The Ark’s Chicago office is now open at 6450 N. California Ave. Learn more.

Honoring Jewish Disability Awareness

Honoring Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month

February marked Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month, an effort created to help foster the acceptance of Jewish people living with disabilities and mental health conditions.

As COVID-19 nears its one-year mark this month, mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression can be exacerbated by loneliness, boredom and isolation brought on by the pandemic, especially affecting underserved members of the Northwest suburbs and Chicagoland Jewish Communities.

One way in which The ARK is supporting Jewish individuals suffering from various mental health conditions is through the Intensive Day Program (IDP). IDP helps individuals feeling stress, despair, and isolation safely navigate their mental health, while also supporting them through the financial, emotional, and social challenges brought by COVID.  The ARK’s IDP team creates a supportive client community through daily call-in or Zoom groups, enabling people to stay in touch during social distancing.

To support The ARK’s IDP and find other resources for family, friends, and members of the Jewish community suffering from mental illness during the pandemic, visit The ARK’s websitedonate, or volunteer.