World Refugee Week

June 19-25 was World Refugee Week. World Refugee Week celebrates the strength and courage of those forced to flee their home countries due to wars or persecution. The UNHCR estimates that over 117 million people are displaced worldwide. These are not just numbers. These are people and individuals with dreams, hopes, and aspirations just like you and I.

The theme for this year's World Refugee Week was Hope Away From Home. On Tuesday, June 20th we hosted a gathering for refugees in the state of the Delaware. We had an incredible turnout, with more than twice as many people attending than we expected.

We ate dinner together, fellowshipped together, and played music and danced together. Several of our refugee clients put together tables with food and other items from their home countries for everyone to look at and sample. It was a beautiful evening celebrating the courage, strength, and resilience that refugees from all over the world have shown in the face of adversity.

We want to see the individuals and families we serve thrive in their communities, become self-sufficient, and hopefully, even though they are far away from home, have hope in the new futures they are building for themselves and their families. If YOU would like to make a difference in the lives of refugees in Delaware, click on one of the boxes below.

Krystyna fled Ukraine with her husband and two kids when the war began. Watch the video to hear more about her experience as a refugee living in Delaware.

Gerald was forced to flee his home country of Haiti with his wife and two children. Watch the video to learn more about Gerald and hear his story.

Anastasia was forced to flee her home in Ukraine with her parents and two siblings last September. Watch the video to hear more about her experience as a refugee living in Delaware.

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

This is the first thing you see when you enter our Wilmington offices. JFS Delaware is dedicated to providing counseling and support services to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We welcome and embrace all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Happy Pride Month! 

And, don't forget...allyship should extend beyond this month of celebration and awareness. Join JFS in our commitment to being supportive friends, family, and colleagues throughout the year.

JUNETEENTH

June 19 marks the Juneteenth holiday. The day celebrates June 19, 1865, when federal troops reached Galveson, Texas and declared over 200,000 enslaved people free – 2.5 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

In honor of the national holiday, we closed our offices on Juneteenth and encouraged everyone to take time to learn more, engage in meaningful conversations, and take actions that reinforce our shared commitment to equality and freedom.

For more resources and ways to commemorate this important day, visit juneteenth.com and nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.

RISE Staff Members Attend HIAS Preferred Communities Training

JFS RISE (Refugee Integration Support Effort) staff members attended the Preferred Communities & Matching Grant East Coast Regional Training in Ann Arbor, Michigan.



The two-day training for Preferred Community managers was organized by one of our partner organizations, HIAS. HIAS is the international Jewish humanitarian organization that provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers in more than 20 countries.

Ukrainian Gatherings in Sussex County

We recently hosted our first two gathering for Ukrainian refugees in Sussex County! Thank you to everyone who came out for great nights of food and fellowship!

JFS Annual Meeting

On June 15, we held our Annual Meeting to celebrate our resilience and accomplishments from this past year! We honored our Board of Directors, and Wendell Covell gave a special presentation on the JFS Mental Health Fellowship Program.

A huge thank you to The Delaware Center for Horticulture for hosting us and to Alexia Wolf from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long for being our special guest!

COMING UP/HAPPENING NOW:

Youth Anxiety Groups

Our youth anxiety groups help children and teens identify and reduce symptoms of anxiety, gain confidence, challenge anxious thoughts, and build competence in problem-solving.

We have two groups at our Wilmington offices starting in July, one for ages 8-12 and one for incoming juniors and seniors for the 2023-2024 academic school year. Click here to for more info and to register!

Maternal Mental Health

Join our Mom’s Space weekly support group led by clinicians with specialty training (PSI trained). Mom’s Space is a safe space for women and birthing people to connect, share, and ask questions. We provide education about various topics pertaining to maternal mental health and facilitate access to additional support and wellness services. Individual therapy sessions are also available. 

Click here to learn more about the Sonia Schorr Sloan Maternal Mental Health Program.

LGBTQ+ Parent Support Group

Our Clients Need Your Help!

If you're in a position to help our clients, please consider a donation to the JFS pantry! Food items such as canned fruit, cereal, condiments, etc. are needed, as well diapers and baby wipes. We are also in need of Depend underwear for the residents at B'nai B'rith House. Click here for a full list of needed items. 

Donations can be dropped off at JFS or ordered through Amazon and shipped directly to JFS. Our address is 99 Passmore Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. 

We're looking for volunteers in Sussex County and New Castle County! If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering for JFS, click here, or contact Vlad Cerbov. Our work is made possible by dedicated volunteers and donors like YOU! Click on the boxes below for information about how YOU can get involved in helping our neighbors, friends, and family thrive.

"Best working environment I've ever encountered." - JFS employee

Job Openings:

• Licensed Social Worker in Wilmington
• Licensed Social Worker in Lewes
• JFS Fellowship
• RISE Case Manager