JFS of Greenwich is proud to recognize the following partners for their dedication to supporting our mission and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in our community. | |
Marc Jaffe - Community Impact Award
Marc E. Jaffe is a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, and longtime advocate for education and youth development. From 2014-2023, he served as CEO of Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County, where he helped transform the organization into a national innovator in social-emotional learning and two-generation family engagement.
Prior to nonprofit leadership, Marc built a distinguished career in media, publishing, and technology. He currently serves on several boards across the fields of education, childcare, emotional well-being, and the arts.
Marc is also a natural communicator and gifted connector. His leadership and outreach have propelled JFS forward through numerous introductions that have resulted in funding opportunities, strengthened community partnerships, and expanded programmatic collaborations.
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Lindsey Rossler - Community Partnership Award
Lindsey Rossler has been teaching for 20 years and is currently a history teacher and Director of Talent Development at King School in Stamford. She holds an MA from Teachers College at Columbia, a BA in History and Political Science from Emory, and a Certificate in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut. She teaches world history, human rights, and leadership.
Lindsey brought the voices of our immigrant clients to life in her classroom, thoughtfully engaging the next generation of leaders at King School through learning about the Fortunoff Holocaust Archives. She created space to document the stories of refugees, gifting our vulnerable clients with feeling valued and seen. In addition, Lindsey and her team collaborated closely with JFS on several projects designed to support and uplift youth through enrichment and empathic connection. The powerful artwork showcased at the King School for the community, highlighted the impact of this meaningful partnership.
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Alek Modi - Rising Star Award
Alek Modi is a senior at Brunswick School in Greenwich and a Stamford resident. He will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall. A dedicated student athlete, Alek is a member of the Brunswick soccer team and is passionate about all things sports. Outside of school, he enjoys spending his summers in Croatia with friends and family.
Alek began volunteering with JFS as a rising junior and quickly became an invaluable part of our community. He founded a JFS club at Brunswick, inspiring classmates to get involved with the annual Friendsgiving event as well as our Thanksgiving and holiday drives. Through his leadership and initiative, Alek minimized the suffering of others providing nourishing food and gifts. He has helped deepen student engagement and expand meaningful support for our clients.
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First County Bank - Corporate Partnership Award
First County Bank is an independent, mutual community bank committed to supporting the people and neighborhoods it serves. Founded in 1851 as Stamford Savings Bank, it has grown to fourteen branches across Fairfield County.
In 2001, the First County Bank Foundation was established to provide annual grants to local nonprofit organizations, strengthening the communities that have supported the bank for more than 150 years.
| Please join us at our annual Spring Celebration event, as we pay tribute to these remarkable community partners. Your support sustains our vital programs and services. | | |
March is Social Work Month, a time to celebrate the compassion, dedication, and expertise of social workers who uplift individuals and strengthen our community. At JFS our social workers are essential across all programs, providing counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy, whether supporting older adults, helping youth navigate tough transitions, or walking alongside families in crisis.
For many, the journey into social work began with a meaningful moment of connection. Michelle Chiappa, LCSW, explained that her college internship opened her eyes to the impact of helping families access resources and receive the advocacy they deserved.
Michelle finds inspiration seeing clients grow: “We are always proud of the work our clients put in, but it is a different type of reward when you see how proud they are of themselves.”
JFS extends heartfelt appreciation to our entire clinical staff for ensuring every person who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and valued. Throughout March, we look forward to sharing more voices from our LMSW team and the impact of their work.
If you are interested in therapy, click here to fill out our confidential intake form.
| | JFS Norwich Attends the 2026 GNACC Annual Awards Gala | |
The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce GNACC Annual Awards Gala began with the Awards Ceremony at The Mansion at Stonehurst and continued with a festive gala reception at The Barns at Stonehurst.
The event recognizes businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who make a meaningful community impact. At this event, JFS Norwich connected with local partners, celebrated this year's honorees, and supported the ongoing work that strengthens our region.
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Additional Updates from JFS Norwich:
JFS Norwich is deepening community partnerships by participating in the weekly Community Care Team meetings for collaborative case management of people in the Norwich area who are at risk of, or are experiencing homelessness. JFS Norwich also joined the Norwich Area Opioid Task Force, a collective of social service providers, legislators, and clinical care teams that includes three sub-committees: Prevention, Harm Reduction and Treatment, and Legislative Advocacy.
| | The JFS and ICRF panel discussion, Caring for the Caregiver, scheduled for March 5, will be postponed due to uncertain weather conditions. The event will be rescheduled for the spring. Please stay tuned for further updates. | | |
Shabbat Services: Fridays at 1:00 pm via Zoom
Jewish Health & Healing Service: Monday, March 9 at 12:15 pm via Zoom
For more information or to receive the Zoom link, please email Jayme Schneider.
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