FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK

As we approach December 31, our thoughts turn to what we have accomplished this past year and what we hope to achieve in the year ahead. At JVS, we are proud to have served more than 19,000 individuals in 2011 - individuals whose lives were transformed by our caring and dedicated staff who "repair the world" each and every day, one person at a time.   From the unskilled single mother receiving public assistance to the highly skilled corporate executive; from the sixteen year old high school dropout in trouble with the law to the recent college graduate; from the non-English speaking refugee to American born adults seeking to earn their GED; from the high school freshman with autism to the frail elderly woman aging in place, living alone on a fixed income, JVS fulfills its mission by providing the highest form of charity according to our tradition and by "Helping People Help Themselves" achieve independence and dignity.

As we look ahead, our staff will continue to provide critical job placement assistance to the many "middle income" unemployed and underemployed members of our community who have been directly impacted by the ongoing economic uncertainty. The JVS Career Counseling and Job Placement department can help the recent college graduate looking for an entry level position as well as the downsized manager not yet ready to retire and looking for a new career path. JVS counselors are available to provide support, advice, and guidance in addition to instruction in such areas as resume writing, interview skills, and social networking - all geared to helping our clients overcome the challenges and barriers presented by this very competitive job market.

In addition to delivering these and all of our other core services, we are especially proud to be able to provide skills training and job placement assistance to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) through our recently established Career Center and offer comprehensive resettlement services to a growing number of refugees from Darfur. With the support of the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, our Career Center has served 30 individuals with ASD in the past six months alone and will once again offer a two week Career Camp in August to enable young adults with ASD to explore career opportunities and learn socialization and workplace skills. Our resettlement team has accepted 13 refugees from Darfur to date-seven single men and a family of six (including a newborn) and are providing them with acculturation, English as a Second Language and computer skills instruction, job search strategies, and comprehensive social service supports. More individuals and families are expected in the coming months, and we continue to search for additional permanent and transitional housing in both Essex and Morris counties.

If you have not received our Annual Report newsletter in the mail, please click here and read about the sampling of JVSuccess stories that are featured. These are only a few of the many stories that are written by our clients every day. Your support of JVS will help us continue to write many, many more success stories in the New Year. As you think about your charitable giving priorities, I hope you will include JVS among them and either DONATE NOW on our secure website or send us your tax deductible contribution by mail.

Thank you for your continued support. I wish you a happy and healthy 2012!

  DARFUR RESETTLEMENT

JVS' Darfur Resettlement Project officially opened its doors this August with the arrival of our first two young Darfurian men, Musa Aluga and Philip Abiballa. These two remarkable young men have endured unimaginable challenges in their nearly eight year flight from the genocide in Darfur and have quickly become a part of the JVS community.

Musa and Philip are first cousins, raised in a village as farmers and cowherds, with very little schooling. After violence in their village forced them to leave, the chaos of flight separated them from their families, and they spent three years "on the road" crossing the Sudan, traveling at night, eating forest roots and herbs, and spending months at a time in "safe" towns where they worked for food and shelter. Five years ago, they were airlifted to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, which houses 70,000 African refugees. Conditions were harsh in Kakuma, but the one saving grace was education - and Philip and Musa availed themselves of every opportunity to study. School ran from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., five days per week, where they studied a variety of subjects, including English. When the pair arrived at Kennedy airport, JVS staffers were pleasantly surprised to hear their British intonations and fine vocabulary. They are making an excellent adjustment to their new lives and are busy studying for the GED in their classes at JVS, as well as preparing to work.

Recently, five additional refugees have arrived from Kakuma, and their enthusiasm and willingness to learn is equally evident. Last week a family of six arrived at JVS. What our project needs now is YOU! There are enough clothes and household goods to go around, but the main ingredient in a successful resettlement is relationships. We are in need of your volunteer help - short or long term. Even a few hours can make a difference. Grocery shopping, doctors' appointments, and outings to a museum, a sightseeing trip - or lunch in a New Jersey diner with you - these are all valuable learning experiences, and create the bonds that help our future Americans feel at home and welcome. To volunteer, contact Joyce Reilly, jreilly@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 x259. She welcomes your call!

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 REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SUMMER CAREER CAMP 2012

Registration has started for Summer Career Camp 2012.  There will be two sessions, a session for students 14 to 21 diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and a session for students 14 to 21 with mobility and cognitive impairments supported through the Kessler Foundation.  Contact Lauren Klein, MS, CRC, Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services, Lklein@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 x237 for further information or to obtain an application.  

 CLIENT HOLIDAY PARTY TO BE HELD THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Client Holiday Party with money, food, gifts, and fabulous disco decorations  

Brookdale Shop-Rite, Costco, CSB Vending, CVS, Essex County Vocational Technical School N. 13th Street Campus, I. Halper Paper and Supplies, Inc., Impulse Jewelry & Accessories, Mundi Westport Group, New Jersey Lion's Club #16E Charitable Foundation, Jamie Chesley of Parkers Petals, Barbara Clarke-Ruiz, Saint James the Apostle Youth Ministry, Temple B'nai Jeshurun Women's Association, Shaydra Tisdale, Whole Foods West Orange,and Zina Salads   

WINTER PREVIEW  

We need your help on Sunday, February 26 to make phone calls to fellow MetroWest residents in an effort to find "hidden" job openings.  The Jobathon will be held at the Aidekman Family Campus, 901 Route 10 East, Whippany, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. To volunteer or to obtain further information, please contact Jane Hecht, jhecht@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 x294.

JVS Through the Years

JVS is a beneficiary agency of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, NJ

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