Enriching lives, not just meeting needs...

Life is full of unpredictability. But for individuals with mental illness, it's an everyday occurrence. Not a day goes by without a person with mental illness wondering whether she will even be able to make it through the day. Additionally, a person's physical ailments can often exacerbate their mental health problems. Yes, such challenges are daunting. At Kadima, we believe our clients, who are very fragile, only can function at their best if they receive support and care for both their minds and bodies.

Everyone deserves to have their basic needs met: shelter, food and clothing. Everything else is extra. For the most part, we all take good physical and mental health for granted, we take our freedom for granted and we take everyday activities, such as driving, working and laughing, for granted. We are in control. But this is not so for Kadima clients.

So how does enrichment work at Kadima? At Kadima, we not only help our clients satisfy their basic needs of shelter, food and clothing, we teach our clients how to control the unwelcome demons who enter their mind; manage the voices only they can hear; and learn to cope with their illness on a daily basis. And at Kadima, we go one step further; we provide an avenue for our clients to enjoy life.

Enrichment for Kadima's clients includes many endeavors we all assume will be available in our own lives on a daily basis, such as friendships, holiday celebrations, sports, music, art, recreation, education, and Jewish activities. These programs offered by Kadima allow our clients to connect with their Judaism, feel free to be themselves, learn to laugh again, have fun, and be with people who care about them. Enrichment assists our clients in managing their mental illness. The "voices"are distracted; permitting at least some peace of mind, or depression is put aside, at least temporarily, and replaced with laughter. Enrichment is what makes each of us a whole person.

We are indebted to all those who support our mission and work, enabling men and women who struggle with mental illness to build new lives.

Merle Schwartz President

Janette Shallal, MSW, ACSW Executive Director