The Children’s Village: The Next Generation of Caring

There’s something exciting about watching the next generation discover what it means to be part of the JAFCO family.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to join an event hosted by our Aventura Teen Chapter, where more than 60 teenagers came together on a Sunday morning to support JAFCO. They were there to learn about JAFCO, raise money for our children, and explore how they could make a difference. It was a privilege to spend time with them, share a little about what we do, and answer some incredibly thoughtful questions.

What made the morning especially meaningful was knowing that many of these teens are second-generation JAFCO supporters. Their parents are active members of our Aventura Chapter, some of whom are currently helping to plan our upcoming Chanukah Miracles Luncheon. These are families where giving back isn’t just something parents talk about. It’s something their children grow up seeing, experiencing, and eventually making their own.

And we’re seeing that happen in exciting ways across our JAFCO community. In some families the connection begins at a very young age, collecting toys for children at Chanukah or participating in a family volunteer project. As they grow older, children might choose JAFCO for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project. Then come the teen chapters, where young people begin taking ownership of their involvement, organizing events, volunteering, and finding their own ways to make a difference. In their 20s and 30s, that connection continues through our growing young professionals community. We’ve recently had two sold-out social happy hours, bringing together a new generation of people eager to connect with one another and with JAFCO’s mission. Over time, those relationships can grow into lifelong commitments as volunteers, advocates, and philanthropic leaders.

With several teen chapters thriving and new ones taking shape in other communities, it’s exciting to see these opportunities continue to grow.

What I love most is that there is no single age or stage of life when someone becomes part of the JAFCO family. There is room for everyone, and every generation has something meaningful to give.

– Justin Kohlhagen, Psy.D.

JAFCO CEO