Greetings!
Just like the other famous Minnesota Judy (okay, there’s only one—Judy Garland!), I clicked my heels together three times on May 8 and uttered the well-known words “There’s no place like home!”– we cut the ribbon and made it official! Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis is officially open for service in our “forever home!”

JFCS Caregiver Coaching:
When you don't know where to begin, Just Call JFCS
Being a caregiver can be emotionally charged and sometimes frustrating. When you, or someone you know has questions about taking care of a loved one, and don't know where to begin, Just Call JFCS. We can help.








Aging Services Sponsors: Anonymous (2), Kelen Family Foundation
Mental Health Awareness Month: Continuing the conversation
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. One in five Americans is affected by mental health conditions, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Stigma is toxic to their mental health because it creates an environment of shame, fear and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The perception of mental illness won’t change unless we act to change it.”

Last fall, JFCS was honored to help launch an interfaith discussion on mental health and was excited to continue the conversation earlier this month with “Learning from Each Other: A Continuing Interfaith Conversation on Mental Health.”


Mental Health America’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month this year is #4Mind4Body. >For more information click here

If you or someone you know needs support living with mental illness, Just Call JFCS. We can help. Please call 952-546-0616 or visit www.jfcsmpls.org for more information.
Give2018: Supporting the Annual Campaign allows JFCS to respond to our community’s changing needs
By Dana Rubin • JFCS Development Director

Over the last several months, we have focused our attention on the Next Century Campaign, an opportunity for our community to support the infrastructure of our new permanent home and programs – services that JFCS so proudly and expertly provides to all people. Much appreciation and thanks to all who responded to this campaign and helped us raise nearly $3 million for Capital support, as well as Innovation (programs and services) to ensure that we can continue the work we do without interruption! Soon our Donor Wall will be complete in our lobby with all the donor names added and we encourage everyone to come and see the beautiful and warm mural welcoming ALL to JFCS.

We are now turning our attention to Give2018, the JFCS Annual Campaign. Over the past four years, this campaign has more than doubled in size and funds raised are used where most needed (unrestricted) to sustain our nearly 35 programs and services. Jeremy Kalin, chair of the Give2018 Campaign states, “The Give2018 campaign provides JFCS with flexible funds to continue innovating, responding to the growing and changing needs of the community. As the chair of the Give campaign, it’s a joy to see more than 1,000 donors, giving at all levels, to invest in JFCS and the people we serve every day.”

It is our pleasure to announce that for new gifts of $18 or more, we have an anonymous donor who has agreed to match up to 100 gifts, for a total of $1,800. We encourage you to take advantage of this, as we are sure this match will quickly be fulfilled! Thank you in advance for responding to the Give2018 Campaign appeal and continuing to ensure that JFCS is uniquely positioned to serve our community as a one-stop shop for meeting the needs of those we serve. JFCS is Here For All. Always . With your financial support, always is a certainty.

Introducing Community Services Director Amy Weiss
With its Community Services programs, JFCS looks for opportunities that help build and sustain well-being and meaningful connections, creating a stronger community. Through partnerships with PRISM Food Shelf and initiatives such as the Mental Health Education Conference and others, we aim to be a valuable and contributing member of the Jewish community, broader Twin Cities community and beyond. JFCS is thrilled to introduce Amy Weiss, who was recently hired as JFCS Community Services Director.

JFCS' new home in Golden Valley makes a world of difference to the Parent-Child Home Program
JFCS’ Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) is an evidence-based, free early literacy, parenting, and school readiness program that promotes creative ways to learn through play. Since its inception in 2006, the program has continued to grow, but our previous space in Minnetonka wasn't able to grow along with it! By the time JFCS was ready to move to our new building in February, the program had four staff members squeezed into one office and two other staff members in offices that were half work space, half warehouse storage. Boxes of books and toys were stacked in the office like skyscrapers.



PCHP Founding Sponsors: Anonymous, Greater Twin Cities United Way, N. Bud and Beverly Grossman Foundation, Susan and Hart Kuller, Lynne and Andrew Redleaf Foundation
Lead Sponsor: Grotto Foundation
Sponsor: Walser Foundation Funded by the Walser Automotive Group
This program is made possible in part with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education
Volunteer at the Parent-Child Home Program Graduation
Help celebrate this year’s graduates of the Parent-Child Home Program at a fun-filled ceremony and carnival on the afternoon of Sunday, June 3. Volunteers are needed to greet families, usher groups during the ceremony, and lead activity stations like cookie decorating and crafts!

Please contact Erica Solomon, Development & Community Engagement Coordinator, at esolomon@jfcsmpls.org no later than Wednesday, May 30, for more details about volunteering. 
Watching my daughter on Good Deeds Day
By Amy Weiss • JFCS Community Services Director

“I planted flowers for the environment, made a blanket for animals at the Animal Humane Society, made a tzedakah box, packed a bag of supplies for a homeless person, made a card for a soldier and packed a bag of baby supplies for a new mom in the hospital.” That is how my daughter proudly described her experience at Good Deeds Day.

Join us for the JFCS 108th Annual Meeting
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Beth El Synagoguge

We will hold elections for the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis Board of Directors, recognize directors whose terms are ending, acknowledge contributions of long-time, dedicated volunteers, and present the JFCS Emerging Leader Award. In addition, we will hear from Board President Marc Rubenstein, and honor JFCS staff with milestone anniversaries.

Lunch will be served.
Please RSVP to Anne Woodall at awoodall@jfcsmpls.org by June 6
All you need to know about Pride 2018
J-Pride brings together LGBTQ and allied folks in the Jewish community all year round, but June—LGBTQ Pride month—is an especially exciting month. Why June? The history of Pride goes back to the Stonewall Riots, which began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in New York City. Tired of being targeted by law enforcement and police, members of the LGBTQ community decided to fight back when law enforcement and police attempted to raid the bar. Led by some of the most marginalized in the community, Stonewall marked a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ rights.


J-Pride Founding Sponsor: Lisa Heilicher
Upcoming events: Please join us
Golden Valley Pride Festival
Sunday, June 10 @ 12 p.m.


Annual J-Pride Happy Hour
Monday, June 11 @ 6 p.m.


J-Pride at TC Pride Festival
Sunday, June 24


Shalom Baby Shower
Sunday, June 24 @ 10 a.m.


Shalom Baby Circle Time
Sundays. July 29 & August 26 @ 10 a.m.
WITH GRATITUDE:
HONORING JFCS STAFF ON THEIR MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
We thank these staff for their dedication to serving all in our community with compassion and excellence, and congratulate them on their milestone anniversaries at JFCS:

30 Years: Margaret Lund
20 Years: Judy Marcus
15 Years: Elena Borochin
10 Years: Aleksandr Chaplin
5 Years: Heather Karson, Sheri Sell
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis | www.jfcsmpls.org