Golda Och Academy Seniors Lend a Helping Hand at LifeTown

Senior year is full of exciting milestones and opportunities to leave a lasting mark on the community. On Wednesday, February 5, seniors from Golda Och Academy in West Orange, NJ volunteered as a class at the LifeTown Shoppes.

“This week is senior week,” said GOA teacher, Daniel Kurzweil. “They’re done with their academic courses and we’re doing different activities, including volunteer work, before they leave for Israel.”

The seniors’ passion for helping others was evident from the moment they stepped foot in the LifeTown Shoppes. Each student took on a distinct role such as police officer, nail salon technician, art instructor and shopkeeper. They assisted 75 guests with special needs through LifeTown, infusing their visit with eager smiles and encouragement.

“They are just fantastic,” said LifeTown volunteer coordinator Jodi Zwain of the GOA seniors. “They took to it naturally. They are so great with the kids and responsible. It’s been a wonderful experience having them here.”

LifeTown hosted guests from three schools on February 5 – Asbury Park High School, Lake Parsippany Elementary School, and NECHN Therapeutic School and Preschool. Participants navigated the LifeTown Shoppes all with the help of the GOA seniors, learning real-life skills while having fun in the process.

“This is amazing for life skills,” said Keri Wyrwa, a school psychologist for Lake Parsippany Elementary School. “It’s opening their world to a lot of experiences. They’re so happy and their smiles are huge. A lot of them have their own struggles in their personal lives and this gives them an opportunity to feel special.”

Participants delighted in adorable guinea pigs and eagerly pet a sweet dog at Jeff and Charlie’s Pet Shoppe. They got their nails painted at Linda’s Salon and colorful artwork was created at Ahuva’s Art Shoppe. Budgeting skills were integrated into the whole experience as guests considered how and where to spend their money.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students in the learning disabilities rooms to practice life skills, work on functional speech, practice paying with real money, and have tangible experiences,” said Melissa Ricca, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst for the Parsippany School District.

The GOA volunteers inherently understood what each guest needed during their visit to the LifeTown Shoppes. Some of the seniors also brought a unique connection to LifeTown, enhancing the overall experience. Sophie Schall had previously volunteered at LifeTown and has a deep understanding of how important it is to give back to the community.

“My family has been connected with LifeTown my entire life,” said Schall who was stationed at Ahuva’s Art Shoppe. “I think it’s great that we can all come together, and the kids can go to all the different shoppes because we’re all here today. I am excited to help the kids create an art project that they feel proud of.”

Mia Schwartz completed her Bat Mitzvah project at LifeTown and was excited to be volunteering with her senior class. Through her Bat Mitzvah project, Schwartz raised funds to build the LifeTown kitchen.

“Ever since then, I’ve been volunteering at the cooking classes every week,” said Schwartz. “But today, I’m working in ShopRite, checking the kids out. I think LifeTown is so special and unique. There’s no other place where kids can come and learn real life skills, which is so important. I’ve always wanted to bring my school here and I’m really excited that it’s finally happening.”

Kathleen Berardo, a substitute teacher at Lake Parsippany Elementary School, said “The volunteers here are amazing. I just love watching them interact with the children. In the pet store there was such kindness. The volunteers worked with the kids, gave them jobs to do, and then rewarded them for their jobs. In the art room they sat with them and asked them all about their lives. It was just awesome to see how friendly they were.”

The GOA seniors left a lasting impression on all who visited the LifeTown Shoppes. Not only did they take their volunteer roles seriously, but they enhanced a positive and inclusive environment with enthusiasm and love.