JFS Delaware's mission and work has always been inspired by the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and the High Holidays are a very pure and special time to reflect on who we are – as individuals, as an agency, as a community – and explore how we can each serve our community to make the world a better, more peaceful place.

May this new year bring you and your loved ones health, happiness, peace, and countless opportunities for growth and connection.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

Wendell Covell Earns Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 Honor

Wendell Covell, Clinical Director of the JFS Fellowship Program, was honored last week at the Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 awards ceremony!

The DBT 40 under 40 pays tribute to outstanding young professionals who are making a name for themselves through innovative ideas, business excellence, and community involvement.

As the clinical director of JFS Delaware’s $3.5 million mental health fellowship program, Covell oversees a large cohort of pre-licensed professionals, helping them move toward licensure and successful careers. Through his position, he’s also created over a dozen impactful community partnerships, dozens of community-based therapy groups and provided therapy and support to more than 500 people in the last year.

Prior to joining JFS Delaware, Covell was the director of family services at Family Promise. He moved to Delaware in 2020 after spending most of his life in central New York.

Covell is motivated to provide the highest quality of care by remembering where he has been and the people who changed his life.

Read more about Wendell and the DBT 40 Under 40 award here.

Congrats, Wendell!

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: CANCER CARE CONNECTION

Cancer Care Connection's Oncology Social Workers help you with the ripple effects of a cancer diagnosis. If you have issues that weigh on your heart and mind, call us for compassionate guidance and support to help you with coping skills, information and strategies. Together we will create a personalized plan of next steps.

Our Oncology Social Workers

help you and your loved ones:

• Successfully travel through your cancer journey
• Develop coping skills
• Access helpful resources and information
• Overcome obstacles to your best possible outcome

Our Services:

• Unlimited phone access to an oncology professional for you and your loved ones - all at no cost
• Referrals to cancer resources and information
• Counseling in-person, virtually, or by phone
• Access to CanSurround, an online supportive resource

CALL 302-266-8050 TODAY for compassionate guidance and support.

COMING UP/HAPPENING NOW:

Our Mom's Space Support Groups provide a safe space for moms to connect, share, and ask questions. Mom's Space is part of the JFS Sonia Schorr Sloan Maternal Mental Health Program.

• Weekly support groups every Tuesday at 10 am on Zoom led by clinicians with specialty training (PSI trained)
• A safe space for women/birthing people to CONNECT, share, and ask questions 
• Providing education about various topics pertaining to maternal mental health 
• Facilitating access to additional support & wellness services

*Individual therapy sessions are also available

Mom's Space is for pregnant women up to two years post-partum. There is no cost to participate! Click here, or call 302-478-9411 to sign up!

Ukrainian Refugee Oksana Showcases Artwork at Brandywine Festival of the Arts

Oksana grew up making clothes for herself and others in Ukraine.

Then Oksana's own 10-year-old daughter bought her a book about beading and asked her mom to teach her how to weave bracelets.

“First I had to learn to do it myself, then teach my daughter, who quickly lost interest in it, ” she wrote. “I am very enthusiastic about this craft. After a while I started making bracelets from shoelaces and began to go out to sell it in my city. People were buying.”

Oksana's hobby turned into a small business selling jewerly and toys in her home city in Ukraine. But when the war with Russia broke out, she was forced to move to the United States.

JFS helped her get settled in the state of Delaware, and JFS volunteer Dr. Lanny Edelsohn connected her with Barry Schlecker, who runs the Brandywine Festival of the Arts. And Barry offered her a booth at the festival to display her crafts.

Read more about Oksana in articles from Delaware Live and WHYY.

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester Visits the B'nai B'rith House

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester visited the B'nai B'rith House, taking a tour of the facilities and fielding questions from residents. The B'nai B'rith House provides seniors with quality, affordable housing in a secure, supportive community environment.



JFS Fellow Sa’Myia has worked directly with elder residents at B’nai Brith House as their on-site Social Worker for the past few years. Sa'Myia and Leroy, JFS Family Consultant, helped ensure that the Congresswoman's visit went smoothly.

RISE Hosts End-of-Summer Picnic for Refugees

The JFS RISE (Refugee Integration Support Effort) team held an end-of-summer picnic for our refugees at Glasgow Regional Park! Thank you to everyone who came out and joined us!

JFS Food Pantry

Several individuals dropped off donations to the JFS Food Pantry recently, and we couldn't be more grateful! Thank you so much! Our food pantry is in high use right now, and your donations are such a great help to our clients.

But we still need more donations. So, if you're in a position to help JFS clients, please consider a donation to the JFS Food Pantry.

Click here for a list of needed items. Donations can be dropped off at JFS Delaware or ordered through our Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to JFS.

Job Openings:

• RISE Case Manager
• RISE Case Manager for Haitian Creole Refugees
• RISE Case Manager for Family Support
• Licensed Social Worker in Lewes
• Licensed Therapist LCSW, LPCMH, Psy.D
• JFS Fellowship
• Agency Administrative Assistant