For the last couple of months, I’ve gotten to sit in on the social work sessions between Ms. Hoesterey and Sammy1, who named me her “trusted adult” (made my heart melt!). Sitting in those meetings every Monday has been a blessing because it has allowed me to start my week seeing important work in action.
I could not help but notice the amount of trust Ms. Hoesterey has built with Sammy. Whether Sammy has a lot to be happy about, or some things that are making her morning hard, she is excited to be with Ms. Hoesterey and values the time to celebrate or process with her. She didn’t hold back in what she shared, and on multiple occasions, acknowledged the fact that she knew Ms. Hoesterey had her best interest at heart. I also noticed how intentionally Ms. Hoesterey balanced building trust and holding Sammy accountable. This wasn’t just a space for Sammy to get things off her chest. It was also an opportunity to learn how to lovingly respond to the reality of things not always going her way.
With strong family advocacy and support from the Social Work Team, our students are able to access academic, speech and social work services that are clear catalysts for growth during their time at CJA. Our social workers also provide trauma-informed care for our students in the face of difficult circumstances, intentionally getting to know each student and matching their care to their individual needs.
To me, there is no better example of the idea of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, than our Social Work Team. They carry the weight of all that our students and families share with them each day. Even with all of that on their shoulders, their gratitude and respect for those they serve never fades. They do what they do because they know it’s what our students and families deserve, and their dedicated service has a real and lasting effect on every child entrusted to their care.
So, to our Social Work Team, and to the many other thoughtful pieces to the CJA puzzle, I say thank you. You’re laying the bricks for the strong foundation I’ve leaned on throughout my life since my time as a student here. The work you’re doing to build our students’ confidence and the unconditional love you give allows for the experiences below to be more formative through processing and reflection. They also will one day be the reason these students come back and trust us with their goals, challenges and achievements.
Jae Rule
Development Officer (CJA ’13)
1The student’s name was changed for privacy
Thanks to the help of a generous benefactor, our 5th and 6th grade girls got the chance to go see Hamilton in the middle of learning about the Yellow Fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793. Alexander Hamilton wasn’t directly involved in the outbreak, but studying him and seeing the musical were opportunities for students to understand how leaders shaped our young nation in response. It was an unforgettable experience that allowed our girls to see what they are learning in action, and they all really enjoyed the musical!
It’s always exciting to spend time in reflection with students individually. For that reason, one of my favorite updates of the year is our Students of CJA Interviews. I enjoyed all of these interviews, but I thought 8th-grader Brandon’s reflection would be a wonderful way to kick off graduation season.
I was impressed most by Brandon’s recognition of the power of leadership. As others did before him, he sees his responsibility to use his own leadership to help those following in his footsteps, including his 4th-grade sister. I had the pleasure of coaching Brandon in basketball these last couple of years, and his loving, calm and determined leadership among his peers was essential in the team’s success this season!
While he’s looking forward to his future and graduating in June, nothing brings me more joy than him calling CJA “home.” We’re excited to see all that Brandon and his classmates will accomplish, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way.
Alumnus Manny Castillo (CJA ‘19) came back to give free hair cuts to the CJA community before Spring Break! He’s a talented barber and thoughtfully chose to give back to a place he loves for an entire Friday. Thank you for being an example of using your gifts to make the world better for the students that are following in your footsteps, Manny.
All that you see in this newsletter is a blessing for me to be able to witness firsthand, and it would not be possible without the many supporters who invest in our work and our students each day. Thank you again to all of our families, alumni, volunteers, faculty, staff and benefactors who continue to pour Love into our CJA community.
Although there are many good things happening at CJA, our work remains unfinished. We are hard at work raising a scholarship for every student who will join us in the Class of 2031. If you are interested in supporting our young men and women, please contact me at [email protected]. I would love to answer any questions you might have! You can also visit our website to learn more about other ways to support our students.
For those who celebrate, may the blessings of Passover and the promise of Easter bring you hope, renewal and joy. As always, I look forward to keeping you updated on all things CJA.
