The power of play

August 7, 2012

Re “Grants help JFS offer kids healing through play,” July 25

On behalf of the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest staff and Board of Trustees, I want to congratulate Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey on the development of Project Play, a therapy program for young children supported by two new grants (“Grants help JFS offer kids healing through play,” July 26).

At JFS MetroWest, we know how successful play therapy can be. JFS MetroWest developed its state of the art play therapy program, the Ruth Sagner Center for Play Therapy in JFS’s Livingston office through a generous endowment by the Sagner Family Foundation six years ago. Over the years, JFS MetroWest’s specially trained licensed social workers have helped many children to reduce anxiety and anger through play and adapt and cope with major disruptions in their young lives.

We are pleased that within the new Greater MetroWest community families will have convenient locations to access family therapy. For more information about JFS MetroWest’s comprehensive therapeutic and support services for children and their families or for a tour of the Ruth Sagner Center for Play, residents within the JFS MetroWest area should contact Patricia Stern, LCSW, clinical coordinator of child and adolescent services, at 973-740-1233, ext. 1773 or pstern@jfsmetrowest.org.

Reuben Rotman
Executive Director
Jewish Family Service of MetroWest