GIVING BACK
BEING A GOOD BUDDY
RIVER EDGE BOY WITH AUTISM HELPS KIDS WITH DISABILITIES
I
WRITTEN BY SARAH NOLAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN WEXLER
t started with a school assignment:
What would you do if you had
$100? For Jack DeSavino, 10 at the
time, the answer was clear: Give
back to kids who, like him, have
autism.
The budding philanthropist began
his mission with the help of his mom,
Kathy. Instead of gifts for an upcoming
birthday, Jack asked for donations to
Autism New Jersey. Two years later,
motivated by the joy his service dog,
Nardi, brought him, Jack asked party
guests to donate money to pay for twin
boys with autism to have their own
service dog.
This year, Jack, now 14, and his
family threw a fundraising dance party
to help support the expansion of an
international organization called Best
Buddies in New Jersey. The event was
held at Glow in Waldwick.
Best Buddies, a nonprofit, is
dedicated to creating one-to-one
friendships, as well as employment
and leadership opportunities for those
with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Though it has several active
chapters in New Jersey, it is unable
to expand further until a state office is
opened, says Vallye Adams, director of
expansion and mission development for
the organization.
“It promotes inclusion and seeing
people for their abilities, not their
disabilities,” Adams says.
Kathy DeSavino knows how
important social connections are
for people like her son. Since Jack
was a toddler, she’s been intent on
surrounding him with peers. He now
has a core group of friends that look
out for him, Kathy says.
But as Jack gets older, and kids his
age become more independent, Kathy
says Best Buddies could fill in the gaps
and make sure Jack and others like him
SP-20
2018 EDITION SPECIAL PARENT
BEST FRIENDS Jack DeSavino with his autism service dog, Nardi, in their River Edge home.
have someone to connect with on a
consistent basis.
For Rich Migatz, a Paramus resident
who is on the board of the New Jersey
expansion team, the most important
initiative offered by Best Buddies is its
employment program for those with
special needs.
Eighty-four percent of adults with an
intellectual or developmental disability
are unemployed, according to the Best
Buddies website. Adams says Best
Buddies has successfully placed about
400 people through its program, which
she says is career-oriented and tries
to find jobs for participants that match
their interests and abilities.
Migatz has seen the benefits a
positive work experience can have, for
both the employer and employee. His
19-year-old son, who is autistic but
high functioning, is studying culinary
arts and takes a tremendous amount of
pride in his work at a local pizzeria, his
father says. In turn, he’s a productive
and reliable employee – his employer
“speaks very highly of him and his
work ethic,” Migatz says.
As for Jack, a talented athlete and
drummer in the school band, he says he
would like to follow in his grandfather’s
footsteps and be a gym teacher.
Jack’s aunt, Karyn Jacobs, was on
his fundraising team along with her
17-year-old son, Steven. She says aside
from helping those with disabilities,
Best Buddies also shapes participants
without disabilities into better people.
“Kids learn science, math and
English at school, but what about going
into the world and being leaders?” she
says. “It starts with accepting people for
who they are.”
Jacobs says her sister-in-law Kathy is
the perfect person to lead a fundraising
effort for Best Buddies, as she has
tirelessly advocated to ensure Jack
has the best life possible.
“Not every person has a warrior
for a mom, like Kathy,” Jacobs
says. “Best Buddies can be that
for someone.” ●