In its first year, Jewish Federation's Teen Engagement & Wellness Initiative grants totaling $240,000 engaged 490 Orange County youth through 6 community programs offered by cross-denominational partners. Funded programs for teens and tweens ranged from mental wellness retreats to projects helping teens prepare for life and challenges on college campuses. This year, our Teen Initiative grantees are Chabad of Mission Viejo, Congregation B'nai Israel, OC Hillel, Merage Jewish Community Center, and the Jewish Educators Association of Orange County. Mazal tov to our grantees, whose programs align with the Federation's goals for this initiative: to tackle the perpetual challenge of teens opting out of Jewish life, and to address the need for comprehensive wellness resources that guide and support teens, through a Jewish lens.

Learn more here.