For Foster Care Month 2016, we interviewed JCCA’s Maria Taveras, Coordinator of our Foster Family Resources program. Maria has worked at JCCA for more than nine years. What kind of person makes a good foster parent? In my experience, anyone with an open heart,...
Emelinda Eusebio glows with pride when she confirms that 2 ½-year-old Christian’s adoption was finalized last month and he is now an officially well-loved member of her family. Christian came into her home when he was six months old through JCCA’s Specialized Family...
On BTL’s fourth annual Career Day, we had 36 youth participants and five presenters. To start the day off, Teen ACTION came early to help with the setup of the event, prepare a breakfast buffet and handle attendance. They helped transform the Lounge for the event....
Daniel Cohn, 24, cheerfully points out, “I have a great voice for a career in radio,” and has hopes of becoming a commentator on a classic rock station someday. In just a few years, this lively young man has come a long way from the former shy, withdrawn Long Island...
Today, Hasan “Haas” Williams is a dynamic 24-year-old leader who empowers young men and women in foster and residential care to advocate for themselves and become independent, productive adults. But he didn’t start out that way. He had to overcome tremendous...
Natalie spent three years as an active participant in the Bukharian Teen Lounge, JCCA’s after-school program that helps immigrant teens integrate into the American community while maintaining their rich cultural heritage and traditions. “I honestly don’t know where I...
Two years ago, for his mitzvah project, Brett Rosenberg decided to become a Junior Tutor at The Cottage Schools, JCCA’s residential programs in Pleasantville, NY. His mother, Ali Rosenberg, was delighted, and, in the spirit of “giving back,” she became a mentor and...
JCCA’s Compass Project helps young people on the Autism Spectrum (or with other learning differences) make a successful transition from high school or college to the workplace and independent adulthood. Young adults on the Autism Spectrum are often challenged by such...
For the past two years, Pleasantville START 3 Resident Supervisor Liticia McKnight and Jennifer Gluck have helped the girls in START Cottage 3 collect donations for the Community Center of Northern Westchester which provides food, clothing and other rescores for...
Entertainment icon LL Cool J gave an inspiring talk to 100 teenagers today at the Pleasantville Cottage School which serves at-risk and vulnerable youth. In his speech to the rapt audience, he said, “You may come from a tough life, but you have to believe in yourself....