DECEMBER 22, 2024

This holiday season, JFS is overflowing—with gifts, donations, and appreciation! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, our office is filled with toys, winter coats, and so much more, all ready to bring joy to families in need.

Your support has made a significant impact, ensuring that those facing hardship will experience a brighter, more joyful holiday season.

Special thanks to Brunswick School, First Presbyterian Church, Junior League of Greenwich, Quentin Ball and friends, Round Hill Community Church, Sheila Kantor and Greenwich Reform Synagogue, St. Catherine's Church, and individual volunteers Tessa Pascarella, and Jessie Sorensen.

As we head into the new year, we thank you for your continued support and for making the holidays a little brighter for so many. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!

Meet Justina Marque, a high school sophomore at King School and a dedicated JFS volunteer. Justina has shown incredible commitment to helping refugee families, especially in supporting their English language skills.

She just began working with an 11-year-old Ukrainian student as her "ESL buddy", helping her with socialization and adjusting to her new environment. She volunteers once a week with her buddy and participates in larger JFS events like Friendsgiving. Her activities include creating lesson plans, playing educational games, and organizing crafts. Justina also enjoys face painting at JFS events, bringing joy and smiles to the children.

Justina shares: “As a first-generation American, I know from my own and my parents' experience how hard it is to assimilate into a new culture, which is why helping JFS refugees is so important to me. Whenever I see the children I work with improve so quickly in English, it means a lot to me because it is a resource I would have loved to have had.”

Justina’s kindness, commitment, and insight into the refugee experience show how young people can make a difference in building stronger communities. We’re thankful for everything she’s done and excited to see her keep making an impact with JFS!

If you're a student who's interested in working as a "buddy" to a refugee child, please contact the Volunteer Department.

We are thrilled to announce that JFS therapist Amy Singer has just published Parent Support Group.

In her book, Amy brings together a diverse group of parents—single parents, foster parents, a grandmother, and a couple—who are all navigating the challenges of raising young adolescent children. These parents join a support group led by a clinical social worker, where they share their struggles, grief, and hopes, while learning new ways to connect with their children and with one another.

Parent Support Group is a heartfelt look at the power of community and the journey of parenthood. Congratulations, Amy!

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to renew your support with a generous gift. Your partnership has made a difference for Fred, Jorge, Yvette, and countless others in our community who rely on JFS for life-changing services. Together, we can continue to meet the critical needs of our clients in 2025 and beyond.

*Names are fictional to protect privacy.

THANK YOU FOR GENEROUSLY SUPPORTING

JFS OF GREENWICH!

Jewish Family Services of Greenwich

67 Holly Hill Lane | Greenwich, CT 06830

203-622-1881 | info@jfsgreenwich.org