News

Getting to Know… Tyiesha Baptiste
JSDD News
Staff

  Name: Tyiesha Baptiste   Title: Recently promoted to Senior Manager of West Orange and Passaic Ave. Group Homes.   How long have you been with JSDD? 11 years   Was this the position you started in? Started as a Direct Support Professional (DSP)   What is your first memory of JSDD? I am not sure about my first memory, but the early memories are working with another staff member, Bitango, and observing how the staff treated the residents like family. Sheronda was the manager of the home to which I was assigned, and I immediately loved the way she ran the house. I also remember how funny and loving the residents were from the start.  I knew if I […]

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Shabbat – Friday, April 8th, 2022
JSDD News

  As the weeks go by, everyone is feeling more comfortable using the new technology of Microsoft Teams for the virtual Shabbat gatherings. Alicia and Hannah said the blessing over the candles together. Daniel Z led the blessing over the grape juice and the challah.   Hagit, the Judaic coordinator taught the group about the weekly torah portion, “Metzora.” In this portion, we learn about diseases and our bodies. It also discusses harmful speech and reminds us of the power that words have on one another. This reminded Rachel of a favorite song by Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind” and she asked that Hagit play the song for the group.  The song says that being humble can be tough but […]

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Shabbat – Friday, April 1st, 2022
JSDD News

  Shabbat this week, Rachel, Judy and Stacy C. said the blessings over the candles together. Aaron and Todd said blessings over the grape juice and challah.  The torah portion for the week, “Tzaria” describes the rituals for after a woman gives birth and how to handle impurities on the skin. The lesson that Hagit, the Judaic Coordinator, discussed is that Judaism encourages us not to gossip. Stacy agreed that gossiping or talking behind someone’s back does not make people feel good. The group continued to talk about Passover which is coming up in less than two weeks. Everyone is looking forward to the third virtual Sedar, (traditional Passover meal). Stacy thanks everyone for the comfort they gave her while […]

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Shabbat – Friday, March 25th, 2022
JSDD News

Shabbat celebrations began this week with songs in both Hebrew and English. When it was time for the prayers, Alicia said the blessings over the candles followed by Mark chanting the blessings over the grape juice and the challah. The group learned about the torah portion “Sh’mini”. The portion begins with offerings to G-d. This portion goes on to explain the rules for being kosher. During the portion, two of Aaron’s sons die. The group talk about and how devastated Aaron was after their passing. He was so shocked; he was not able to speak. The group discussed that it is ok to have space for silence and that there is a lot that can be learned by staying quiet […]

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PFLAG Chapter President William Placek to Speak at LGBTQ+ WAE Virtual Meeting on April 19

PFLAG Chapter President William Placek to Speak at LGBTQ+ WAE Virtual Meeting on April 19
WAE Center News

William Placek, PFLAG Chapter president, will speak at the April 19 LGBTQ+ WAE group’s virtual meeting, starting at 7pm. LGBTQ+ WAE provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ adults with developmental disabilities to interact with others who share similar experiences. New members are welcome. The LGBTQ+ WAE group will host a special presenter from PFLAG at their April 19 Zoom meeting from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Speaker William Placek MSW, LSW (he/him) is the President of PFLAG Jersey Shore & the Regional Director supporting PFLAG Chapters in NY, NJ, & PA. William will educate the group about the history, mission and services of PFLAG and will lead an interactive discussion about PFLAG in New Jersey, including how the organization has […]

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