This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

New Jewish Youth Group for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains, Temple
Sholom of Scotch Plains and Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim of Cranford
have joined together to create a new Jewish youth
group, Kids Connect, for children with autism spectrum disorders.  The first program is Sunday, February 23 from
12:30-1:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel. The topic is family, friends,
community, and Judaism.  Kids Connect
activities are open to the entire community. 
Members do not need to be affiliated with a sponsoring synagogue.



“We know that a youth group can be such an important
part of teen Jewish life  -- one that we
want all of our children to be able to enjoy,” said Michelle Shapiro
Abraham of Temple Sholom.



Kids Connect was made possible by support from
MetroWest ABLE (Access, Belonging and Life Enrichment for People and Families
with Special Needs.)  MetroWest ABLE is a
program of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and works to advocate
for and support individuals and their families with special needs.  

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.



Kids Connect is designed for
students in grades five through ten 
(10-15 years old) who are on the autism spectrum and who would otherwise
be unable to participate in a typical youth group experience.  With
meetings every four to six weeks, Kids Connect includes holiday celebrations,
trips, social action projects and additional youth group activities.  Run by Kids Connect Coordinator Dana Brenner,
all programs include both peer teen support and a licensed special needs
educator on site.  



“Kids Connect brings together the teen leadership of
three synagogues from different towns and different denominations,” said Elly
Bauman, Education Director of Congregation Beth Israel. 

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.



Students
from the sponsoring congregations in grades eight through twelve are trained as
“buddies” who help plan the events, spend time with the youth group members and
support the programming. 



“The
pairing of a buddy with a Kids Connnect member adds another dynamic to the
program, and creates a strong and supportive
Jewish social community,” said Dana Brenner, Kids Connect Coordinator.  “It is great to see the excitement the
buddies have for working with the youth group!”



Parents are invited to contact Dana Brenner at kidsconnectyouthgroup@gmail.com to discuss their child’s participation in the program
or to visit the website at www.kidsconnectyouthgroup.weebly.com





 



 



 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?