The JCC-on-Hudson used to be a second home for my twin boys after school and on days off. My sons are autistic, or special needs, or whatever euphemism one chooses currently. Years ago they were severely affected and delayed, but with constant "work" they are now very high functioning, maybe passing into the definition of Asperger's.
The JCC was instrumental to their dramtic remediation and improvement because they provided an environment where regular, "typical" kids interacted with my guys in a creative play environment. The staff went beyond "integration" to true "inclusion." My sons loved that place; they could play, interact, sometimes be bad and tantrum, and the staff not only responded appropriately, they guided the guys towards "normal" behavior.
When so many kids with issues turn to guns to resolve their unresolved social issues, my guys were in an environment where they could learn to interact in society and being given parameters of acceptable
behavior. One guy even had a little girlfriend for a while there...also a child with some special needs, but also cute and learning to be responsive in her own right. The human spirit is intrepid, when the everyone helps these children fit in and learn that they can be contributing members to society. The academic aspects in the afterschool program were OK, but the best thing about this place was that the boys could learn to be themselves, independent from the parents, and free themselves from their autistic prison behaviorally.
I am always grateful to the wonderful people there, both staff and volunteers, and the guiding administrators, for helping to remediate and shape my guys into upstanding young men. They are teenagers now and are not perfect, but they do know right from wrong; they know societal limits for
venting violent tendencies, and how to be creative contributors to life.
Good job everyone and Thank you.
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- EIN 23-7229163
- (914) 366-7898
- 371 S Broadway Tarrytown NY 10591-6002 USA
- www.shamesjcc.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Camps, Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services, Human Services, Sports, Young Mens or Womens Associations
Mission: The jcc on the hudson's primary exempt purpose is to provide programs and services to the general community including childcare, counseling, wellness, educational, recreational and cultural programming.
Programs: Youth and teen programs - jcc provides a wide range of activities that include summer camp, after-school care, vacation programming, programs for children with disabilities, the arts and gymastics. For teens, college prep classes, interships and leadership training programs. Summer camp ages 5-13 has 155 campers; special needs camp ages 5-15 has 35 campers; after-school program ages 5-12 has 70 children; vacation programs have 30-40 chidlren ages 5-12; gymnastics has 125 children ages 5-11; art programs have 10 children; karate has 90 children. College prep, interships and leadership training has 30+ teens ages 13-16. Special needs services and programs for 150+ families.
early childhood program include jcc's pre-school; 125 children ages 12 months to 5 years old. Other programs include dance, karate and gymnastics, 75 children; parenting support groups and workshops, 35+ families. Pre-school summer camp: ages 18 months to age 5, has 93 children.
adult programs provide numerous social and recreational options as well as counseling and support programming. Films, lectures, concerts and trips serve 400+ adults and older adults. Counseling; information and referral services and educational workshops serve 300+ adults.