With an unprecedented turnout, Yahalom’s recent event was standing room only. Last Wednesday, YahalomNJ hosted a Mothers’ Night Out for mothers of children with special needs.
About two years ago, Agudas Israel’s New Jersey office started Yahalom as a resource center for families with children with special needs. Yahalom offers guidance and direction with organizations, support groups, peer support, government funding, meals, etc. Following its success in Lakewood, divisions opened in New York and Chicago, with another branch in Florida on the way.
One goal of Yahalom is to host events for parents, providing them with a venue to encourage each other and rejuvenate. Parents with special needs children need to be cared for too. Mothers’ Night Outs, and more recently Fathers’ Night Outs, have been Yahalom’s way to address this effectively. In line with this was last Wednesday’s Mothers’ Night Out.
Amidst the fine décor and comfortable atmosphere, mothers were treated to an extravagant milchig buffet, an exciting raffle, and a special program. Chayala Neuhaus, renowned composer and singer, performed not only for, but also with the mothers who came. Song books were given out to enable everyone to sing along with Mrs. Neuhaus. Ultimately, it was a personal and uplifting experience for everyone. The event left everyone refreshed and on an emotional high. Still, to keep the good feelings going long afterwards, Yahalom handed out flash drives containing Chayala’s songs.
For parents of children with special needs, sending a child away to sleep away camp for the first time can be challenging. Seeing the need to address the issue, Yahalom United, the joint effort of the multiple Yahalom divisions, put together a guide containing tips from parents who already met this challenge.
“I am really appreciative of the work done by YahalomNJ,” said one mother. “The event left me feeling calm and relaxed. The resource guide for camp was also very informative.”
Mrs. Chana Laniado, the director of Yahalom, Lakewood, summed up the evening: “It gave chizuk, hope, inspiration, and joy to everyone who came. People in the room felt connected. It was really special.”
Agudath Israel thanks Towne Nursing for their generous sponsorship of this essential event.