This month we celebrate our amazing JCFS staff and foster parents for the incredible work they are doing to support and uplift each other, and the youth in their care. 

David’s Schwartz  late wife, Elaine, was on the board of JVS Career & Employment and on the Response for Teens Advisory Council. Through Elaine’s leadership, David became passionate about these crucial services for our community and honors her legacy through two special funds each year.

by Nina Henry, JCFS Chicago Addiction Specialist

With much of the world shut down, loneliness has become a familiar facet of everyday life, especially for older Americans living alone, in nursing homes, or retirement communities.

by: Ann Luban, Senior Director, Jewish Community Services

NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) reported that 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth struggle with mental health challenges each year. While there are no magic wands we can wave, there are some strategies we can employ to help ourselves and that we can share with our family and friends.

By the time children turn two, they typically produce at least 100 words. Yet, not all children develop along this typical trajectory. Phrases such as “he’s a late talker” and "she’ll talk when she wants to” begin to be thrown around. But what does the term “late talker” really mean and how does it differ from a child with a language delay?

As we reshape our lives and navigate a new normal, we feel the impact of this current pandemic on our emotional well-being.

Jacob connected with the JCFS Chicago Duman Opportunity Center through his school. Jacob loves cars and has been working on them throughout his life with his family and friends. He hopes to become an auto mechanic, but has struggled to achieve the necessary academic requirements to enroll in an auto mechanic program.

May we, our loved ones, our colleagues, our friends, and all we know experience good health at this difficult time.