“I had tears in my eyes,” recalled Bruce Lefco as he watched daughter Jessie get on a bus to go to the JCC Day Camp in Fredonia in the summer of 1995. But, Jessie didn’t go alone.
She was accompanied by an aide provided by Keshet of Wisconsin, a program that provides resources to enable Jewish children with disabilities to participate in Jewish educational, social and cultural programs.
Because they share the mission to serve special needs clients, Keshet of Wisconsin and Jewish Family Services have agreed to integrate their programs this fall.
According to Elliot Lubar, executive director of JFS, “Our missions are in sync as both agencies are committed to serving clients with special needs. JFS has been working with adults since 1989 and Keshet with children for the past five years. Consolidation is a natural move and I think it will be a great advantage to all the people we serve.”
Lefco added that he is thrilled with the consolidation “because JFS will perpetuate our program as it expands its continuum of services. We fill their void in serving children with special needs. Keshet identified a need in the community, which we’ve been filling as a grass roots organization. Now it’s time to weave it into the Jewish community on an organized basis.”
“I think it’s a perfect fit,” said Phyllis Brenowitz, a member of the boards of both organizations. “JFS has long had a program for adults and I think it’s time to serve children, too. As Keshet doesn’t receive any community funding, I’ve been concerned that it be able to keep up on its own. Keshet has done an incredible job in fundraising, but the need keeps growing.”
She added, “In the future, I hope we can increase the number of children served and expand the ages. Currently, we only serve elementary school children and there is a waiting list.”
The Keshet program enables children with disabilities to remain a part of the Jewish community. Its main focus is the inclusion of children within existing day schools and programs that serve the general Jewish population.
Keshet children may have cognitive delays, learning or processing deficits, behavioral difficulties or physical challenges.
Similarly, JFS provides services to adults with exceptional needs, including counseling, job training and independent living facilities for the developmentally disabled or those with serious, persistent mental illness.
Flora Abrahamson, Keshet’s executive director, noted that Keshet’s first initiative was to provide special needs children the opportunity attend the JCC Day Camp in Fredonia. “Since then its services have grown to include assistance at Jewish day schools, synagogue schools, bar and bat mitzvah training, family support groups and educational programs.”
Lefco added, “My wife, Joyce, and I have had a life goal for Jessie, now 15, to enjoy the same Jewish experiences that our other children have. I think the community owes all families and all children access to a Jewish life.”
Lubar admitted that there is some financial risk for both agencies. “The JFS board expressed concerned that Keshet receives no community funding. However, it has been extremely successful in raising 100 percent of its annual $373,000 budget from private sources.”
As a result of the addition of Keshet to JFS programming, JFS will provide administrative support for the programs, Lubar said.
However, current Keshet staff will remain employees within the merged program.
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