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As individuals, families, organizations, and a whole community, every moment and feeling of success - big or small - matters and makes a difference in our outlook of our new normal. We need this perspective and encouragement from each other, now more than ever. Please join us in celebrating some of JFS' Snapshots of Success from the past few weeks!

(Find updates and announcements on our Coronavirus Webpage and Facebook )
VIRTUAL Support Groups:
VSTEP (Virtual Support to Essential People)
A free online support group for essential personnel including tips for self-care and managing anxiety.

Tuesdays at 7AM • Thursdays at 7PM

Contact Becca for the secure access link:
QuaranTEEN
A free online support group for boys (ages 14-17) to identify and process recent changes, including coping with stress, online learning, and more.

Wednesdays 5-6PM • April 22 - June 10
(Open to all male-identifying teens)

Contact Liz for the secure access link:
PARENTS!
Need Support? We want to hear from you!

JFS is developing a support group for YOU! We want your feedback to know how we can best address your wants, needs, concerns, questions, and interests.

Please consider completing this quick survey to share your thoughts!
RISE Update:
RISE Case Manager, Jenevive has been working hard to stay connected and support her caseload of refugee, immigrant, and asylee families (40 individuals, across all three Delaware counties). With the statewide stay-at-home order, Jenevive's daily case management tasks include, but are not limited to:
  • Conducting wellness checks via phone to monitor and address family needs
  • Linking clients to available community resources
  • Assisting with applications for social & unemployment benefits
  • Connecting adults with job opportunities and making sure children have access to safe, appropriate education or childcare
  • Providing extended cultural orientation to explain the new COVID-19 policies and resources and how it will impact them

NEW Arrivals!
In addition to these daily tasks, Jenevive has also been working closely with a newly arrived family, originally from Afghanistan. The father, Reza (37yrs), and mother, Khatira (30yrs), recently had a baby boy, Amir, and moved to Delaware last month; they are currently living with friends in Claymont but are eager to move out and start life on their own; Reza is looking forward to finding a job and Khatira is anxious to start her English lessons.

Want to help?
The family's biggest need (and our team's priority) is finding suitable - safe and affordable - HOUSING. If you are a landlord or have any connections that may be helpful, please email RISE Case Manager, Jenevive at jnewman@jfsdelaware.org .

Once we secure housing for the family, we will also need help collecting home furnishings, including a baby cot, and clothing. We will also be looking for connections for education and employment opportunities for the family, as well as other resources. A list of more specific needs will be shared at a later time.
Snapshots of Success:
  • FutureLink, JFS' workforce development program for at-risk youth and teens with disabilities, has moved online and introduced students to a new form of learning, putting their technology skills from the program curriculum to the test!
  • One session had a total of 23 participants, including para-professionals
  • Students are connecting with each other and advocating for themselves through group chats
  • Participants were joined virtually by a guest speaker from Stand By Me, who spoke about financial literacy skills
  • Instructors started classes with a new cohort of students from Freire Charter School in Wilmington

  • Refugee father, Innocent, got a job as a translator with a resettlement agency in Texas, where he will be moving next month; this is especially noteworthy since most refugees have to give up their professions and passions when they move. With your support, Innocent (and his family) thrived in Delaware and can now give back to other refugee families in their new community.

  • Two years after resettling in Delaware from the DRC, Pathy & Acastela welcomed beautiful baby girl, Dorcas. We are thrilled for their family to welcome a first-generation American and wish them health & happiness!
Innocent and his family.
Baby Dorcas with big sister, Victoria.
  • Volunteers have been going above and beyond for our older adult clients:
  • 50 lunch deliveries
  • 6 grocery shopping trips
  • 200+ bags with food and essential items for residents at B'nai B'rith House
  • 60 friendly "Notes to Neighbors" to home-bound seniors

  • RISE Volunteers and local congregations have remained committed to supporting families throughout this period, arranging childcare, meeting with teachers to help children with online learning, providing translation assistance, and more.
Volunteers delivered Passover meals, food,
and favorites just in time for the holiday!

THANK YOU!
Jewish Family Services of Delaware
99 Passmore Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 478-9411
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