Going Places! Building a community of acceptance, friendship, and fun

Within the Inclusion and Disability Services program at the Pozez JCC, there is an active social group for people with disabilities. This group is called Going Places!. And yes, the exclamation point is an important part of the name! The group meets once a month to connect – to socialize and catch up on what is happening in each other’s lives and to participate in a fun activity. Most of the time, the group, true to its name, goes to places, but sometimes they meet at the Pozez JCC. Going Places! is a social group where people come to find acceptance, community, friendship, and fun.

In November, to echo the spirit of gratitude that is abundant at this time of year and to introduce the Jewish value of gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), the Going Places! group met at the Pozez JCC to work on a volunteer activity coordinated with the J’s Volunteer Services program. The event, Cupcakes and Kindness, brought participants together to decorate cupcakes that were later donated to Second Story for Teens Shelter, a local organization serving teens in crisis.

After learning a little about the mission of Second Story, the group of mostly young adults, with a couple of mature teens who joined in on the fun, learned cupcake decorating techniques and created art with icing, candy, and decorations. Everyone took great efforts to make beautiful cupcakes that they were sure would make the Second Story teens smile with delight when received. And, don’t be mistaken, the Going Places! friends made sure to make enough cupcakes so they could also have some for themselves. So many cupcakes were decorated that there were even enough to bring some home to family and community members at a group home.

The cupcakes were delivered to Second Story that week and the staff were so appreciative of the beautiful work and kindness shown by the Going Places! members.