An innovative community service for people with special needs was recently opened in Essex County called “LifeTown: The Jerry Gottesman Center” in Livingston. It’s like a mini-mall filled with shops such as a pet store, a book store, a bank, a movie theater and a food market, as well as recreational venues including a music studio, basketball court and more. Evidently it’s 53,000 square feet and is staffed by both professionals and volunteers through the Friendship Circle of New Jersey. Some of the businesses are independent businesses with their own employees. Friendship Circle participants have the opportunity to learn job skills as well as skills with handling money and shopping. There will be social activities, work activities and recreational activities, all designed for skill-building, socialization. One of the goals of the mission of Friendship Circle and LifeTown is “to fully integrate people with special needs into the community and society at large ” and to “simulate life in a safe and accessible environment.”
For information about participation in Friendship Circle, click here
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