From a new fertility support initiative to a program to help older adults in our community – here are five ways we are working to support the community in 2022. 

To that end, we introduced AgeWell Baltimore. This Centennial initiative, supported by Irene and Robert Russel and Family and the Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation will make our full range of services easy to access. A dedicated specialist will guide older adults and their caregivers to the resources they need – from mental health supports and financial guidance to community activities and housing options that will help individuals live independent and safe lives. The program is a collaboration between The Associated and its agencies, CHAI, CHANA and Jewish Community Services (JCS). Go to agewellbaltimore.org. And check out our recent In Perspective program, Aging Well in America: Preparing for our Future, to hear from local experts about what’s next.  

2. New Program Supporting Fertility Journeys 

We heard from you! Local individuals and couples shared with The Associated their desire to see the Jewish community offer more services for people navigating the psychological, social, familiar and economic stressors of fertility and family-building.  

From that, Seeds of Hope Was born. This new program provides a Jewish perspective to the fertility journey. In February, Jewish Community Services, which is spearheading this initiative, is partnering with the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation to hold a community-wide virtual education program.  

Pathways to Parenting will feature a professional panel discussing financial, legal, psychological, medical and spiritual aspects of fertility. In addition, as part of this effort, they trained mental health practitioners, Jewish clergy and other communal professionals to deepen their understanding and response to this issue. Learn about Pathways to Parenting here.

4. Focus on Mental Wellbeing 

Recognizing the incredible toll, the pandemic has had on mental health, The Associated and its agencies are working to provide resources to support mental wellbeing. This past year, JCS provided 20,000 telehealth sessions, in addition to on-site sessions and prevention education. 

Some of those prevention programs were held in local schools and focused on suicide prevention, including: 

• QPR (question, persuade and refer), an anti-suicide, certified program for middle and high school students. The program helps students understand when they should be concerned about a friend (versus when someone is unhappy because of a one-time incident like a bad grade); ways to encourage a classmate to talk about what’s bothering them and how to refer them to the best resources. Role playing is a critical component of the program. To date, The Park School of Baltimore, Friends School of Baltimore and Krieger Schechter Day School have participated. 
   

• Mental Wellness 101.  This two-part program is designed for middle schoolers not comfortable talking about suicide. 

 Ari Israel, executive director of Maryland Hillel, will participate in the University of Maryland’s suicide prevention training — then train his staff this upcoming semester. Maryland Hillel also provides TLC (Tender Loving Care) packages for quarantining and sick students.