(Courtesy of JFCS) Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern NJ (JFCS) kicked off its RAISE program on Monday, January 29, with a meet-and-greet event held at Temple Sinai in Tenafly. The RAISE employees, their family liaisons, volunteer job coaches, worksite liaisons, and JFCS/RAISE staff got to know one another at this upbeat gathering, prior to the program’s official launch during the week of February 12.

In its first year operating the RAISE program [Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees], JFCS has placed four adults with developmental disabilities in paid work opportunities (two three-hour jobs per week). The RAISE program also includes social skills training (once per week) and guidance in transition to full employment. This program is based on the Orlando Jewish Community model, and JFCS has said it is thrilled to get started here in New Jersey.

Each RAISE participant will be a JFCS employee for six to nine months and will work at two different job sites each week alongside a job coach, who will ensure successful work experiences for each participant. The Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Temple Sinai and JFCS are the placement sites for this first year.

This program will operate under JFCS’s Re-Launch Career Services, which has helped hundreds of job seekers to compete in the market and secure new positions. Recognizing that typical career services cannot always accommodate every job seeker, JFCS “is excited to engage RAISE employees and set them up for success.”

As JFCS works to strengthen the community every day, RAISE will support the goal of “Empowering People and Transforming Lives.”

For more information on this program, please contact Sandra Leshaw: [email protected], 201-837-9090 x225