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It's that time of year and our consumers and clients aren't ones to be left out of the celebration. Our folks in Westchester with developmental disabilities are once again trusting their fate (and their stomachs) to Juliano's Caterers in New Rochelle. They want the community to know about the wonderful spread owner Dave Juliano prepares for them each year and how welcoming and celebratory everyone there makes them feel. Pelham, Ittleson and Kaplan House all have their own festivities as well.


36 Years

On Janary 6, 2012, after 36 years of dedicated work for JBFCS, Beryl Kende will retire as Director of Geller House. Beryl and Geller House have become synonymous over these years, and through her advocacy and hard work generations of children who came through our doors vulnerable, left with a sense of stability and care that helped shape their futures.

Beryl has demonstrated that family relationships, however fracutred, have the potential of life-long supports. She has been remarkably skilled at counseling children and families so they better understand what they mean to each other. Beryl has been a hands-on trainer of staff, always giving them the fuller understanding of the residents' histories and the meaning of diagnostic information. Continue reading....

A Woman Dreams of The King

When Annie first came to Vernondale a couple of year's ago, the other housemates wanted her gone. She wasn't easy to get along with and she didn't care. But by working on her medications and learning what it was that made Annie special, the staff started turning Annie around.

She then expressed her heart's desire: to go to Graceland and visit the home of The King, Elvis Presley. It took a year for the staff and Annie K's family to figure out the logistical and monetary factors, but it got accomplished and as you can see from these photos, her dreams of meeting The King came true.


JBFCS Friends—Volunteer With Us

Looking for a positive way to spend some weekend time? JBFCS Friends is a volunteer program for young adult professionals looking for opportunities to help those in need. Friends hosts events once a month, and to participate, all you need is a couple of hours on a Sunday to brighten someone's day. Interested? Contact Hannah Moore to join our mailing list and find out more.



A Government Shoutout

On December 19, Arlene González-Sánchez, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), paid a visit to our clinic at 2020 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. Commissioner Sánchez is a strong advocate for providing New Yorkers in need with access to mental health care.

In attendance: Paul Levine, Inna Litrovnik, Debora Zicht, and Vickie Griffiths, all program directors who deal with people suffering from the effects of alcohol and substance abuse. The Commissioner toured our Coney Island facility and heard about JACS and MAP, programs that are licensed by OASAS and help adults and adolescents deal with the stresses of life in ways that don’t involve alcohol and drugs.


Community Collaboration

The Greater Harlem chamber of Commerce has tagged JBFCS as one of three recipients of it annual holiday toy and clothing drive. On December 20, Marian Davidson and Tonia Spence accepted donations that will be distributed to families in need through the Center for Child Development and Learning. The evening will join together diverse members of the Harlem Community at Gran Piatto D’Oro, a neighborhood restaurant.


To give help or to get it, visit http://www.jbfcs.org

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