Leaders say the center is meant to offset the effects of what they say is extreme poverty on children in the neighborhood.
“Our youngest students don’t need more punishment. They need more tools to help them manage their emotions and make good choices…It is easier to build a healthy child than to mend a broken adult. That’s why this center is here,” McCray said.
“It’s really nice to be able to provide counseling in this community because it’s something that typically is really expensive and mental health care shouldn’t be something that just a few of us get access to. It’s nice to be able to give it to everybody,” said Ariel Touger, a social worker with the Jewish Board.
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