mindy S. Cohen, LMSW
ext 108
Director of Special Needs
Bio
mcohen@jcconthehudson.org

Tricia Gressel,
CSW
ext. 144
Westchester Network for People with Disabilities coordinator
Bio
Super Sunday is
funded by a grant
from the Westchester
County Department
of Community Mental
Health and UJA-Federation
of New York Butler Fund.
SHADE (Sleepy Hollow Academy for Disability Education)
is a partnership between our JCC and the Tarrytown Union
Free School District. In this unique work-study program,
high school students learn skills
and techniques which will prepare them for working with
children who have special needs. The students earn
money as they engage in a supervised internship, learn about
job skills, build confidence, and self-esteem. Special needs
children benefit from the relationships built with
their "buddies". SHADE is modeled after the Special Needs
Training Institute, a long standing successful JCC program.
We are thrilled to collaborate with our local school system
and are very encouraged by the outstanding enrollment and
enthusiasm.
NEW
Saturdays at the J
begin October 17
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Special Needs
Services
Children
Super Sunday
(6-12 Years)
(formerly the Special
Children’s Program) The focus in Super Sunday is
on each individual child. To help children navigate the
social world successfully, the program is designed to
increase opportunities for peer socialization and
opportunities to practice the socialization skills learned
in the program. Each child gains confidence by making
independent choices geared to his/her special needs.
Leader: Kim Kaczmarek,
Special Education Teacher Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Trip days, 11:00 a.m.-3:30
p.m. 22 sessions begin October 25
Fee: $200 (includes trip
fees)
X-Ray Vision Club
(Grades 5-8)
Social Skills Workshop Have you ever wished you
could know what other people are thinking? In this class
we’ll learn how to use our social skills to tune up our
x-ray vision and understand what’s going on in other
people’s heads. We’ll have fun learning through real life
situation rehearsals, improvisation, playing games,
communication building exercises, pragmatics, and
discussions on topics from making friends to dealing with
bullies. With support from experienced professionals and
neurotypical teen volunteers, we will have lots of fun
practicing these skills. To schedule an intake interview,
contact Mindy Cohen, ext. 108.
Instructor: TBA
Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. 15 sessions begin September
23, January 27 Fees: $450, JCC member $400
New Opportunities in Almost
Home
(Grades K-6)
Special education
professionals and Special Needs Training Institute
participants (see Teens) assist children with developmental
and physical disabilities within the Almost Home after
school program (see Grade School.) All activities are
available to all students enrolled. To schedule a required
intake interview, contact Mindy Cohen, ext. 108. New Opportunities is made
possible through a grant from the Hudson Valley
Developmental Disabilities Services Office.
SKIP: Special Kids Interesting Places
(Grades K-6) SKIP is a full day school
vacation program specially staffed and modified to provide
children with developmental disabilities and delays the
opportunity to participate in Vacation Sensations and
Vacation SPORTSations. Intakes are required. Register for as
many or as few days as you like. Each day begins and ends at
the JCC. See Grade School.
SKIP is funded in part by
the Dr. William and Mrs. Esther Frishman Family Fund, an
endowment for programs benefiting children with special
needs. Donations to the Frishman Family Fund are welcome.
Camp BaShemesh
(Ages 6-14)
Camp BaShemesh provides a
unique inclusive summer experience for children with mild to
moderate developmental and learning disabilities. See Camps Program support is
provided by a grant from the Westchester Program Services
Cabinet of UJA-Federation of New York.
Saturday Night Out
(Ages 10-13) Let’s face it; children don’t
always want
their parents accompanying them to
activities. This supervised program offers kids a venue to
socialize on the weekends with their friends. Parents drop
off their child at a designated place which might be
bowling, movies, sport events, local plays or a restaurant.
Children begin to build independence as they learn how to
manage money, behave in a safe and appropriate manner in the
community, and interact with one another during a fun social
activities.
Facilitator: TBA
Saturdays, October 3,
November 7,December 5,January 9,
February 6, March 6
Fee: $200
Our Space @ JCC
(Ages 14-19 with high
functioning autism)
This new social networking
and peer group
development program will include
games, bingo, charades, karaoke, twister, role-plays and
activities limited only by the interests of the
participants. Forming and sustaining friendships, building
conversational skills and expanding interests will be
encouraged. Discussions, led by a social worker, focus on
relevant topics including dating, life after high school,
vocational goals, self image, and others chosen by members.
Alternate Saturday evening trips, determined and planned by
the members, offer the opportunity for teens to socialize
and continue to build independence and
community-relatedness.
Facilitator: Tricia Gressel, CSW Friday, 4:15-5:45
p.m. 14 sessions begin September
25, January 29 Fee: $210 This program is offered
in collaboration with Westchester Jewish Community Services
and funding by the J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation.
Building Bridges
(Ages 19-25 with mild disabilities)
Life after high school
presents new challenges; independent living, job searching,
and dating. This social/support group will provide social
opportunities and a place for participants to develop
connections and coping skills through discussion and role
playing, where members will be able to rehearse and adjust
to new experiences.Facilitator: Tricia Gressel,
CSW
Thursday, 4:30-6:00 p.m. 14 sessions begin September
24, January 28 Fees: $140 or $10/session
_________________________________________
Adults
Westchester Network for People with Disabilities (WNPD)
Westchester Network for
People with Disabilities is a social and recreational program for adults
with physical disabilities. The Network provides unique opportunities
and experiences that promote interaction between the physically
challenged and the general public in an effort to foster new
friendships, and help create a sense of community.
Telephone Conferencing
Network takes place every other
week. Disabled adults get a chance to converse with peers through a
one-hour telephone conference. This program provides an opportunity for
open discussions on issues that impact participants.
WNPD is a collaborative
project between the JCC on the Hudson, Beth Abraham Adult Health Care
Center, United Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, Westchester Disabled on
the Move, Westchester Independent Living Center, the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, and the Westchester County Office of the Disabled.
This
program is funded through a grant from the J. E. and Z. B. Butler Family
Foundation, with support from the Westchester Arts Council, and the United Way of
Westchester/Putnam .
WNPD Outings and Events
A Chorus Line
Saturday, March 6 White Plains performing Arts Center
2:00 p.m. performance, dinner following performance Cost: $25
Broadway Benefit Performance
Saturday, March 20 Yorktown Stage Productions 1974
Commerce St., Yorktown Heights 8:00 p.m. performance
Cost: $35
Empire State Casino Friday, April 2 810 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers Dinner and Show 6:00-11:00 p.m. Call for more
details
Rhinebeck Flea Market/Garage Sale
Saturday, April 17 Duchess Country Fairgrounds
meet at the JCC 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Playland Opening Day
Saturday, May 8 vendors, food and music Meet in front
of the fountain by the opening gates Noon-6:00 p.m.
Call for more details.
Stormville Flea Market
Saturday, May 29 Dinner at Cracker Barrel Restaurant
Meet at the JCC 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Cost: dinner
Ossining Street Fair
Saturday, June 12 Meet at the bandstand at 1:00 p.m.
1:00-5:00 p.m.
South Street Seaport
Saturday, June 26 Boat ride, shopping lunch Meet at
the JCC 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Cost: individual expenses
"The News in Revue"
Saturday, June 5 Comedy at the Emelin Theatre 153
Library Lane, Mamaroneck Meet at theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Showtime 8:00 p.m. Cost: $30
_________________________________________
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Stefani M. Cohen,
LCSW, B'yachad Coordinator, ext. 102 -
Bio
Ruth Rosenblum, LCSW - bio
B’Yachad is offered in
partnership with Westchester Jewish Community Services as
part of UJA-Federation of New York’s Partners in Caring
program initiative. Programs offered through B’Yachad are
free to JCC members and members of the Rivertown Jewish
Consortium participating agencies.
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B'yachad (Together)
B’Yachad,
the JCC Social Services Department, provides on-site counseling and
support to members of the JCC, the general community, and the Rivertown
synagogues. Among the programs Stefani and
Ruth
facilitate
are individual and group counseling, family workshops, and information
and referrals on an as needed basis. Please call 366.7898, ext. 102 for
more information.
The following support
groups are
available.
•
Children of divorce
•
Siblings of special needs children
•
Parents of special needs children
• Newly
single
•
Caring for an elderly parent or ill spouse
Reservations are
requested for all programs.
Network for Parents of
Elementary and Middle School Children
Parenting is the hardest job
on Earth. Join other parents to discuss the challenges and
rewards, and to address topics such as:
Fostering an Attitude of Gratitude Strengthening Children’s
Social Skills Keeping Lines of
Communication Open Loving without Indulging Facilitator: Stefani M.
Cohen, LCSW Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. October 13, November 10,
December 8, January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May
11 Fee: $10/session, JCC and RJC
members free
Support Group for Parents of
Children with Special Needs
This is an opportunity for
parents of children with special needs and challenges to
share experiences and take time to care for themselves. In
addition to discussions, there will be journaling, and time
to learn and practice relaxation exercises.
Facilitators: Ruth Rosenblum,
LCSW, and Stefani M. Cohen, LCSW Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. October 15, November 12,
December 17, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 15
Fee: $10/session, JCC and RJC
members free
Living with the Loss of a
Pet Anyone who has ever shared
their life with a four-footed companion knows how special
this relationship is. When a beloved companion animal dies
there is often a large void. Society as a whole does not
provide any rituals for helping to deal with this loss. This
support group will attempt to do this. Please bring
a picture of your animal in spirit. Facilitator: Stefani M.
Cohen, LCSW
Mondays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. March 15, April 19, May 17 Fee: $10/session, JCC and RJC
members free
Living in an Age of Anxiety
This workshop will explore
ways to manage daily stress and how the media effects our
perceptions. Tips for remaining resilient and optimistic
will be shared. Facilitator: Stefani M.
Cohen. LCSW
Tuesday November 17,
7:30-9:00 p.m.
Fee: $10, JCC and RJC members
free
Guarantee Your Values Live
On: Writing an Ethical Will Ethical wills, an ancient
Jewish tradition, can be an important spiritual tool for the
writer and recipients. This is a unique opportunity to
clarify personal values, look at examples of ethical wills
and begin writing our own. Facilitator: Stefani M.
Cohen, LCSW
Tuesday, December 15,
7:30-9:00 p.m. Fee: $10, JCC and RJC members
free
Becoming an Approachable
Parent
This workshop will explore
strategies to keeping communication lines open between our
children and ourselves, and to ensure that they feel safe
and trust us to really “hear them.“ Facilitator: Stefani M.
Cohen, LCSW
Monday, April 12, 7:30-9:00
p.m. Fee: $10, JCC and RJC members free

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