40 Faces of the J

Adopted from China at the age of three, Jing was the youngest of four siblings—each brought together by parents who built their family on love, commitment, and an unwavering belief in possibility. Jing was born with clubbed feet and limited physical development below his knees, and when he arrived in the United States, he was unable to walk. What followed were years of intensive care, including multiple surgeries at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia and frequent trips for brace adjustments throughout his early childhood.

During those early years, Jing’s family became deeply rooted in the Levine JCC. It was here, between medical visits and milestones, that Jing’s life began to take shape.

“I have been coming to the JCC for as long as I can remember,” Jing says. “If I wasn’t at home or school, chances are you could find me here.”

The J became more than a place, it became a constant. He learned to swim here under the guidance of swim coach Lari Massachi, later finding his competitive drive in the pool with Coach Bob Peterson. Once he gained mobility, he joined youth basketball. He spent countless hours in the Outdoor Pool, the Old Gym, and at Camp Mindy—spaces that would come to define his childhood.

For Jing, the J was not just where he grew up, it was where he discovered who he was.

“In a world that often told me ‘no’ and made me embarrassed of how I looked, the JCC always said ‘yes,’ celebrating me for who I was.”

That environment of acceptance didn’t just build confidence, it built purpose. Through swimming, Jing learned discipline, resilience, and perspective. Through teaching and coaching, he discovered a natural connection with children and a gift for leadership.

From a supervisor’s perspective, those qualities were evident early on.

“I first met Jing when he was 13,” his supervisor, Coach Bob Peterson, shares. “He was an ‘old soul’ even then—someone who naturally connected with kids and led with compassion.”

Over time, Jing became not just a participant, but a cornerstone of the community serving as a swimmer, lifeguard, coach, and mentor to younger staff. Members like Iris, who met Jing while he was lifeguarding, remember him not just for his work ethic, but for his warmth and consistency. Years later, that same connection would come full circle when Iris, now a physician, helped guide Jing through the medical school application process.

But Jing’s journey has not been without profound challenges.

During his senior year of high school, his mother developed a severe heart infection and was hospitalized for several months. During that time, Jing stepped up in meaningful ways at home—helping with cooking, shopping, and day-to-day responsibilities while continuing to work, swim, and excel academically.

“Being at the J helped keep me balanced,” he has shared.

Years later, while attending Appalachian State University on a full academic scholarship, Jing faced another difficult chapter when his mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While he was away at school for most of her illness, returning home on weekends when he could, he remained closely connected to his family. In her final weeks, he returned home, completed his senior-year exams remotely, and graduated with honors.

Throughout it all, the J remained a constant.

“When students were sent home during COVID, Jing reached out asking if he could come back and coach,” Coach Bob recalls. “He wanted to give our kids a sense of normalcy.”

Jing continued to show up for his family, for his studies, and for his community. After his mother’s passing, he returned to the place that had always grounded him.

“Working with children has been a source of strength and stability for me,” Jing says.

Today, Jing continues to coach and mentor at the J. When he is home, he helps around the house—cooking meals and spending time with his father—while preparing for the next chapter: medical school. Inspired by his own journey and his work with children—especially through Camp Mindy and swim lessons—he hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics.

His story is not just one of perseverance, but of connection of how a community can shape a life, and how one individual, in turn, can shape a community.

“The JCC has been more than life-changing,” Jing says. “It has been life-creating.”

And for those who have watched him grow—from a child learning to walk, to a leader guiding others—the feeling is mutual.

There may be no better example of what makes the J so special than Jing and his family: a testament to resilience, belonging, and the lasting impact of a place that, for so many, becomes home.