Grants used to educate those with disabilities

The Barry and Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center has been awarded the “Next Big Idea” grant from the Butler Endowment Fund through UJA-Federation of New York to begin a Teaching Assistant Development Program. This new and innovative program will teach adults with disabilities the skills to work in early childhood classrooms and school-age childcare programs.

The curriculum will consist of classes taught by staff from the Child Care Council of Nassau County, in subjects such as child development, health and safety, supervision, and age-appropriate activities. Students will also be given internships in childcare settings run by the Friedberg JCC and their partners. The goal is for individuals to learn to work with children in a supportive environment with curriculum and job placement adapted to their abilities.

“We believe that this program will lead to paid employment in child care programs.. This is something that is severely needed in Long Island,” said Marcy Hallerman, Friedberg JCC Senior Program Director. For more information about the TADP, those interested can contact Jose Saint-Louis, Teaching Assistant Development Program Coordinator at tjsaint-louis@friedbergjcc.org or (516) 299-6527.

The Jack Fanning Memorial Foundation “Angels for Autism” fund has awarded the Friedberg JCC with a grant to provide sexuality classes to adults with Autism and other developmental delays. The funding will allow for individuals to enroll in the Elevatus Sexuality Educator and Trainer course.

“Sex Education is a topic that is not taught to many individuals with disabilities. As a result, they do not understand how their bodies work, and they are at a much greater risk of being taken advantage of than other people their age. Having the ability to offer these classes to members of our community will give them accurate information and skills for making healthy decisions about sexuality,” said Marcy Hallerman, Friedberg JCC Senior Program Director. For more information about this program, contact Marcy Hallerman at mhallerman@friedbergjcc.org or (516) 634-4173.

For more than 60 years, the Friedberg JCC has been a foundation of the South Shore community, providing social and educational programs, plus vitally needed services for individuals of all ages. Located in Oceanside with additional Early Childhood Centers in Long Beach, Lynbrook and Merrick, the JCC operates programs for new mothers/new babies, day care, nursery school, after school activities, summer camps, teen programs, adult activities, special needs programs, holiday events and cultural activities.