SJM_JEVSHumanServices_BusinessSpotlight_3_19_BusinessSpotlight 2 / 27 / 19 3 : 17 PM Page 1 new opportunity , ” he says . “ Collingswood Members of the is a great town . What I love about it is it’s JEVS Independence Network often get easy to get around and everyone is so nice . ” together for social JEVS Independence Network assists gatherings . with finding and retaining jobs and taking the necessary steps for advancement . Pas - tore works as a host at Famous Dave’s in Cherry Hill , while Dedonado works in child care for a local gym and volunteers at a re - tirement community . With so many em - ployment opportunities in town , many people can walk to their jobs , but the PATCO Speedline is also used by those who have farther to travel . The JEVS staff also helps residents get adjusted to living independently by teach - THRIVING ing skills such as cooking healthy meals , doing laundry and cleaning their apart - ments . Most parents are close by in South Jersey should they be needed , but there is on Their Own also a 24 - hour support service in case of emergencies . JEVS Independence Network helps special needs adults live “ I was nervous at first ; I’ve been with by Matt Cosentino independent , fulfilling lives . my mom my whole life and it was hard leaving , ” Dedonado says . “ But they give in Collingswood , welcomed its first two ike any parent of a special needs you a lot of support in the program . They residents last August and is now up to 10 , child , MikeByrne often worries about come over several times a week and help with plans to move up to 25 quickly . the future . L me clean my place and make sure it’s nice Kelsey will be moving into an apart - His daughter Kelsey , 28 , was born with and tidy . We have group cooking and in - ment this spring with a roommate , and a developmental disorder called Williams dividual cooking nights , which they help both she and her parents are excited about syndrome . Although she is small in stature , with , along with grocery shopping . They the possibilities of living in a safe , walkable her endearing personality can captivate also help me figure out my money for the town . any room she walks into ; but her condition week ahead of time . ” “ The most important thing is within also comes with several learning challenges , Shawna’s mom , Debbie Pilzer , believed five blocks of each other they’re going to especially in the form of numbers , per - her daughter was ready to live independently have 20 friends , ” Byrne says . “ My daughter ception issues and following directions . and is pleased to see her thriving . has already been involved socially with For that reason , Kelsey has always lived “ I’m not far from Shawna , but she’s everybody there . She recently told me , ‘ For with her parents — and until recently , the been learning to use the resources she has the first time I feel like I have friends , and family had no reason to think that would first and then me second , ” she says . “ It not just people connected to you or Mom . ever change . used to always be me first , so JEVS has They’re truly friends of mine . ’ ” “ The prayer of a special needs parent been really helpful for me as a parent . It The tight - knit group of friends will often is that our children live a long and happy takes a lot of pressure off me . ” walk around Collingswood visiting restau - life , but that we as parents live one day Interested parents are encouraged to rants or shops together , and they are con - longer because we have to be there to take attend an upcoming information session stantly hosting each other at their apart - care of them , ” Byrne says . “ But we all know on the program on March 16 from 10 a.m . - ments for dinners , game nights and birth - that most of us won’t live longer , so the noon at First Baptist Church of Collings - days . They even had a Super Bowl party question is , ‘ What do we do ? ’ The JEVS wood . Whether they end up speaking to this year . program is a godsend to parents because other moms and dads or members them - Shawna Dedonado , 24 , joined JEVS In - this is what we think about all the time . ” selves , they will find the Independence dependence Network in October and the That program is called Independence Network comes highly recommended . social aspect is one of her favorite parts . Network and it is run by JEVS Human Ser - “ This program is amazing . We have a “ The program is awesome ; I love it , ” vices , which is headquartered in Philadel - fantastic director and everyone who works she says . “ I like the different social activities phia and helps those with disabilities in a for the program is great , ” Pastore says . that we do , and we do a lot of them . For variety of ways . Byrne was instrumental “ Anyone who is interested in joining JEVS example , we’re going to Philadelphia inworking with JEVS to bring Independence n should do it . It’s so worth it . ” soon , we have a pizza party planned , Network to South Jersey after seeing the we’re going ice skating this weekend . It’s success of its inaugural location in Narberth , n pretty eventful . ” Pennsylvania . rhei JEVS Independence Zack Pastore , 23 , joined in October and Independence Network offers adults Am Network l felt a lot of emotions when moving out of with disabilities the opportunity to live in - A y 13 Fern Ave . , Collingswood b his mom’s house in Freehold . dependently on their own with ongoing ph “ I was excited , I was nervous , I was support and services from JEVS profes - ogra ( 856 ) 242 - 4710 confident . I was just looking forward to a sionals.The South Jersey program , located Phot NJSupports @ jevs.org JEVSHumanServices.org / SJM SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 15 issue 12 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 34 |