November 2024

Celebrating Gratitude Together:

Testimonials of Thanks

As we enter November, we’re reminded of the importance of gratitude and the power of kindness in our lives. At JFS, we’re especially grateful for our community and the impact our work has on those we serve. In the spirit of thankfulness, we’re sharing a collection of heartfelt messages from clients whose lives have been touched by JFS. These words of appreciation showcase the difference that support, empathy, and dedication can make. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey with us!

Mom (and I) so appreciate(s) how JFS remembers her in assisted living on holidays and her birthday. I haven’t taken her to any crowded, unmasked events since pandemic, so these thoughtful “care packages” have been very welcome. So thank YOU for everything you do!

-Recipient of Birthday and Holiday Gift Bags Delivered by Volunteers

I just arrived at my apartment after the first session with Diana. It was amazing and I feel calm and relaxed and ready to face the world! I'm looking forward to next week and the two weeks that follow. Thank you for bringing this program here. It's terrific

-Wellness Workshop Client

Thank YOU! Having you in our lives means so much to us. Your constant support the very moments we need you has helped reduce my mother’s stress immeasurably. You are one of a kind and we are so lucky! We look forward to your visit after the new year. Enjoy all your celebrations.

-Senior Engagement Client

Thank you and your team for the wonderful gift bag delivered to help in preparing for the high holidays! The thoughtful items are a treat for sure but the kindness and warm consideration speaks volumes on how much love and caring the package brings! I’m grateful!

-Recipient of Rosh Hashana Bag Delivered by Volunteer

Many thanks to you and your wonderful team for a most amazing luncheon celebration held last Friday! The event was inspiring, warmly welcoming, joyful and most enjoyable! JFS seems to know how to shed light on so many lives in our community at large and thus there is lots of gratitude going out to you all!

-Holocaust Survivor

Family Caregivers: Useful Tools to Equip Yourself for the Long Haul

As Rosalynn Carter famously stated, there are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. Her point was that caregiving is a nearly universal experience. That's why every November we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month. While family caregivers should be celebrated every day, this is a time to recognize and honor caregivers nationally, raise awareness around caregiving issues, educate communities, and work to increase support for our nation's caregivers.

In the United States today, it is estimated that 53 million adults are providing care for a spouse, elderly parent or relative, or a child with disabilities. Many of us provide support or assistance to family members or friends without identifying ourselves as caregivers. We may feel we are just fulfilling the obligations of our role as spouse, adult child, parent or considerate neighbor. Recognizing that one is a caregiver can be a first step towards reducing the stressors that are often associated with this life situation. Read our article in the November issue of the Charlotte Jewish News HERE for more information and to gain useful tools to equip yourself for the long haul.

Caregiver TLC (Thrive, Learn, Connect)

This space-limited psychoeducational workshop series for family caregivers was held virtually for 6 sessions between 9/24/24 and 10/29/24. During the sessions, participants learned how to manage some of the common themes associated with caregiving, such as stress coping, frustration management, dealing with “the blues” and improving self-care skills. As the only local agency currently offering this evidence-based program for caregivers, JFS plans to offer semi-annual opportunities for participation in the workshop series. 



Caregiver Speaker Series: Coping with Holiday Stress as a Family Caregiver

The holiday season, while joyful, can also bring added stress for caregivers balancing their responsibilities with festive demands. Join us for an empowering presentation designed for caregivers seeking strategies to manage stress during this busy time of year. This program will cover practical tips for maintaining your well-being, techniques for setting boundaries, and methods to create a supportive network. Discover how to incorporate self-care into your routine, enhance your resilience, and find moments of peace amidst the holiday bustle. 

Many of us help older, sick, or disabled family members and friends every day. We know we are helping, but we don't think of ourselves as caregivers. Caregiving can be stressful. That’s where supportive information can be helpful. No cost to attend. Thursday, 11/21, 3-4:30 pm via Zoom. To register or for more information visit bit.ly/CaregiverSpeakerNov2024.

Please help JFS make an impact for those in need by supporting the JFS Annual Family to Family Campaign

Wellness Workshops

Through a grant from Mecklenburg County, JFS is offering workshops for adults 60+ to develop stress coping tools in fun and creative ways. Workshop titles include Wellness Through Music, Wellness Through Movement and Wellness Through Creative Expression. Each workshop is offered once/week for 4 weeks at various locations around the community. Wellness Through Movement was offered at The Village on Morehead in September. Participants engaged in gentle seated and standing yoga postures, tai chi movements and guided breath work and mindfulness activities. During the Wellness Through Creative Expression workshop held at The Barclay in October, participants created a scrapbook “wisdom journal” detailing life lessons utilizing images, poetry, song lyrics and other forms of expression. Future workshops will be scheduled starting in January.

Dreidel Drive

With everything going on in the world right now, I have been experiencing this weird sense of dread. It feels like everything is going wrong- terrible hurricanes, wars, political strife, and everyone I know seems to be struggling with illness or family drama. Am I going nuts? What is happening? I feel worried and anxious so much of the time and find myself just wishing time would pass- but I don’t want to wish away my life! I know I SHOULD be thankful for what I have, but I can’t shake this feeling! HELP! 

Thank you, 

Dread Head 

Dear Dread Head, 

Oh my! Do I relate! You may find that surprising coming from a therapist answering an advice column, but I want to start out by saying that is OK and NORMAL to feel this way. We have a LOT going on right now, and allowing yourself to feel your feelings is not just ok, it is HEALTHY! That being said, it sounds like those feelings are really uncomfortable right now, and I think there are some small changes you could make that may help you cope and feel better. 

1. Anxiety can be so uncomfortable! First, know that it is not a bad or wrong emotion! In fact, there is no such thing as a bad emotion. It is ok to feel anxious. If you want to work on reducing your anxiety or managing it so it feels less overwhelming, try some simple deep breathing techniques. Start with breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, and breathing out for four seconds, hold for four seconds and repeat. Repeat for a few cycles. This technique called “square breathing” is used to regulate the nervous system. You can also uses your five senses to calm your body. Tune in to each sense by first noticing five things you see, then four things you hear, three things you feel (touch objects in the room and notice texture), two things you smell, and one thing you taste. This practice can help you feel more grounded to the present moment. 
2. Be careful with those “SHOULDs!” By telling ourselves that we “should” think or feel a certain way, we are automatically in judgement of ourselves. This unhelpful thinking style leads to self-criticism and feeling worse. Instead, try acknowledging how you feel and validating yourself. For example- instead of “I should be thankful for what I have” (which may leave you feeling stuck), try “Gratitude practice can be helpful, and right now, I am struggling to think of things I feel grateful for.” While the second statement still captures your struggle, it leaves room for you to change. 
3. When things feel too BIG, focus on the SMALL. You listed a lot of really big, really hard realities. They are all true and valid, and mostly- out of our control. We can ask ourselves- what are things we can control? They may seem small (taking a walk outside and looking at the leaves change colors or reaching out to a friend to meet for coffee), but since we can affect change in our lives by focusing on them, they can have a big effect on how we feel. 



Fall is here and so are new routines and challenges. Here are a few tips to keep your mental health in check:

1. Embrace the Season: Take a moment to use your senses to enjoy the season. What do you see? Hear? Smell? You can do this anywhere- take walk around your neighborhood or enjoy a mug of tea or apple cider for a cozy indoor moment. 
2. Connect with Friends: Social support is key- reach out and share how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Plan a phone catch up or coffee date. Social support reduced stress and increases our sense of well-being. 
3. Set Realistic Goals: Feeling overwhelmed with your mental to-do list? Writing down big goals and breaking them down to smaller manageable tasks can help lower anxiety and increase our sense of accomplishment. 

November is National Family Caregivers Month

11/4-12/6 - Dreidel Drive!

11/20 - JFS Food Pantry Drop Off at the Portico entrance (next to the Butterfly)

11/21 - Caregiver Speaker Series, Holiday Stress

Looking Forward: December

12/4: JFS Food Pantry Drop Off at the Portico entrance (next to the Butterfly)

12/18: JFS Food Pantry Drop Off at the Portico entrance (next to the Butterfly)