Inclusion Happens Here

Some progress is loud. It looks like a child’s first words spoken on a stage, big educational celebrations, or a child running confidently into a classroom without looking back. And then there is the kind of progress Max shows, the kind that happens in small moments most people would never notice unless they were watching very carefully. Max joined our preschool community during the 2024–2025 school year. At first, new experiences felt big.

If you spend even a few minutes at the JCC, chances are you have already met Ava. You might not know her name yet, but you would recognize her immediately. She is often found walking confidently down the hallway, waving to anyone she passes, occasionally popping into an office just to say hello. Staff members who have never worked directly with her know her well, because Ava has made it her personal mission to make sure no one at the J goes unnoticed.

For many children, camp is about activities. For William, camp is about people. From the moment he arrives, William is ready for the day to begin. He approaches each activity with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine excitement to be part of whatever is happening around him. Whether it is a game, a group activity, or simply standing alongside other campers, what matters most to him is participation.

Every community has familiar faces, the people you expect to see as you move through your day. For many at the JCC, one of those familiar faces is Philip. Philip has been part of our community since joining Shalom Baby as an Infant and has never left since! Over time, the J became a steady place in his life: through changing routines, through the uncertainty of the pandemic, and through the many transitions that come with growing up.