The Cooperative Community-Based Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (The Co-Op) provides programming for disabled adults once they reach the age of 18 and have graduated from high school or a transition program. There are virtually no other programs in Illinois that integrate adults into the community through vocational, adaptive living skills, socialization, recreation, & leisure activities.
Created by Keshet, in collaboration with the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), the Co-Op provides the training to help facilitate the transition of young adults to a new level of independence. The program consists of two primary integrated components: vocational training, which builds each participant's job skills through specialized work at the JVS; and a social and adaptive living skills program run by Keshet at the Bernard Horwich JCC. The Co-Op participants build work skills and at the same time are paid for their employment. By earning a paycheck, they are imbued with a sense of self-worth and a sense of making a meaningful contribution to society. In addition to paid employment, the Co-Op participants volunteer in various sites within the community.
The afternoon activities of the Co-Op incorporate social skills, recreational activities, leisure activities, and adaptive living skills within a group context. These young adults enhance their independence and socialization through current events, music, job skills, and social skills classes. The participants also spend time in the community, grocery shopping, banking, and attending various social events.
All components of the Co-Op facilitate constructive involvement in daily living and community life. Program activities support basic competencies integral to functional relationships with the community at both the institutional and individual level. This will enable these adults to reach out and embrace the next phase of life with opportunities, enthusiasm, and with positive expectations.
A major component of the Co-Op is Keshet Candles. Packaged by individuals with special needs, Shabbat and Yahrzeit candles are sold by Keshet Candles on-line and through retail stores.
Keshet Candles
At Keshet, candles aren't just for lighting up a room. The products of the Keshet Candles also play an important role of lighting the way to a brighter future for Keshet workers.
Since its inception this past March, Keshet Candles has filled orders from across the United States for people wanting high quality Shabbat candles.
Orders are taken by Keshet staff and the candles are then packaged and shipped by Keshet workers at the Keshet/JVS Co-Op on Devon Avenue.
Founded by Keshet Trustee, Gita Berk, and her husband, Dr. Allan Berk, Keshet Candles are available on-line, www.keshetcandles.com, at synagogue gift shops, and bookstores. For further information contact info@keshetcandles.com or call 847-205-1234.
Click here to order
A Parent's Relief:
Dear Keshet:
For most parents, a 21st birthday is an occasion for celebration, representing a joyous finish to child rearing.
However, for my family and my autistic son Jeff, that birthday almost marked the beginning of a needlessly darker period in his life - for when he turns 21, no programs would have been available to assist him to find his place in the world.
Since his diagnosis at age 4, Jeff has had the benefit of an excellent day school education at Keshet. Now that his 21st birthday is rapidly approaching, it was clear there was little chance that Jeff would continue to benefit from the community in which he has lived his entire life.
I have taken significant time to research programming possibilities for Jeff after he turns 21 and the outlook- until now- has almost been bleak beyond words. There is no state mandated funding for individuals with developmental disabilities and there was a good chance that Jeff, like many, many adults with disabilities, would just stay at home every day without any opportunity to interact with peers, or to contribute to society.
My husband and I could not think of anything more tragic for my son than the possibility that his tremendous hard work during childhood would have been wasted because of a lack of opportunity during his adulthood.
Now, day programming for Jeff, run by the folks at Keshet, is a dream almost beyond hope for my family: That there now is a place for him and others - supervised by Keshet - is the answer to my family's fondest dreams.
Adulthood ought not have to be the bleakest part of my son's and his friends' lives - especially when it can be, very easily, and should be, the best.
Thank you!!
Most Sincerely,