100 Days of Impact: Week 6

We empower individuals with special needs. When you make a contribution to JFund (formerly the Annual Campaign), your dollars go towards empowering programming for those of all ages living with special needs. We wanted to take this week to highlight two such programs. 

 

Open Hearts/Open Doors

Open Hearts/Open Doors, a program of the Katz Jewish Community Center (JCC), provides accommodations for children with special needs, allowing them to fully participate with age-appropriate peers in the JCC Camps at Medford and the Kindercamp programs in Cherry Hill. 

 

Over 120 campers participate each summer in this program. We fill a niche few can and continue to grow as those who need our services can reach out to us. People are looking for a truly inclusive experience, and we work hard to ensure every camper has a fun and rewarding time. 

 

Open Hearts/Open Doors has an exciting summer ahead, coupled with a new director and an exciting new curriculum. One of the new highlights this summer is the Learn to Ride a Bike program at Camp Hilltop, working with a company that has created bikes specifically meant for inclusion. 

 

Soups & Sweets

Now in its third year, Soups & Sweets, a program of Samost Jewish Family & Children's Service (JFCS), trains adults with special needs to work in the food service industry. Program participants learn how to work in a kitchen and prepare a variety of soups and desserts, which are sold to individuals, businesses, and organizations in the community.

 

Soups & Sweets is in the process of moving to its new home at the Jewish Federation's Annex at 1721 Springdale Road. On Good Deeds Day - Sunday, March 15 - we invite the community to help Soups & Sweets stock their new kitchen with much needed culinary supplies! We're hosting a virtual "shower" for their new kitchen. A "shower" registry has been set up at Bed, Bath & Beyond with everything they need for their new home under the name "Jewish Federation" (first and last name respectively). You can shop online here or in-store and drop off your gift at the Annex. 

 

These programs are just the tip of the iceberg. 

 

The Jewish Federation offers many other programs for those living with special needs. We seek to empower all those living in this community and continue to make South Jersey a thriving and vibrant place for Jewish living.