What is JESPY House? A South Orange nonprofit, JESPY House supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing them with a wide range of services to advance independence. We serve 260 clients.

How has the Chamber membership been valuable to JESPY House? The Chamber has been so supportive of our program and of our clients, and it is very community minded. It has opened up opportunities for JESPY in the larger community, allowing for greater community inclusion for our clients. Chamber members have also made donations to JESPY and have offered jobs and volunteer positions to our clients.

How has JESPY been able to partner with the Chamber? JESPY has partnered with the Chamber on a food drive for MEND, and many of our clients shopped and helped fill MEND’s Sweet Pea van to the roof with much needed food items to help address food insecurity.

The Chamber really impressed me with their care and consideration of our clients during the early days of the pandemic when our clients were isolated from their daily routines. Christine Coster (State Farm) arranged for The Able Baker to deliver delicious baked goods to our clients and the wonderful Anthony Garubo Salon sent beautifully wrapped gift bags of self-care products for our clients. These acts of kindness were so appreciated by our clients.

It has also been my pleasure to serve on the Events Committee, where I collaborate with other Chamber members to promote the Chamber and all our businesses and organizations. I encourage all local businesses and organizations to take advantage of this unique organization. Great people. Great cause. Great partnership.