The COVID-19 situation
is rapidly evolving, so we want to share the adjustments Jewish Family Service has made to ensure the health and safety of our
staff, clients, and volunteers.
In abundance of caution, we have made the decision to close the building to clients starting tomorrow, March 17. Our leadership team will be evaluating our re-open date weekly, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the City of Dallas. We have made arrangements to enable staff to continue serving our clients in a safe and effective manner. Those arrangements are outlined below.
Direct Client Services:
- Intake: For individuals needing resources, support, or information, we encourage you to call our intake line, 972-437-9950 x340, Mon-Fri from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- Food Pantry: We will be moving to prepared carts of food for all food pantry clients starting immediately. In order to minimize contact, clients will not "shop" for their food and will not have access to the building.
- Kosher Home Delivered Meals: Meal distribution will continue at this time with modifications to reduce client/volunteer interaction. More information will be sent to those we serve.
- Career and Financial Services: Coaches will be reaching out to their individual clients with options for continuing services virtually. All orientations, seminars, and workshops are currently canceled through Monday, April 20.
- Older Adult Services: Clinicians will be reaching out to their individual clients with options for continuing services including telephone visits.
- Clinical Services: Clinicians will be reaching out to their individual clients with options for continuing services including telephone visits.
- Services to our Schools: Our school-based services will follow recommendations for continued remote services and are maintaining regular communication with the schools.
- PLAN Clubhouse: The PLAN @ 1121 Rock Clubhouse will be closed starting tomorrow, March 17. While the facility remains closed, PLAN will conduct a daily conference call for members at 1:15 pm everyday for a community check in.
- Resale Shop: The Resale Shop will be closed starting tomorrow through the rest of the week. We have also suspended donation acceptance at all locations.
Volunteer Activities:
- Regular Volunteers: We are highly encouraging volunteers who fall into the "high risk" category as defined by the CDC to not come into the building.
- Volunteer Groups: We will be canceling most volunteer groups based on size and activity. Our team will reach out to groups individually to let them know the status of their volunteer opportunity.
- Inclusion Experience: All Inclusion Experiences have been canceled for the next 30 days and will be rescheduled at a later date.
- Additional Changes: We will keep all of our volunteers up to date regarding changes to their existing shifts, as well as any other program changes that are made in the coming days and weeks.
Groups and Events:
In addition to the changes we have made to our client facing services, we have made the decision to cancel all agency
meetings and events through Monday, April 20.
We recognize how stressful the current climate is, and we share your concerns.
We also understand that this has naturally raised questions about our upcoming Woman to Woman Luncheon featuring Julianna Margulies on Friday, April 24.
We are aware of current guidance from the CDC and local authorities, and plan to make
a final decision regarding cancellation and/or postponing our event by Tuesday, March 24, 2020, exactly one month from our scheduled event.
As always, for the most up to date information about COVID-19, we refer you to the CDC's website.
Thank you to everyone who has offered ideas for creative solutions and support during these uncertain times. Your generosity and compassion are what empowers us to help individuals and families get back on steady ground and move forward, now more than ever.
Please take care of yourselves and practice social distancing as this situation continues to unfold.
May we all go from strength to strength,
Cathy Barker
Chief Executive Officer
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Michael Kaufman
Board President
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For 70 years, Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas has welcomed anyone through our doors regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or the ability to pay. Our mission is t
o provide effective, accessible and comprehensive mental health and social services that promote lifelong self-sufficiency and well-being for the Greater Dallas community.
Our licensed and professional staff offer a wide range of mental health and social services, all accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
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