Rena Rosen says she has made it her mission “to make the world a little bit kinder.” As a teacher, author, advocate, and speaker, she works tirelessly to spread her message of kindness and inclusivity for people with differences. And, she recently added the title of Inclusion Coordinator at JCC Chicago to her lengthy list of jobs.

“Taking on the role of Inclusion Coordinator for JCC Chicago was a natural next step for Rena; JCC Chicago is in her blood,” said Rachel Schwartz, LCSW, Director of Social Services and Early Childhood at the organization. Rosen’s grandparents attended JCC classes when she was younger, and as a child, Rosen attended day camp and became a bat mitzvah at the Bernard Horwich JCC.

In addition to her lifelong connection to the JCC, Rosen, born with craniofacial differences, draws on the challenges she has faced in her own life to inform her inclusion work and inspire others.

Growing up in Skokie, Rosen, now 32, says she didn’t have the easiest childhood. “I had a lot of surgeries, and there were a lot of social challenges that I had to go through,” she said. Through it all, she leaned on her mother, with whom she remains extremely close, and developed her remarkably resilient and positive perspective.

Rosen, a 2017 36 Under 36 winner, explained how she derives strength and courage to share her story and inspire others from the obstacles she’s overcome. “I’ve taken my experience as an opportunity to make the world a little bit better for other people and myself,” she said.

Rosen demonstrates her drive daily at JCC Chicago, where she now divides her time between two roles. In the mornings, she wears her Inclusion Coordinator hat, planning and implementing new and continuing inclusion initiatives and programs, ensuring accessibility for all. In the afternoons, she serves as a teacher in a preschool classroom at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook.

Though the context of her work changes from morning to afternoon, Rosen says her message does not. Working with adults and children, “the language might differ, but the basis of the conversation is the same,” she said.

In all she does, Rosen subscribes to the same philosophy: be kind. “When you see someone who looks different, staring is never okay. The best option is just to smile and say hello,” she said. One kind gesture can open the door to a deeper connection. “Once you make that initial hello and smile, the stories start flowing, and then, you learn about each other,” she said.

Rosen’s empathy and positive energy reach well beyond the JCC community. Lauren Schrero Levy, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Nora Project, first met Rosen online through their shared work around disability awareness. Levy says her friendship with Rosen quickly grew. “Her energy and her commitment to equality for all kids and all people is just exciting and comforting to be around,” Levy said.

Rosen continues to use social media to build valuable connections. “Six years ago, I didn’t even know a soul who had a craniofacial anomaly other than myself,” she said. But, thanks to the internet, she has now connected with many adults, children, and families across the world who share similar experiences.

Most recently, Rosen created a Facebook group called “Knit for a unique fit,” garnering over 400 members in a matter of weeks. The group connects people who knit and crochet to make gloves for kids who have uniquely shaped hands due to syndromic or limb differences, often associated with craniofacial anomalies.

“I don’t know how to knit. I don’t know how to sew. But I know how to connect people,” Rosen said.

Leslie Hill Hirschfeld is a freelance writer living in the northern suburbs of Chicago.