Liam’s Lechem for Mental Health
Challenges hard to ignore
“It was hard to ignore how youth mental health challenges were made worse by the recent pandemic. Article after article reported increased demand for counseling, treatments, and outreach,” said Liam, 13.
He saw a need, so he took action.
Liam’s Lechem
Liam’s Bar Mitzvah, a rite of passage for Jewish teens marking their progress into adulthood, was coming up. Part of the tradition is creating a project that benefits the community. Liam wanted to help the youth who suffered mental health challenges during the pandemic. He named his project Liam’s Lechem. Lechem in Hebrew means bread, and who doesn’t love the taste of freshly baked bread?
Baking to make a difference
Liam worked for months trying out different recipes to find the perfect one, along the way also learning about the art and science of bread baking. His idea was to bake and sell loaves of bread to family and friends. He would then donate all the proceeds to help support youth mental health through Youth Eastside Services.
“My Bar-Mitzvah project has taught me about mental health and the numerous resources available. I also learned perseverance and the secret of bread-making. I am very proud to raise $750 for YES, and I hope I can inspire others to do similar things.”
If Liam’s story inspires you to take action, we encourage you to plan a fundraiser or gathering in support of support children, youth, and families who are struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. You can invite your friends, family, and coworkers to join you at a workplace event, a Facebook birthday celebration, a lemonade stand, or a dedication of a sporting event game; the ideas are endless!
Contact Angela Chapman with your ideas or to learn more about how your actions can make a significant difference.