It can be hard to hear for some, but getting older is just part of life. For many men, hitting a certain age signifies the beginning of a new chapter - where bucket list items are crossed off, and goals are accomplished. For others, however, aging is a scary prospect, filled with nagging injuries, embarrassing weight gain, and inability to perform intimately. Few things feel worse than realizing that you simply can't perform as you used to, whether on the basketball court or in the bedroom.
The reality is, as men get older and approach middle age, their testosterone levels drop. When a male's testosterone levels get lower, it can cause a slew of unwanted symptoms like:
If you have noticed any of the above symptoms and feel like you're just dragging yourself through life, don't lose hope. Many men around the country are experiencing the same feelings as you. Thankfully, you don't have to settle for the side effects of low testosterone. There are proven, easy steps that you can take to reverse the negative signs of aging. If you're ready to reclaim your youth and feel like you did in your 20s and 30s, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be the perfect solution.
TRT bridges the gap between your old life and the happier, more vibrant version of you. That's where Juventee comes in - to facilitate your transition to a more youthful, fulfilling life and a brighter future. After all, aren't YOU supposed to be in charge of your wellness and health? With the Juventee team by your side, you'll have the tools to do so - backed by a personalized plan crafted by experts with more than 20 years of experience.
At Juventee, we propose a preventive and proactive medical approach to preserve optimal body function, with the best hormonal functioning to prolong vitality and youthfulness. Our specialty is Age Management, which is based on the belief that balance is the key to wellness. We employ the most innovative science, offering treatments like TRT in Jersey City, NJ, and other clinical products with proven efficacy.
Living a younger, healthier, and longer life is a frequent commitment for Juventee's team of specialists. We are experts at designing customized programs that work synergistically with your body and brain. We love incorporating smart nutrition, hormonal balance, exercise, stress management, cognitive health, and lifestyle changes into our treatment programs. We also implement sciences such as testosterone replacement therapy to achieve verifiable, legitimate results.
Our doctors take differing approaches to care but share the single goal of prolonging your youth and vitality. With that goal in mind, Juventee was born from the hands of its partners, who want you to feel full strength, energy, joy, confidence, and wellbeing.
testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
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What pops up in your head when you think about testosterone? Many people associate testosterone with being overly aggressive, macho, and violent. However, the truth is that testosterone is a critical hormone for men and affects the male lifespan from puberty through old age. As a sex hormone, male testosterone is produced through the testicles. It becomes most prevalent during puberty.
Testosterone production is controlled by the pituitary gland at the base of a man's brain. This gland sends signals to the testes, which in turn produce testosterone. A feedback loop helps regulate the amount of testosterone in the blood. When levels are too high, the brain orders the pituitary gland to restrict production.
Cholesterol synthesizes the testosterone in your body. However, having high cholesterol doesn't mean you have high testosterone levels, too. T levels are too carefully controlled by your pituitary gland for cholesterol to raise testosterone levels.
During puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
Testosterone replacement is exactly what its name implies. It's a therapy for men that replaces diminished testosterone levels, which helps balance your hormones and ultimately improves your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates many of the side effects that men suffer from as a result of low testosterone.
Testosterone was originally synthesized in a lab in 1935. Its popularity has grown since, and today, it is among the most promising doctor-prescribed treatments for men in the United States.
So, how does testosterone replacement therapy work? TRT essentially gives you the testosterone needed to be healthy and have a properly functioning body. As the primary androgen for males, testosterone has a role in the natural processes your body needs for overall health. This extra hormonal intake positively affects patients and their general health, preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiac diseases, and more.
Though there is an abundance of testosterone in your system throughout puberty and into your 20s, it gradually depletes with age. Sometimes, serious injuries and long-term conditions like diabetes affect testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
Though some symptoms of low T are abundantly evident, not all men can immediately tell they may need TRT. If you're unsure, ask yourself these questions:
If you answered yes to any of those questions, it could be time to contact Juventee about a personalized TRT plan. Still unsure if you're experiencing symptoms of low T? We have compiled a more extensive list of signs below:
Low energy used to be considered a normal part of aging. Today, most doctors know better. Modern advances in medicine show that lack of energy and low T often go hand-in-hand.
If it's a huge struggle to keep up with your kids on the soccer field, or you just don't have the energy to be active, you may have low testosterone. Getting tired is normal, but if it's an ongoing problem affecting you and your family, it's time to consult a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish normal activities, TRT in Jersey City, NJ could be the solution.
You would think that lowered libido would be easy to pick up on, but when it happens gradually, it can be more difficult to diagnose. With that said, many men use TRT because they've lost that "spark" in the bedroom. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not pleasing their partner because intimacy is an important part of a relationship.
The good news? Having a low libido doesn't have to be permanent. TRT treatments can help revert hormone levels to their normal range, making for a more enjoyable sex life.
If you're like millions of other men, hair loss is an unfortunate reality you don't want to think about. Closely related to hormone imbalances and testosterone decline, hair loss is about as distressing as it gets. This common symptom is often related to DHT - a derivative of testosterone that can cause hair follicles to die.
Thankfully, a carefully monitored TRT regimen can help restore hair, especially when combined with methods like plasma-rich therapy. While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone in your body, so hair loss isn't your only reality.
Weak erections - it's an uncomfortable subject for men to talk about. It's even worse to experience the symptom in the heat of the moment. Despite being very common, men shame themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while there are many reasons for this malady, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with weak erections forever when you balance your hormones with a personalized TRT treatment plan from Juventee.
You're feeling down about everything and can't figure out why you feel crummy about life. You're successful at work but feel unaccomplished. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed - and it could be stemming from low testosterone.
Studies show that men with depression and high cortisol levels also commonly have low testosterone. Because higher cortisol levels can lead to low T, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option, when used in conjunction with therapy, is TRT. When TRT is used to replenish hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more optimistic mood. That's great news for depressed men who have had little-to-no success with powerful anti-depression meds.
Experts have found that men who lose a week's worth of sleep may experience a drop in testosterone by as much as 15%. These findings are alarming and may suggest that sleep loss lowers T levels and affects wellbeing.
If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, it could be time to have your testosterone levels checked. TRT may restore your testosterone levels which can help you sleep better with proper exercise and diet.
Are you struggling to lift weights in the gym or find that you can't pick up items that used to be easy to lift? Studies show that inactive men can lose .5% of muscle strength each year after the age of 25. When you hit 60, muscle loss doubles every ten years. While muscle loss is common with age, it can also be linked to low T.
Testosterone is a crucial piece needed for building and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors are prescribing TRT for males experiencing sharp declines in strength and muscle mass. Whether your workouts are losing steam or you're having problems lifting items that aren't very heavy, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
Nobody likes to gain weight, even though our society is more accepting of overweight people than ever before. Despite diets and carb cutting, many men aren't able to get rid of excess belly and body fat, increasing the chances of heart disease and cancer.
Sometimes, male weight gain isn't caused by sweets and carbs but by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism. This phase of life is called andropause and occurs when testosterone levels are low. Combining a low metabolism with other symptoms like high cortisol levels can be a recipe for a double-chinned disaster. Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The enlargement of male breast tissue, also called "man boobs," is a fairly common condition that many men have. Though it is closely associated with diet and other life choices, increased fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances.
If you're approaching middle age and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
The human body is amazing in so many ways. Still, we have to optimize it every now and then using science, medicine, and hard work. After 40, you may notice that your body is changing, but symptoms like low libido and lack of motivation don't have to be permanent. Juventee has the team, tools, and experience to help recapture your youth and feel better than ever before.
If you're getting older and you're worried about low testosterone, give our office a call today. It would be our pleasure to care for you using the highest quality products, backed by research and applied by professionals with your best interests in mind.
Whether you need a boost to help you get through your busy work week or a natural solution to an embarrassing problem like ED, we're here for you. Our doctors will explain your treatment options in-depth and take as much time as you need to feel comfortable and confident about TRT. Remember, when you treat your body with love and care, it will reciprocate generously. Let our team teach you the techniques to prolong your sense of youth and provide you with the treatment to solidify your wellbeing as you age with grace. Contact Juventee today. By tomorrow, you'll be one step closer to meeting the best version of yourself.
Shopping for wall calendars may be a less common end-of-year tradition in the age of digital calendars and smartphones, but if you have an affinity for birds and Jersey City, your search for the perfect calendar ends here.Swans, goldfinches and oystercatchers decorate the pages of the fourth edition of Lorraine Freeney’s Jersey City Birds calendar, a passion project celebrating local birds and the hundreds of residents who have developed a hobby of spotting and identifying them.Freeney created ...
Shopping for wall calendars may be a less common end-of-year tradition in the age of digital calendars and smartphones, but if you have an affinity for birds and Jersey City, your search for the perfect calendar ends here.
Swans, goldfinches and oystercatchers decorate the pages of the fourth edition of Lorraine Freeney’s Jersey City Birds calendar, a passion project celebrating local birds and the hundreds of residents who have developed a hobby of spotting and identifying them.
Freeney created Jersey City Birds as an online community to share photographs when she began following a pair of red-tailed hawks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Facebook Group has since ballooned to more than 1,200 members, and Freeney officially established Jersey City Birds as a nonprofit this year, which she plans to use as an advocacy tool for bird protection.
It is just one of a network of community groups that unite around the wildlife that migrates through the urban area yearly.
The annual calendar, which Freeney initially created as a gift for friends and family, now features photographs from multiple members of the city’s birding community and can be purchased online.
“The point of the calendars at this stage is to raise awareness of the birds that live in and migrate through Jersey City and hopefully show how important it is to protect their habitats and reduce the challenges they face,” Freeney said.
The August page features a young red-tailed hawk perched on a Hudson County Sheriff’s vehicle as the bird was learning how to fly, a moment that Freeney recalled catching the attention of many passing by who formed a crowd around the scene. October features a blue-gray gnatcatcher, a four- or five-inch-long bird that Freeney captured in Lincoln Park West.
“They’re extremely active and quick and so being able to get a clear image of one is kind of a challenge for me,” Freeney said. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Popular birding spots in the county include Liberty State Park and Lincoln Park West in Jersey City, the Mill Creek Marsh Trail in Secaucus and, in Bayonne, Gregg Park, Rutkowski Park and the waterfront walkway bordering Bayonne Golf Club.
Birders enthralled by the wildlife in Hudson County have been sharing photographs online, meeting up for walks and advocating for environmental causes for years now.
The Bayonne Nature Club hosts two weekly bird walks as well as shoreline clean ups and gardening. Couple Pat Hilliard and Mike Ruscigno founded the group about 15 years ago when they retired. Hilliard said the group spotted more bald eagles in Bayonne this year than in recent years.
“There’s so many nice parks, and they’re easy access,” Hilliard said. “Bayonne’s surrounded by water. To see birds, just find water.”
Freeney said she discovered an interest in birds growing up with her father in Ireland and upon moving to the United States was able to acquaint herself with an almost entirely new ecosystem of birds.
Moving into her home neighboring Lincoln Park was an opportunity to spend more time with the array of birds she had discovered there. She said she frequently speaks to residents shocked to learn that ospreys and hummingbirds can be found in Jersey City.
“I feel that my job here is to document what I see,” Freeney said. “It doesn’t have to be a fantastic image. It just is a way of helping people become attuned to what’s around them.”
Hanging a Jersey City Birds calendar in the kitchen has become an annual tradition for Hudson County Sierra Club Program Chair Steve Krinsky, who organizes bird walks with Freeney and Jersey City’s Feminist Bird Club.
“I’m not a photographer so I love it when other people do the hard work of taking the pictures and sharing them,” Krinsky said.
The Jersey City Birds 2024 calendar may be purchased online at https://www.mixbook.com/photo-calendars/all/jersey-city-birds-2024-33193779?vk=16fXIg22yx5V2t6QiPY3.
JERSEY CITY, NJ- Have a ball at Snow Ball!Art House Productions and presenting sponsor SILVERMAN’s 16th Snow Ball Gala will take place on Saturday, January 27 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. There will also be a VIP Dinner beginning at 6 pm, at Move The Needle inside the Lackawanna Center in Jersey City.“We are thrilled to invite you to our 16th Snow Ball Gala: Midnight Bloom!," said Anna Gundersen, Art House Associate Executive Artistic Director. "This extraordinary event is not just a unique experience full of art,...
JERSEY CITY, NJ- Have a ball at Snow Ball!
Art House Productions and presenting sponsor SILVERMAN’s 16th Snow Ball Gala will take place on Saturday, January 27 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. There will also be a VIP Dinner beginning at 6 pm, at Move The Needle inside the Lackawanna Center in Jersey City.
“We are thrilled to invite you to our 16th Snow Ball Gala: Midnight Bloom!," said Anna Gundersen, Art House Associate Executive Artistic Director. "This extraordinary event is not just a unique experience full of art, entertainment, and celebration, but also a testament to the community spirit in Jersey City. We sincerely hope you can join us for this unforgettable evening, coming together to support Art House’s bright future.”
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This year's Snow Ball Gala theme is Midnight Bloom. The event aims to celebrate arts and culture in Jersey City, and the individuals who support artists and bring quality arts to Hudson County.
“I draw inspiration from the essence of Snow Ball—a citywide convergence of imagination and creativity centered around a theme," said Michael Griffiths, Chair of the Art House Board of Trustees. "I can't wait to see the different takes on this year's prompt, 'Midnight Bloom.' Art House is doing something special by creating a space where creativity and expression flourish. It makes me proud to see this ongoing commitment to nurturing the artistic spirit in our community.”
This year, Art House will honor Senator-Elect for the 31st Legislative District Angela McKnight, Jersey City HEDC Director Annisia Cialone, and JC Director of Love & Leisure Anthony "Dancing Tony" Susco. The VIP dinner will celebrate the honorees from 6 to 8 p.m., applauding "their commitment to the Jersey City arts sector and Art House's new Performing and Visual Arts Center."
With a VIP ticket, guests can enjoy a three-course meal from CSW Catering, a toast to the honorees, and first acess to the silent auction, as well as a live performance by Riverview Jazz.
From 8 to 11:30 p.m., the main event will feature an open bar, light fare, live music, DJ sets, a costume contest, and the silent auction. The "magical experience" will be hosted by Jersey City's beloved "Queen of the Night", drag performance artist Harmonica Sunbeam.
Art House is billing the Snow Ball Gala event as "the most thrilling of the post-holiday season." The black-tie gala is also pivotal in generating funds for the new home of Art House Productions and supports an ambitious season of arts and educational programming.
General Admission tickets are $200 in advance or $300 at the door, and $500 for the VIP tickets that include the dinner reception. $95 tickets are available for patrons with disabilities and working artists.
All proceeds benefit Art House Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the development and presentation of the performing and visual arts in Jersey City. A portion of the ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law.
“For me, Snowball is a testament to Art House's unwavering commitment to supporting the artistic community here in Jersey City," said Michele Lewis-Bellamy, President of the Art House Board of Trustees. "Every aspect of Snowball invites the attendees to experience the highest level of artistic expression. I simply cannot wait to personally witness the beauty and creativity that Snowball consistently brings out!”
For more information about the Snow Ball Gala, email [email protected].
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateLauren Czerwinski was pitcher Elizabeth Mitchell's catcher when they were 12 years old and led their summer recreation league softball team to a championship. They've stayed in touch but play on different travel teams and for different high schools with Mitchell at Coventry and Czerwinski at Tolland.But there will be a reunion next year. Mitchell and Czerwinski signed letters of intent last month to continue their academic and softball careers at Saint Peter's Univers...
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Lauren Czerwinski was pitcher Elizabeth Mitchell's catcher when they were 12 years old and led their summer recreation league softball team to a championship. They've stayed in touch but play on different travel teams and for different high schools with Mitchell at Coventry and Czerwinski at Tolland.
But there will be a reunion next year. Mitchell and Czerwinski signed letters of intent last month to continue their academic and softball careers at Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, N.J. as part of a 10-player recruiting class.
"It's kind of crazy that we'll be playing together and maybe even I'll be catching her again," Czerwinski said. "That's what we're hoping happens. It would be really exciting."
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Saint Peter's is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and is coached by Chris Stelma, who will be in his eighth season in the spring. He was the MAAC Coach of the Year after the Peacocks went from two wins in 2021 to 22 wins in 2022. Last spring, they reached the 30-win plateau for the first time since 2002.
Both Czerwinski and Mitchell met Stelma at camps this summer.
"I was doing catching stuff because it was pitchers and catchers early in the day," Czerwinski said. "He recognized me from warmups and said that I had a good approach. So after the camp was over he pulled me aside and asked when my tournaments would be and if I could send him a schedule and I stayed in touch with him. In August he gave me an offer when I was hitting with my dad. I was like, 'He's calling me out of the blue.' He was talking about how I'd be a good fit. I was grateful to get the offer."
Mitchell had been looking at UConn, Bridgeport, and Eastern Connecticut State when Stelma reached out to her.
"I really didn't know much about Saint Peter's," Mitchell said. "I was looking at a few different schools and I went to a camp and met Coach Chris. We started talking and I liked his energy and his personality. I went to another camp in Massachusetts that he was at and he asked me to come to his recruit camp. He offered me a visit so it wasn't until late August that I became interested.
"UConn didn't work out. Eastern and Bridgeport turned out to be not what I was looking for. I found Saint Peter's and I am super-happy with my choice. I'm more of an at-home country girl but I certainly enjoyed the campus. I knew some of the girls in my recruiting class already and I thought it would be a great environment to be in."
Erin Mackin of Canton and Grace Muti of Waterford also signed with Saint Peter's in November.
Czerwinski is a two-time all-Central Connecticut Conference East selection and a three-year captain for the Eagles. As a junior, she hit .471 with 32 hits including seven doubles and three triples with 12 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
"I think I've improved dramatically," Czerwinski said. "I'm always doing something either going to the field, going to the gym, trying to better myself in every way. Every day is a new opportunity to get better. From my freshman year to now, if I looked back at myself I'd be like, 'Wow. There's no way that I'm that same person.' I'm happy with how it's worked out."
Tolland has also seen dramatic improvement since she arrived. The Eagles were 5-13 her freshman year and improved to 13-8 to qualify for the CIAC Class M state tournament her sophomore year. Last year the Eagles finished 16-6 and won the CCC East championship.
The season ended with a nine-inning loss to RHAM in the Class M second round and that's motivation for her senior year. Czerwinski hopes the Eagles will qualify for the CCC and state tournaments again and make deep runs in both.
"Softball is a game of failure but that's what has made me the player I am today," Czerwinski said. "I have learned that you have to be mentally strong to be able to compete in this sport and if you're not you won't be able to compete at the next level. I've learned everything is not perfect and you have to go through change and rough patches. If we have a good bond and good work ethic we'll continue to get better."
Czerwinski, an honor roll student, comes from an athletic family.
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Her father, Scott, won two Class S state championships in basketball at Somers High and a Division III national championship in baseball at ECSU. He pitched seven shutout innings in the final win over Montclair State. He is a member of ECSU's Hall of Fame. Her mother, Christy, was a state softball champion at Southington, a two-year captain for ECSU softball and her daughter wears No. 6 at Tolland to honor her.
"They've taught me to stay humble," Czerwinski said. "I get things from both of them but the one who has helped me more through this process is my dad. I'm the one always asking him can we go to the field, can we do this or that. He's always been coaching and I've been the one to tag along. I want to be as successful as he's been."
Mitchell has known nothing but success the last two years.
As a sophomore she led the Patriots to the Class S semifinals before enjoying a dream season as a junior. Coventry won the North Central Connecticut Conference title and then captured its first state championship by defeating Cromwell 3-2 in the Class S final.
She had all the decisions in the Patriots' 24-2 season. In 161 innings she allowed only 75 hits and struck out 238 for her second consecutive 200-strikeout season. Her earned run average was 1.17. At the plate, she hit .405 with a home run -- a walk-off against Rockville All-State pitcher Alexis Real -- and 26 RBIs. She had 32 hits and scored 36 runs. She was named all-NCCC and Class S All-State for the second straight year. The NCCC featured strong pitching that included Mitchell, Real, and Ellington's Camryn Fisher, who committed to Syracuse in October.
"My freshman year was hard with a back injury so I wasn't at all healthy," Mitchell said. "My sophomore year was a learning curve with pitching because it was basically my first season. My junior year I used what I learned my sophomore year and then some. I worked with my catcher more. We all had better communication on the field. We practiced harder.
"This year we have four other seniors and they're fantastic. We're a work in progress. We've got some great freshmen coming in. They'll be helpful in replacing the seniors that graduated."
The honor roll student will need to step up as a leader and she has already proven she can step up on the field. In the Class S semifinal a season ago against Shepaug Valley, she fired a four-hit shutout with eight strikeouts as the Patriots reached their first final since 1985 and ended a 10-game losing streak in the semifinal round.
Against Cromwell, she allowed two hits and two runs in the first inning then blanked the Panthers on two hits the rest of the way as Coventry pulled out the win on a two-run inside-the-park home run by Lindsey Harrington. Mitchell struck out eight and tossed a perfect seventh to clinch the title.
She knows Coventry will have a target on its back this spring.
"Last year we were 11-0, 16-0, 17-0 and every single team was coming after us," Mitchell said. "I think we made a few enemies, Cromwell, Shepaug. I'm sure they're angry we ruined their years."
But come September 2024 it will be a new team and new challenge. For Mitchell and Czerwinski, they will have come full circle.
"That would be great and so exciting to pitch to Lauren again," Mitchell said. "It would be amazing to go to Saint Peter's together and win a MAAC championship."
It’s Thursday afternoon and my kids and I are at a public library in Jersey City. They’re kind of nervous because we’re here for a book reading and we’re about to meet the author. For my son, who’s 8 and loves all things science, the event’s “kind of a big deal.” After all, he says matter-of-factly, “the writer loves science too and he’s just like two years older than me.” That&rsquo...
It’s Thursday afternoon and my kids and I are at a public library in Jersey City. They’re kind of nervous because we’re here for a book reading and we’re about to meet the author. For my son, who’s 8 and loves all things science, the event’s “kind of a big deal.” After all, he says matter-of-factly, “the writer loves science too and he’s just like two years older than me.” That’s right. Ishaan Gupta, a fifth grader at Frank R. Conwell, is the author we’re here to see.
He’s reading excerpts of his new self-published book, “The Martian Miracle: Ivaan and the Climate Crisis,” that’s on global warming — yes, global warming! It follows the story of Ivaan, “a middle school prodigy, grappling with life’s challenges while being profoundly aware of the looming global warming threat.” Ishaan, who’s wearing a t-shirt with his book cover on it, and black glasses that my son giddily tells me look just like his own, makes his way to the front of the room like he’s done this a thousand times.
He quickly starts to speak and tells us his book-writing journey began two years ago when he “was much younger ...you know, 8.″ “I’ve always really cared about the environment, mostly thanks to my dad,” he says. “He’s the one, who started teaching me about why it’s important to take care of the planet, and about wildfires, flooding, all of that ... both of my parents, really, but you know, my dad and I, we both really like to write so we started talking about it and decided to write this book together.”
His dad and co-author Binit Kumar, an immigrant from eastern India whose day job is in finance, is standing in the corner of the room intently watching his son speak. Behind his own black glasses, his eyes shine with pride as Ishaan talks about “all the simple ways” he and his family try to combat climate change and how others can, too. “There’s recycling, you can plant trees or a garden, walking more,” he says.
Writing the book together, Binit later tells me, started “as a way for us to bond.” “But it’s incredible to see what it’s become, he really has the power to inspire other children, and even adults, to learn about and care about the urgent need for global warming mitigation.”
In the front row, about six school-aged children are also watching and listening to Ishaan intently. And with the short attention span kids have, I’m shocked by how he’s captivating them. During the Q and A portion of the event, after the reading, some of them raise their hands to ask questions. They want to know how often he writes, what kinds of books he likes and what the process of “collaborating” with his dad was like.
He tells them when he was writing the book he’d write daily. “But don’t think it was whole chapters, that would be too much,” he says. “Sometimes it was just a page or two.” He tells them his favorite book series include “George’s Secret Key to the Universe,’ ‘Space Case,’ ‘Keeper of the Lost Cities,’ “and of course, ‘Harry Potter.’”
“Now, about the writing process,” he says. “We had brainstorming sessions to talk about the different chapters and before we wrote, we actually talked a lot about what we were going to write.” (Now, that’s something I can relate to.) His dad, he explains, focused more on the “scientific aspect” of the book and “refined and edited the paragraphs involving science.” “What I was really good at, was the characters’ conversation and dialogue,” he says excitedly.
“That’s so true,” his mom, Suruchi Gupta, beams. “His dad and I were both really impressed by that. He’s always been so smart and he’s so good at so many things,” she tells me. “He’s also really great at math and has won several math competitions but this, writing, is something that he really loves.” Ishaan says when he grows up he’d like to “be both, a mathematician and a writer” and tells the crowd he already has some ideas for “Ivaan’s next adventure.”
After answering all the pressing questions from the audience, Ishaan tells us it’s time for a raffle. One “lucky kid” was getting a copy of his book. “And I’ll sign it!” he exclaimed. “This is actually my favorite part of writing,” he adds. “Sharing it with others.”
When he called out the winner — and it wasn’t my son — I saw the disappointment on his face. “Awww!,” he looked over at me. “I was off by one number. So close!” “We have more books,” Ishaan says and asks his parents if he can give away another one. They nod. “Yes!! I have one more chance,” my son says.
Thankfully, luck was on his side the second time. “Oh my God! I won!” he says before jumping out of his seat. “It’s so awesome to see this,” Tyara Tucker, the library manager at Pavonia Branch, tells me. “I mean, a 10-year-old author and what he’s writing about, which is such an important topic ...it’s ‘wow!’ and to see other kids so excited about it, I’m hoping it’s an encouragement to them to also want to write and want to publish a book.”
On the way home, as my son flips through the pages of Ishaan’s book, I ask him if he’d also like to write a book one day. “Well, maybe,” he says. “I mean, I’m thinking about it. It could be fun. His dad helped him. The good thing is you’re already a writer so you could help me, right?” Right. Maybe we should both follow Ishaan’s advice: “If you really want to do something, like write a book, you don’t have to wait. You can start now.”
Ishaan’s book is available in paperback at select bookstores in N.J. as well as on Kindle and Amazon. He’s doing more readings at Pavonia Branch in Jersey City and plans to do some at other libraries in the state.
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JERSEY CITY, NJ- Team Wilderness, a Jersey City-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering urban teens through "experiential" outdoor excursions, has been awarded the 2023 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for Healthy Communities.The organization serves urban teens by using an experiential educational model that aims to grow leadership and character through wilderness excursions. According to Team Wilderness, they have provided over 9,000 hours of outdoors time to over 550 youth throughout Hudson...
JERSEY CITY, NJ- Team Wilderness, a Jersey City-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering urban teens through "experiential" outdoor excursions, has been awarded the 2023 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for Healthy Communities.
The organization serves urban teens by using an experiential educational model that aims to grow leadership and character through wilderness excursions. According to Team Wilderness, they have provided over 9,000 hours of outdoors time to over 550 youth throughout Hudson County in 2023.
"This award is great recognition of our staff's hard work and dedication to closing the nature gap for marginalized communities that lack equitable access to wild and clean outdoor spaces," said Steve Cunningham, founder and Executive Director of Team Wilderness. "Hiking up a mountain, rappelling down a cliff, and watching your first sunset from a mountaintop helps you look inward and shape who you are. Everyone deserves to experience that regardless of their zip code."
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The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards has been a statewide environmental awards program in New Jersey since 2000. The awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that "demonstrate commitment and leadership on a variety of environmental issues, including environmental justice, climate change, sustainability and education."
"The achievements of this year’s award winners capture the essence of environmentalism in New Jersey and set a shining example for us all to follow,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette. “It’s an honor to celebrate their determined efforts to protect the state’s natural resources and help others connect to nature.”
Team Wilderness’ signature programs include Wilderness Club, Photography Club, and Summer Treks. In addition to physical activity, each Team Wilderness excursion is integrated with "social and emotional" reflection on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Additionally, in 2023, the organization integrated Compass Project, an academic coaching program that guides students from grade 10 through their first two years of college. It also integrated North Star Project as well, which offers a free short-term youth counseling program that emphasizes wilderness and adventure therapy.
For more information, go to teamwilderness.org.