Ahoovim, a program for adults with special needs, was founded in 2009 by Nan Kanter and the Community Kollel of Kansas City. Big plans are in the offing now for Ahoovim: expanding to include more participants, becoming affiliated with Yachad of NCSY and conducting a large capital campaign.
While Ahoovim has provided monthly programs such as sukkah hops, bowling, miniature golf, Hanukkah games, Purim parties, a planetarium visit, barbecues, etc., for adults, volunteer Allan Gonsher said they want to expand the current population and possibly include a younger population.
He said there are special needs people of all ages in the community that are not getting involved and Ahoovim would like to provide Jewish content programming for them as well.
Gonsher, a registered play therapy supervisor, is founder and CEO of Kids Inc. He has been a child therapist for nearly 45 years.
Kanter, who is consultant and program coordinator for Ahoovim, as well as Special Olympics supervisor at Blue Valley Recreation, said Ahoovim may now provide activities for some high schoolers.
“Right now it’s for anybody who is out of high school, but we’re certainly willing to take some that are maybe juniors or seniors if that would be their focus and they’d be interested in doing that,” she said.
At this point, Kanter said Ahoovim does not want to take on anyone younger than high schoolers because some of the participants are already in their 40s and 50s. However, down the road that could be a consideration.
Gonsher is quick to tell you that the credit for Ahoovim’s success goes to Kanter, Rabbi Shaya Katz and “all those other volunteers who put in their time, sweat and tears.”
“I’m just a volunteer; I’m not a mover and shaker,” he said.
Kanter started Ahoovim with the Kollel when Rabbi Ben Gonsher, Allan Gonsher’s son, was associated with it. Rabbi Katz is now the Community Kollel rabbi.
“(Nan) is the expert in the field; she is the matriarch of this population in the community,” Gonsher said.
When Ahoovim has its monthly social activity, Rabbi Katz instills a segment of Jewish quality programing associated with it such as teaching blessings over food or an explanation about an upcoming holiday.
In addition to the activity, Gonsher and his wife have a Shabbat dinner for “the kids” at their home. He said they would like to invite the families as well, but unfortunately cannot accommodate 40 or more people.
Two months ago Gonsher connected with Torah Learning Center, which is affiliated with the Friendship Circle, a national organization that addresses individuals with special needs and their families. Now Shabbat meals and some activities are held at TLC.
“The Friendship Circle has been very successful in recruiting the younger children and throughout the country they have programming, they have organizational support, etc.,” Gonsher said. “So being able to say let’s join our forces — not only our manpower but our financial resources, let’s have more family-based activities — they were more than happy to join us.”
Ahoovim’s next goal is to become affiliated with Yachad of NCSY. According to its website, Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities is a global organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all Jewish individuals with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in every aspect of Jewish life.
“(One of our volunteers) who has a son who falls into this particular category, has been talking with the national office about authorizing us as a chapter, so that conversation is in place,” Gonsher said. “Right after the Jewish High Holidays we plan a regional Shabbaton where we’ll invite Des Moines, Omaha, Chicago and St. Louis and bring advisers from New York. It will be a big Shabbos experience for the adults.”
Gonsher said the goal of Ahoovim’s massive capital campaign, which will begin after the High Holidays, is to raise a quarter of a million dollars: (1) through the grant-writing wing of the Federation; (2) by some parents in the group “who have the wherewithal and the peer relations”; and (3) a general community fundraiser.
Gonsher is confident this is possible because he and his wife started a Yachad chapter in Omaha several years ago and within three days raised $100,000. They eventually made enough money to be able to have Yachad as part of Jewish Family Services as well as funding for the programming that’s needed for that population.
“We did it in Omaha and we’re going to do it here,” he said.
While Kanter is not part of the capital campaign, she said she’s very excited about raising so much money.
“That would be fabulous,” she said. “The money would go toward expanding our programs — larger programs involving more people in the community with special needs, be able to do more for our participants and have more Shabbatons.
“Obviously I think it’s a wonderful program. Our participants love coming to our monthly events. I guess we’re always looking for more because we feel like there are more possibilities out there in the community. I just think it’s a wonderful thing for our population.”
Gonsher said he hopes the campaign will not only let people know what they are doing, but also encourage mothers and fathers with children who have special needs to get involved.
Kanter hopes to get more participants and give the community more awareness of what Ahoovim’s programs are all about.
“Also, if anyone is interested in volunteering, we’d love to have more volunteers,” she said.
Anyone who has a son or daughter with special needs or who wishes to volunteer can contact Kanter, Gonsher or Rabbi Katz through the Kollel at 913-327-8100, or email .