Amy Gideon

One week ago today, the LGBTQ+ WAE group gathered for the first meeting of 2022.  On the agenda was: A discussion about Martin Luther King Day, voting rights and equal rights.  Ultimately the group decided to write a letter to congress expressing their thoughts and observations about the current issues impacting Americans.  Writing the letter was primarily an exercise that fueled a very engaged discussion amongst everyone present. This group gathers to learn and listen to one another and share their life experiences in ways both similar and different.  The group fosters camaraderie, fun and the sharing of ideas big and small. LGBTQ+ WAE meets the third Tuesday of each month, at 7pm via Zoom.  The group is open and […]

On Friday, May 10th the WAE Center showcased its talented members during an hour filled with poetry, dancing, stories and songs.  Our members all performed along with WAE Center volunteer Elissa.  We were entertained by Angel singing, Hassanah singing a duet with Elissa, jokester Robert, Roberto, and Alicia.   An award for heroism was presented to Erin by John Skillen and Jay.  

WAE Works is a group of artist and entrepreneurs who come together under JSDD’s WAE Center Workability program.  The program introduces skills and techniques to emerging artists which engages the participants to create art using their individual forms of expression.  Program facilitators help these artists design products to sell from their artwork and aid them in developing professional standards of completion.  Proceeds from the sale of these items directly fund the artists themselves and WAE Center programs. The WAE Beyond program offers individuals with developmental disabilities, ages 16 and over, opportunities to gather afternoons and evenings during the week to interact and experience new learning opportunities in arts and personal enrichment. All the WAE Beyond workshops are inclusive and open to all.

The club was started by two former students’ way back in 2010 and continues to thrive.  Alison K. was honored last month with a special award in recognition of her recent success with the international post card exchange (aka, Postcrossing).     Alison has been an active member of the WAE Center’s Pen Pal Club since 2014.  She signed up for the post card exchange on 12/31/18 and has already received more than twenty cards from such countries as Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Russia.     Here is a photo of Alison with her award and a photo taken at a recent meeting of the PPC: Quiana (staff), Alison; in front, L to […]

from slavery unto freedom, from sorrow unto joy, from mourning unto festive gladness from darkness unto light Wishing you and your families a sweet Pesach.  We hope that you are all surrounded by loving family and friends. We cannot begin to thank you for helping to give dignity and purpose to our JSDD/WAE Center members.  You are all valued and appreciated. Fondly, Ellen and Alan