New Group Residence Opens Doors To JFSA Clients

(L-R) New JFSA residents David Feinsilver, Bob Apel, Eric Sandman, Howard Groner (in chair)

Community support played a tremendous role in opening the doors of a new home for JFSA clients in South Euclid. Four men from JFSA's Council House moved into the brand new home in South Euclid at the beginning of the month. The home, a two-year project, was built by Jewish Community Housing with help from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant. JFSA received favorable pricing on furniture from Fish Furniture and Designers Touch, says Jeff Morris, JFSA Director of Operations. Morris says a large flat screen TV for the living room was donated by Shari and Michael Perlmuter. 

The clients are still in the process of unpacking and settling in, but are excited about the change.  "The house is more modern and in a great neighborhood," says David Feinsilver. "I like that the home is brand new and quiet," says Eric Sandman. "I love it, the home is nice, everything is new and fresh and the guys are really happy here," says Reggie Mitchell, House Manager.

The clients will live independently in the home, with staff checking in to provide support and mental health services, says Lynn Wasserman, Ascentia Business Manager.

For more information, call 216.292.3999

Community Forum Addresses Needs Of Holocaust Survivors

With the population of Holocaust Survivors aging in Northeast Ohio and around the world, homecare continues to be the focus of negotiations with the German government for the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. The organization, created after World War II to oversee reparations and restitution for Survivors, says it has secured funding for homecare through 2014. Claims Conference Executive Vice-President Greg Schneider made the announcement during a visit to Cleveland last month in a special public forum with over 100 Holocaust Survivors in attendance, along with JFSA and Jewish Federation of Cleveland staff and community members.  Of significant note is that the Claims Conference has expanded the eligibility for individual support by raising the individual asset limit to $500,000. With this change, many more Survivors can access services they need.  Click here to read more.

For more information, call 216.378.8660

JFSA Volunteers Leave Big Impression On Windy City, Community

JFSA Scholarship Winners Receive National Attention

Kristina Kravchenko, Anna Bondar and Anna Mytko are well on their way to pursuing their career goals, thanks in large part to scholarships from JFSA and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS). The Mayfield High School graduates were recently honored at a JFSA board meeting by Don Fleishaker, one of the founders of HIAS. The organization has helped millions of Jewish families resettle in the United States and gave out almost $350,000 in scholarships to 196 immigrants in the U.S. and Israel last year.

Ascentia Medical Director Honored As A Friend and Mentor To Clients, Staff

Dr. Midori Fiocchi (center) holds a scrap book made for her by JFSA clients and employees, with Wendy Maayan, Director of Mental Health (left) and Jane Harkey, Manager of Clinical Services (right)

For almost two decades as the Ascentia Medical Director, Dr. Midori Fiocchi, M.D. made sure JFSA Ascentia clients managed their medications, wrote client progress notes, worked with hospital staff if a client had to be hospitalized and met with JFSA Ascentia case and program managers to discuss cases. During this time period, Dr. Fiocchi established relationships with JFSA clients and came to know them as "friends." She was also much more than a psychiatrist to staff says Wendy Maayan, Director of Mental Health Services.

"She was a mentor, an educator and a calming presence to the entire staff as medical director," Wendy says. "She would remember special events in staff members' lives such as birthdays and anniversaries.

 At a retirement party last month, JFSA staff said goodbye and thank-you to Dr. Fiocchi for her years of service and compassion.  Click here to read more.

Breaking The Cycle of Financial Troubles

The financial scenario is all too common. A family may be in trouble by living beyond their means, spending more than they earn and ends up using credit cards, lines of credit and loans in order to meet their financial obligations. The cycle of debt may seem never ending, but there are solutions. JFSA's Mesila Cleveland program is helping people achieve financial stability by giving them the tools to become self-sufficient.

"Our mission is to help people change their attitudes about money," says Eli Mandel, Director of Mesila Cleveland. "We teach people how to budget, how to live within their means.   Click here to read more.

For more information, call 216.378.3431

CET Grads Ready, Prepared for Next Step in Life 

CET Graduates (L-R) Marie Riggs, Joan Leeb, Carl  Berkman, Valerie Duchon, Andreas Moshogianes, JackWest, Marguerite Vasas, Christine Boja, Kelly Sexton

JFSA held its 7^th Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) graduation last month at the Drost Family Center. The graduating class included 10 people who participated in the 15 month program.  Students met for a half day once a week and also took part in one-on-one coaching with CET coaches. CET is an evidence based practice that helps people with schizophrenia and related mental illnesses improve their processing speed, cognition (attention, memory, problem solving) and social cognition (the ability to interact wisely with others.) Several clients gave thanks to CET, and say they look forward to going back to school, getting jobs and volunteering now that they've completed the program.

For more information call 216.378.3425.