MARCH 21 • 2024 | 23
J
N
Thank God
it’s
who wants to hang out with
their friends.”
Larry Stillwater of West
Bloomfield has been volun-
teering with the tight-knit
group since the 1980s.
“They’re really energetic,”
he says of participants, who
share holiday events, gym
nights and more. “They
know when they’re at the
social group they’re with a
bunch of people having a
good time. There’s no pres-
sure on them to do anything
they don’t want to. They can
feel comfortable with us.”
A financial adviser by day,
he says he looks forward to
his evenings with the social
group. In March, there’s a
pizza party and movie night
slated, and a Purim party
later on in the month.
“It’s a big part of my life,
and always will be,” he says
of the group and its crowd,
adding that volunteers and
participants take a real
interest in one another’s
lives. “We like to know
what each other are doing,
so it’s a nice give and take.
They’ve really become
family.”
Meanwhile Linda Rosberg
of West Bloomfield started
volunteering with the social
group in college and has
been involved for decades
since that time. “There
are so many people that
live in the community
that could benefit from
social activities,” she notes,
adding that individuals with
special needs are far more
integrated into the broader
community than when she
started.
“I think it’s nice to
have a mix of being in
the community and being
with people you’re already
comfortable with.”
Liam Gibbons of Beverly
Hills has been taking part in
the social group for the past
five years, says his caregiver.
“Liam loves interacting with
familiar faces and playing
games with his friends. He
looks forward to seeing the
new calendar when it comes
out and is always excited to
go.”
Staying connected is part
of the draw for Jonathan
Horton of West Bloomfield,
who has also been
participating in the events
for more than a handful of
years. He says he likes to
go to the social group to
reconnect with friends and
camp counselors.
“I used to go to summer
camp where we would go on
field trips and job sites. My
favorite events are bingo,
karate and happy hour with
mocktails and games.”
Julie
Charron
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www.hfldetroit.org • 248.723.8184
Hebrew Free Loan Detroit
6735 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 300 • BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48301
@HFLDetroit
Community donations help Hebrew Free Loan give
interest-free loans to local Jews for a variety of personal,
health, educational and small business needs.
STORY
My
STORY
My
Rebecca Tauber left Michigan to go to college in
Northern California, then remained on the West Coast,
establishing her life in California and Washington
State. Years later, during the pandemic shutdown,
Rebecca packed her things and drove across the
country, returning to Michigan and family. She and
her mother rode out much of the pandemic together.
“When restrictions began to lift and I could think
about what to do next -– as a vocation, not merely a
job – I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and nurture
others,” Rebecca said. “I’d been caregiving for my
Dad, and I considered nursing. By chance I ran into an
occupational therapist, who is passionate about
what she does. She really inspired me to delve deeper
into the possibility of pursuing a career in OT.”
Occupational therapists support people in the activities
they need and want to do throughout their day, and
help adapt and modify tasks for functional performance.
“What excited me was the range of creative
problem solving for people’s needs, and how the
profession can go in many directions,” Rebecca
said. “It felt like the right fit for me.”
Rebecca used savings to pay for the prerequisite
classes, and came to Hebrew Free Loan’s William
Davidson Jewish College Loan Program to help with the cost
of the graduate program itself.
“I expected HFL would be wonderful, because they
have an incredible reputation, and they truly were,”
Rebecca said. “They’ve been positive and supportive,
and I’m so very grateful to our community for helping
me pursue my goals. It’s a privilege to live where a
program like Hebrew Free Loan exists.”