The Beginning
Thirteen years ago, three young girls also built a nest. They were inexperienced, and they didn’t have the resources, but they built it anyway, and nurtured it with the love that was overflowing from within. Jenine Shwekey, Chaya Bender and Miriam Block were just teenagers when they fell in love with the idea of helping special needs children. They had just gotten their driver’s licenses when they began visiting them after school and taking them for rides. When they took an apartment so they’d have a place to bring the kids to play, they were barely out of school and certainly did not have the resources to maintain such an endeavor.
Quietly, they stayed within the trees, continuing to add twigs to their little nest—bringing more children in, adding more days, introducing extra activities, fun outings—growing, more and more with every special child that joined them. People began to notice this little nest, and did what they could to help. Richie Dweck raised funds so the group could travel to Disney and expand. Harry Adjmi spearheaded the cause and raised awareness. Gayle Krost, Michael Cayre, Alie Cohen and Gabe Chehaber helped to coordinate, manage and get the word out. Elliot Tawil took the cause on as his own. So many joined in and helped however they could. The nest grew and grew, and yet still, many never knew it existed, hidden in the trees.
The Grand Opening
On a magnificent Sunday morning over July 4th weekend in Deal, New Jersey, all that changed. Instead of lying on the sand at the beach, running, walking or shooting 18 holes of golf, hundreds of community members gathered in the home of Jennifer and Elliot Tawil to celebrate the existence of this little nest, and to help it to grow into its new home at The Special Children’s Center. With people spilling out of every entranceway, the buzz was palpable. It was clear that this was no ordinary charity, and no ordinary fundraiser. When Elliot takes the stage, the quiet is electric.
Elliot discussed his introduction into Jenine’s chaotic world, the energy she generates and the endless work she has done over the last 13 years to make this day possible. Richie Dweck talked about the growth from seven to over 120 children in Brooklyn, Deal and Lakewood and the tremendous faith it took to keep it going. Rabbi Mansour praised the community and all that we do, “A few police cars are hardly protecting our homes and our families; it is the tzedaka that we give that is our protection. When Mashiach comes, these children will be healed, and in eternity, they will still be talking about these donations.”
Rachel Sutton, both mother and tremendous supporter of the SCC, then took the podium, discussing her daughter’s growth through this program and Jenine’s dedication and determination to make life easier for the parents, siblings and family of every special child she encounters. “I guess it makes sense, special people taking care of special children. G-d in his ultimate wisdom has brought people like these into our lives to teach our children that you can make a real difference in this world. With purity and goodness the SCC has helped to transform a real challenge into hope and triumph.” There was not a dry eye in the house.
The Program
It began with an afterschool program, baking and doing arts and crafts. It then turned into summer camp, with art, music and play therapy, but when the summer was over, Jenine realized she needed more. She planned vacations, bringing professionals and volunteers, showing these wonderful children the time of their lives. Of course, the entertainment of Yaacov Shwekey, Jenine’s husband, was a given, and is a special attraction for the kids. One mother explains, “The trips that the SCC takes these kids on are so amazing. My son looks forward to them all year. They mean so much to him. He pores over the pictures and talks about them all year long. The service that Jenine provides is exceptional. It’s an incredible mitzvah!”
They started keeping kids over weekends, creating a virtual Shabbat-house, a respite for all involved any time a break was needed. Jenine recalls, “One time we got a call from London. The family had heard about what we do, and wanted to send their daughter to us. She is a beautiful little girl with Cerebral Palsy who is wheelchair bound. Arrangements were made for an entire summer stay. Everything went magnificently, until the very end, when the family decided that they just could not bring her back home. She is still with us, and she is a wondrous child. We love her so much!”
Everyone is welcome at the SCC, and everyone is cared for with a most special kind of love. This is the road. These are the twigs and branches. The nest is built, and with the help of so many major supporters and volunteers, it is no longer hiding in the recesses of a tree. It is here, for all of us to admire and wonder about.
The Children
The façade of the Special Children’s Center is bright, cheerful and happy, painted in the prettiest of primary shades with the fingerprints of each child unseen, but clearly felt, on every inch. The clock tower has a crayon-drawn picture of a child, a rainbow, and the smiles that live there. Enter, and that happiness just expands and flows right down the hallway. Betty Sitt visited with me and recalled, “The Special Children’s Center is filled with love and warmth and laughter. I cherished hearing the children’s voices singing throughout the halls. G-d bless everyone who is involved in this program!”
From the first classroom music emanates, and the children and volunteers are dancing and jumping to the beat. Everyone participates. If the child is in a wheelchair, his counselor lifts him. If the child cannot sing, he nods his head and sways to the rhythm. If the child cannot do either, he is still a part of the action, enjoying, taking it all in.
In the next room there are animals: a dog, a goat, a bunny rabbit, a few birds. Some children are frightened and others love the feel of the fur against their skin. The experience is sensory therapy that is warm, effective and fun. Art is in motion in the next room; mirrors are being personalized and decorated so each child can enjoy looking at their own special smiles. Next, in the lunchroom, the children are cutting apples, feeding themselves, getting dirty and getting full, and all the while learning life skills and enjoying the mess.
“I immediately bonded with Batya, a beautiful little 13-year-old,” Heidi Russo recalled of her visit. “I enjoyed it so much I went back the very next day with my stepdaughter Rachel and we spent the morning singing and dancing. I later took the two girls to Toys R Us, and Batya’s reaction and excitement were beyond anything I could ever have imagined. She felt as if the moment was just for her. My wish for more people to be touched for just a quick moment would be a dream come true. The people that run the SCC are true angels.”
The children are loveable: they connect and hug, and love every moment of attention and adoration poured upon them. Each is individual, each craves his or her own brand of consideration, and each deserves all that and more. When I leave, I hear about trips to Sesame Place, Black Beard’s Cave, and more, and I long to come back. I know that I will, and yet still, these volunteers are doing this every day. My admiration and respect just continues to grow.
Another Beginning
Back at Jennifer and Elliot’s house, the ribbon is cut, and it is official. Marilyn and Jukie Chehaber have graciously named the building. Rachel and Jeff Sutton have generously donated the campus, Joe and Trina Cayre start the newest contributions with plans for the indoor jungle gym, and so many others join in on the bandwagon of this most exceptional cause. The Special Children’s Center is open for business, transforming some of life’s greatest challenges into opportunity and triumph. And yet, it has been here all along: a warm nest built by a few individuals with a dream to create a haven for those who cannot find one in other places.
This morning while I drank my coffee, I went to check on my nest, and amazingly, I was greeted by the sound of a morning medley of four of the most beautiful baby birds I’ve ever seen. I guess, like Jenine’s, these eggs have hatched too, in a magnificent and most extraordinary way.
