What It Means to be Truly Welcomed at the Weinstein JCC
“ That’ s all you want for your kid. To see him welcomed, cherished, and part of something means everything.”
Impact Report Fiscal Year 2025
What It Means to be Truly Welcomed at the Weinstein JCC
For Annie Haynos and Scot Ferguson, finding care for their son Barrett has always been challenging. Barrett is nonverbal and has significant medical needs, and far too often, programs would simply tell them they couldn’ t help. Sometimes it was said gently; other times, not. But no matter how it was conveyed, the message was the same: there was no place for their family.
“ That’ s all you want for your kid. To see him welcomed, cherished, and part of something means everything.”
— Scot, Barrett’ s dad
Then everything changed when they stepped through the doors of the Weinstein JCC.
From the very first moment, Annie and Scot felt a weight lift from their shoulders, a sense of relief they had long been searching for. Barrett was welcomed into the JCC’ s preschool and later into Voices Together, not as a problem to manage, but as a precious child to be known and loved. The staff greeted him by name, asked caring questions, listened attentively, and made it clear that Barrett belonged.
Inclusion Coordinator and Voices Together Camp Director, Nicole Roy, sees the impact every summer. She explains,“ children who need extra support deserve a real camp experience. They deserve to feel included every moment. That’ s what the JCC gives them.”
Barrett Ferguson
5