Accelerating Social, Academic and Health Equity
in Our Community
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Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
¡Próspero Año Nuevo!
Feliz Ano Novo!
Поздравляем Вас с Новым 2021 годом!
عام جديد سعيد
!שנה אזרחית טובה
With 2020 behind us, vaccinations against COVID-19 underway, and the upcoming transition to a new administration, we at JFS are energized and embracing 2021 as a year of hope, change and new opportunities.
We will continue to press forward on important community initiatives, serving as a convener and bringing together collaborative partners and thought leaders to accelerate social, academic, and health equity and ensure that the needs of those struggling the most are addressed.
One high priority will be our work in Anti-Racism and Fighting Antisemitism. In this eNewsletter are links to upcoming community events that explore issues related to racial justice, and news of other programs will be posted to the JFS social media channels as they become available.
Through social media and on our website, we will also share news about resources for Veterans in our community. In our role as convener, we will be looking at ways to improve the availability of information across networks so that service members can more easily learn about programs and options.
And we will continue to develop innovative initiatives that bring partners together to enhance impacts across multiple domains. This year, thanks to funding provided by the COVID Relief Fund for Immigrant Families (Fund comprised of more than 50 donors) being spearheaded by the Fish Family Foundation, JFS will be adding a mobile office to our arsenal! Equipped with all necessary COVID-19 protections, the mobile office will be used provide services where our neighbors live so that barriers related to risk of exposure or transportation may be overcome. Also, working with our partners that serve older adults, we will develop and expand telehealth opportunities to increase access to medical care for those who are isolated or challenged by technology.
To learn more about the future direction of JFS, please read the President and CEO message on the opening page of the 2020 JFS Report to the Community which provides not only an in-depth view of the past year but also our priorities for 2021.
There is much to be done, and it is only through the efforts of our extraordinary staff, volunteers, Board, supporters, and community partners that the extensive and impactful work of JFS is possible.
Your help is needed – follow the links below to learn the many ways you can make a difference in our community – get involved today!
Sincerely,
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JFS 2020 Report to the Community
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JFS has made a remarkable impact locally during an unprecedented year. This report is a snapshot of our work in 2020 and highlights inspiring stories of triumph under the most adverse of situations.
We are so proud of how JFS has been able to quickly pivot and respond to the needs of the community, and we are beyond grateful for our staff, Board, volunteers, and supporters who have made this life saving work possible.
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Delivering Food to Those in Need Since March–Thank You to Our Partners, Volunteers & Staff! |
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Since the start of the pandemic, cognizant of their vulnerability to the health risks associated with COVID-19, JFS has worked tirelessly to ensure that isolated older adults and others from the Jewish and broader community have the basic essentials they need, such as food and toiletries, through these difficult months.
As the year comes to a close, JFS is proud to announce that with support from our close partner Daniel’s Table, over 8,200 prepared meals have been delivered to older adult community members in need, as well as over 80K meals and 90K units of toiletries/female hygiene products to the greater immigrant community!
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Long-Time Patient Navigator Client Shares Words of Appreciation for JFS
"...It is greatly appreciated and I can’t thank them enough. I love JFS. Thank you again and may God Bless all of you!"
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JFS Committee on Anti-Racism & Fighting Antisemitism |
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Three upcoming community events focused on
racial justice:
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Mon. January 11th (1:00-2:30 pm)–Community COVID-19 Conversations: Enhancing Engagement of Communities of Color in COVID-19 Research. Join a group of panelists in the Boston community to discuss how hospitals can ensure people of color are adequately represented in research. Register here
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JFS Supports Our Veterans |
JFS has a commitment with our partner agencies to ensure
no veteran is left behind.
and the
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How are your Parents Doing this Holiday Season?
JFS Allies in Aging experts offer tips for checking on your parents from a distance during the pandemic––click to learn more!
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Are you worried for your older parents this winter? Are you unsure how to manage the coming months amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis? Contact JFS Allies in Aging to learn how a JFS Geriatric Care Manager can help you ensure your parents are safe this season.
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The CJP Interest-Free Loan Program is here for the times you need help affording bar and bat mitzvahs, other lifecycle traditions, or managing challenging expenses.
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Loans are available from $1,000–$10,000 to households of moderate income. You must be a resident of the Metrowest area to apply, and a complete loan application is required. Learn more.
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Josef Volman, Board President and Lino Covarrubias, CEO
are excited to announce the recipients of the 2021
Max Michelson Humanitarian Award:
Diane and Chester Black
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Is your old car ready to go? It’s been good to you over the year, so why not let it do one last good thing? Support YOUR community
by donating your old vehicle to JFS of Metrowest!
Our partners, CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) will help you will all the details. Click to learn more!
Give today and partner with JFS to improve the lives of over 5,000 people in our community each year.
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Interested in Helping Immigrants Succeed on Their Path to Citizenship? Volunteer with our Citizenship Program!
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This is a remote opportunity where you’ll work one-on-one with an individual who is applying for U.S. citizenship. You’ll use resources provided by JFS and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to assist individuals prepare for the civics, reading, and writing portions of the citizenship exam.
You’ll also provide opportunities for the individual to practice their conversational English skills. Some volunteers provide more extensive English language support.
The commitment is 60-90 minutes weekly at a mutually agreeable time. English proficiency required and proficiency in additional languages such as Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, and others a plus.
Contact Gail Gregory, Manager of Volunteer Services and Community Engagement, at ggregory@jfsmw.org for more information.
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Audrey Epstein, CPT, CIFT |
Volunteer since May 2020
Audrey is a personal trainer, triathlete, and lover of all things outdoors. She loves practicing random acts of kindness and is hoping to break 80 on the golf course someday!
Audrey’s first volunteer role at JFS was delivering food to homebound, isolated elders. Since her first delivery in May, Audrey has consistently delivered food every other Thursday. The people who receive Audrey’s deliveries can sense her warmth and care from a smile that’s so big, no mask can hide it. In spite of Audrey’s busy schedule with her personal training clients, she wanted to do more. She joined the Patient Navigator volunteer team and took her first client to a doctor’s appointment in December
We’re grateful for Audrey’s commitment to help those in need. Thank you, Audrey!
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Why do you believe the work you are doing at JFS is important?
“People are meant to help each other–at least I’d like to think they are, and I’m so happy I am able to be able to bring a few people food and/or go with someone to a doctor’s appointment. To see the look of appreciation on someone’s face when I show up with a bag of meals and a smile is indescribable. COVID has taken so much from so many people, but it has given me the time and the opportunity to volunteer my time, and for that I am truly grateful.”
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With JFS since July 2000
"Our homecare workers are a humble, selfless group of people, that I have the privilege to work with. It is not an easy thing to go into people's private homes and interfere with their daily routines. We have to work around that so we can provide the services they need, respecting their home and privacy. We really are blessed with top notch people with the most important tool they need, which is 'heart'. It makes me so proud of what we do, what they do. We put a lot into the interview and hiring process, and the proof of that is in the longevity that they have in working in this field, some going as far back as 2000. It's a special bond that these workers create with the clients they see, which makes them go above and beyond."
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Thank you to Audrey, Dámaris, and all who are partnering with JFS to accelerate social, academic and health equity in our community.
Your help is needed - get involved today!
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