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The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (JCC) is one of the largest social service, recreational, and educational organizations in the region. The JCC, in operation for more than 127 years, offers a variety of programs including childcare and preschool, after-school and school’s out programs, day and overnight camp, fitness and wellness programs, special needs services, and arts and cultural activities. The JCC is open and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or special need by welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, embracing their uniqueness and diversity under its communal tent.

Providing support and services for senior adults is an important part of the JCC’s mission. AgeWell at the JCC, a nationally-accredited Senior Center program that is part of the unique partnership of AgeWell Pittsburgh, provides programs that maximize health and independence for older adults. It's J Cafe serves kosher meals to active Allegheny County residents daily, providing a setting for older adults to socialize and enjoy a nourishing meal.

The partnership between the Day School at The Children’s Institute and the JCC goes all the way back to 2014 when the first Day School student volunteers participated in the J Café. Currently, student volunteers assist individuals with acquiring their lunches as well as cleaning and organizing the tables, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed.

The JCC’s collaboration with The Day School has given many students the opportunity to learn valuable vocational and social skills. The J Café experience offers specific experience with social skills on the job, which is a skill that can be challenging to instruct outside of an integrated job setting. The students that have participated as volunteers at the JCC have gone on to be very successful in their post-secondary programs and many have pursued competitive employment. The Day School looks forward to continuing our partnership with the JCC’s J Café for many more years to come!

The Day School’s Community-Based Instruction program provides real-world learning experiences that help students meet their goals after graduation. Our students learn to build independence in a variety of workplace and volunteer settings that help to extend their classroom learning. To learn more, please contact [email protected] or 412-420-2222.