Blog

As a young adult with disabilities, Kara came to the Duman Opportunity Center looking for help starting her career. She began working with her employment specialist Allen, and expressed her passion for working with children. She guided her through every stage of the job search process, providing individualized support that helped her secure a job as a child-care assistant at a local park district.

Keeping with the principle of pikuach nefesh (preservation of life and health), JCFS Chicago chaplains continue to provide support by phone or online. We speak with people who live at home, in senior communities or in other residential facilities, often bringing a sense of spirituality and connection to the Jewish community in challenging times.

Current co-chairs of JCFS Chicago’s Associates Board, Becca Friedman and Sarah Dorfman are setting an example for young philanthropists in Chicago.

JCFS Response for Teens is seeking new members to serve on the Response Advisory Council (RAC). RAC members are committed to the important work of empowering adolescents to make healthy choices, and put their skills and gifts to work in the service of helping teens develop skills in communication, decision-making and leadership.

What is compassion meditation, and how can it be so impactful so quickly? In this form of meditation, one offers simple phrases of good will to oneself and to others. Even short periods of compassion meditation has been found to reduce stress and increase positive emotions.

By Rebecca Russell, Occupational Therapist

Being cooped up indoors is the perfect time to get creative with household items like painter’s or washi tape. Here are some fun ideas to try with your family.

By: Jody Miller, MA CCC-SLP

We are living in an unprecedented time that has posed numerous challenges to families around the world. Virtual learning and therapies are new to many families, but you are not alone. Integrated Pediatric Therapies is here to help. Whether setting up schedules, providing structure in the home or offering new strategies and parent coaching, we are here to support you so that you feel like you were trained to do this.

While some local providers have temporarily closed their group living homes, JCFS Chicago is committed to supporting individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities in their homes. Our homes are fully staffed and focused on the well-being of the residents, keeping them safe and healthy as we all shelter in place.

“In the last month, Knapp School & Yeshiva staff and leadership have put forth immense amounts of time, energy, and thoughtfulness to make the transition from working in-person with our students, to keeping students engaged and supported remotely,” says Sandra Spicher, Knapp School’s principal. “Their outstanding efforts have been appreciated by our students and their families.”

Since Michelleanne and Max Li became connected to HIAS Immigration & Citizenship two years ago they have worked with the Kulnichs, a refugee family from Ukraine.