JSDD Wae Center

What JSDD Wae Center does

JSDD of MetroWest, Inc. operates the WAE Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 22-3479872) delivering adult day habilitation and community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in MetroWest New Jersey. Founded in 1996, the organization has a 30-year operating history, with the WAE Center (Wellness, Arts, Enrichment) launched circa 2004 as its signature adaptive arts program. Service delivery is concentrated at the Cooperman Family Campus under construction at 310 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, NJ, with the G.O.A.A. program previously located in West Orange and the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center affiliation in Peapack. The organization currently reaches 150+ members annually.

The core offering is the person-centered 'Finding the Spark Within' methodology, spanning fine arts, music, theater, yoga, meditation, cooking, pre-vocational training, creative writing, Judaic studies, civics, and speaking circles. Complementary programs include Heidi Gallery (juried on-campus exhibitions), WAE Gallery (online marketplace at waegallery.org), WAE Beyond (after-hours programming), Residential Services (group homes including Millburn, Woodland, West Orange), Therapeutic Services (physical, occupational, speech), and the Life | Home | Tech enabling technology initiative. Member-created artwork is commercialized through on-site gift shop, online gallery, and partner venue exhibitions (West Caldwell Library, Gaelen Gallery, Studio Montclair, SOPAC, Matheny Arts Access, NJ Medical School). The organization has no proprietary software platform or AI technology stack; its intellectual property lies in its adapted curriculum, programming depth, and human-delivered service model.

JSDD's revenue model is grant- and donation-funded rather than retail fee-for-service. NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities government funding covers day habilitation services, supplemented by individual donations (Annual Campaign, Tribute Cards, Brick Fundraiser, Major Gifts Circle, Goodman Perwien Legacy Society), foundation grants (Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey $1M, Steven and Beverly Rubenstein Charitable Foundation $1M, Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation $2M plus $500K challenge), corporate partnerships, and transactional art sales. The 'Building an Extraordinary Future' $10M capital campaign (raising $7M by 2019) funded the Cooperman Family Campus expansion, targeting 50-100 additional clients across programs. Distribution is regional: direct on-site services at Livingston, community integration activities, partner venue exhibitions, and online gift shop. No public pricing exists for core habilitation services, consistent with the nonprofit's government-funded structure.

Name

JSDD Wae Center

Legal name

JSDD of MetroWest, Inc.

Website

https://waecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JSDD of MetroWest operates the WAE Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing adult day habilitation and adaptive arts programming for 150+ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities annually in MetroWest New Jersey, funded primarily through NJ DDD, foundation grants, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services / Adult Day Habilitation

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

Keywords

• Adult day habilitation
• Developmental disability services
• Adaptive arts programming
• Community disability support
• Therapeutic habilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Livingston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (NJ DDD): As a licensed New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities provider, JSDD receives government funding for adult day habilitation services provided to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations through its website (Network for Good), annual campaigns, tribute cards, brick fundraisers, and major gifts. The organization has a Major Gifts Circle and Goodman Perwien Legacy Society for planned giving.
3. Foundation Grants: JSDD receives significant foundation grants from Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey ($1 million), Steven and Beverly Rubenstein Charitable Foundation ($1 million), Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation ($2 million plus $500K challenge grant), and other charitable foundations.
4. Art Sales and Gift Shop: WAE Center promotes the sale of artwork created by members. JSDD operates a gift shop selling art pieces and merchandise created by WAE Center artists.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

JSDD WAE Center is a New Jersey DDD-licensed adult day habilitation provider offering holistic adaptive arts programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Core services include fine arts, music, theater, yoga, meditation, cooking, creative writing, Judaic studies, civics classes, and pre-vocational training, complemented by residential group home services, therapeutic services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), and an enabling technology program (Life | Home | Tech). Members also create artwork sold through the WAE Gallery and Heidi Gallery.

Product overview

JSDD WAE Center is a holistic arts learning program for adults with developmental disabilities, operating as an adult day habilitation provider in New Jersey. The core WAE Center program offers adaptive arts education including fine arts, speaking circles, yoga and meditation, pre-vocational offerings, cooking, music, creative writing, Judaic studies, and civics classes. The organization includes several interconnected programs: the WAE Center (main day program), WAE Gallery (showcasing member artwork), Heidi Gallery (juried exhibitions open to external artists), Therapeutic Services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy), and Life | Home | Tech (enabling technology). Programs operate from the Cooperman Family Campus in Livingston, NJ, and serve as a New Jersey DDD provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WAE Center: Wellness, Arts, Enrichment - An adult day program focused on adaptive arts and personal growth for adults with developmental disabilities
• Heidi Gallery
• WAE Open
• The WAE Gallery

Products and services

• WAE Center (Wellness, Arts, Enrichment) Adult day habilitation program providing holistic arts learning for adults with developmental disabilities, including fine arts, speaking circles, yoga, meditation, cooking, music, creative writing, Judaic studies, civics classes, and pre-vocational training. Operates as a licensed NJ DDD provider.
• Residential Services Group home living options for adults with developmental disabilities across multiple locations in New Jersey, including Millburn, Woodland, West Orange, and Passaic Ave. group homes.
• Therapeutic Services Comprehensive therapy services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for adults with developmental disabilities served by JSDD.
• Life | Home | Tech Enabling technology program bringing innovative solutions to adults with IDD and older adults to support more independent living.
• Heidi Gallery Juried art gallery at JSDD hosting exhibitions featuring established, emerging, and underrepresented artists, including the annual WAE Open exhibition, Pride-Full, and staff art exhibits.
• WAE Gallery (Online Art Sales) Online gallery showcasing artwork created by WAE Center members, featuring individual artist profiles and available artwork for purchase.
• LGBTQ+ WAE Specialized program within WAE Center providing a safe forum for adults with developmental disabilities to explore gender and sexual identity concepts, with Keshet LGBTQ Safe Zone certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 150+ members annually across arts, wellness, and habilitation programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and regular.

• Matheny Arts AccessmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner15+ year collaborative relationship producing annual 'Summer Symbiosis' exhibitions celebrating work of artists from both studios. Both organizations are dedicated to creative process and enabling individuals with disabilities to create fine art.
• New Jersey Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaborative art exhibition displayed in medical school hallways. Program made possible by funds from NJ State Council on the Arts/Department and partner agency of National Endowment for the Arts.
• Studio MontclairmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization of professional and emerging artists. WAE artists regularly featured in annual member exhibitions including 'State of the Art' and 'Inspired by Quilts.' Yvette Lucas serves as current president.
• SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center)regularStrategic or Co-development PartnerGallery partner hosting WAE Center art exhibitions and providing space for members to view contemporary art and create response artwork on-site.
• Greater MetroWest AbleregularOthersAffiliation with Greater MetroWest Able organization supporting disability services in the Greater MetroWest Jewish community.
• NJACP (New Jersey Association of Community Providers)regularOthersAffiliation with NJACP, the state association for community-based service providers supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJregularOthersAffiliation with the Jewish Federation providing community support, resources, and connection within the Greater MetroWest Jewish community.
• Keshet (LGBTQ Safe Zone)regularOthersLGBTQ Safe Zone certification recognizing JSDD's commitment to inclusive services for LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities through programs like G.O.A.A.
• Gaelen Gallery at JCC MetrowestregularChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGallery venue in West Orange hosting WAE Open annual exhibitions and Chairs of Inclusion exhibits featuring member artwork.
• West Caldwell Public LibraryregularChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMonthly showcase venue for WAE artist artwork available for purchase, with library hosting rotating exhibitions of over 10 WAE artists.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): Large New York-based nonprofit network serving people with IDD, autism, and behavioral health needs through residential, day, clinical, and arts programs. Comparable in scale and breadth of IDD services, including adaptive arts programming.
• Bancroft: Regional nonprofit providing residential, day, behavioral, and therapeutic services for individuals with IDD and autism, primarily in New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic. Comparable in offering a vertically integrated IDD service mix including day habilitation and therapies.
• Easter Seals New Jersey: Established New Jersey affiliate of Easterseals providing disability services including day programs, residential supports, and therapies. Comparable as a regional IDD services provider with overlapping therapeutic and day habilitation offerings.
• ARC of New Jersey: Statewide chapter of The Arc, providing advocacy, residential, day, and employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New Jersey. Comparable as a much larger umbrella IDD services organization operating in the same NJ DDD-funded ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Plus Group (Programs for Adult Learning and Support): New Jersey-based adult day program provider for individuals with developmental disabilities offering arts, life skills, and pre-vocational training. Direct comparable in scale and program mix to the WAE Center's adult day habilitation model.
• Spectrum for Living: New Jersey nonprofit providing residential and day services for adults with developmental disabilities. Direct comparable as a fellow NJ DDD-funded provider of group homes and adult day programming.
• Matheny Medical and Educational Center: New Jersey-based nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities, operating residential, medical, and Arts Access programs. Direct comparable as a fellow NJ IDD provider with a parallel arts program that has partnered with WAE Center for 15+ years.

Emerging players

• Visions Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: New York/New Jersey nonprofit providing rehabilitation, day habilitation, and residential services, with adaptive arts programming. Comparable as a disability services nonprofit with a person-centered, arts-inclusive service model.

Regional players

• Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ - Able: JSDD's affiliated community organization providing disability inclusion services for the Greater MetroWest Jewish community. Directly comparable as a regional partner addressing similar IDD and inclusion needs within the same Jewish community footprint.

Others

• NJACP (New Jersey Association of Community Providers): State industry association for community-based providers serving individuals with developmental disabilities in NJ. Comparable as a peer through JSDD's membership and as the trade body governing NJ DDD community provider standards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/JSDDsWAECenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/waecenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/waecenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jsdd-wae-center

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JSDD Wae Center