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Contact: Sherry S. Kirschenbaum (973) 929-3084; [email protected]
For Immediate Release
MetroWest ABLE Named One of North America’s Jewish Organizations Best Fostering Inclusion Whippany, NJ, October 29, 2013 – MetroWest ABLE, a program of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, has been named one of 18 leading Jewish organizations committed to fostering inclusion of people with disabilities in one of two new supplements to the Slingshot Guide. MetroWest ABLE, which serves Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and parts of Somerset County, coordinates a network of agencies and advocates that serve individuals of all ages with special needs and their families. Services include information and referral, consultation, vocational training, kosher residences, enriching day programs, and schools, camp, and social activities. It envisions a Greater MetroWest community that is made whole through the active and meaningful participation of all of its members, with opportunities for access to every aspect of Jewish life. The annual Slingshot Guide highlights new and innovative North American Jewish nonprofits that are making a difference in the Jewish community. This year the guide added the Disabilities and Inclusion supplement, supported through a generous partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, along with one focused on groups positively impacting the lives of women and girls. Selected from among hundreds of finalists reviewed by 83 professionals with expertise in grant making and Jewish communal life, evaluators praised MetroWest ABLE for “its ability to leverage the strength of the Federation structure to convene community agencies, and to ultimately improve the lives of persons with disabilities in its area.” Organizations included in this year’s disability and inclusion supplement were evaluated on their innovative approach, the impact they have in their work, the leadership they have in their sector, and their effectiveness at achieving results. “MetroWest ABLE is proud to be among the 18 organizations included in this brand new supplement for meeting those standards,” said Eta Levenson of West Orange, ABLE chair. “The organizations included in Slingshot’s disability and inclusion supplement are helping to break down barriers and build opportunity for engagement for those with special needs — both within and beyond the Jewish community – as never before.” “MetroWest ABLE is thankful that Slingshot has chosen to highlight disability and inclusion as it expands the scope of its guide, and we are honored to be among the many innovative organizations that have benefited from the Slingshot Guide over the last nine years,” added Rebecca Wanatick of Randolph, MetroWest ABLE community inclusion coordinator. According to Will Schneider, executive director of Slingshot, “The introduction of the disability and inclusion supplement is an important milestone in the work of Slingshot. All too often, the discussions
Page 2 about disability and inclusion take place quietly only among impacted families and those who advocate on their behalf. We hope this Guide will inspire those who are already part of the discussion, while also bringing new voices into it. It only makes sense to give these organizations the recognition they deserve and in doing so, also boost their presence among volunteers, donor and activists.” The Slingshot Guide is available as a free download at www.slingshotfund.org. To learn more about the work of MetroWest ABLE, visit www.metrowestable.org or contact Rebecca Wanatick at (973) 929-3129 or [email protected]. Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (Federation) stands at the center of a network of partner agencies dedicated to providing comprehensive social services and meeting the educational, vocational, recreational, and social needs of Jews locally, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world. Responding to emergency and disaster situations around the world is another important part of the Federation mission.
For Immediate Release
MetroWest ABLE Named One of North America’s Jewish Organizations Best Fostering Inclusion Whippany, NJ, October 29, 2013 – MetroWest ABLE, a program of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, has been named one of 18 leading Jewish organizations committed to fostering inclusion of people with disabilities in one of two new supplements to the Slingshot Guide. MetroWest ABLE, which serves Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and parts of Somerset County, coordinates a network of agencies and advocates that serve individuals of all ages with special needs and their families. Services include information and referral, consultation, vocational training, kosher residences, enriching day programs, and schools, camp, and social activities. It envisions a Greater MetroWest community that is made whole through the active and meaningful participation of all of its members, with opportunities for access to every aspect of Jewish life. The annual Slingshot Guide highlights new and innovative North American Jewish nonprofits that are making a difference in the Jewish community. This year the guide added the Disabilities and Inclusion supplement, supported through a generous partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, along with one focused on groups positively impacting the lives of women and girls. Selected from among hundreds of finalists reviewed by 83 professionals with expertise in grant making and Jewish communal life, evaluators praised MetroWest ABLE for “its ability to leverage the strength of the Federation structure to convene community agencies, and to ultimately improve the lives of persons with disabilities in its area.” Organizations included in this year’s disability and inclusion supplement were evaluated on their innovative approach, the impact they have in their work, the leadership they have in their sector, and their effectiveness at achieving results. “MetroWest ABLE is proud to be among the 18 organizations included in this brand new supplement for meeting those standards,” said Eta Levenson of West Orange, ABLE chair. “The organizations included in Slingshot’s disability and inclusion supplement are helping to break down barriers and build opportunity for engagement for those with special needs — both within and beyond the Jewish community – as never before.” “MetroWest ABLE is thankful that Slingshot has chosen to highlight disability and inclusion as it expands the scope of its guide, and we are honored to be among the many innovative organizations that have benefited from the Slingshot Guide over the last nine years,” added Rebecca Wanatick of Randolph, MetroWest ABLE community inclusion coordinator. According to Will Schneider, executive director of Slingshot, “The introduction of the disability and inclusion supplement is an important milestone in the work of Slingshot. All too often, the discussions
Page 2 about disability and inclusion take place quietly only among impacted families and those who advocate on their behalf. We hope this Guide will inspire those who are already part of the discussion, while also bringing new voices into it. It only makes sense to give these organizations the recognition they deserve and in doing so, also boost their presence among volunteers, donor and activists.” The Slingshot Guide is available as a free download at www.slingshotfund.org. To learn more about the work of MetroWest ABLE, visit www.metrowestable.org or contact Rebecca Wanatick at (973) 929-3129 or [email protected]. Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (Federation) stands at the center of a network of partner agencies dedicated to providing comprehensive social services and meeting the educational, vocational, recreational, and social needs of Jews locally, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world. Responding to emergency and disaster situations around the world is another important part of the Federation mission.
