Blog
How We Celebrated Mental Health Month Together
At JCC Early Childhood, we believe in the power of supporting children’s mental wellness, especially during these pivotal early learning years. May was Mental Health Awareness Month and a time when we focused on nurturing big feelings and providing tools to help children thrive. As mom to four, I’ve had my share of big feelings. […] Learn More ›
Shatter the Stigma: Teen Voices for Mental Health
When we launched the JCC Teen Mental Health Committee, our mission was clear: break the stigma surrounding mental health, promote emotional wellness, and empower teens to speak up, support each other, and share resources. Since then, this dedicated group has led powerful conversations, created wellness kits, and hosted impactful community mental health fairs. But this […] Learn More ›
Inspiring Education, at Home and Abroad
Do we ever really stop learning? I took some time off last week and took my good friend to one of my favorite places in Colorado. While I have been there many times, we did things on this trip that were firsts for me, too. On breaks in between morning walks and mountain hikes, my […] Learn More ›
Finding Calm in the Chaos: Understanding and Managing Stress When Overstimulated
Big crowds, large events, and loud noises stress me out. As a little kid, I was scared of trains because they made loud noises. Now, I don’t like loud music. I used to avoid grocery stores because they felt overwhelming—big, crowded, and chaotic. While I’ve grown more comfortable with grocery stores over time, I still […] Learn More ›
Celebrating JDAIM at the J
Each February, JCC Chicago, alongside Jewish organizations around the country celebrate JDAIM (Jewish Disability Acceptance Awareness and Inclusion Month). Though we at the J celebrate the achievements within the Disability community all year round, February is JDAIM is really at the intersection of multiple identities and all that comes with that. It is an additional […] Learn More ›
All Star Abilities Expands to Chicago: Transforming Teens’ Lives Through Fitness and Friendship
Photo caption: Reid (far left) and Kaden (center) standing working with two All Star Abilities participants on the row machine. Written by: By Reid Pearsall & Kaden Uddin All Star Abilities has been transforming teens lives since 2017. It’s aimed to close the fitness gap by pairing teens with and without disabilities together for a […] Learn More ›