JESPY House, Inc.

03/13/2026

During the month of March, which is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, JESPY continues to celebrate the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities!

03/12/2026

The JESPY Center will offer a wide range of services designed to help our clients, who are adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, achieve independence and become supported and equipped to reach their full potential. THIS LIFE-LIKE VIRTUAL WALK THROUGH is an inside look at the main level of the upcoming state-of-the-art facility.

To learn more and to support this project, which was spearheaded in part by a matching grant provided by philanthropists Leon and Toby Cooperman, please visit https://www.jespyhouse.org/GoBig. Help us Meet the Cooperman Match!

The JESPY Center will provide clients with state-of-the-art program and recreation space; a gym with adaptive equipment; a technology lab; and more.

03/11/2026

Thank you, JESPY supporters! Our JESPY House, Inc. Food Drive was a huge success! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and beyond, an overwhelming amount of food was collected to support MEND is Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity.

MEND’s Operations Manager Cameron Johnson brought the organization’s colorful Chilli Pepper van to collect the donations. The van was greeted by several JESPY House, Inc. clients including client Jessica M., who is a proud MEND volunteer.

03/10/2026

JESPY client Jamie P. loves being part of the South Orange community.

“I like to walk through downtown,” Jamie says. “Sometimes I get pizza and I like going into my favorite stores.”

Jamie enjoys the independence and connection that come with living in South Orange.

At JESPY, she takes part in the Day Habilitation, Athletics & Fitness, and Aging in Place programs, which support her active, independent, lifestyle. This video offers a glimpse into Jamie’s day in downtown South Orange and the community she’s proud to call home.

The Go Big for JESPY Campaign helps support her independence. Learn how you can lend your support by visiting https://www.jespyhouse.org/GoBig.

03/10/2026

Advocates are working with some of the nation's most recognizable companies in an effort to increase disability access in retail spaces.

03/06/2026

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: Chloe O.

“This month is about embracing who I am. I’m not hiding any part of my story, and reminding people that everyone deserves respect, support, and the chance to succeed.”

In honor of NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH, we’re proud to spotlight Chloe. A participant in JESPY House, Inc.’s Engagement & Enrichment Program and the JESPY Theatre Group, Chloe loves performing show tunes and volunteering with children at the Weekday School in South Orange, which she has done for the past two years.

“This month feels very personal to me. JESPY is such an important part of my life. I’ve made so many friends and feel accepted, supported, and understood.”

“I have ADHD, and I’m not ashamed of it. I am proud to say that it’s just a part of who I am. The challenges I’ve faced have helped me become stronger and more self-aware.”

This month, we celebrate the voices and experiences of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

03/05/2026

Athletics and fitness play a powerful role in improving the health, independence, and quality of life for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The same is true for JESPY client Amir I. As an athlete on several JESPY teams, he is thriving beyond measure. The Go Big for JESPY campaign and the expanded fitness center that will be part of The JESPY Center will grow opportunities for Amir and other JESPY athletes. Support clients like Amir by helping us reach The Cooperman Match. To learn more, visit https://www.jespyhouse.org/GoBig.

03/05/2026

Doing the work every day is the JESPY House, Inc. way! We love to see Social Media content that is positive and just makes you SMILE!! Thank you New Jersey Association of Community Providers -

03/05/2026

A sportscaster with cerebral palsy will be the voice of play-by-play coverage for Major League Baseball games airing in primetime on NBC and Peacock.

03/05/2026

March is Women’s History Month.

Disabled women have shaped history, advanced civil rights, challenged artistic norms and transformed how we understand disability.

From Judy Heumann’s leadership in the disability rights movement to Harriet Tubman’s abolitionist legacy, from Frida Kahlo’s groundbreaking art to Alice Wong’s impact on disability storytelling and advocacy, their contributions continue to influence generations.

Representation matters. History includes disabled women. Who else would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments.

Image description: Graphic titled “Disabled Women Who Shaped History” with NDI logo in the top right corner. The slide features four women with brief biographies and photos: Judy Heumann (1947–2023), disability rights activist and wheelchair user who helped lead the 504 Sit-in and advance the Americans with Disabilities Act; Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913), abolitionist and political activist who sustained a traumatic brain injury and likely lived with epilepsy; Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), Mexican painter who lived with chronic pain and mobility impairments; and Alice Wong (1974–2025), disability rights activist with spinal muscular atrophy and founder of the Disability Visibility Project. Portrait images of each woman appear below their biographies.

03/04/2026

Today’s Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast was a wonderful success! Hosted by Walk Bike Ride South OrangeWalk Bike Ride in partnership with JESPY House, Inc. and the Maplewood Police Department and South Orange Police Departments, the event brought our communities together to celebrate the dedicated crossing guards who keep our children and community members safe. Crossing guards from both towns enjoyed a morning of connection and well-deserved recognition. They were joined by JESPY House, Inc. clients, local officials, police leadership (South Orange Sergeant Jose Albino and officers; and Maplewood Police Chief Albert Sally and officers), and Board of Education members — all showing strong support from across Maplewood and South Orange.

As a special thank you, crossing guards received gift cards. The event was spearheaded by JESPY Community Relations and Outreach Supervisor Tara Roberts. Delicious refreshments were generously provided by Sonny's Bagels, Whole Foods Market,The Able Baker, Bakes by Izzy, and Gencarelli's Bakery.