Adaptations
Adaptations is a dynamic, supportive, social community for adults at the Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Diverse Abilities (CDA) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Through structured social/recreational and employment programs, Adaptations provides multiple pathways to fostering independence, finding your passion, and experiencing the richness of community. Adaptations is not a clinical or therapeutic program.
- Ensure participants experience a sense of belonging
- Connect and empower participants to build friendships through facilitated social opportunities
- Encourage engagement through rich and diverse programming that reflects participants’ interests
- Create adapted experiences that enable participants to expand their sense of self and abilities
- Offer customized job-readiness programs to help individuals achieve competitive employment
- Facilitate local community connections and foster inclusive opportunities for participants to enhance their quality of life
Adaptations FAQ
- What is Adaptations?
- Who is in the Adaptations community?
- What types of programming does Adaptations provide?
- How do I join the program?
- Can I try out Adaptations programs before my discovery call?
- Are there fees for programs and do you offer scholarships?
- I live outside of NYC. Can I still join Adaptations?
What is Adaptations?
Adaptations is a dynamic, supportive, social community for adults at the Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Diverse Abilities (CDA) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Through structured social/recreational and employment programs, Adaptations provides multiple pathways to fostering independence, finding your passion, and experiencing the richness of community. Adaptations is not a clinical or therapeutic program.
Who is in the Adaptations community?
Adaptations is a community of adults with a high level of independence looking to learn, grow, and deepen connections with one another. Adaptations members are:
- Adults over the age of 22
- Comfortable in a 12:1 member to staff ratio
- Able to travel independently throughout the city
- Have a support system in place such as family, friends, or therapists
- Able to maintain a respectful and safe environment for others
- Excited to meet new people and try new activities.
What types of programming does Adaptations provide?
Below is just a sampling of all of the programs Adaptations has to offer. In your discovery call, we will review our monthly calendar with you. To browse the current season's offerings, click here.
- Social Programming: board game lounge, dine outs, karaoke, speed friending, etc.
- Support + Skills: men's/women's/neuroqueer/couples' Groups, Relationships + Sexuality, advocacy group, etc.
- Arts + Culture: art classes, improv, comic book club, museum trips, and Broadway outings
- Fitness: circuit training and holistic warriors
- Job Support: social skills in the workplace, working professional dine outs
- Special Events: holiday parties and programming, community service events, annual events such as prom, Disability Pride Parade, and more
How do I join the program?
Step 1: Please reach out to Adaptations director Michelle Wexler at mwexler@mmjccm.org to complete our online questionnaire.
Step 2: Following completion, Adaptations will reach out to schedule a virtual discovery call. The discovery call is an opportunity to learn more about you, your goals, and to share more about Adaptations. If during the course of the discovery call, you or Adaptations feel like our community isn't the ideal match, we will email you referrals for alternate programming and/or support.
Can I try out Adaptations programs before my discovery call?
You must complete a discovery call prior to registering or attending Adaptations programming. Following your discovery call, you are welcome to trial a program.
Are there fees for programs and do you offer scholarships?
There are fees associated with Adaptations programs, generally $10-$25 each. We never want money to be a barrier to programs and we offer scholarships on an as-needed basis. No JCC or Adaptations membership fees are necessary to join.
I live outside of NYC. Can I still join Adaptations?
Yes! We have participants who travel to us from near and far—New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, and other locations.
- Relationship Support
- Social Scene
- Arts + Culture
- Fitness + Healthy Living
RELATIONSHIP SUPPORT
Creative Alternatives to Social Learning
Licensed drama therapists and trained theater artists lead engaging, interactive activities that inspire confidence and a sense of community.
NeuroQueer Support Group
Are you looking to meet other LGBTQ+ or questioning individuals with disabilities to learn from and share your experiences with? Each month, this support group offers a safe space to discuss and share questions and situations around being LGBTQ+ and having a disability.
This group is for adults 18+ who identify as LGBTQ+ or are questioning their sexual orientation/gender.
Couples Group
Are you part of a couple in which both of you are members of Adaptations? Join us in this safe space to talk about the ups and downs of being together.
SOCIAL SCENE
Lounge
Join your friends and other Adaptations participants on Sunday afternoons at one of our most popular programs. Engage in conversation and enjoy light fare in a relaxed, social environment.
Dine Out
Interested in catching up with old friends and making new ones over dinner? Spend an evening dining with Adaptations members at a local restaurant.
End-of-Season Parties
Join Adaptations for our traditional end-of-season parties! Whether it’s on the rooftop, a dance party, or a dinner party, don’t miss these spectacular events with friends from your favorite programs.
Jewish Holiday Celebrations
Join Adaptations for some of the many holiday-themed programs at the JCC. Celebrations such as First Night First Light, Tikkun, Adaptations Sukkot Dinner, Chanukah Lounge, and Purim parties are just some of the Jewish holiday celebrations offered.
ARTS + CULTURE
Comic Book Club
Are you a little angry at DC Comics over the annual universe shake-ups? Did you know who the Red Hulks were before the reveal? Come discuss and learn about the comic book world with this lively group!
Anime Group
Are you tired of keeping your inner otaku—your obsession with anime—a secret? Do you want to watch anime beyond Dragon Ball or Bleach? Find others who share your passion at Anime Group.
Literary Club
Build a body of creative writing work that ranges from heartfelt to hilarious. Writers hone their craft and express themselves through journal writing, poetry, essays, humor pieces, television scripts, and more.
FITNESS + HEALTHY LIVING
Circuit Training
Come every week to learn how to train your body into the shape you want. Sign up by yourself or with other Adaptations members to work out with Jamar Grimball, a terrific and talented certified trainer at the JCC Fitness Center.
Teens/Young Adults Special Needs Swim Class
This swim class is for teens and young adults with special needs (age 15–29). This class focuses on basic swimming skills and strokes, including breathing technique and becoming comfortable in the water. We specialize in small class sizes and dedicated instructors. Intake form required. Please contact Caitlin Boker at aquatics@mmjccm.org for more information.