JSDD News

Senior Manager, Lakita P., demonstrates a remarkable level of enthusiasm for the residents and staff for whom she is responsible and supervises.  Lakita began working for JSDD 3 years ago when she was hired as an Assistant Manager where she demonstrated her passion for supporting our residents.  Her dedication to the agency was recognized and she was quickly promoted to Manager and then Senior Manager. Her organizational skills and ability to juggle and manage multiple demands have proven to be exceptional. “I love my job and each resident.  Also, I am fortunate to be working with many remarkable DSP’s (Direct Support Professionals).  Each morning when I wake up, I reflect on the importance of my responsibilities and it always makes […]

This summer the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ organized a program called Summer Volunteer Opportunities, which provided volunteers a chance to make an impact in the lives of others.  While JSDD generally has many opportunities available to volunteers to work directly with the men and women we support, this summer, the typical face to face, personal interactions were not an option.  JSDD does, however, have homes with outdoor flower beds that were in need of some tender loving care.   Volunteers Amy and Louis Nocito happily responded to this request.  They arrived at the JSDD Maplewood home on a sunny afternoon with their caring hands and planted colorful flowers while practicing social distancing. Their small act of kindness brought beauty […]

Leon and Toby Cooperman believe in giving back to the community. Their generosity and commitment were visible one August Sunday morning when they stopped by a construction site just off the Route 10 traffic circle in Livingston, NJ.

No ordinary construction project, this site is the future home of The Cooperman Family Campus, the new home of the not-for-profit Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD) and its WAE Center. The 17,300 sq. ft. state-of-the-art building project at 310 Eisenhower Pkwy is being made possible, in a large part, due to a generous $2.5 million gift from The Cooperman Family Foundation.

The Coopermans, who recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary, chatted with JSDD board member Larry Rein during their visit about why they chose to contribute to JSDD’s capital campaign for this much-needed facility.

On the last Friday in July, Shabbat was welcomed in with a deep and rich Jewish tradition of storytelling on Zoom lead, once again, by JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator, Hagit.  The story Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller was featured.  The residents were delighted in the recognition that they have been living this story as they work together to make the world a better place by being kind to each other every day.  A video on Jewish Foods lead to a discussion of how the traditional Israeli salad is made from finely chopped diced tomato, onion, cucumber, bell pepper and tossed with olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Another delicious traditional Jewish stew, Cholent, is eaten during Shabbat for lunch.  The […]

Diana R is the Manager of the Millburn and Whippany homes.  She is caring, extremely focused and detail oriented. Her tenure at JSDD began in the Millburn home and she, subsequently, transferred to Whippany as Assistant Manager where, eventually her diligent work ethic was rewarded with a promotion to Manager.  This year Diana was promoted to Senior Manager with increased responsibility for two homes.  “I have grown and learned a great deal these past years. Working during the pandemic has brought great challenges and it has been extremely hard at times,” said Diana. She always makes it her top priority to see to it that her staff and all the residents are safe and well.   “The staff I work with […]