April 21, 2020 A word from the Director of JSDD’s WAE Center: JSDD’s WAE Center closed its doors on March 13, 2020 due to Covid-19. Days later, the stars aligned as the HealthCare Foundation of NJ, long time collaborators and supporters of JSDD, invited us to participate in a new grant. Within one week this emergency grant, for innovative programs to serve members during this time of isolation was written, submitted and funded. Special thanks to our incredible partners at the Healthcare Foundation of NJ for their remarkable responsiveness to the emergent needs of the community. Since that moment, the WAE Center team has been working diligently to create a means of providing distance learning for all our members and residents. On April 14, 2020 WAE to Connect – Online Learning opened its virtual doors to a new way of teaching, learning and connecting. Classes are being taught remotely, “technology” is a new subject and we became voracious users of Zoom. We are providing meaningful engagement in a world where we can’t physically be together. We dream of developing a program that will outlast the pandemic and address the real need for accessibility to technology and the human connections this can provide. We remain dedicated to walking alongside every individual and helping them to: Find the Spark Within. – Marilynn Schneider Please take a look at our class offerings and help to spread the word to those interested in joining WAE to Connect. Classes include: Art Making with Faye Music with Dean Meditation with Esther Print Making with Yvette and more! Click here to learn more about WAE to Connect. If you have questions, please email: Aubrie George at Ageorge@jsddmetrowest.org or Yolanda Sanchez at YSanchez@jsddmetrowest.org
