Staff

From the Desk of Harry Klein, Director, JSDD WAE Center When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the WAE community over 2 years ago, the staff scrambled to figure out how to stay connected with our members. By May of 2020, we were hosting 4 virtual classes per week. This was a huge accomplishment for those of us who had never even heard of zoom before! This new virtual program was named “WAE to Connect”. Fast forward to summer 2022 and this program has grown its class roster to exceed 25 classes a week while including Physical and Occupational Therapies along with 1:1 interactive engagement opportunities.  WAE to Connect, was being managed by myself and Anthonice Lauriston. While working to get the WAE […]

  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 […]

      March is Women’s History Month. Every woman has a history. Each woman comes into this world with skills and ideas, hopes and dreams. This month I will be paying attention to the histories of the women I know. I will spend time learning about women I don’t know and try to understand their stories. I know that those histories will affect my own. I am honored to share a little of my story here. As most women do, I wear many hats. I am an artist, a wife, a daughter, and a mother of two very wonderful people. I am also the art studio coordinator at JSDD’s WAE Center. When my son was 2 years old, he […]

Big Changes – Passing the Baton to Harry Klein, Acting Director Thursday March 3rd, the WAE Center gathered to bid farewell to Aubrie George in her role as Director. Aubrie is taking a step back from the directorship and will remain connected to the WAE Center, both professionally and personally. Members, staff, and families gathered in the WAE Center tradition of presenting work, thoughts, and words about Aubrie and her 8-year tenure with the WAE. Stepping into the void, is Harry Klein who is the Acting Director, WAE Center. Harry began his work at the WAE Center ten years ago as the Art Studio Manager. He has become fully versed in the philosophy and methodologies that help each member to […]

Story By Jessica Goldstein Name: Yvette Lucas   Title: Manager of Pre-vocational Arts   How long have you been with JSDD? More than 9 years   Was this the position you started in? No, I started as program coordinator of WAE Beyond, an evening program with a series of workshops offered our members and to the general community. Later, I was asked to manage another program with prevocational classes called “Workability” which took place during the day. The vision for the program was to provide members with opportunities to learn pre-vocational skills in specialized art-based classes. The first offering was a painting class.  From there, it grew to include product design, printmaking, fiber arts, jewelry, weaving, and other classes.  As […]