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February is Jewish Disability, Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month. In recognition, each week we will be highlighting a client success story. 

February is Jewish Disability, Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM). JCFS Chicago is proud to join Jewish organizations and communities from all over the world in a unified effort to raise awareness and champion the civil rights of people with disabilities.

After immigrating to the United States, Fedir and Maxym turned to JVS Career & Employment for assistance. 

Many people think about seeking therapy for a long time.  They may be unsure about what the process will be like, concerned about others’ judgements, or just apprehensive of the unknown.  Making the decision to seek therapy is a big one!  Congratulations on taking that step.

Once that decision has been made, the next question is, How do I find a therapist?

If December meant an influx of new toys to your home you may be thinking, now what do I do? Too many toys and a cluttered environment can actually have a negative impact on the quality of a child’s play and access to fewer toys enhances children’s cognitive and neurological development.

"The more I’ve learned about the seasonal impact on mood, behavior and cognitive development, the more important I realize it is to incorporate purposeful movement into our kids’ days, especially in the winter," Jennie Marble, Director of Integrated  Pediatric Therapies shares.

Making space for ourselves and our own well-being, especially at a time when there are others that need taking care of, is extremely important. While making the time and commitment to self-care can seem arduous, so too is the process of recovering if we ignore our own care or let ourselves run out of steam. Finding a couple of small moments to do something that makes us feel good each day can have cumulative benefits.

The Center for Disease Control reports that rates of suicide have increased by 50% for young people ages 10 – 24 years old; for Black adolescents, the rates are particularly alarming – a 75% increase between 1991 and 2017.

Sean Nebel came to JVS Career & Employment with the goal of getting out of his comfort zone. “I had a hard time breaking out of my shell,” he recalled. Eddie Baturin, a JVS senior vocational trainer, who has worked with Sean the past eight years said, "Over the years, you could really see him change his personality. From being the guy that wouldn’t talk or stand up for himself, now he has a strong personality and is independent."

The pandemic has left many people feeling isolated and alone. To ensure that our clients feel connected to their community and faith, JCFS Chicago’s Jewish community services swiftly transitioned support groups and their chaplaincy program to be virtual.