Full Circle at the JCC

When I walked out of the JCC in June of 2010, I had no idea when—or if—I’d ever walk back through those doors again. For five full years, the Jewish Community Center had been at the heart of my daily life.

All three of my boys attended preschool there. They were lucky—not only did they go with their cousins, but their grandmother, Roz, worked there too. The JCC was more than just a school—it was a true community. I spent countless hours in the lobby, chatting with friends about everything from our kids to what we were making for dinner. We shared everyday joys and challenges in a space that felt warm, familiar, and deeply comforting.

In 2006, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the JCC moms rallied around me. They supported me in every way—some even accompanied me to chemotherapy appointments. Even during the hardest moments, we found reasons to laugh, to stay connected, and to lift each other up.

Since 2010, life has changed. Most of the preschool moms have returned to full-time work. Our kids have grown up and graduated from college, and we’ve all been finding new ways to live meaningful, fulfilling lives. But I’ll always miss those spontaneous lobby conversations and the bond we shared in that chapter of our lives.

I was fortunate to find a role I loved at DSANV, where I spent nearly six years creating and running programs like Bingo, Karaoke, Book Club, and Cooking Club for individuals with Down syndrome. It was deeply rewarding work, and I built lasting relationships with that incredible community.

Now, life has come full circle.

On Monday, June 16, I’ll be returning to the JCC—this time as a counselor at Camp Kesher. And I couldn’t be more excited. I’m also launching Fun Programs By Stacy, LLC, where I’ll be creating fun, engaging programs for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Northern Virginia.

Sixteen years later, I’m walking back through those same JCC doors—not as a preschool parent, but as someone who still believes in the power of connection, laughter, and community. Funny how life has a way of bringing us back to where we started—only with a deeper sense of purpose.