There are many well-known traditions observed during the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Even though we repeat them every year, each one is special. We share a holiday meal with loved ones and community, eat symbolic foods, and recite prayers to commemorate the...
JCCA Spotlight
Opening Day for Liberation Diploma Plus High School
Today was the first day of classes in schools across New York City and a promising new beginning for students, teachers, and JCCA staff at Liberation Diploma Plus High School. Located a few blocks away from the beach, in an old parochial school in Coney Island,...
Rick Safran, Giving Back
Rick Safran is an alumnus of two of JCCA’s predecessor organizations, the Hebrew National Orphan Home (HNOH) and the Israel Orphan Asylum, where he resided for a total of 11 years. Now retired at 82, Rick had a distinguished career as an educator and administrator in...
Compass Birthright Trip to Israel
You may know that Taglit-Birthright is a 10-day educational trip to Israel for Jewish young adults to visit Israel and leave with a renewed commitment to Jewish values and the Jewish community worldwide. Thanks to JCCA’s Compass Project, young people with learning...
Early Literacy Turns a Life Around
JCCA is heading the charge of increasing literacy for foster children, convincing some of the City’s most respected funders to support its work generously. The New York Community Trust has doubled its first grant to $200,000 to continue JCCA’s Early Literacy program....
Precious Durant, Youth Advocate
Young adolescent women often have a tough time engaging with their families and peers, but those with mental health needs or behavioral challenges may have even more trouble finding their way. Precious Durant, 27, has known some of these difficulties in her own life...
Reana Thorne, Health Care Integrator
Reana Thorne, Health Care Integrator, Bridges to Health (B2H) Reana Thorne is one of JCCA’s 2017 Maslow Excellence in Practice Award winners. She was described in her nomination as “an eager, courageous, empathetic worker, who is committed to B2H’s mission. Whether it...
Sharon Adams, Foster Parent: An Open Heart
Children come into foster care because of neglect, abuse or their family’s inability to care for them. Those who identify as LGBTQ have an added layer of challenges to contend with. At JCCA, our staff has worked diligently to bring affirmation and understanding for...
Naethra Sreekrishna, Social Work Coordinator
JCCA’s Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) is a short-term, family-centered program to help children and families resolve problems resulting from trauma such as abuse or violence. Naethra Sreekrishna, who has worked in the program for four years, is just one example...
Katherine Iglesias-Garcia, Foster Mother
There are approximately 9,000 children in foster care in New York City. In many cases, kids are removed from their homes because they have been subject to neglect or abuse. The NYC Administration for Children’s Services contracts with JCCA to recruit and train foster...