TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE the palace W omen’s League sunday : nov. 16, 2014 Community Residences, Inc. DINNER Inspirations A Publication of Women’s League Community Residences, Inc. | SPRING 2014

Jeanne& Isaac what’s inside: Making a Difference 2 Warman Jay Goes To Disney! 3

eanne Warman’s dreams of motherhood Mazel Tov Glen and Jill! took an unexpectedly challenging turn 6 Jwhen she gave birth to twins in 1958. Autism (ABA) Services 7 ur Founders: The first twin experienced a normal delivery, O but the second suffered oxygen deprivation new members join the board and wasn’t expected to live. After two 8

ng hours he miraculously rallied, but his brain i remained severely damaged. Little Avraham Nussen, nicknamed “Tutti,” would be unable to walk or communicate normally.

“In those days there were very limited Honor facilities for the developmentally disabled,” explains Mrs. Warman. “There were a few institutions, like Willowbrook, but the quality of care was deplorable. Most families simply kept their children with disabilities at home, often hidden away like skeletons in the closet.”

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INSPIRATIONS : 1 n a recent letter sent to Women’s League, NYC Councilman Brad Lander praised the agency and called Ithe work of a small group of residents “inspirational”. This unique club, known as the “Cutting Edge Committee”, consists of fifteen service participants who meet monthly for dinner, socializing, and the chance to discuss issues and concerns that are on their minds. This committee has helped give service participants a proactive voice in addressing their own needs and aspirations, not only as individuals with developmental disabilities, but as members of the community as a whole.

Making a Difference: The Cutting Edge Committee Does It Again!

To this end, the Cutting Edge that many of their own ideas were Committee became involved in accepted by the City Council. The NYC NYC’s Participatory Budgeting Parks Department has since released program, which is what caught the a comprehensive vision for Dome attention of City Councilman Lander. Park, which includes doubling the size This program, launched in 2011 of the park, adding new equipment by Council Members Brad Lander, and gathering spaces, and improving Melissa Mark-Viverito, Eric Ulrich, the greenery, all in an accessible and and Jumaane D. Williams, has been family-friendly manner. described as “grassroots democracy In the letter to the Cutting Edge at its best”. It is operated through the Committee, Councilman Brad Lander City Council and allows people a say thanked the group, “...for all the in how certain public funds are spent. great work you do to improve life The Cutting Edge Committee for New Yorkers with intellectual discussed ideas they felt would disabilities– it truly is inspirational.” make the neighborhood a safer, more He added that, “I was so glad to see welcoming, more enjoyable place to community-based organizations live, and agreed that improvements like the Women’s League being to Dome Park (the park across from involved so quickly in the process.” the Women’s League main office The letter was hand delivered to and home to its annual Labor Day the Committee by two members barbecue) would be a meaningful of Councilman Lander’s office at submission to the Participatory a recent Cutting Edge committee Budgeting process. When the results meeting. We join the service of the process were announced, the participants in feeling proud of committee members were thrilled their accomplishments!

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Jay Goes To Disney

orking as a weekend manager in a Women’s League residence isn’t easy. So it’s perfectly reasonable to assume Wthat Pinchas and Sara Gros would go on vacation once in a while. Thus did they pack up their two little girls, Yael and Kayla, ages four and six, and start off on a fun-filled trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. But the Groses, who are exceptionally devoted to their consumers, took along another passenger as well. Jay, a Women’s League resident, had made an annual visit to Florida to visit his mom until she passed away some years ago. He missed this annual Florida “vacation” terribly. Says Sara, “Knowing how much Jay always loved Florida, we asked ourselves why we shouldn’t bring him along on our family vacation. We knew it would bring him so much joy.” Joel Lieberman, residence manager at Women’s League, describes Jay as social and high functioning, yet certainly requiring 24 hour supervision. Jay, who is currently in his fifties, didn‘t ride the roller coasters at the theme parks, but was nevertheless quite busy. “He enjoyed watching the shows and shopping in the gift shops,” says Joel. “He was also very big on getting autographs from the Disney characters.” The Groses spent six days in the area, and Jay took advantage of every moment. “He loves adventure.”

“Knowing how much Jay always loved Florida, we asked ourselves why we shouldn’t bring him along on our family vacation. We knew it would bring him so much joy.”

The Groses thoroughly enjoyed their vacation as well. More significantly, their girls received a priceless lesson in chesed and caring. “The most important lesson we want them to learn,” says Pinchas, “is that no matter how different a person might be, he or she always deserves our love, kindness and respect.” Sara says it was especially gratifying to see how “the little things in life” can bring such a smile to Jay’s face. As far as Sara is concerned, bringing a resident along on vacation makes perfect sense. “Why not include them in our family?” she asks. “After all, they are our family!”

Spring 2014 : 3 Honoring Our Founders: Jeanne& Isaac Continued Warman from page 1

Community Services; hence the origin of her agency’s name); it was Then in 1972, Geraldo Rivera’s approved with breathtaking alacrity. famous expose about the horrific Unfortunately, there was conditions at Willowbrook ignited tremendous resistance in 1978 a public outcry. The State ordered when newly formed Women’s the facility to shut down and League Community Residences Jeanne and Isaac had no qualms transfer all 5,000 residents to (WLCR) moved to establish its about wheeling Tutti down the smaller group homes. “They were first residence in Boro Park. The avenues of Boro Park, sometimes ‘repatriated’ back to their own Warmans received personal threats enduring scandalized looks and neighborhoods,” Mrs. Warman and nasty comments. But attitudes whispers. Jeanne, who attended explains. “I interpreted that as a slowly began to change. It helped universities both in Europe and the mandate for the Jewish community that the Novominsker and U.S., lost no time researching what to take back its own.” Rebbetzin lent strong support. might be done to help her son. She began working with WORC, Rebbetzin Yehudis Perlow a”h She went to Pennsylvania to learn a secular organization she’d been served as president of WLCR, and “patterning”, a now-discredited involved with that advocated for the Novominsker Rebbe still serves method of moving a baby’s limbs the disabled, drafting a government as the moreh derech. to stimulate the brain. Returning proposal for a residence. But WORC In those early years, WLCR home, she organized a group of was not especially interested in was a small, tight-knit agency. ladies to “pattern” some children supporting a kosher facility. Mrs. Jeanne worked tirelessly on with disabilities. “There was only Warman withdrew and submitted her goal of serving those with one baby who seemed to get any her proposal under N’shei Ahavas disabilities, with full support from benefit from it, and he was already Chesed sponsorship (N’shei’s her husband and family. Isaac quite high-functioning,” she shrugs. legal name is Women’s League for donated his professional computer

4 : INSPIRATIONS Women’s League Community Residences, Inc.

of hiring from outside,” she says. “It empowers people, and they appreciate and return that loyalty.” Many of her top staffers have been with the agency almost as long as she has. This level of dedication has helped WLCR grow from seven consumers to over 600, from one residence to 33, and from one residential program to four multifaceted ones that address the entire spectrum of disabilities. It has created a quality of care so superb programming and accounting skills that WLCR was awarded COMPASS to the fledgling agency on a part status for outstanding service (only time basis. Later, he joined WLCR eight NYS agencies out of 780 have as its CFO, greatly enhancing its qualified). Today, WLCR is a lifespan accounting/computer department social services agency, addressing with his expertise. Today, despite the needs of individuals of all ages having grown to over 600 and abilities. “We’re the only agency employees, the agency still retains with a residence for babies,” Mrs. a warm family feeling. “We aren’t Warman states. “Yet our oldest a typical agency,” Mrs. Warman consumer passed away recently–just emphasizes. “I’m a mother, and short of his 97th birthday!”

This level of dedication has helped WLCR grow from seven consumers to over 600, from one residence to 33, and from one residential program to four multifaceted ones that address the entire spectrum of disabilities.

I still make sure every individual The Warmans’ own son Tutti is taken care of. Every morning, I was not able to benefit from a get emails from our nurses on the WLCR facility until 1989, when a condition of our consumers.” wheelchair-accessible residence Mrs. Warman has a particular gift was finally built; he lived for identifying talent among her staff there until his passing in 2000. and channeling it for the benefit of Although born a twin, you might the agency. A night shift counselor say Tutti was really born a triplet. became a QA administrator when Women’s League Community Mrs. Warman discovered his Residences was born along with talent for digesting complicated him and his brother, and as a state-issued regulations. Another result, hundreds of children was encouraged to become a and adults with intellectual and psychologist, and still works for developmental challenges now the agency. “I always promoted enjoy a quality of life undreamed people from within WLCR, instead of back in 1958.

Spring 2014 : 5 Happy th Anniversary25 G len & Jill! H e may present with various challenges, but that didn’t stop Glen – a resident of Women’s League - from dreaming about getting married. “In fact,” says Moshe Bork a supportive apartment supervisor at Women’s League, “Glen was so determined, that we were actually instrumental in making his shidduch.”

t’s now twenty five years since Glen It’s uncommon Unless, of course, and his lovely wife Jill married, and for Women’s the individuals are Itheir relationship has turned out to League residential supervised and be a tremendous success. The two go consumers to be nurtured by caring about their daily lives just like other married. In fact, staff. couples, despite their disabilities. there are just four Twenty five Glen works in a supermarket such couples at years is a long in Queens. Jill volunteers at this time. But even time for two Hospital. He is the one these few could Women’s League with the street smarts, she is the only succeed under consumers to stay the guidance and happily married and “They have both achieved supervision of Women’s it certainly is a reason tremendous stability through League staff. Glen and Jill to celebrate. The party, live in an apartment located which was hosted in a local shul, their marriage. They tolerate in the heart of Boro Park, and an was catered by Mendel’s Pizza and apartment supervisor like Moshe attended by lots of family, friends, each other’s foibles and put up visits with them for ten hours weekly and neighbors. It was a landmark with each other’s issues, and to assist with dinners, mail, banking, event, and it proved that even our budgeting, doctor’s appointments, consumers can reach for the stars both are really thriving.” and managing medication. “It’s and follow their dreams. We’re all intellectual of the pair. He helps her extremely hard for marriages like looking forward to the next twenty find her way around town, she says these to last,” Moshe points out. five years! dvar Torahs at the Shabbos table. “They are really very impressive,” says Moshe. “They have both achieved tremendous stability through their marriage. They tolerate each other’s foibles and put up with each other’s issues. And both are really thriving through their marriage.”

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A new diagnosis of autism in a young child can be frightening to a So what should a parent do? Can the "soft-signs" of autism be parent. Yet, the benefits of receiving early intervention (EI) can’t be detected in very young children? overemphasized and should allay some of this fear. Shoshana states that they can, yet recommends that parents resist hoshana Gifter, a Special without frustration. “A typical child,” the urge to self-diagnose. Instead, Educator and board-certified Shoshana explains, “will pick up the the pediatrician should be asked SBehavior Analyst who directs the nuances of daily life and relationships to review the checklist of social home-based ABA therapy program at on his own. He will learn to recognize milestones. Does the child make eye Jumpstart EI, agrees. “Although the body language, social cues and contact? Smile at a caregiver? Is brain continues to develop throughout general knowledge about the world, he social? The doctor will consider life,” she says, “the earlier children get just through his experiences and all this and may recommend a help, the better the outcomes.” interactions.” But a child with autism comprehensive developmental ABA (Applied Behavioral is not tuned in to these cues. He will evaluation. “Either you will discover Analysis) is a systematic method of not develop appropriate play skills or that your child is perfectly fine,” breaking down skills into tiny steps, maintain eye contact. He is in his own Shoshana explains, “or that he to promote successful improvement little world. needs some help which, begun early, will make a real difference in his life.” Currently, numerous children are Autism (ABA) Services: enrolled in Jumpstart’s ABA Program, while others have already moved on to mainstream pre-schools, or various special education programs. A ware, but “We’ve seen many children make wonderful progress with this kind of intensive approach,” says Shoshana. "Some can even join a typical not Alarmed classroom setting.” Based on recently revised statistics, one out of every 68 children has an autism spectrum disorder. “Autism does exist,” Shoshana explains, “but that doesn’t mean parents should be

anxious.” Instead, if S

concerned, schedule pr a doctor’s visit or i contact an EI agency. ng 2014 : 7 “Autism can be a scary diagnosis, so parents should be aware, but not alarmed.” Women’s League Non Profit Org. Community Residences, Inc. U.S. Postage 1556 38th Street Paid Brooklyn, NY 11218 Permit #1235 Brooklyn, NY Tel: 718-853-0900 Fax: 718-853-0818 www.womensleague.org Women’s League Community Residences, Inc.

Residential Services • Group homes for babies, children, and teens with disabilities New Members • Group homes for adults and seniors with disabilities Three new members have joined Women’s • Supportive apartments Join the Board League’s Board of Directors, infusing young for men, women, and married couples with disabilities energy and vitality into the process of overseeing WLCR’s high standards of excellence in caring for those with disabilities. At Home Community Services • Jumpstart Early Intervention he new members, all distinguished Mr. Eisenberg of Flatbush is a noted ba’al • Service Coordination individuals in their respective communities, tzedaka who works in real estate. After a recent • HCBS Waiver Services Tare Mr. Shloime Eisenberg, Mr. Eli Kaufman, heartwarming tour of the Babies’ home, he com- • CBR Supported Employment and Mrs. Esti Mermelstein. mented, “I was truly impressed and want to do Jeanne Warman, executive director whatever I can to help them.” Executive Director of Women’s League, is pleased with this A real estate developer, Mr. Kaufman of Jeanne Warman Boro Park, is also active in communal chesed Chairman of the Board enterprises. Meeting various staff and residents Ronald Greenwald Women’s League welcomes its new of Women’s League has inspired him to join the Board Members Board members, who will be adding team that works closely on their behalf. • Shloime Eisenberg their unique skills, talents, and insight Mrs. Mermelstein of Boro Park cares for her • Esther Fruchthandler father and is available for her extended fam- • Victor Gluck to the organization as it pursues its ily. She is actively involved with BAMBI/Israel, a • Faigie Horowitz lofty mission of caring for those who cause dear to her heart. Mrs. Mermelstein is ea- • Burton Jaffa ger to work closely with Women’s League. “Thank • Eli Kaufman are developmentally challenged. G-d,” she says, “that there is a place for these • Shoshana Lefkowitz children to be cared for with such devotion.” • Esti Mermelstein development. “We are anxious to have Women’s League welcomes its new Board • Betty Pollack these new members commit valuable time members, who will be adding their unique skills, • Efraim Reich and resources to our agency, as they add a talents, and insight to the organization as it • Shayve Zucker refreshing new outlook and perspective to pursues its lofty mission of caring for those who Rabbinic Advisory Board our many divisions,” she states. are developmentally challenged. • Rabbi • Rabbi • Rabbi Aaron Schechter • Rabbi E.B. Wachtfogel Bottom Line Marketing Group: 718.377.4567 Bottom Line Marketing