New location but
same operations at JEVS

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Tracy Alston suffered some abuse from his family and watched other relatives go to prison, but his fortunes started to turn around in August 2003.
That’s when Alston, who has a mild case of mental retardation, joined the JEVS Human Services Life Sharing program. After years of living in foster care, he was able to experience a more stable home life.
Today, the 26-year-old lives with Life Sharing program manager Marnisha Henry and her husband, daughter and granddaughter in Rhawnhurst.
"They’re good people," Alston said. "It’s one of the best things to happen to me. It’s helped me be a better person and learn more things."
Recently, Alston was among the featured guests as JEVS Human Services held a grand-opening celebration and open house for the new home of its Work and Recovery and Community Living and Home Supports programs at 9350 Ashton Road.
The operations had been at Orleans Technical Institute, at 1330 Rhawn St., but that facility is closing and will reopen in September at a new site on Red Lion Road, just east of Roosevelt Boulevard. The new JEVS location is in a building that once was part of the Crown Cork and Seal campus.
The building includes a full-scale model apartment — featuring a living room, bathroom, bedroom and kitchen — that allows individuals to prepare for living independently and working in the hospitality and janitorial fields.
"It’s a very, very valuable room," said Natan Gottesman, executive director of the Work and Recovery Program.
Programs offered on the site include vocational evaluation, skills training and job placement.
The Work and Recovery program provides assistance and teaching to help prepare people with various disabilities to enter the work force. Consumers practice copying and shredding, learn to type, use a computer and develop a resume.
The Community Living and Home Supports program provides residential options and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
Among the guests at the June 7 event were state Sen. Mike Stack (D-5th dist.), JEVS Human Services president and CEO Jay Spector, board chairman Ben Zuckerman and representatives of state House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-169th dist.).
Proclamations were delivered by Gov. Ed Rendell and Mayor John Street.
JEVS, which has been serving the developmentally disabled and mentally ill populations since 1941, works closely with the city Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services.
Spector explained that the expansion project was three years in planning.
"Sometimes, it’s worth waiting for things," he said.
Alston believes the wait was worth it for him to find a good home and job. He works in maintenance at the Food Basics supermarket at Bustleton Avenue and County Line Road in Somerton.
The Henry family is happy to provide him with a stable home setting and has seen his development.
"It affords him more of a family environment," Marnisha Henry said. "He’s made tremendous strides and is doing exceptionally well. He’s definitely maturing."
Alston — whose motto is, "If you can believe, you will achieve" — will live with the Henrys for the foreseeable future but could move on if he continues to progress.
"The next step for him is semi-dependent living," Marnisha Henry said.
Karen Foster, the director of the Life Sharing program, said Alston’s situation is the ideal one for the agency’s consumers.
"The Life Sharing program is all about relationships," she said. "It gives them a sense of belonging. They really become a part of the family. They get love and care and respect."
Alston joined fellow consumer Ben Gibson and dignitaries in cutting the ribbon on the facility, which has been operating since May 23.
Gibson is another feel-good story. The 43-year-old from Olney enrolled in an Orleans Technical Institute workshop in 1996. He’s part of the JEVS Work and Recovery program that treats individuals with mental-health issues.
For about two years, Gibson has worked at the Modell’s Sporting Goods store at Roosevelt Mall. He’s there at 7 a.m. for truck deliveries, unloading and processing the merchandise for sale to the public.
JEVS instructors help consumers find jobs and coach them so there is a smooth transition into the workplace. Gibson’s instructor is Caldwell Grant.
"I love my job," Gibson said. "I meet new people and get to know what the customers like and dislike."
Tom Corcoran, general manager of the Modell’s location, was given an award by JEVS for his store’s participation in the Work and Recovery program.
Corcoran said Modell’s benefits by Gibson’s presence.
"Ben’s a great worker," he said. "If every associate was like Ben, we’d welcome them with open arms." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com