Adults

For National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we invited Keshet adults to share their jobs and volunteer experiences. Over 15 people were excited to contribute, and their testimonials highlight the various ways that their work has empowered them and the world around them.

Since relocating to Highland Park, Keshet has built new partnerships that support our community, most recently collaborating with PORCH. This mutually beneficial partnership provides PORCH with free access to a vacant space on Keshet’s campus, where GADOL team members assist in their work, contributing to a larger community mission.

For many summers, Avodah, Keshet’s vocational program at JCC Camp Chi, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin River Area, fostering an interest in construction and giving back. This summer, Avodah participants Cathy and Justin took on the role of journalists to write about their experiences with Habitat.

What do Taylor Swift, little words, vocational training and summer camp have in common? At first glance, not a whole lot, but, for Avodah, Keshet’s vocational program at JCC Camp Chi, they form the heart of a summer microbusiness involving friendship bracelets.

Team members in GADOL’s Healthy Living group created a simple and healthy treat: Patriotic Chocolate-Covered Strawberries. These festive berries are easy to make and perfect for your Independence Day celebrations. Follow the recipe below and add a touch of red, white and blue to your holiday weekend!

Keshet moms deserve more than a day to celebrate all they do. GADOL team members in Creative Writing Group created a tribute piece to put into words their gratitude for the mothers in their lives.

From relocating our adult day program to expanding residential services and introducing new vocational sites, Keshet’s relationship with Highland Park will grow in extraordinary ways in 2024.

GADOL’s Creative Writing Group shares their collective prose about love.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Hear directly from Luke and his Keshet job coach, Wendy, about his awesome job experience, favorite moments and what it means to be an inclusive employer.

Keshet is so fortunate to have incredible DSPs like Jordan Spiwak, who believe wholeheartedly in Keshet’s mission and care so deeply for our participants. Working at Keshet has completely changed his life for the better, giving him a sense of purpose and a deeper connection to his Jewish identity.

Two GADOL team members, Sam and Noah, spent the last few months volunteering at the Glenview Park Center. They were given hands-on experience with a variety of jobs where they gained new skills and confidence. This opportunity was made possible due to a generous grant from the Northfield Township and the desire to make the Park Center an inclusive place for all. Sam and Noah collaborated on an article about their awesome volunteer experience.

In a short amount of time, Keshet and the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign have built a reciprocal relationship based on trust, warmth and connection. It’s amazing to see what can happen when people in the community believe in Keshet’s mission and its participants just as much as we do.

Joining this community Zumba class is proof that inclusion and belonging are needed no matter your age, ability or interests, and can be accomplished in the most unexpected of ways.

GADOL team members researched and made three Passover recipes. They wanted to share all three of these recipes so you can get inspired and make them for your own Seder!

Keshet is celebrating Purim…here’s a sneak peak of all the fun things we’re doing!

GADOL’s current events group researched and wrote an article about the 2023 Super Bowl.

2022 was an incredible year for Keshet and there is so much to be proud of. But as you know, Keshet is always looking ahead to the future. We came up with a list of 23 things to look forward to with Keshet in 2023.

Our office skills group at GADOL, our adult day program, is very excited to share their blog about Hanukkah! Team members spent time researching, collaborating and writing this piece together.

At Keshet, our programs are designed to provide choice, giving adults with disabilities the same rights, freedom to make their own choices and deserve to have their voices heard just as anyone else. Adults at GADOL have recently joined advocacy groups, where they spend time learning what their rights are and how to express those rights. As a result, our adults have become more equipped to self-advocate and independently make their own choices, allowing them to spend their days exactly how they want to.

This past weekend, my friends and I made the trip up to Camp Chi and Perlstein Retreat Center for the Fall Shabbaton. The Shabbaton is a weekend away for adults within the Keshet community to participate in all kinds of fun activities, celebrate Shabbat and hang out with friends and staff. Although this is only my second time going, I look forward to the Shabbaton every year and this year’s was so much fun.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which celebrates the positive contributions of workers with disabilities and inclusive employment policies. As an organization, and with the generous support of two grants, we’ve responded to the challenges surrounding employment head-on, resulting in more opportunities for our adults to grow their skills and find meaningful job opportunities.

While most people walk through a day camp and see the activities, campers and counselors, at Keshet, we see something more. Through our lens, day camps are outdoor, unconventional voc skills labs with endless work and natural supports.

Experiencing GADOL’s book club gave me a lot of insight into the ways that our programming helps Keshet adults continue to live meaningful lives and create community in unexpected ways.  

As we continue living in the pandemic, encouraging mental health and wellness is a priority in all Keshet programs. A new coping skills group for adults provides practice and tools for managing emotions and feelings as life keeps changing.