Madraigos Midwest is there to help youth reach their potential - every step of the way.
Upward Community supports & enhances the emotional, social & spiritual health of adolescents, young adults & their families with an array of programs & services. Upward Community supports and enhances the emotional, social, and spiritual health of adolescents, young adults, and their families with an array of innovative prevention and intervention programs and services.
03/27/2026
Pesach can bring so much pressure..perfect home, perfect Seder, perfect plans.
But Pesach isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, connection, and joy. Do what needs to be done. Let go of the rest. Invite your kids in. Make the plans together. Leave room for what matters most. 💛
Our middle school girls LevelUp Lounge took the stage this week for their long-awaited “Upward’s Got Talent” ✨
From dances to magic, art, drama, singing, and even piano performances — every moment reflected the hard work, teamwork, and creativity these girls poured into the show. 🎭💃🎤🎹
But more than anything, it was about creating a space where every girl felt like a star 🌟
So proud of the confidence, talent, and support these girls showed for one another — truly something special 💙
03/01/2026
01/22/2026
A gentle reminder for winter break ❄️ Mindfulness isn’t about perfection, it’s about intentional awareness. What we share. What we consume. How we respond.
And how fully we show up for the moments happening right now.
You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to step back. You’re allowed to be present without proving it. This winter break, choose presence over pressure
♥️ Upward Community
01/22/2026
A gentle reminder for winter break ❄️
Mindfulness isn’t about perfection, it’s about intentional awareness.
What we share. What we consume.
How we respond. And how fully we show up for the moments happening right now. You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to step back. You’re allowed to be present without proving it.
This winter break, choose presence over pressure 🤍
♥️Upward Community
12/16/2025
POV: you think you’re coming for a fun hotel Shabbos… and you leave with a new lens on life. 👀✨
100+ girls. 4 high schools. One unforgettable Shabbaton. 🤍
POV: Choose Your View was all about one thing: your perspective doesn’t just describe your experience — it creates it.
Jaclyn Sova gave us two talks that hit deep:
🪞 How you see yourself + others (and how often we think we know… but really don’t)
🔥 How Hashem sees us — not perfection, but effort. The trying matters.
Friday night oneg = pure magic. Kumzits, singing, real stories from girls that shifted the whole room. 🎶
And the vibe all Shabbos? Achdus on another level — an advisor literally said: “There aren’t any girls sitting alone here.” 🥹
Plus a therapist Q&A where girls asked real questions in a safe space 💬
…and then Motzei Shabbos Yoni Z turned the place upside down (in the best way) 🎤⚡️
12/14/2025
Chanukah reminder from us to you 🕯️✨
The pressure to make it magical can get LOUD — but the goal isn’t perfect nights… it’s connected ones.
✅ Values > volume
✅ Empathy > explaining
✅ Your sanity > someone else’s expectations
Let them stay up (if it works for your kids). Leave early (if that’s what your family needs). Skip the “Pinterest Chanukah” — and choose calm, connection, and the little meaningful moments.
May the only thing burning out this Chanukah… be the candles. 🕎💛
Which slide hit you the most? 👇
When you’re on totally different wavelengths, don’t push harder.
Use GIVE instead ⬇️
G – Gentle: no attacks, no threats, no eye rolls
I – Interested: really listen, ask curious questions
V – Validate: show you get where they’re coming from (even if you disagree)
E – Easy manner: soften it with warmth, humor, and calm energy
You don’t have to agree to have a good conversation.
You just have to GIVE it differently. 💬
“Why are you yelling at me?!” 😫
Sometimes our kids say this even when we’re talking calmly.
Because to a small kid in a big adult world, our size, tone, and intensity can feel huge.
Good parenting isn’t just about what we say—it’s about how they experience us.
When we slow down, get on their level, and stay curious about their perspective, we’re not just avoiding meltdowns…
we’re building trust, safety, and real communication. 💛