by Megan Harding
Keshet is a one-of-a-kind organization. The care from the staff and the enthusiasm from the participants is something truly remarkable. Keshet is one of those places that is always finding new ways to support its participants. Even in the short amount of time I have been here, I have seen that in several ways.
I was a recent college graduate when I first learned about Keshet. I knew I always enjoyed working with children, so after applying for several jobs in my degree unsure of what I actually wanted to do, I decided to look into education. I became a substitute teacher, and was traveling throughout Chicagoland teaching all grade levels.
In early March, I got a text one morning that I was placed at a school called Keshet for the day. The last several days I had taught were in general education, and I felt I was more like a babysitter than a teacher. I did a Google search before I left and saw that Keshet was a school for children with disabilities. I was excited to finally switch up my daily routine, and little did I know, one day at Keshet would turn into several months. On my first day, I worked one-on-one with a student in the middle school classroom. For once, instead of watching over a 20-student classroom and making sure they did their online assignment for the day, I actually had the chance to form meaningful connections with each student and assist them with their academics and life skills.
After a few weeks of working at Keshet, the driver of the student I was working with told me the student constantly talked about me on their way to school, and that’s when I knew Keshet was something special. Not only could I see the impact I had on the students, I saw the positive impact they had and continue to have on me. I am excited to come back to Keshet every day. Getting to know each student—their likes, dislikes, and routines—and finding new ways to support them has been an invaluable experience.
This summer, I have had the opportunity to work as a counselor at Camp Keshet South, which is made up of students I already knew from Keshet’s schools as well as some new faces. Working at camp has been an equally amazing experience to being at school. It has been awesome to see each participant’s growth, whether that has been making a new friend, trying a new activity for the first time, or feeling more confident in making choices about their camp experience.
Keshet is something I want to continue supporting forever in some capacity, because I have seen this organization’s dedication to always growing. I have seen how it puts the participants first every single day. Especially in one of Keshet’s newest projects, the Kersten Campus and The Justin Coe Center, I have heard the buzz and excitement from several staff members and participants about the possibilities of what this new center will bring. Despite any changes or growth that comes, one of the most beautiful things about Keshet is that every win is celebrated, no matter the size.
