On January 19 and 20, JF&CS hosted an open house for community supporters, school counselors and mental health professionals to share the benefits of their new whole-child, holistic approach to children’s mental health.
In the year since announcing the transformative gift that named the Horwitz-Zusman Child & Family Center, it has grown into a powerhouse of impactful mental health professionals, expanding its roster of child therapists, offering new needed services, as well as shared therapists’ knowledge with parents through an informative webinar series. The goal of the center is to create a holistic approach to helping children and teens with their challenges.
Terri Bonoff, CEO opened the event with an inspiring speech about the dream for the new center, and the seed donors who helped make it happen.
"We are proud to share the Horwitz-Zusman Child and Family Center with you. We think it represents the innovative approach to children, teen and family mental health and well-being that fits with the demands and urgent needs of our times- we ARE meeting the moment and we trust that you are here because you too understand the urgent crisis of now," she said
Dan Arnold, Director of Clinical Services shared the accomplishments of the talented staff and the purpose of the center.
“There is no shortage of work to be done and clients who need support. We have recruited talented and compassionate professionals to meet the changing needs of the child. This team not only serves individual children and families, but they have become mental health first responders in the Jewish community,” Dan said.
Eileen Price, a member of the advisory committee, and founder of In the City Camp was proud to see the results.
"As I stepped into the grand opening of the new HZ child-family center, my heart was filled with joy and hope. Here was a place that offered something so important, a safe and comfortable space where children and families could access mental health care. Knowing the staggering statistics about the need for mental health support among children, it was reassuring to see such a wonderful resource created for them.
As I explored the space and listened to the stories being shared, it was evident that this center would make a positive impact on the community. I was proud to be part of a team that was doing something to create real change in our city.
Most of all, I was inspired by the vision and dedication of everyone involved in the project, who made this center possible. I left feeling proud and empowered that, through collective efforts, we could build something so valuable to the children and families of our community," she said.
JF&CS welcomed staff from the Cottage School, the Howard School, Davis Academy, Torah Day School, Atlanta Jewish Academy, the Epstein School and others schools to meet our mental health professionals and learn about the holistic approach that JF&CS provided.
Attendees received a tour of the clinical space and met clinicians from both the Horwitz-Zusman Child & Family Center and the larger Frances Bunzl Clinical Services. In the last two years, JF&CS has hired 15 new child & family professionals. As attendees viewed the space, they could also see the need for the planned renovations to serve JF&CS clients.
On Jan 20, guests were treated to a live Focus Group Seminar on ADHD, which was also broadcast on zoom to 100+ Atlanta attendees. Dr. Howard Schub, Child Neurologist, Dr. Marlena Reese, Executive Functioning Coach, and Cari Newman, Parent Coach joined together for a panel on ADHD: A Closer Look.