more about mental health conditions and their diagnoses. It led her to pursue an outpatient setting, where she continues to work today as a mental health therapist. “I primarily work with young adults struggling with various life stressors through the lens of anxiety and depression,” she says of her work’s focus. Szczotka is driven by the ability to provide a safe place for individuals to share their thoughts without judgment.
went far too long without asking for help because as a mental health therapist, I was like, ‘I have all the tools I need to combat my own mental health,’” she recalls. Healing both physically and mentally, Szczotka says she’s now reached a point where she feels more connected to motherhood while also achieving work-life balance. She and Michael are set to welcome their second child in October and are thrilled to do so.
BECOMING A MOM IN THE PANDEMIC Now, Szczotka, who is a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, where she was born, balances work with the journey of being a new mom. Her daughter Orli, almost 2, taught her the most important life lessons yet that she shares with others on her Instagram, @rediscovering_ronit. “When our daughter arrived, my husband, Michael, seamlessly stepped into dad mode as if he were born to do it,” Szczotka recalls, “whereas I, on the other hand, took some time to find my footing.” Szczotka struggled with breastfeeding, something she thought would be “the most natural thing in the world,” because her body was still physically healing from the pregnancy. She also felt the first symptoms of postpartum anxiety, a mental health condition she says isn’t as well known or understood as postpartum depression. Finally, after postpartum anxiety had begun to interfere with her ability to enjoy life’s most precious moments, such as a birthday party for her daughter, Szczotka sought out help. “I
FINDING BALANCE IN LOVE AND LIFE Szczotka, who was recently featured in pictures for a new JFamily Facebook group, has also learned different ways to find balance in the interfaith relationship she shares with her husband. While their children are being raised Jewish, they continue to celebrate the cherished traditions of Michael’s Catholic upbringing and family life. “I personally love Christmas,” Szczotka says. “For us, it’s about coming together and having a tree and looking at lights. It’s the tradition we’ve held for 15 years together [of being in a relationship since high school].” In her spare time, Szczotka enjoys the simple things in life, like going on walks with Orli or heading to brunch with her girlfriends. She also enjoys barbecuing with Michael in the summer. “To be honest, I’m just winging it every day,” she admits. “But something someone told me when I was in the thick of it was remembering that the sun will always set on the hardest days and a new day will quickly follow. And it has stuck with me.”
Send a ‘Book’ to Camp!
Join Tamarack Camps by adding your favorite new or gently used book to camp’s new lending libraries. CAMP TAMARACK STAFF
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tarting today, Tamarack Camps is hosting a community wide book drive to bring the gift of reading to campers. Thanks to the support of Applebaum Family Philanthropy’s Compass Fund, Tamarack Camps is creating unique lending libraries and additional educational programming this summer. Each lending library will be dedicated to a specific camper population (starting with second grade and going through ninth grade). The grant dollars will support the materials for the libraries’ design and production. Grant funding will also help facilitate reading and educational programming throughout the summer. The addition of lending libraries will provide significant benefits to Tamarack’s entire camp community during the summer of 2022 and beyond. The new libraries will allow campers and counselors to pursue their individual passions for reading throughout the summer. Further, as part of the agency’s efforts to respond to mental health challenges, the lending libraries will provide campers with quiet, contemplative respite activities. “When we heard about the lending libraries concept and the need to provide additional mental health support and enrichment opportunities for campers, we knew we wanted to be involved,” said Molly Applebaum-Wyett, co-trustee of the Applebaum Family Philanthropy Compass Fund. “This is just the latest example of camp evolving for the
needs of the community.” Rebecca Applebaum-Wyett, co-trustee of the Applebaum Family Philanthropy Compass Fund, added. “A key component of the Compass Fund’s mission is to help our future Jewish community and to respond to emerging issues. The lending libraries for campers is an excellent innovative model to encourage meaningful camper connections while providing the important space to read and wonder. We are so pleased to support Tamarack through our Compass Fund for this purpose.” Please join in filling camp’s new lending libraries by donating new or gently used books in good condition. Books can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit in Bloomfield Township through June 3. “We are thrilled to launch our book drive in partnership with the Applebaum Family Philanthropy Compass Fund. It was important to involve our community in this initiative and we are excited that more people will have the opportunity to be part of camp’s magic this summer by sharing their favorite books and stories with our campers,” says Ashleigh Imerman, chief advancement officer of Tamarack Camps. For questions regarding the book drive, call (248) 647-1100. To learn more about Tamarack Camps, visit www.tamarackcamps. com. To learn more about the Applebaum Family Philanthropy Compass Fund, visit www.applebaumphilanthropy.org.
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