SCOTCH PLAINS — The Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey (JCC) will host its annual Special Needs Resource Fair on Sunday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The JCC is located at 1391 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains.
The goal of the Special Needs Resource Fair is to help individuals with disabilities and their families locate hard-to-find resources so they are empowered to live meaningful, enriched lives. With more than 70 vendors representing a wide variety of specialties, it is the only fair of its kind in the area catering to people with disabilities and their families.
This year, attendees can connect with vendors in ABA therapy, summer camps, support coordination, social skills, special-needs schools, special-needs attorneys, accessible recreation and many more services.
“We have made barrier-free, inclusive programs and support services for our community a priority for over 20 years,” shared JCC Director of Inclusion and Diversity Beth Mitchell. “But we also believe strongly in helping these same individuals and their families find the right resources outside of the JCC that also provide support. We are so proud to host this one-stop accessible event that will help so many families.”
This Special Needs Resource Fair is free and open to the community and is being held in honor of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). The JCC’s Special Needs Resource Fair coincides with JDAIM’s worldwide effort to raise awareness and champion the civil rights of all Jewish people to have access to and be meaningfully included in every aspect of Jewish life.
In addition to the Special Needs Resource Fair, the JCC is compiling its fourth annual Special Needs Resource Directory, which is a free resource for the community. The soonto- be-published 2024 directory can be accessed at https://www.jccnj.org/ specialneedsdirectory/.
The JCC expressed its appreciation to the event sponsors, ABA Behavior Services, Game U and Functional Behavior Solutions.
For more information about the fair, contact Beth Mitchell at bmitchell@jccnj.org or (908) 8898800, extension no. 203. Additionally, information about the fair and a full list of participating vendors can be found by visiting https:// www.jccnj.org/snresourcefair/.
Pre- registration at https:// www.jccnj.org/snresourcefair/ is strongly encouraged.
The JCC of Central New Jersey is a constituent agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, United Way of Greater Union County and the Westfield United Fund. Financial assistance is available for membership and various programs.