14 June 27 • 2019
jn
Supporting Siblings
Teen receives award to provide support for siblings
of people struggling with mental health issues.
F
or almost 15 years, Jessica
Goldberg has been along
for the ride at weekly
therapy appointments as dozens
of medication combinations were
prescribed. She was there for
the meltdowns in Target and in
restaurants as bread was thrown
across the room by her brother, who
struggles with mental illness. As a
sibling, she found no resources that
met her needs, so she decided to cre-
ate one.
Jessica, also named a Rising Star by
the JN and the JCC’
s JFamily earlier
this year, understands what happens
when those in supportive roles need
support themselves.
In November 2016, she start-
ed Sib4Sib, a 501c3 nonprofit that
connects people ages 6-18 with the
resources they need for their own
mental health while actively helping a
brother or sister deal with theirs.
All support groups are facilitated by
licensed mental health professionals
and give families the information
and support they need. Sib4Sib uses
workshops, community events, ad
campaigns and public presentations
to raise mental health awareness and
support for the supporters.
This summer, Jessica was awarded
the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award
for her work with Sib4Sib. Now in its
13th year, the award honors the work
of teen leaders committed to igniting
change in their communities and
around the globe. She and her organi-
zation will receive $36,000.
Jessica, 17, of Farmington Hills said
she is excited to join 15 other teens
who share a passion for giving back
and also received Diller Teen Tikkun
Olam awards this year.
“I am so honored to have received
this award, and I am fortunate to be
able to put all the money back into
the organization,” said Goldberg, who
attends Adat Shalom Synagogue in
Farmington Hills with her brother
and parents, Scot and Judy Goldberg.
“I cannot express how humbled I am
to be among the winners.”
Sib4Sib’
s support groups are free to
participants, so the funds from the
award will go toward continuing to
provide this support without charge
and toward the organization’
s goals.
While Sib4Sib is not religiously affili-
ated, the group meets at Adat Shalom
twice a month on Thursdays.
In the next year, Goldberg plans to
create an all boys’
support group, as
she says she has noticed boys tend to
feel uncomfortable sharing experi-
ences in co-ed groups that are mostly
female. She also plans to create a kids’
group with a more play-based therapy
approach.
As she prepares to begin her senior
year at North Farmington High
School, Goldberg is looking toward
her organization’
s future. She is work-
ing with the Sib4Sib board to create a
sustainability plan for when she leaves
for college and beyond.
A celebratory awards ceremony
honoring the teens will be held in San
Francisco in August. ■
For more information, visit sib4sib.org or
contact info@sib4sib.org or (248) 215-2451.
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JESSIE COHEN JN INTERN
Jessica Goldberg
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