A new chapter for YALDEI

YALDEI to begin a new chapter



This week, the leadership of Jewish People’s Schools and Peretz Schools and Bialik High Schools (JPPS-Bialik) and The Donald Berman YALDEI Developmental Center announced the sale of the JPPS-Bialik Van Horne Avenue property to YALDEI: a private, not-for-profit early intervention centre dedicated to helping children with developmental challenges reach their full potential. 

Both institutions are particularly pleased that the property will continue to serve the educational needs of the Montreal community and the sale is a significant step in strengthening the financial and pedagogical foundation of both institutions. The new, fully updated and modernized JPPS will now be firmly rooted in the Bialik building and is slated to move in the Spring of 2016. 

The Donald Berman YALDEI Developmental Centre is realizing one of its long-term goals with the purchase of this Van Horne Avenue property. The acquisition is groundbreaking news as it signals a new chapter in history for the special needs community of Montreal. The new property will serve as a home for the numerous programs and therapies YALDEI offers children with developmental delays, as well as those with behavioural or learning challenges. The extra space will enable the continued growth of this Intensive Early Intervention Program. 

École YALDEI, a school for special needs students, offers a low staff to child ratio, complementary therapeutic services and unique environment, all under one roof. “École YALDEI alone has seen constant growth and in the last year the number of children has doubled,” said Risa Plotnick, Director of School and Rehabilitation Service. “There is a huge wait list of children that have developmental delays or other obstacles. We’re working on filling the void of taking children off that wait list and expect to see another 50 percent increase in the number of students in the coming year.” 


The Donald Berman YALDEI Developmental Centre community is grateful to the Board’s new Building Sub-committee headed by Martin Schwartz and Michael Rosenberg. Also acknowledged for their hard work is the Board of Directors who, led by Jack Dym, have been planning the strategic vision of YALDEI for many years” said Menachem Leifer, YALDEI Founder and Executive Director. 


“There’s no child that cannot learn,” shared Plotnick. “There’s no child that has so many challenges that we cannot help them. We work in partnership with the private and public sector in order to enhance the potential of every child. Every child should have the opportunity to learn. Challenge accepted.” 




For information about YALDEI, visit www.yaldei.org, or contact Lillian Vennor, lillianv@yaldei.org, 514-279-3666, poste 245.