AUGUST 3, 2025

For the third year in a row, JFS of Greenwich partnered with Lindsey Rossler’s history class at King School for a powerful project titled Empowering Voices & Sharing Stories: Learning the Narrative.

Ms. Rossler guided her high school students through an in-depth exploration of the refugee and immigrant experience, focusing on individuals from Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Rwanda. As part of the project, students prepared thoughtful questions and conducted interviews with JFS clients from those countries, giving them the opportunity to hear and share these deeply personal stories. This year’s interviews were especially impactful for everyone involved.

Together with Mr. Brady, Ms. Rossler and her class created a moving video compilation of the interviews. You can listen to the stories by clicking here.

This week, JFS moved into our expanded office in Norwich, CT — sharing with the Rose City Learning Center. This dynamic partnership has created a vibrant hub where individuals of all backgrounds can access comprehensive, wraparound services, including case management, behavioral health, immigration legal support, workforce development and English language learning classes.

We have responded to community needs — this time in an entirely different corner of the state. The City of Norwich, rich in history, culture, and diversity, is home to a growing immigrant population. Recognizing the inequities in available services across regions, JFS made a deliberate commitment to bring the same level of care and access to Norwich as we provide throughout Fairfield County.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. As CEO Rachel Kornfeld said: "What makes Norwich so special is the way the community came together to welcome us. The city has embraced our work with open arms and open minds, making it a privilege and a joy to expand our services here."

JFS looks forward to hosting a grand opening event this September to celebrate the expansion of immigration legal and behavioral health services in the region. We are deeply grateful to Senator Cathy Osten and to our invaluable partners — Rose City Learning Center, the Norwich Community Development Corporation, CT Lead, Otis Library, Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, and the Norwich Multilingual Collaborative — for their unwavering support and belief in this mission.

Jewish Family Services is a proud partner of Stamford Cradle to Career (SC2C) and the United Way of Coastal Western Connecticut (UWCWC) through the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Project. This vital initiative aligns community resources to ensure equity and excellence in education — from cradle to career — so that all Stamford students are prepared to thrive academically and in life.

The mission of the FSCS project is deeply aligned with JFS’s core values: removing barriers, expanding access to quality care, and maximizing the strengths of each community partner. As part of this collaborative effort, JFS provides individual and group therapy at Rippowam and Dolan Middle Schools, the two Stamford Public Schools directly involved in the FSCS model.

We are honored to be one piece of the powerful puzzle that comes together every day in support of equitable resources and student well-being across Stamford. The results are clear: Full-Service Community Schools Are Working — Let’s Not Lose Them – Stamford Cradle to Career | United Way of Western CT

JFS Back-to-School Event: August 19!

By donating school supplies, you’re giving more than just pencils and paper—you’re giving kids the confidence to learn and grow. Here are three ways you can help local students start the year prepared and confident:

1. Click here to shop our Amazon Wishlist.

2. Drop off supplies by August 12 to JFS, 67 Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich, CT

3. Prefer to give a monetary donation? Click here to donate!

If you have questions, contact Melissa Basile-Reolon.

Volunteers are needed for our Supermarketing for Seniors program. This vital initiative connects caring individuals with home-bound seniors who need help accessing groceries and everyday essentials.

By volunteering just a little of your time, you will provide a meaningful service that ensures our older neighbors can live with dignity, independence, and peace of mind.

To learn more or sign up, please contact Daniela Valdovinos.

THANK YOU FOR GENEROUSLY SUPPORTING JFS OF GREENWICH!

Jewish Family Services of Greenwich

67 Holly Hill Lane | Greenwich, CT 06830

203-622-1881 | info@jfsgreenwich.org | www.jfsgreenwich.org