JARC Florida

Disabilities Nonprofit

When Randee Rubenstein’s first child was born three months prematurely in the 1980s, few options existed for developmentally and physically disabled children to participate in community activities. Rubenstein was instrumental in founding a unit serving those with special needs in the local New Jersey Jewish Community Day Camp, which turned out to be an extremely positive experience for Rubenstein’s son and others who participated. He still talks about it 35 years later.

When Rubenstein and her husband moved to Delray Beach, she knew she wanted to be active in Jewish organizations for those with special needs. She toured and fell in love with JARC in Boca Raton. JARC is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that provides programs and services to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She’s been Vice President of Development on their Board of Directors for two years.

“JARC enables those who have disabilities to live life to their fullest potential,” she says.

In her role, Rubenstein does a little bit of everything. She volunteers at the client gala. She helps with clients during the holiday party so staff can enjoy themselves. She leads the Development Committee to brainstorm, strategize and create new funding opportunities that expands JARC’s reach in the community.

Part of her responsibility is to encourage people to leave an endowment to JARC. Everyone on the board must leave a legacy gift.

“Legacy gifts ensure the financial stability of JARC,” she says. “That way we can serve those who need JARC, and it can exist forever.”

Rubenstein is also active with other Jewish groups, including Jewish Women’s Foundation, Women’s Philanthropy and is currently the LOJE chair for the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

She is happy to be able to contribute her time and efforts to the success of JARC.

“You can get involved at JARC in many ways — volunteer with clients, join a committee, participate in fundraising efforts,” she says. “We must take care of our most vulnerable, so they can lead a happy, healthy and stable life.”

JARC Florida, 21160 95th Ave. South, Boca Raton, 561-558-2550, jarcfl.org

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