Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) will present its first annual ChangeMakers Luncheon on Friday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Restaurant at the Cherry Hill Mall. The event will pay tribute to individuals whose outstanding contributions have made a significant impact on the lives of individuals with special needs in the community, and to raise funds for programming for the JFCS SAIL Program. This year’s honorees include New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine; former JFCS President and Special Needs Committee Chair Judy Love; and the legacy of the late Ellen Dubrow.

“These three individuals demonstrated a remarkable commitment to improving the lives of individuals who have special needs,” said Barbara Abrams, director of the Special Needs department. “Their vision, passion and determination have truly made a difference.”

Gov. Corzine has long been an advocate for individuals and families who have been affected by autism. In 2007, he signed a package of bills designed to improve autism treatment, training, education, and research in the state. This measure resulted in the creation of a statewide electronic autism registry, which makes it easier for families of children with autism and other health care needs to be connected to appropriate diagnostic, treatment and support services in their communities. It also mandated autism guidelines for healthcare professionals and created the Adults with Autism Task Force.

In 2009, Corzine made the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders a top priority in New Jersey by signing legislation that requires New Jersey health insurers to provide diagnostic coverage for screening for autism and other developmental disabilities. This is especially important since New Jersey has the highest rate of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the nation, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Ellen Dubrow died in 1998, but her legacy lives on. Her vision to create independent living programs for the special needs community provided the impetus for JFCS to become involved with social and educational programming, housing, and life skills training. During her 20-year involvement with JFCS, her passion was to ensure that every individual be given the tools to achieve his or her highest potential and to lead a more independent and fulfilled life. Her dream was also to provide reassurance to families and to help them realize that they do not have to cope alone with the lifelong challenges they encounter.

Her dying wish was to create an endowment fund to provide assistance and support to families of individuals with special needs. The Ellen Dubrow Developmental Disabilities Fund was established in 1998, several weeks before her death.

Judy Love has been a board member of JFCS for over a decade, and has also served as president. She has chaired the Special Needs Program Committee since its inception, and has been a driving force in expanding and developing the SAIL Program. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the Special Needs Program have included everything from advocating for an independent living program for young adults, planning for future needs, attending special needs events, and personally pounding the pavement to secure financial support for programming.

Due to Love’s involvement, the Special Needs Program has grown from just a few staff members and clients to a full-service department with 20 staff members serving a variety of needs for over 500 clients.

Registration fee is $54 per person. All proceeds benefit the SAIL Program (Supports to Achieve Independent Living), which provides opportunities for young adults with special needs to actively participate in the community through the provision of appropriate supports and services.

For reservations and more information, call 424-1333. .