JFCS of the Suncoast is on the Move! September 2021 Newsletter
Inside This Issue:

  • JFCS Observes Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 7-8

  • JFCS Observes Yom Kippur, Sept. 15 - 16

  • Free Mental Health Counseling for Local Hospital Staff

  • National Suicide Prevention Month

  • JFCS Participates in the 20th Year Commemoration of 9/11

  • JFCS Celebrates its 35th Anniversary

  • JFCS Ignite Program Selected for National, Innovative Evaluation

  • Five JFCS Team Members Receive the Star Award
JFCS Observes Rosh Hashanah
September 7 - 8
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and the beginning of year 5782, is one of Judaism's holiest days. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. 
While Rosh Hashanah (“New Year”) is considered a Jewish observance, it nonetheless consecrates universal values. The holiday especially focuses on the wonder and safeguarding of the gift of the created world. The shofar or ram’s horn is sounded as a call to conscience.
On Rosh Hashanah we eat round challahs (special, celebratory bread) and apples. These symbolize God, the cycles of the year, and the sustenance that hopefully lies ahead. The apples and challah are dipped in honey, symbolizing a sweet new year.
On Hashanah we say ‘L’shana Tova,’ to wish a good year.
 
To all our staff, clients, volunteers and our Suncoast community, 'L’Shana Tova! May the coming year be sweet!' 
JFCS Observes Yom Kippur • September 15 - 16
Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”) is a time to reflect on past behavior and make amends for wrongdoing. Though prayers are offered to God for forgiveness for what are regarded as divine violations against others, the holiday’s solemnity, liturgy, and music seek to inspire us to reach out personally to others for forgiveness. 

Such penitence is considered a prerequisite for inclusion in “The Book of Life” in the coming year. At the conclusion of a day of prayer and fasting the shofar is sounded once again to symbolize a return to ethical and spiritual purity. Our work at JFCS of the Suncoast strives to bring individuals healing and a renewed sense of well-being as well. May you continue to go from strength to strength in your labors on behalf of this sacred endeavor.                
JFCS Offers Free Mental Health Counseling to Hospital Workers in Sarasota County and Manatee County
JFCS of the Suncoast is providing free mental health counseling to any staff of Sarasota County and Manatee County hospitals. The surge in COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths has placed an enormous burden on hospital personnel. Counseling is available to the staff at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Venice Regional Bayfront Health, Englewood Community Hospital, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Blake Medical Center and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
Hospital staff seeking free mental health counseling support may contact the JFCS Intake Department directly at 941-366-2224, ext. 116, to schedule priority and confidential appointments with clinicians. JFCS clinicians are experienced in trauma-based counseling, including cognitive, behavioral and psychodynamic approaches to struggles with depression, anxiety, anger management, bereavement, post-traumatic stress disorder and stress reduction.
Healthcare workers can schedule free and confidential appointments by contacting the
JFCS Intake Department at 941-366-2224, ext. 116.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
By learning about what leads someone to suicide and the ways we can prevent it and the resources available, we can empower ourselves and our communities to address this leading cause of death.

Some information:

  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.

  • In 2019, 47,511 Americans died by suicide.

  • In 2019, there were an estimated 1.38 million suicide attempts.

  • On average, there are 130 suicides per day in this country.

What Leads to suicide?
There is no single cause of suicide. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed and untreated. 
Warning Signs:
Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors.

Depressed mood, or statements like “It would be better for everyone if I wasn’t around anymore” might also be reasons for concern.

Behaviors that might indicate someone is thinking of suicide include:

  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs.

  • Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods.

  • Withdrawing from activities.

  • Isolating from family and friends.

  • Sleeping too much or too little.

  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.

  • Giving away prized possessions.
What can we do?
If a person says they are thinking about suicide,
take the person seriously.
Work with them to keep them safely away from lethal means like firearms and drugs and remind them that their suffering is temporary.

Stay with them and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Be sure to follow up with them after the crisis to see how they’re doing.

Treat yourself like you would treat someone else who needs your help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or
text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7.
Source: The American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide
JFCS Participates in the 20th Anniversary Commemoration of 9/11
The 9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration will take place on Saturday, September 11 in the Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
The 20th annual commemoration of 9/11 is on Saturday, September 11 in the Patriot Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery, located at 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL, 34241, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
                                             
In the days leading up to the commemoration, citizens will be able to choose a person who was killed on September 11 and represent each person by standing at the appropriate time. Names of the deceased can be selected by visiting https://bit.ly/911FREETickets. During the commemoration everyone will be invited to stand for anyone selected from the 3,042 people who died during the attacks.
 In attendance will be Congressman Greg Steube, Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, Episcopal Bishop Dabney Tyler Smith, NAACP President Trevor Harvey, Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, local police and fire chiefs, mayors, commissioners, clergy, a 70+ Community Chorus, military officers and veterans. Everyone is welcome to this free community
commemoration.
JFCS Honors 35th Anniversary on December 5, 2021
"Celebrating the Past & Defining the Future"
"Celebrating the Past & Defining the Future" is the theme for JFCS' 35th Anniversary.

35 special pioneers will be honored during a dinner, including cocktails and music, that will be hosted at Michael's On East restaurant in Sarasota, Sunday, December 5, 5:00 p.m. Ticket sales information will be available on October 1.
JFCS' Ignite Program is Selected for a National Evaluation Project
Free Fatherhood classes begin each month. To register, call 941-225-5660.
JFCS' Ignite program is among ten Responsible Fatherhood programs in the United States selected to participate in the highly competitive federal evaluation project, Strengthening the Implementation of Responsible Fatherhood Programs (SIRF).

The Ignite program will co-design and test strategies that will assist Responsible Fatherhood programs nationwide in overcoming implementation challenges such as recruiting and registering fathers and keeping them actively engaged in services.
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To encourage participation in the Ignite program and reduce engagement barriers, JFCS will try out new coaching strategies for fathers and provide support for them and their families during their participation. Ignite staff will recruit and engage 250 fathers and father figures annual through the end of 2025.

Fathers and father figures who live in Sarasota, Manatee or Charlotte County and are interested in learning more about the Ignite program should call 941-225-5660 to register for a class.
Five JFCS Team Members Receive a STAR Award
The JFCS STAR Award is agency-wide staff recognition program that honors individuals for their amazing work through feedback submitted by their peers and leaders. JFCS is pleased to announce the winners of the August STAR Award!
  • Shannon Buttler, Veteran Healthcare Navigator, Fruitville Office, Sarasota

  • Megan Sicks, Evaluation & Performance Coordinator, REACH, Fruitville Office, Sarasota

  • Tyler Stovall, Information Technology Technician, Fruitville Office, Sarasota

  • Jess Truman, Evaluation & Performance Coordinator, Ignite, Fruitville Office, Sarasota

  • Kevin Wright, Information Technology Director, Fruitville Office, Sarasota