With summer just around the corner I wanted to highlight some of the activities that have been happening at the agency during the last couple of months.  We all survived the harsh winter and welcomed spring and the many programs happening throughout the agency.  May 11th was our annual fundraising event, Taste & Toast! and it certainly was a festive evening.  Read about it in this issue.  In April the JVS Career Center for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder invited the clients and their families to celebrate Autism Awareness Month with activities and the presentation of the Dr. Harry Diener Award to two deserving clients. A Speed Networking Community Program arranged through our Career Counseling Department will be held on June 2nd at the Pine Brook Jewish Center.  See details in this issue. These are just a sampling of the many programs and services offered to our clients and the community on a daily basis.

The mission of JVS is to help people to help themselves. Whether it is a recent émigré taking a class to learn English; a young adult diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder; a recent college graduate with a hearing impairment; or a high level manager downsized from his job, all of our clients have the same goal: to find work and maintain their dignity and financial independence.  This is what JVS is all about.

We are also reaching our year end and planning for next year.  If you haven't made a contribution this year and would like to do so donate now.  This has been a challenging year and I am asking you to consider making a gift as we close out our 2014-15 fundraising endeavors.  Whether it is your first gift of FY 2015 or you can send an additional donation, we are asking for your support at this critical juncture so that we can move forward with a balanced budget for next year and to close this year's gap.

In closing, I wish all of you a restful summer.  I will continue to work diligently through the summer to strengthen the agency and its services. I encourage you to please contact me to take a tour of JVS to see for yourself everything that we offer to the most vulnerable residents of New Jersey.  I am also requesting that you make a donation to help the agency continue to provide needed services to individuals looking to gain financial independence.

Addy 

Two hundred people enjoyed JVS' Taste & Toast 2015 on May 11th at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.  It was a festive evening honoring Andrew Rubenstein of Rubenstein Properties and presenting the JVS Community Partner Award to The Steven and Beverly Rubenstein Charitable Foundation and its trustees, Andrew and Beverly Rubenstein and Barry Mandelbaum and celebrating Nancy Fisher and Caren Ford for their combined 55 years of dedicated service to JVS.  The Rubenstein Charitable Foundation has started a new fund which is a part of the JVS interest-free Scholarship Loan Program.  Pictured from left to right:  JVS Vice President and Event Co-chair, Michael Goldberg; Caren Ford; Nancy Fisher; Beverly Rubenstein; Andrew Rubenstein; JVS Trustee and Event Co-chair, Mike Wolfson; JVS CEO, Addy Bonet; and JVS President, Sidney Seligman.  If you would like to make a donation to the JVS Scholarship Loan Program contact Lynne Robbins, Lrobbins@jvsnj.org.

Put a smile on your face and ours by using smile.amazon.com when purchasing on the amazon site.  A donation will go directly to JVS from your purchase if you sign-up and designate that JVS is your chosen charity.  This is a win-win...you support JVS, at no cost to you!