The Heyman Interages® Center is excited to announce the launch of a new program that will engage 30 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who will serve as Foster Grandparents in Montgomery County Public Schools. The volunteers will support Pre-K-3rd grade students and help them progress in reading and math.

JCA’s Career Gateway and CareerTech have received significant funding from NextFifty Initiative, a Colorado-based foundation that supports efforts to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers. 

“As we enter the thirteenth year of our program, we remain committed to meeting the unique and varied needs of older adults, so we are excited to provide our 50+ professional jobseekers the job search training skills necessary to secure meaningful employment,” said Jodie Rasch, Manager of JCA’s Career Gateway and CareerTech Programs. “This generous investment from NextFifty Initiative will have a significant impact on our ability to help our 50+professional jobseeker by providing the funding to expand our program to six sessions and allow the Career Gateway program to be offered throughout the year. NextFifty Initiative’s generous funding also supports CareerTech, our 50+ technology training component.

Loaves of Love, a JCA program in which challahs are distributed monthly to senior adults, has a new name. Eli’s Loaves of Love will continue in memory of Eli Fatow, who spent years distributing challahs to hospitalized patients each Friday morning. Mr. Fatow, the father of JCA Senior Writer Suzanne Pollak, died Aug. 2 at the age of 97.

Several months after the Gorlitz Kensington Clubs suspended programs due to coronavirus, Mona Janis donated funds in memory of her husband Meir, a former KC member. She asked KC to find a way to honor him Jewishly. During a short brainstorming meeting, the challahs shared by former JCA staffer Louise Schneider came to mind. Mr. Fatow’s volunteer efforts were detailed, and as they say, the rest is JCA history.

Mr. Fatow’s birthday on November 20, 2020, marked the first delivery, and the program has continued to grow. So far, 593 loaves provided by Sunflower Bakery have been distributed. JCA staff (including Mr. Fatow’s daughter), volunteers, and board members drive to the recipient’s home and hand out a basket with the bread and artwork created by young people involved in JCA’s Heyman Interages Center. Equally important, the volunteers spend time chatting with those still recovering from the pandemic’s isolation.

Come learn about the impact JCA has in our community in a 45-minute Zoom “tour of our mission.” You might be surprised at what you hear as we introduce you to our CEO, board president, a Career Gateway graduate, an Interages volunteer, and a Kensington Club activity leader. Reserve your spot for September 7 at 9:30 a.m., September 22 at 4 p.m., or October 20 at 4 p.m. We really would love to meet you! 

Join JCA and Montgomery County Food Coalition on Thursday, September 1 from 10:30 to 2:30 to learn all about the many benefits the State Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) offers to older adults. Whether you just want to learn more about SNAP, have been a participant in the past, or would like to apply, in-person and hands-on help will be available. More information about the SNAP program can be found on the Montgomery County Food Council website.

Thanks to a Montgomery County Community Services Grant and the Korth family, Kensington Club @Parklawn can better utilize its outdoor learning space. Members can enjoy some mask-free time, planter gardening, and socializing. The grant provided patio furniture, patio fans, and space heaters, and will extend the outdoor season. We appreciate the hands-on involvement from Terry Korth!

Visit us at AccessJCA.org.