Moshe
Moshe, 16, a first-generation American son of Israeli parents, has been going to JCCA’s Kew Gardens Hills Youth Center for two years. It is a safe gathering place for Orthodox young men, who feel marginalized by the community, to regain self-esteem and direction...
Damitry Stallings, foster youth
Today, Damitry Stallings is a poised teenager. However, he was not always that way. His JCCA social worker, Allison Bonesteel, says, “When Damitry first arrived in foster care, he was very quiet and had trouble communicating when he felt upset.” Now, after working...
Volunteers Noah Weissman and David Peikon
Noah Weissman and David Peikon, best friends from Chappaqua and Temple Beth El, were weekly volunteer tutors last year at Edenwald Center as part of their bar mitzvah requirement. Noah is a fourth-generation JCCA volunteer. It is a tradition started by his...
Preston Burger
In many ways, Preston is a typical young adult. He is pursuing his Masters of Science in Special Education while teaching, dancing, and singing on the side. He also finds time every day to see his friends and family. But his progress has come with challenges. Preston...
A Tree Grows in Pleasantville, 2013
More than 250 Campus supporters made this year’s A Tree Grows in Pleasantville cocktail party a resounding success. The annual benefit, now in its eighth year, raised $350,000 for The Cottage Schools. The crowd was moved by the touching words of Cottage School...
CELEBRATION OF HOPE, 2013
The annual Celebration of Hope gala to benefit JCCA raised a record-breaking $1,044,000 and had a record-breaking auction. The event honored longtime Trustees and volunteers Jay and Terri Bialsky and Stephen and Lory Gilberg. Jay Bialsky is owner of JBialsky Premiere...
Arts in Action 2013
One young man wrote a poem about his father. When the group tried to encourage him to express his feelings about his father, he said, “I have taught myself to not to feel.” A few moments later, he burst into tears. Members of the group made insightful comments and he...
2013 Arches Graduation
Surrounded by proud parents, smiling staff, and mentors, seven participants took part in the first graduating class of JCCA’s Arches program. There were nine people in the class. Arches, a collaboration with the NYC Department of Probation, is a transformative...
Kiera Lopes
Kiera graduated at 16 from Brooklyn Democracy Academy, JCCA’s transfer school. Transfer schools represent a unique partnership between the NYC Department of Education and community-based organizations like JCCA, which reach out to young people who, for a variety of...