Brickapalooza Blog

Building Community, Creativity, and Inclusion: How Jawonio and Brick It Again Come Together for Brick-A-Palooza Since 1947, Jawonio has been dedicated to advancing the independence, well-being, and equality of people with special needs. Known as “the place where miracles happen every day,” Jawonio provides lifespan services in Rockland and Westchester Counties for children and adults with developmental disabilities, mental…

ADA Anniversary Blog

The Intersectionality of the ADA, it’s Promise, Progress and our Future [1990] “Today, America welcomes into the mainstream of life all of our fellow citizens with disabilities. We embrace you for your abilities and for your disabilities, for our similarities and indeed for our differences, for your past courage and your future dreams.” ~ President George…

Randi’s Statement on the Big Beautiful Bill

Statement from Randi Rios-Castro, CEO on ‘The Big Beautiful Bill’ July 3, 2025 Every Day So Much Good Happens Here We’re now deep into the heart of summer, and at Jawonio that means something special: the sound of laughter echoing across our campus. Our Summer Education Program — rooted in the rich legacy of what was once…

July 4th 2025

Celebrating Freedom, Embracing Inclusivity: The Intersecting Narratives of July 4th and Jawonio As the United States gears up to celebrate its 249th Independence Day on July 4th, a day synonymous with freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on what “freedom” truly means for all members of our society.…

Mental Health Awareness

More Than Awareness: Celebrating Our Mental Health Heroes As May draws to a close, so too does Mental Health Awareness Month. But for the incredible teams within our Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) program and our dedicated Care Management teams, the commitment to fostering well-being and empowering individuals on their mental health journeys never ends. …

National Nurses Month

Celebrating Our Incredible Nurses! “Not all Angels Have Wings…Some Have Scrubs” ~ (unknown) Katzen Staff Thank You!  Nurses Thank You Luncheon  National Nurses Month is celebrated throughout the month of May. Specifically, National Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6-12. This is a time to recognize and appreciate the work of our nurses, who form…

Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month

Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month at Jawonio: Embracing Neurodiversity and Innovation April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives of individuals with autism. At Jawonio, we’re proud to join the global community in fostering understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. More than just awareness, we strive for a world where neurodiversity is…

National Caregivers Day

Let’s Celebrate National Caregivers Day National Caregivers Day, observed annually on the third Friday of February, is a special occasion dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of caregivers. At Jawonio, we take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to our exceptional care teams at every level. Each of our lifespan services division staff provides…