Nineteen percent of individuals nationwide have a disability of some sort, but they are not the only ones who may need special assistance or programming of some sort. SibShops, the Sibling Support Project, aims to fill a hole and help brothers and sisters of special needs individuals worldwide.

SibShops recently came to New Jersey via a partnership with Yachad and has already held three programs in Bergen County with one more to come on February 1 at Congregation Rinat Yisrael. The program aims to connect brothers and sisters who have experienced a range of things, both positive and negative, as a result of having a special needs sibling.

As an agency that serves individuals through adulthood, Yachad sees first-hand the important role that siblings have as their brother or sister with special needs gets older: from helping their parents plan for the future to building a relationship with their own families, including a spouse and children,” New Jersey Yachad Director Chani Hermann said. “The sibling relationship is the most important in the family.  It is our goal to strengthen that relationship when they are young and create an environment where they can openly share their happy and challenging times with other siblings who can relate to their experiences.”

Through a combination of pizza, ice cream, and games, SibShops aims to provide an opportunity for siblings of special needs children to meet, to discuss common joys and concerns, to learn how to handle specific situations, and to learn more about the implications of their sibling’s special needs. They also try to provide parents and professionals with the information needed to adequately assist all manner of children.

Sibshops offers two descriptions of itself: the first as described by adults and the second as described by the siblings who attend. For the adults, the siblings need to “obtain peer support and education within a recreational context. They reflect the agency’s commitment to the well-being of the family member most likely to have the longest-lasting relationship with the person with special needs,” the organization website says. “However, for the young people who attend them and the energetic people who run them, Sibshops are best described as events. Sibshops are lively, pedal-to-the-metal celebrations of the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs.”

Hermann added that in addition to their work in conjunction with Sibshops, “New Jersey Yachad serves the entire family, providing support groups for parents and adult siblings, inclusive social programs for children and adults, monthly shabbatonim, a Vocational Training Program, and so much more.”

To register for the February 1 event, contact njyachad_ou.org or call 201-833-1349. Participation is $10 for an individual child or $18 for two or more siblings.

By Aliza Chasan