Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island
  • About
    • Program Guide
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    • Virtual Tour
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  • Fitness, Sports & Wellness
    • Fitness
    • Sports >
      • Summer Sports Academy
    • Aquatics >
      • Indoor Pool
      • Outdoor Pool
    • Physical Therapy
  • Early Childhood
    • Early Childhood Education
    • First Foot Forward
    • Grown Up and Me Programs
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    • Youth Arts & Enrichment
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    • Sunrise Day Camp >
      • Ways to Help Sunrise
    • Youth Programs
    • Teen Programs
    • Explorers After School Program
    • Community Afterschool Programs
    • Cornerstone Community Centers
  • Services for People with Disabilities
    • Department for People with Disabilities
    • Marvin's Camp
  • Older Adult Services
    • Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics
    • Senior Centers
    • Memory Loss Programs >
      • Dementia Coalition Guide
    • Holocaust Survivors >
      • Cafe Europa
  • Cultural Arts
    • Cultural Arts
    • Music Institute
    • Art @ the J
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  • Community Engagement
    • Social Services >
      • Career Connections
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      • Adult Education
    • Family Programming
    • Hillel of Staten Island >
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  • Donate
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  • Membership
    • Summer Swim Club
    • Prospective Members
    • Current Members
    • Previous Members
    • Guest Pass Policy
  • Career Opportunities
  • Stand With Israel
  • From Resilience to Celebration
  • About
    • Program Guide
    • Locations/Hours
    • Virtual Tour
    • Mission
    • Centers of Excellence
    • History
    • Board
    • Meet our CEO
    • Staff
    • Cafe and Catering
    • Rentals
    • The Bulletin
    • Press
    • DEIB Statement
    • Contact Us
  • Fitness, Sports & Wellness
    • Fitness
    • Sports >
      • Summer Sports Academy
    • Aquatics >
      • Indoor Pool
      • Outdoor Pool
    • Physical Therapy
  • Early Childhood
    • Early Childhood Education
    • First Foot Forward
    • Grown Up and Me Programs
    • Data Security & Privacy
  • Youth & Teen
    • Youth Arts & Enrichment
    • Camps
    • Sunrise Day Camp >
      • Ways to Help Sunrise
    • Youth Programs
    • Teen Programs
    • Explorers After School Program
    • Community Afterschool Programs
    • Cornerstone Community Centers
  • Services for People with Disabilities
    • Department for People with Disabilities
    • Marvin's Camp
  • Older Adult Services
    • Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics
    • Senior Centers
    • Memory Loss Programs >
      • Dementia Coalition Guide
    • Holocaust Survivors >
      • Cafe Europa
  • Cultural Arts
    • Cultural Arts
    • Music Institute
    • Art @ the J
    • Jewish Life
  • Community Engagement
    • Social Services >
      • Career Connections
      • Benefit Connections
      • Health Insurance Programs
      • Food Access
      • Adult Education
    • Family Programming
    • Hillel of Staten Island >
      • JCC Young Leaders
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Donate
    • Nancy Avis L'Dor V'Dor Awards
    • SunriseWALKS
    • JCC Board Advised Funds
    • Annual Report
    • Tribute Cards
    • Donate to the JCC
  • Membership
    • Summer Swim Club
    • Prospective Members
    • Current Members
    • Previous Members
    • Guest Pass Policy
  • Career Opportunities
  • Stand With Israel
  • From Resilience to Celebration

Department for People with Disabilities

At the JCC, we specialize in helping those with disabilities. We provide developmental, social, and recreational opportunities for a wide spectrum of individuals, beginning at age three and ranging through adulthood. Our staff’s mission is to provide opportunities for par­ticipants to improve social skills, which enhance their overall wellbeing. Staff are professionals working to provide stimulating experiences for our participants. We also provide inclusion programs to allow people with disabilities to participate in many of our programs outside of the department.
Video by UJA Federation of New York

For more information on any of our programs, contact: 
Drita Popovic, Sr. Director of Department for People with Disabilities
[email protected]
Dr. and Mrs. Megna Kids Club for Special Kids
​Ages 6-12 • September-June
Our after school program for children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) presents an opportunity for children to so­cialize and engage with peers in an inclusive environment. Li­censed teachers facilitate activities, including yoga, swimming, basketball, and music. 
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Teens After School Program
​Ages 13-21 • September-June
Our after school program for teens with disabilities presents an opportunity for participants to be healthy, social, and active members of the community with a maximum degree of independence. Our goal is to establish the groundwork for optimal success in achieving their highest potential as they tran­sition into adulthood. Licensed teachers facilitate activities including social skills exploration, fitness and athletics, recreational group classes, and parent communication. 
Day Habilitation
​Year-round
Our Day Habilitation Without Walls Program for Young Adults offers social, recreational, and vocational activities at the JCC as well as in collaboration with our partner organizations. Young adults take part in activities such as delivering meals to the homebound, stocking our food pantry, and gardening. We also take trips to various museums and other cultural organizations.
Our program maintains a strong emphasis on community inclusion. We engage our participants in opportunities to be healthy, social, and active members of the community with a maximum degree of independence. Our ulti­mate goal for our participants is to establish the groundwork for optimal success in achieving their highest potential as they transition into adult­hood.  

​For more information contact,
Drita Popovic, Sr. Director of Department for People with Disabilities
[email protected]
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MARVIN’S CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
July/August
Marvin’s Camp is a unique recreational summer program cus­tomized for children with disabilities. With a wide array of both social and developmental activities, chil­dren are engaged by professionally-supported trained staff to create some of the best memories of their summer. After seven weeks of dance classes, swimming, social skills, and field trips, the chil­dren show off their skills in a dance performance for their fam­ilies and relive the summer through a picture slide show.
For more information, visit  http://camp.sijcc.org/marvins-camp
SCHOOL’S OUT PROGRAM
In collaboration with our Youth Department, children and young adults with disabilities are given opportunities to engage with their peers in an inclusive envi­ronment on holidays when school is closed. They provide students with opportunities to see their classmates and meet new friends in activities at the JCC and outings in the community.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Special Events include concerts for people with disabilities, our annual resource fair that we cohost with Senator Andrew Lanza, and much more.
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DISABILITIES ADVOCATE COMMITTEE
Our Disabilities Advocate Committee is comprised of professionals and family members of individuals with disabilities. The committee helps the JCC develop policies, create programs, and do outreach to the community. ​
GIRL SCOUTS
Our Girl Scout Access Troop is for girls and young adults with disabilities and their friends. If troop members attend a District 75 school, registration is free. Members must still pay dues and trip fees. Please contact Lisa Rosenfeld at [email protected] for more information.
Support our troop by purchasing cookies here!
First foot forward
First Foot Forward
Preschool for Children with Developmental Needs

First Foot Forward assists children 2.5 to 5 years old with developmental needs, helping them reach their full potential in a warm, nurturing environment.
​Learn more
here 
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LocationS

BERNIKOW/MID-ISLAND
1466 Manor Road
Staten Island, NY 10314 
718.475.5200 

JCC EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT TEMPLE ISRAEL
​10 Gregg Place
Staten Island, NY 10301

718.475.
5290
AVIS/SOUTH SHORE
1297 Arthur Kill Road 
Staten Island, NY 10312
718.475.5270 

BERMAN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
2221 Richmond Ave.
​Staten Island, NY 10314
718.475.5100
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For Membership Inquiries Please Contact:
Membership Services 718.475.5223 

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