Chaya Block, at The Blogs

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Nov 25, 2018, 10:19 AM

A Defective System

It’s 4:00 AM. I’m flying home to Chicago from a Criminal Justice Reform Summit in LA. The Summit co-hosted by Rolling Stone and Variety united the entertainment, philanthropic, advocacy and policymaking communities to address injustices in our criminal justice...

Mar 20, 2018, 12:46 AM

Demolition Derby

Years to build, minutes to destroy. It has been a noisy week with construction workers and their toys tirelessly demolishing the apartments across from me. Hearing the loud smashes and crashes of wood, bricks, and metal was unpleasant and initially...

Apr 3, 2017, 8:48 AM

Considering critique

I consider myself to be a conscientious worker and have received emails from my employers over the years reinforcing the quality of my work and motivating me to work harder. It therefore came as a shock when I received...

May 12, 2016, 12:55 AM

Is confidence walking down the street with posture? Holding your head up high? Believing others when they compliment you? I believe confidence is multi-faceted, and even if I struggle to define confidence, I can certainly sniff from a mile...

Mar 10, 2016, 9:28 PM

The Pursuit of Happiness

Living so far away from home can get tough. I am currently living independently in NYC, while the rest of my family lives in Melbourne, Australia. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but I personally find at...

Feb 16, 2016, 5:24 PM

He Who Risks Is Free

My mum is my number one fan. She always tells me how smart I am. And how talented. And how beautiful. I can do no wrong. I am basically perfect. An angel. Oh, and did I mention that everything,...

Dec 24, 2015, 5:34 PM

#isthepictureworththeprice?!

I am a social media lover. As a “Newbie” to Instagram I became fixated with checking out pictures daily from models, foodies, photographers and daily doses of inspiration. Last night my friend whatsapped me a video called “Instagram Husbands,”...

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About Me

Chaya is 26-years-old and the oldest of four children. She is originally from Melbourne, Australia, and currently living in Chicago where her husband is completing his Internal Medicine residency training. She holds a Bachelor's in Behavioral Science and a Masters in Special Education. For over 2 years, she has been working for the Aleph Institute, a non-profit that provides physical, emotional and financial support to families as well as those in prison and or in mental institutions. She is particularly passionate about her work with Project Tikvah, a division of the Aleph Institute that focuses on breaking the vicious cycle of struggling youth battling addiction, incarceration, and mental illness.