WAE Center

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 […]

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 […]

Writing Credit: Teddi Dolph, JSDD Board Member, November 2021 Every time I walk into the new JSDD/WAE Center building I am awe struck.  I can’t believe this gorgeous new space is where the staff and clients of JSDD and the WAE Center will now be able to go each day.  The space is filled with light, hope and inspiration; everyone coming through the doors feels it.             It is with these feelings that I started the task of hanging the artwork of the Wae artists throughout the building.  The artists of the Wae Center have been doing amazing work for years.  Finally, they have a place where their work can shine and get the recognition it deserves.  There is now […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein The participants were happy to welcome the Sabbath and New Years Eve over Zoom. Rachel said the blessings over the candles and Mark blessed the challah and the grape juice. The torah portion this week Vaera G-d tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharoah and demand he free the Israelites.  Pharoah refuses and G-d begins to unleash plagues on the Egyptians. After each plague Pharaoh pleads for it to end and promises he will free the Israelites. As soon as the plague ends, Pharaoh changes his mind, which brings on another plague. The portion ends with Pharoah promising to set the Israelites free if the plague of hail ends. The hail stops and once again, […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein The staff and residents of JSDD gathered on Tuesday November 23rd for a very special Thanksgiving Celebration. This gathering was meaningful in several ways. For one, it was the first time the residents and staff gathered in the new building. It was also a time to come together to remember a dear friend, Scott Reich. Scott loved Thanksgiving as it always fell during the week of his birthday (or on his actual birthday). Scott loved having a birthday party at the WAE Center with all his friends. While Scott’s parents have generously hosted Thanksgiving luncheon in honor of his birthday for many years, this was the second year they did so in Scott’s memory.  So, this […]