- Membership
- Sports & Wellness
- Children
- Camp Kadima
- Giborim United
- Cultural Engagement
- Special Events
- Support The J
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Merlie's Giborim United - Our Mission
Giborim, meaning “Heroes” in Hebrew, is a program for children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities. The program's catalog includes courses in fitness, the arts, sports, recreation, life skills and health and wellness. Participants enrich their lives socially and behaviorally while gaining independence and communication skills, as they forge genuine connections to each other and the community.
Background & History
Giborim began in 1991 as Camp Giborim, the David Posnack JCC's premier summer camp for individuals with developmental disabilities. The camp serves over 150 children and adults between the ages of 3 and up, regardless of faith, age, gender, ethnicity, ability or identity.
Since then, the program has expanded into a year-round program for youth and adults. The J, committed to working with this special population, developed Merlie's Giborim United, a program offering enrichment classes from August through May; Sunday through Friday for both adults and youth.
Populations Served
Requirements:
Exclusions:
Registration/Intake Process
Applicants must meet the DPJCC and Merlie's Giborim United admissions requirements as determined by a completed intake process. A discussion of class placement for GAP, HIRE-Ability and GibConnect will take place during the intake process. For information about:
Following the intake process, participants will complete the Merlie's Giborim United registration and payment form. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Inquire during the intake process. All outstanding payments must be completed prior to start date of session.
Membership at the J is not required to attend Merlie's Giborim United.
The Square Bowl Food Truck
The Square Bowl is our innovative food truck dedicated to providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. This mobile kitchen provides a hands-on platform for providing real-world experience and opportunities for our participants. The Square Bowl implements the HIRE-Ability program - a vocational training program providing certification courses in the restaurant, hospitality or food service industries and designed to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our goal is to place the trainees in jobs, in collaboration with our community partners to ensure success. To place an order, hire The Square Bowl, or discuss becoming a corporate partner, visit TheSquareBowl.com
For more information, contact Marilyn Adams at madams@dpjcc.org or 954-434-0499, ext. 1120
Hire-Ability Vocational Training
HIRE-Ability offers vocational training that helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build practical skills for careers in the restaurant, hospitality and food service fields. Through certification-based coursework and supportive, hands-on learning, participants gain the experience and confidence needed to pursue meaningful employment and greater independence.
Working alongside valued community partners, the program focuses on helping trainees transition into jobs where they can thrive and contribute successfully.
The Square Bowl food truck brings HIRE-Ability training to life. As a mobile kitchen and real-world learning environment, it allows participants to apply their certifications, strengthen workplace skills, and showcase their talents in a professional food service setting.
For more information, contact Marilyn Adams at madams@dpjcc.org or 954-434-0499, ext. 1120
Giborim Adult Program (G.A.P.)
The Giborim Adult Program (G.A.P.) supports adults with developmental disabilities aged 20 and up. The program helps participants with their employability skills and provides social connection, recreation and wellness opportunities. G.A.P. runs August through June, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Sabrina Sessa at ssessa@dpjcc.org or 954-434-0499 ext. 1113.
GibConnect Afternoon Enrichment
GibConnect offers opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to stay engaged, connected, and involved through classes and programming that encourage creativity, movement, socialization, skill-building and friendship.
For more information, contact Javan Bullock at jbullock@dpjcc.org or call 954-434-0499 ext. 1121
Giborim Program Social Pass (GPS Pass)
Come and join Merlie's Giborim United for a year of fun-filled field trips and activities! For one set fee, purchase the Giborim Program Social Pass (GPS Pass) and get access to all social events for fall, winter and spring! Events can also be purchased individually.
For more information, contact Javan Bullock at jbullock@dpjcc.org or call (954) 434-0499 ext. 1121
Laugh It Up Lauderdale
Laugh It Up Lauderdale is a special community event benefiting Merlie’s Giborim United, including HIRE-Ability and The Square Bowl Food Truck. This signature event brings the community together for a night of laughter, generosity, and impact, helping support inclusive programming and meaningful opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
GAP Games
The GAP Games is an Olympic-style sporting competition for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's a sporting event where we celebrate our abilities and compete in a supportive environment. The event includes both team and individual sports, which may include basketball, soccer and bowling.
For more information, contact Sabrina Sessa at ssessa@dpjcc.org or 954-434-0499 ext. 1113.
Camp Giborim
The David Posnack Jewish Community Center started Camp Giborim in the summer of 1991. Giborim, meaning “Heroes” in Hebrew, had only eight campers in the first summer. Today, the program serves over 120 campers from ages 3 and up. The philosophy of the Posnack Family Foundation Camp Giborim is to promote growth in the skill areas of independence, communication, behavior and socialization. Its mission is to offer a traditional recreational summer camp environment filled with innovative activities and creative programming. The goal is to create a climate of acceptance, focus on abilities and explore through hands-on activities. All summer, the campers have access to the entire DPJCC facility including the gymnasium, playground, swimming pool, tennis courts and auditorium and participate in activities including swimming, art, music, karate, sports, field trips and camp-wide events and shows.
For more information, contact Scott Dermer, Camp Giborim Director, at campgiborim@dpjcc.org
Family-to-Family Support Group
We invite you to join the Merlie’s Giborim United & Goodman JFS’ Joshua’s Path Disability Services for family members raising a child or adult with a disability. Meetings are FREE and are held one Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the David Posnack JCC.
RSVP: Sam Salver, ssalver@jfsbroward.org
Questions? Contact Javan Bullock, jbullock@dpjcc.org or call (954) 434-0499 ext. 1121
Activities will be provided for your family members while you are in the meeting.
Transitions
Our Transitions Program is specially designed for children who may benefit from extra developmental support, offering early identification, tailored learning and family guidance in a compassionate setting. The program is part of the Susan & Saul Singer Early Childhood Learning Center.
Questions? Contact Judith Rose at jrose@dpjcc.org or 954-434-7038
The Gib Shop
The Gib Shop is a meaningful extension of Merlie’s Giborim United, offering participants opportunities to practice vocational, retail, customer service, creative and life skills in a supportive environment. Through hands-on experience, participants can build confidence, develop workplace readiness and share their talents with the JCC community.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY & CORPORATE PARTNERS
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The GAP program is proudly supported by: |
David Posnack Jewish Community Center
On the Nina & Louis Silverman Campus
5850 South Pine Island Road
Davie, Florida 33328
Phone: (954) 434-0499
Fax: (954) 434-1741
The David Posnack Jewish Community Center is recognized as exempt from federal income
taxation under section 501c3 of the IRS and eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Federal ID: 59-2075982. The David Posnack Jewish Community Center is registered with the
Florida Division of Consumer Services as required by the Solicitation of Contributions Act
(CH#2451). A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained
from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free in Florida: (800) 435-7352.
Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.
A beneficiary agency of
