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As Delawareans continue to feel the impact of recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd, JFS joins the impassioned call for racial equality and justice for people of color. JFS Delaware condemns the continued acts of hatred, discrimination, and violence that plague communities across our country, especially those resulting in the devastating losses of Black and Brown lives. As an agency promoting the well-being of ALL people, we acknowledge the deep pain and anger of our colleagues, friends, family, and partners in the Black and Brown communities— we hear you, we see you, we stand with you.
 
JFS is determined to be the best version of this agency we can be and will continue taking a stance on social justice. We will not be silent. We will not be bystanders. We are all responsible for one another.
 
JFS has always valued diversity, which is reflected in who we serve, who we hire, who we collaborate with, and what we do. The systemic injustices our Black and Brown colleagues, friends, family, and community members experience will not be resolved overnight; our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion — within the internal and external practices, tone, and culture of JFS — will be transformative and long-lasting.

Please continue reading below about JFS’ actions and plans moving forward. Advocating for justice and equality in our community will remain a priority for JFS.
WALKING THE WALK
Showing our support at statewide protests was just the first step in many that JFS Delaware is taking to make change and promote justice in our community.
Transformative change starts within, which is why JFS has formed a Diversity & Inclusion Committee. This diverse team of staff members will provide thoughtful direction and structure for the work we must do—process our feelings, support one another, educate ourselves, and dismantle racist practices, policies, beliefs, language, and behavior. Through ongoing dialogue, education, collaboration, and action we will carry out our goal to combat racial injustices in our offices and community.  
 
Committee Mission: to prioritize social justice and dismantle systemic inequalities —internally and externally— through advocacy, allyship, and actions which prioritize the fair treatment of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

Committee objectives, which may evolve as needed to address changing community, client, and staff needs, include:
  1. Engage all staff and stakeholders in conversations and trainings about diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency.
  2. Address social justice and racial inequalities in our community through active involvement in collaborations, outreach, and advocacy efforts in favor of fair treatment of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).
  3. Establish a plan to review and revise policies, processes, systems, and behaviors to educate and transform our agency culture and ensure we continue creating a diverse and inclusive work environment which enables staff and clients to feel safe, valued, and respected. 

Our progress so far includes:
  • Hosting our first monthly "Allyship & Advocacy" discussion with staff
  • Sharing relevant resources, events, and webinars as well as recommending relevant media to watch, read, listen, etc. with staff (and clients, as appropriate)
  • Forging collaborations, joining committees, and engaging in discussions with community partners
  • Adding Juneteenth to our agency calendar of observed holidays and encouraging our team members to read, talk, listen, learn and reflect from a place of compassion to become agents of change

We are working diligently to remove the barriers that impede progress and, while we understand there is much more to do, we are driven by the critical importance of this movement.
HERE TO HELP
We offer our support to anyone in our community who needs a safe place to process confusing, overwhelming, or unmanageable emotions prompted by recent events or other challenges. If you would like to speak with a trained and compassionate member of our team, please call JFS' free and confidential emotional support line at 302-781-4537. We are here for YOU.
QuaranTEEN
A support group for teens (ages 14-17) to process recent changes & increased stressors.

In light of recent events, group facilitators will be prepared to address questions or concerns relating to the recent race-related violence and community protests.
GIRLS: Tuesdays 5-6PM, Contact Mone't for an access link: [email protected]
BOYS: Wednesdays 5-6PM, Contact Liz for an access link: [email protected]

Find other JFS support & therapy groups on our website.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, where we will continue to share our support services, as well as community resources and offerings from partner organizations.
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CELEBRATING PRIDE
This Sunday, June 28th, is the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which served as a catalyst for what has become the modern fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

As we prioritize our focus on diversity and inclusion, we recognize and celebrate intersectionality; in honor of Pride month and the Stonewall anniversary, here are a few facts about the intersection of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences:

  • One of the key players in the Stonewall Uprising was Marsha P. Johnson, a proud Black gay rights/AIDS activist, sex worker, and drag queen. Well-known for her uniqueness, passion for equality, and compassion for others, Marsha was found dead in the Hudson River after the 1992 Pride parade; initially dismissed as a suicide—despite her friends and community members' insistence this was unlikely—Marsha's final cause of death still undetermined.

  • Black and Brown transgender women face the highest levels of fatal violence within the LGBTQIA+ community and are less likely to turn to police for help for fear of revictimization by law enforcement personnel.

  • 2020 has already seen at least 16 transgender or gender non-conforming people fatally shot or killed by other violent means, 11 of whom were BIPOC.
  • Neulisa Luciano Ruiz (age unknown), February 24 in Puerto Rico
  • Yampi Méndez Arocho (age 19); March 5 in Puerto Rico
  • Monika Diamond (age 34); March 18 in Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Penélope Díaz Ramírez (age 31); April 13 in Puerto Rico
  • Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos (age 32); April 21 in Puerto Rico
  • Layla Pelaez Sánchez (age 21); April 21 in Puerto Rico
  • Nina Pop (age 28); May 3 in Sikeston, Missouri
  • Tony McDade (age unknown); May 27 in Tallahassee, Florida
  • Dominique “Rem'mie” Fells (age 27); June 9 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Riah Milton (age 25); June 9 in Liberty Township, Ohio
  • Selena Reyes-Hernandez (age 27); May 30 in Chicago, Illinois

We continue fighting for justice and equality, in their memory.
LGBTQIA+ Protections in the Civil Rights Act
JFS Delaware applauds the Supreme Court’s landmark decision affirming that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The ruling is a clear victory for LGBTQIA+ equality and ensures protection against employment discrimination. Coming at the same time as the continuing scourge of COVID-19 and racial injustice⁠, this ruling underscores our global responsibility to promote and ensure freedom and basic rights for ALL.
Jewish Family Services of Delaware
99 Passmore Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 478-9411
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