JSDD recently had an afternoon to remember.
Saturday, March 25th JSDD residents and WAE Center members got glammed up for dancing, posing, and celebrating Prom together. The prom was held at The Brownstone in Paterson, NJ. This spectacular formal event was the vision of Jennifer and Mariah Fay. Jennifer, JSDD’s Director of Nursing Services and her daughter (who is a high school junior) worked together, planning, obtaining grants and generous donations from the community to make the day extravagantly special.
Although Mariah, is still in high school, this was not the first special experience which she created for the men and women of JSDD. Last year she organized a bowling event that brought everyone together for one of the first times since COVID. Mariah, came up with the idea for a prom because, she understood that for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, “most have never had the opportunity to experience the excitement that goes along with prom.” She worked on the planning and vision of the event and was awarded the Hershey Heartwarming Project Action Grant.
The Fay’s also secured funding for the event from Shop Rite’s Village Supermarket who donated corsages and boutonnieres. They were beautiful and added that special extra touch that had everyone beaming.
Triple Platinum Entertainment got everyone up and dancing for the whole party! Louis D and Marcie J. serenaded the guests! Soylis Creations donated the backdrop for the photobooth, and Taylor Event Group ran the photobooth…which was the source of endless posing and fun for members, residents, and staff! Everyone got to take home these great keepsakes of the party!
Dressed in their very best, residents, members, families, and staff danced, ate, chatted, and thoroughly embraced this unique opportunity to celebrate together. When asked to sum up her feelings of the event Mariah said, “The smiles and genuine joy that was felt by everyone who attended, residents and staff alike was truly priceless. We already have discussed holding a similar event next year and are planning to explore more opportunities to incorporate community inclusion in the event.”
