Special Needs
The Center’s program is committed to helping the community through activities designed to develop physical and social skills for individuals with special needs. The program features small participant-staff ratios and offerings such as adaptive aquatics, social groups, family events and recreational social skills classes.
As evidence of our programming excellence, demand for our classes, social groups and events has grown substantially since 2006 when the JCCNV first introduced its Special Needs program. As a result of the increased demand and support by the community, we are excited to announce that we will be adding additional staff to the department in the new year which will help us to grow the program based on the community’s needs.
One of our flagship programs continues to be our summer social skills camp which offers morning therapy and afternoon inclusion programs. This summer, camp has been renamed “Kadima,” which means “forward” or “Let’s go!,” and will be run solely by the JCCNV as we bring the staffing resources in-house. Although we are no longer partnering on camp with JSSA, we will continue to partner with JSSA on other projects throughout the year.
We’ll look forward to receiving your camp registrations in January and to seeing you at our many programs!
Jessica Tischler and Melissa Hochberg
Get Involved! Special Needs Committee
Chair: Maxine Cohen
Co-chair: Lynne Sprung
Our Special Needs Committee meets every six weeks and is comprised of people in the community linked in some way with special needs. Whether it is having a child or family member with a special need, or working in the field, the committee is a group of dedicated individuals working together to help the JCCNV develop its programming to meet the needs of the community. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the committee or volunteering for one of our projects, please contact Jessica Tischler at JessicaT@jccnv.org.
KOVOD Award for Collaborative Community Partnerships
We are delighted to share some exciting news with you regarding our Special Needs’ Going Places program! The JCCNV and JSSA have been chosen as the 2nd place winner for the 2012 Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) KOVOD Award for Collaborative Community Partnerships for the Going Places! Social Club program. Each year, the AJFCA reviews award submissions received from member organizations throughout the United States and Canada.
Jointly designed, Going Places! is a unique social club, now in its 5th year, that enables young adults with Asperger’s syndrome (a form of autism) to surmount the hurdle that most limits their lives and achievements – poor social and communication skills. Participation in the Going Places! social club introduces group members to new people, brings them out into the community to have fun, and strengthens their interactions with others – all within the safety of a structured program. Please join the Center in thanking the JCCNV and JSSA staff involved in this program for the wonderful partnership they have developed over the past few years. Together, the JCCNV and JSSA have grown and expanded the Going Places! program to reach hundreds of teens and adults 30+ in Northern Virginia and in Maryland. Bravo!
Merit Finalist for the 2010 Mutual of America Community Partnership Awards
The JCCNV, in partnership with JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) is proud to announce that the Going Places! social clubs were named a Merit Finalist for the 2010 Mutual of America Community Partnership Awards. The award honors the contribution that nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private and other social sector organizations, make to society. To date, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 150 partnerships from cities and towns across America, expanding public awareness of their work an helping them attract additional partners and new sponsors.
These programs are substantially underwritten by:
Alexander Greenbaum Philanthropic Fund, Children’s Charities Foundation, Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool, Harry and Zoe Poole Foundation and The Washington Group Special Care Planning Team.
