Westchester Jewish Community Services, Inc.
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February 28, 2011
WJCS was willing to work with a group of parents to create a program for our children with special needs. They have been attentive, diligent, and collaborative, and it has led to a very successful program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
high quality of life for my son and his peers
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
clone it so other organizations would be as responsive and responsible.
February 28, 2011
I wish I could remember when we (my daughter-diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, with a seizure disorder among other difficulties and I) started going to the WJCS. Being a single parent dealing with a child with disabilities is difficult, but we have experienced the death of my sister, job losses, inability to pay rent and other financial hardships.
Both my daughter and I were in counseling at the WJCS on a weekly basis. I learned parent training techniques and she also learned to try and modify her aggressive and inappropriate behaviors.
The WJCS has been invaluable to my family as they helped to finance part of my daughter's trip to sleep away camp which was a stepping stone to her continued growth. My daughter was away for 7 weeks. It took the first 3 weeks of her being away for me to recover from being with my daughter 24/7. The rest of the time I could devote to the necessary activities to keep us out of a shelter. Last summer the WJCS helped us attend a local pool which is an activity my daughter loves. My daughter was able to work her way up to 20 laps by the time the summer ended which was an incredible accomplishment. Each time she added a lap her self esteem grew. By the time she reached 20 laps, she was ecstatic. It is very hard for a young lady of 17 who has speech difficulties and motor coordination to have self esteem. I was also able to swim and get needed exercise to help relieve the stress I am under. We worked with Ms. Norma Litman and her counsel and help was a God send. It was suggested that I attend a special therapy group, which was also very helpful and eye opening.
When we had to go on food stamps and other assistance, the WJCS helped with bills. As I am writing this and remembering the huge totality of the help we have been given I feel such remiss in not writing to the director of the facility with my eternal gratitude. How do you quantify an agency that has helped a family to such a degree and we are only one family. I pray that you find it in your hearts to help this agency help others as they have helped us in the difficulties they are facing. Thank you for the opportunity of sharing our information about the WJCS. Opps, we also used the psychiatric staff for help as well and they were very helpful.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Please see above.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes. The staff are amazing and very good.
February 28, 2011
I have been volunteering as a tutor at the Mount Vernon New York Edward Williams Elementary School Afterschool Advantage program which is a WJCS sponsored program. The program is invaluable to the school community. I am involved as a member of Westchester Reform Temple which supports the program with many adult and student volunteers. As an experienced teacher I am able to tutor students on their school work and give very much needed help. The relationships that I have formed with the students are extremely gratifying. They are so appreciative of the help. They have told me that the attention that the tutors give them makes them feel special. An impressive group of high school student have organized their peer group into a high school club. They take their responsibility seriously and come in strong numbers to tutor the children in the program and to work on special projects with them. This is a win win situation - the children in the after school program get invaluable help and the high school students experience the satisfaction of knowing that they have done an amazing job in giving to those who are in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
included in the above review
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to get even more support for the after school program
February 28, 2011
When I was first introduced to WJCS by a Board member over 10 years ago, I knew very little of the critical services it provided to so many residents of Wesrtchester County. I decided to learn more and become involved as a volunteer. The more I learned, the more I became committed to their mission, and I was happy to be asked to join the Board and have the opportunity to play a larger role. I am constantly impressed with the caring and innovative thinking of the agency and its well respected staff and committed volunteers. As needs and issues in family mental health, home health care and developmental disabilities arise in the county, WJCS is most often the go-to agency to find a way to meet them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have visited several group homes.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The organization is well managed and I do not have any changes to suggest.
February 28, 2011
WJCS is a g-d send. My family has used various services over the years from individual, couples, child and family counseling, to job searching techniques. We had fallen on hard times after loosing jobs and having major medical problems. The WJCS has helped us tremendously. We were sorry that the Yorktown office had to close but the Hartsdale office welcomed us with open arms. Thank you
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My husband has a new job!!!!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have more counseling hours. Offer things for our youths.
February 28, 2011
These seders provide an invaluable servide to the Jewish community they serve. I have been volunteering for nearly 20 years, and have seen firsthand the joy the seders bring to the developmentally disabled population and their family members. The guests look forward to the seders, not only as a chance to celebrate their Jewish traditions with song, prayer and food, but also to connect with friends they have made at the seders over the years. It is also a wonderful experience for the younger generation of volunteers, to actively participate in such a heart warming event.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the seders for the developmentally disabled
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get them more funding
My Role: Board Member & I volunteered on a weekly basis with adults with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities. I volunteered with my children serving dinner at the annual holiday party held for adults with disabilities. I serve as Chair of Program Service Committee, .
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February 28, 2011
My involvement with WJCS began nearly 8 years ago, as a volunteer in one of the Continuing Day Treatment programs, where I was touched not only by the commitment and dedication of the staff, but also by the warmth and honesty of the clients. I continue to serve now, on the Board of Directors of this most truly exceptional agency. It is a privilege and an honor to be a part of an organization that is comprised of so many diverse programs and services, each of which helps people of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds confront the life challenges with which they are faced. It is difficult not to be impressed by the collaboration that continually takes place between the Executive professionals of WJCS, its staff and board members, in meeting the needs of the clients and in always striving to improve the lives of others. All it ever takes is a simple phone call or a conversation to set the wheels in motion, get appropriate referrals, find a hand to hold or a heart to heal.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching the smiles of accomplishment on the faces of children, young adults, and the elderly who receive services.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Only continue to hire the type of exceptional, experienced, educated, and compassionate professionals and staff who currently are associated with WJCS.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
referred by a close friend when I was looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity.
February 28, 2011
I have been one of the volunteers at the WJCS Seders for the disabled. Clearly the benefit to those who attend is incredibly worthy, however, the benefit received by our student volunteers ( B'nai Mitzvah age and older) is PRICELESS. For some it is their chosen Mitzvah project for others it is a project that they participate yearly. It is quite an experience ~ all around to behold!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
For about 6 years
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none
February 28, 2011
As a past president and board member for 20 years I have seen up close the degree of care with which this agency approaches its relationships with its clients, The board is continually presented with opportunities to meet clients and visit sites where services are provided. While the agency is proud of its overall statistics in terms of numbers of clients served, the ability to hear individual stories and the importance that is placed on respect for the clients is a hall mark of this agency. While the agency has a wide scope of activities ranging from the infant to the 100-year old, to the immigrant and to the mentally challenged individual, to the displaced and financiall challenged middle income professional, the quality of care provided is outstanding.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Meetings at the headquarters, site visits, and conversations with clients.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way for it to attract more financial resources as the only constraint to the excellent work is the funding of the organization.
February 28, 2011
As a 6 year board member, as well as an actie participant in many non-profit organizations, I can honestly say that WJCS is a remarkably effective and well run organization. Everything they do, across an incredibly wide spectrum of social services, is done with excellence, intelligence, compassion and efficiency. We constantly hear from users of WJCS services who come to give testimony at board meetings, that the organization has deeply and positively afffected their lives. We are constantly told by our goverment funders at the State and County level, that we are amonth the best run and most efficient deliverer of services, and they want us to do more.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Visiting and seeing the real time delivery of Group Home Services in Yonkers, education for single mothers with related day care for children, also in Yonkers, both Elder Services and troubled teen sesrvices in Mt Vernon, to name just a few.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get them a bigger budget so they could do more!
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- Volunteer27
- Client Served42
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