Our Kehillah program is building community here in Western Massachusetts - among participants and those who support them. In this week's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month post, we're taking a look at some of those community connections.

Nate Sokol, the face of Sokol Coffee Roasters, enjoys many things in life - from working out at the J to roasting coffee beans with his family. We are thrilled that Nate will be selling his coffee in the JCC lobby on Monday, March 23. Come and connect with the best local coffee roaster around!

Sokol Coffee Roasters Sale | Monday, March 23 | 9:00 - 11:00 AM | JCC Lobby

We enjoy a strong working relationship with our friends across the street at Tate Behavioral. Their therapy dog, Oso, comes to visit our Early Learning Center each Friday at 11:00 AM, and then makes his way to the lobby to greet our members. When he visits the Tween/Teen Social Group, it’s wonderful to watch participants connect and socialize together over a shared love for animals!

Students at Tate volunteer at the J during the week, helping restock the coffee bar, folding towels, and more. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to develop social skills and learn responsibility. Say hello next time you see them in the lobby.

During the summer, students at Tate also have the option to attend an AAC camp, which uses some of the facilities here at the J.

We also maintain an exciting program called Sensiplay, which is a collaboration between Bay Path University's occupational therapy department and our Kehillah and ELC friends. Held in a specially-designed sensory motor gym, children have the opportunity to exercise fine motor, visual perception, and emotional regulation skills - while giving Bay Path students the necessary real-life experience needed to complete their education.

If you would like to support our Kehillah programming, you can do so by making a donation here or at the Welcome Desk during March. Thank you!