LIVINGSTON, N.J. - s4story -- On November 15, 7 pm, LGBTQ+ WAE will hold its virtual meeting. Part of the Wellness, Art and Enrichment (WAE) Center (Livingston, NJ), the group offers inclusivity and unconditional support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who identify as LGBTQ+. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Individuals interested in participating can contact facilitator Lisa Corner at lcorner@jsdd.org to register. Meetings are free and open to the public. Allies are encouraged to attend.

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LGBTQ+ WAE allows LGBTQ+ individuals a place to learn and socialize. It creates a safe space to explore and express individual identities.

Lisa Corner has taken over the role of group facilitator from Oscar Marin, who helped develop LGBTQ+ WAE in 2018.  Lisa has been involved with the LGBTQ+ rights community for many years. She says, "I'm passionate about creating inclusive communities where all people are valued and able to express their full humanity. I'm excited to continue and expand the LGBTQ+ WAE program Oscar started."

Lisa has an MA in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University and has been a NJ teacher for over 20 years. The last three years Lisa spent as Director of PALS at Carmel Academy in Greenwich and then began a successful and progressive inclusion pathway for 2E K-8 students at The Mead School in Stamford.

About LGBTQ+ WAE and the WAE Center

LGBTQ+ WAE (www.jsddmetrowest.org/lgbtq-wae/) is a community focused on social interaction, education, individual expression, and advocacy for people with IDD and/or ASD who self-identify as LGBTQ+. The group supports each individual and their community in expanding knowledge and understanding of day-to-day issues faced by people who identify with the LGBTQ+ community.  In addition, it serves as a resource to caregivers, families, and allies so that they may better understand, support and advocate for the person in their care.

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The WAE (Wellness, Arts, Enrichment) Center, a Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD) service, is an adult day program focused on adaptive arts and personal growth. The Center was founded on the belief and knowledge that each individual possesses the potential for creating a meaningful life, a process the Center calls "Finding the Spark Within." WAE's distinctive, holistic approach is built around tenets including dedication to the individual, unconditional acceptance, promoting self-expression, and embracing diversity and inclusion.