Page 15 - Boca Expsoure - August '22

Boca Exposure, Page 15
Levis JCC Receives Grant

From Foundation For Jewish Camp

The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community am proud that our camp has a
Center (Levis JCC) has been awarded a generous grant commitment to prioritizing the
from the Foundation for Jewish Camp. The three-year importance of mental health
grant is given to Jewish day and overnight camps and and emotional well-being
is earmarked specifically for staffing, training, and for campers and staff,” said
programming that addresses mental health and wellness. Jason Tomaszewski, director
The Foundation for Jewish Camp’s “Yedid Nefesh” of camp & family programs
(Beloved Soul) Initiative seeks to ensure that Jewish camps at the Adolph & Rose Levis
can provide a place to feel safe mentally, emotionally, socially JCC. “The pandemic created
and spiritually. Funding from this grant enables Levis JCC a unique series of challenges
Marleen Forkas Camps, working in partnership with Ruth & for all of us, but children and
Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (Rales JFS), to add a teens especially have been
qualified mental health professional to the camp’s summer significantly impacted. We
staff. The therapist works to enhance counselor training, create know that there has long been a
programming that encourages awareness about the importance stigma associated with mental
of mental health, integrates wellness programming into camp health struggles. Our program
activities, and develops ways to create a change in how mental not only supports challenges
health is prioritized within the camp community, year-round. such as increased anxiety, but is also actively teaching kids how encompass playtime, developmental art, music and fine motor
“We are grateful and honored to be awarded this innovative important mental health and wellness is, and how to recognize activities in a magical Baby & Me classroom; Early Childhood
grant,” said Marty Haberer, CEO of the Adolph & Rose Levis and seek out help and support when they need it.” Camp: personalized attention, an extra dose of adult supervision
JCC. “We have collaborated with our trusted partners at Rales Ruth & Normal Rales Jewish Family Services offers and a whole lot of love make littlest campers feel safe while
JFS for many years to create aspects of our camp programs help, hope and humanity through its comprehensive range of exploring and discovering new experiences in a stimulating
that acknowledge the importance of mental health. This grant programs and services which support people of all ages and environment; Upper Camp: a wide variety of classic, innovative
enables us to take that commitment to the next level, creating beliefs. Building on a long tradition of working together for the and dynamic activities give campers the opportunity to try new
essential training that will support our staff and campers, and benefit of our entire community, the Levis JCC and Rales JFS things, learn the importance of teamwork, and build confidence;
integrate this concept into our programming.” have partnered once again to create a program that will offer Theater Camp: an exciting and comprehensive theater program
“Rales JFS is excited to further our partnership with the lasting positive impact. that includes lessons in acting, lighting, set design and direction,
Levis JCC through this new grant,” noted Danielle Hartman, Coralie Morin, MSW, therapist with Ruth & Normal Rales with each session culminating in a rewarding final production;
president & CEO of Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Jewish Family Services, said, “I am honored and excited to be Leaders In Training (LIT)/ Counselors in Training (CIT)
Services. “Children’s mental health has suffered significantly supporting Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camps this summer as Program: young adults gain a meaningful leadership experience
since COVID, and there is still more healing to be done. We the mental health professional on staff. It is my goal to nurture while putting the skills they develop into practice on a daily
hope this is just the first of many summers that we can provide the mental, emotional, social and spiritual health of campers basis, balancing work with summer fun; Camp Kavod (Special
a mental health professional in partnership with the Levis JCC and staff. As a former camp-kid myself, it is a dream to think Needs): a premier eight-week summer camp serving children
Marlen Forkas Camps.” that I might be a part of long-lasting camp memories.” and teens with special needs ages 3 to 22, featuring inclusion
While summer is about friendship, laughter and fun About Adolph & Rose Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camps opportunities on campus with the Levis JCC’s typical camp and
activities, it is also a place for children and teens to feel safe, The Levis JCC has been providing children ages 2 to 15 with off campus.
included and accepted. Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camps is unforgettable summers since 1986. Their dedicated, caring team Established in 1983, the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish
proud to offer campers of all ages this enhanced programming is committed to making the camp experience the best it can be Community Center provides a broad range of enriching
and access to a highly-trained professional who is committed to for every child, every summer. Camp programs include Baby &
highlighting the importance of mental health and well-being. “I Me Summertime Fun: weekly classes for 5 to 27-month-olds that Levis JCC Receives Grant on page 16

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