Member Directory

In 2018, Jenni set out to create StarThrower Group to help young adults with special needs transition from High School to Adult Life. She envisioned a place for gathering that safely put them in the middle of a community – not just a ‘day care’. StarThrower Group programs help build the confidence and skills young adults need to get involved in their community and develop careers to build a meaningful and fulfilling life. The ultimate goal is to help organizations and businesses provide supportive work environments and work with community leaders to find ways to make the community more inclusive and accessible.

So many people have a spectrum of challenges based on intellectual and developmental disabilities, but Jenni has built StarThrower Group around the people, not the disabilities. Everyone is capable of kindness, compassion, growth, and continuing to learn every day to make choices and decisions based on personal goals. Everyone has value, and inclusion and accessibility are top priority in our community center.

Jenni holds a Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and Adult Education. She spent many years as a Trainer for Girl Scouts USA and United Way, then as an independent contractor through local community colleges. When she returned to the classroom environment, it was in the Workplace Development Program at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, where she met many of her current members as students. Seeing the first class graduate is what prompted the question, “What happens next?” and after that her main focus was trying to answer that question. With no suitable, options in our area that truly gave the young adults the respect and person-centered support, Jenni set out to interview as many parents and young adults as possible. The goal – develop a program that truly puts the client in control of their day, their goals, and their future.

In five years the community center has grown to include over 55 members and 10 staff. In addition to services within the community, the center also hosts Speech Therapists and an Occupational Therapist. Jenni continues to develop and implement tools and resources that support members in their growth and education, and provide trainings and support that empower local businesses to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for all workers and guests.

Jenni lives in Readington, NJ with her husband of over thirty years. Their three children are young adults learning to navigate adulthood as well, each with different combinations of Autism and ADHD.