December 2008
Spotlight on Yachad Dayhab Without Walls
Yachad, meaning together in Hebrew, describes in a word what is unique about the Dayhab center and its umbrella organization Jewish Union Foundation. Founded twenty five years ago, it started as an attempt to integrate teens living with developmental disabilities into mainstream Jewish society through social and recreational activities. The program has now grown to serve children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. At the cornerstone of their work are the concepts of inclusion, and including the teaching of social skills to their participants. As National Director of the Jewish Union Foundation, Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman explains, while teaching socials skills is often neglected in developmentally disabled education, it is the most critical skill to learn in order to integrate into mainstream society.
Yachad Dayhab Without Walls in one of the programs within National Jewish Foundation. Program participants develop independent living and vocational skills through classes at the center as well as creative courses emphasizing self expression. When not at the center participants work and volunteer in the community at settings ranging from schools to pharmacies to beauty salons.
NY Writers Coalition’s relationship with the Yachad Dayhab began last May. Program participants had expressed an interest in writing so Vocational Coordinator Sara Cohen began searching for an appropriate course for them in the community. However, she found the physical limitations of some participants to be an issue because many sites were not wheelchair accessible. When NYWC offered to bring the workshop to them, it seemed like a perfect fit. Even though Yachad Dayhab prefers to get their program participants into the community as often as possible, having an exclusive writing workshop has proved beneficial in more ways one. As Director Jonathan Weiss explains, “The fact that you [NYWC] come here makes it not only physically possible for many of our members to participate, but also has created a very emotionally inviting space where they feel safe and free to explore and express themselves.”
By all accounts the workshop has been a great success. The writers and staff are enthusiastic and the notebooks are filling up quickly. But what really stands out in this workshop is the amount of respect the workshop participants, leader Judy Chicurel, and the staff all have for the writing. When it came time to share the writing, the voices gathered around the table fell silent as all eyes and ears turned their attention to the writing.
Medeor Blue
by Avery Smith, Age 8
A participant Imani House after-school program at P.S. 282
The fight between Medeor Blue and Mega Freak was beginning. Mega Freak jumps on the ground and judo kicks Medeor Blue. But neither of them know that under ground was a cannon. So quick Medeor Blue was left flying like a rocket and he crashes into a cannon. He didn’t see the cannon so he was blasted to the moon. BOOM!!! Medeor Blue crashed into the unknown planet. He gets up but plops back down and faints. But when he woke up he was surrounded by aliens. He gets shaky with fear and is put in an amazing mansion. “This will be your home,” says one of the aliens. Medeor Blue searched around to see if there was a jacuzzi. But quick the aliens took a remote and out came the pool and jacuzzi. He dove right in to gather his energy. He needed it for the next time he saw Mega Freak.
To Be Continued…
Part II
Last time we met Medeor Blue crash landed on an unknown planet. But this is the continuation. Medeor Blue gets out of the jacuzzi and searched for a beach with a restaurant and dessert shop. He looked outside and there it was. A beach with a restaurant and dessert shop. He goes on to the beach and has something to eat and got a triple ice cream sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Then all around his body turns blue as can be and starts changing colors. He thanks the aliens for all the things they have done for him and he steps on the beach with a serious face and he blasts himself to find Mega Freak to destroy him for good. A.K.A. his evil brother.
To Be Continued…
Part III
Welcome back space cadets. Last time Medeor Blue kicks back into action and goes to his arch enemy for battle. But now figure out whether or not they’re brothers. Dun Dun D uuuuuuuunnnn.
Continuation
Medeor Blue was still traveling through space. Along the way, he passed our nine planets and counts them. Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, New Planet, Moon, Earth, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and finally Neptune. Once he landed he saw Mega Freak standing and waiting for him. Medeor Blue runs up in front of Mega Freak and Mega Freak simply punches him in the gut! All of a sudden blue sparks all the way from Medeor Blue come out from where he pot punched. “Owe! Right in the kisser too!” Medeor Blue gets up and tries again. But BAM instant punch. But no, Medeor Blue gets up. He zooms to Mercury in less than one second. Mega Freak starts heading to his home village to do more destruction. So he makes and heads for it. He hears an unusual sound from behind him. He turns around and sees a blue light. “Huh?” he said. He started running but before he could move Medeor Blue crashed right in font of Mega Freak. “HA HA sucker you Mi-“ but before Mega Freak could finish that horrible sentence Mega Freak blew up in Medeor Blue’s face and soon Mega Freak didn’t move for three hours and eighteen seconds. “Is he dead?” Medeor Blue asked himself. He picked up one of the rocks from the explosion. Then another one, and another one, and another one and threw them directly at his groin! “Yup.” He is straight up dead. “I’m sorry my brother,” he said. “I had to do it. Only because you were causing destruction to our home planet.” And from that century on, Medeor Blue stood by. Waiting for anymore evil to come. He wasn’t just waiting. He was there.
THE END
Tip Jar
Jumpstart your writing with this craft tip.
“Hear that, girls? The rats are playing.” “I thought you knew that when I said now I really meant in ten minutes.” “Your mood is falling faster than the Dow Jones” Random snippets. Unfortunate truths. Comical observations. Snippets of other people’s conversation can often help jump start your writing.
This quarter’s Tip Jar suggestion is to take a few minutes and eavesdrop on other people’s conversations. Record some choice sentences and phrases. Then, pick one and use it as a place to start your writing. This is an excellent way to create dialogue.