THE NEW FUTURE HOME OF THE SPECIAL CHILDRENâS CENTER OF BROOKLYN
EVERY DAY AT THE SPECIAL CHILDRENâS CENTER IS FULL OF LAUGHTER, LEARNING, AND LOVE. THE CENTER, AS IT IS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN, WAS FOUNDED BY CHAYA BENDER AND JENINE SHWEKEY IN 1996. IT HAS GROWN TO BECOME A NUCLEUS OF SUPPORT AND A LIFELINE FOR OVER 750 SPECIAL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT BROOKLYN, THE FIVE TOWNS, AND NEW JERSEY.
Staff and volunteers go above and beyond to give each child opportunities to be treated like typical children and to know that they are loved. As Jenine often says, âThese are my children.â
The summer has been full of exciting events and developments for the whole Center family.
A NEW BUILDING FOR THE BROOKLYN CENTER
Previously, space constraints in Brooklyn have limited The Center from providing much-needed services to those in need. We are proud and grateful to announce that we have secured a new Brooklyn facility that will enable us to greatly expand our services for over 200 special needs children and adults.
We plan to offer programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and through each childâs school age years, teenage and adulthood. These programs offer support and guidance for parents from the day a child with special needs is born. We will be able to offer full day and half day programs, after school hours, Sundays, and legal holidays. These programs offer vital respite for families so they can function effectively and lead normal day-to-day lives.
The new building will feature updated amenities including a lobby, nine spacious specialty rooms, a fitness room, a kitchen and bakery, a two-story jungle gym, an outdoor playground, an enclosed Aquatic Therapy Pool center, a music performance center, and a recording studio.
THE DEAL BREAKFAST
Our annual breakfast in Deal was graciously hosted by Mariel and Jack Cayre. This yearâs breakfast celebrated the purchase of the new Brooklyn Special Childrenâs Center. Harry Adjmi offered welcoming remarks and presented an award to Richie Dweck and a gift to the Cayre family.
The most emotional moment was when Yehuda Newman, a member of The Center family, spoke about how The Center has positively impacted his life. He has even inspired other individuals with special needs to become more independent. He wrote the popular motivational song âFighter,â and was joined by Yaakov Shwekey who sang it for the crowd.
celebrated the expansion in a joyous and meaningful welcoming ceremony.
THE SPECIAL RIDE
Jane and Sam Sutton and their devoted children organized an amazing bike ride event with nearly 70 participants. The riders started out from the Deal Shul on Sherman Avenue and rode to the Special Childrenâs Centerâs new campus! They were accompanied by many special children for the last mile into the most incredible finish line ever! In unity, they rode through a huge banner and ran through the music-filled halls of The Center greeted by the smiling children who were lining the hallways, waving flags, dancing, and cheering on the riders for their great accomplishment. The event culminated in the brand-new, state-of-the-art Adele Hanover Music Center with singing and dancing by Yaakov Shwekey, who presented the Sutton family with a well-deserved award.
CAMP AFTER CAMP
When most camps are over and typical children have some unscheduled time before school starts, special needs children still require full-time supervision and structure. The Center staff and volunteers provide a full day of exciting activities for the students and send them home clean and happy to parents and siblings who are so glad to see them and can give them the love they deserve and attention they need.
ELECTRIC CONCERT
Get ready for the most incredible Yaakov Shwekey Concert you have never seen! Light up the Night, A Guy Ben-Gad production, is a show that will blow your mind! Brand new mixes, medleys and songs created for this event! Every year The Special Childrenâs Center Yaakov Shwekey Electric Concert is sold out, so get your tickets quickly at www.thecenternj.org
