Accelerating Social, Academic and Health Equity
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Monthly Report to the Community | |
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Dear JFS Friends, Supporters and Collaborative Partners,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family members in good health. As we approach the end of 2023, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your support of JFS. Your generosity, commitment, and belief in our mission have allowed us to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and families across our community especially during these last 2 1/2 months of dark and challenging times. Your partnership is truly invaluable. For the past few weeks there has been a flurry of activity in preparation for the holidays and the team has been working with organizations such as Holiday Dreams, Operation ELF and Edwards Church, as well as private donors and dozens of volunteers, to collect, prepare and distribute toys, books and other presents for children of client families especially those from the immigrant community. Also thanks to contributions from over 65 supporters of JFS, 100 Hanukkah gifts were assembled and delivered to isolated older adult community members to bring a little light into their lives and so that they know they are not alone.
In addition to ensuring that folks are cared for during the holidays, JFS continues to receive calls from community members who are in crisis and need help with essentials such as food, warm clothing and medical care. Our Family Assistance case managers are working with young families to make sure they have what they need to provide a safe environment for their children. Our Resettlement/Immigrant Services case managers are helping new migrant arrivals with emergency shelter and connecting them with services so they don’t end up living on the streets. Our case managers that work with Older Adults are providing guidance and support to caregivers so they can ensure the well-being of their loved ones when the changes that come with aging threaten health and safety. Supporting these vulnerable neighbors in need is the core mission of JFS – bringing hope and light into the lives of those who need help the most, not only during the holidays but every day of the year.
The need continues to be great, and for many of the problems faced by our community, there are no easy solutions. Funds are limited, service and benefits eligibility criteria restrict access, and as the affordable housing shortage becomes more desperate and the Commonwealth’s emergency shelter system reaches max capacity, the number of calls we are receiving from individuals and families on the verge of homelessness is staggering. It is for these reasons that the JFS Center for Social Innovation was conceived. Launched in November, the Center will be a non-profit community asset to help all of us in the social impact space collaboratively and in coordinated fashion, innovate best practice solutions to current challenges such as homelessness and address future challenges as they arise.
Always nimble, always innovating, always striving to better meet the needs of our clients – those were the calls to action that fueled the development of our 5-year strategic plan, and looking back on year 2, significant progress has been made in the following focus areas:
- Creative and innovative ways to harness the power of volunteers have been deployed across multiple programs.
- New collaborative partnerships have been established to increase access to resources and expertise.
- To strengthen and widen the social safety net and fill service gaps, case managers are enlisting client family members, friends, neighbors, partner organizations, local government and other stakeholders.
- Efforts to recruit community-representative Board and staff members, diverse in culture, experience and skillsets, have brought remarkable talent to JFS.
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Responding to growing community concerns, JFS has taken the lead on Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) initiatives that fight racism and antisemitism and advance social, academic and health equity in our community.
- Strategic steps, including broadening the donor base and expanding funding-source diversity, are being taken to meet philanthropic goals ensuring future financial sustainability.
Looking ahead to year 3, we will continue to make strides in these areas so that those who come to us for help will have access to a comprehensive, cross-program range of services to best meet critical and urgent needs as well as to assist in achieving long-term stability.
It is only with the help of our donors, volunteers, staff and community partners that we have the talent, experience and resources we need to bring hope and light into the lives of over 7,800 community members in need each year. Please scroll down to learn the many ways you can get involved and as you plan your year-end giving, please consider a gift to JFS. 80% of JFS’ annual revenue is philanthropic dollars, supported by donors like you, and JFS’ multi-year 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (with a perfect score of 100%) ensures that you can have confidence that your donation will drive change and make a difference.
As I look ahead to 2024, our commitment to taking care of the most vulnerable remains unwavering. With a model of being "Staff Driven-Volunteer Powered-Community Invested" I’m very excited for a year of innovation and continued strategic growth in the ability for JFS to respond to critical community needs.
Best wishes to all for a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
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A Message from Board President
Allison Kates
I hope this message finds you and your families healthy and staying warm! The President’s Corner will be a new feature of the JFS Monthly Report to the Community and will highlight the wonderful work that our board members and committees are engaged in, as well as share events from the community and any other board related information.
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Let me introduce myself for those who don’t know me. My name is Allison Kates and I was installed as President of the Board in June. I’ve been involved with JFS since 2009, first as a volunteer, then as a Board Member, and most recently as a Vice President. I live in Wayland with my husband and our two boys, ages 16 and 10. Professionally, I worked as a School Psychologist for about 12 years, before staying home full time to raise my kids and become a serial community volunteer! In addition to my work with JFS, I serve on the board of The Riverbend School and chair the Wayland High School PTO Staff Appreciation Committee. I’m also involved with WaylandCAN, Dignity Matters, and Cradles to Crayons. In my free time, I enjoy baking, reading, exercising, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
With each new Board President usually comes a new area of focus. I’ve always been passionate about mental health, from my first days as a School Psychologist to my first days as a parent, and now to my role as Board President of an agency serving the most vulnerable in the community. My focus on mental health aligns well with the JFS mission, which is to provide vital social, health, and community services to alleviate suffering, enhance lives, and support people in need. We must support all aspects of an individual’s health and wellness to help them achieve stability and independence.
To that end, I’ve established a new Mental Health Workgroup, aimed at advising the Board and professional leadership on the possible mental health challenges that could potentially affect our clients, especially older adults and refugees, asylum-seekers, and other migrants who have experienced traumatic situations. The workgroup is composed of board and community members who have mental health training and a variety of professional experience in the field. Our goal is to identify possible partnerships for providing clinical intervention to those in need of such services and other potential solutions to enhance the mental health of our clients. Stay tuned for updates on our work!
I’d also like to highlight our Fund Development and Marcom committees, who have been hard at work planning the next Seize the Dream. The event will honor Marty Cohen, CEO of the Metrowest Health Foundation, and the Max Michaelson Humanitarian Award recipients are Yale Appliance Company and the Yale Appliance Foundation, who have donated generously to fund the purchase of new shoes and winter boots to the JFS/FPS Resource Room throughout the last year! These committees have already come up with a tagline for the event and we have volunteers already hard at work on securing restaurants. Mark your calendars for May 15, 2024 – I promise, you won’t want to miss this!
Finally, on December 4th, I had the pleasure of attending the first JFS Staff and Board Holiday Celebration, along with 12 other board members. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to mingle with staff and their families. There was fun music, delicious food, and the magician was a big hit! Each staff member received a holiday gift from the Board to show our gratitude for the dedication and to thank them for all of their work.
I look forward to getting to know you and working together to carry out the JFS mission!
Happy holidays and happy New Year,
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Recently, JFS CEO Lino Covarrubias attended ADL New England's Young Leadership Celebration. Avana Epperson-Temple, Rebecca Miller, and Hannah Underwood were the recipients of the Krupp Leadership Award. These young adults were honored for their service project building winter kits for the Haitian Asylum Seekers that JFS is helping resettle.
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Senate President Karen Spilka held an annual health and wellness fair at Keefe Regional Technical School in Framingham. The fair has been happening each fall for over a decade to offer resources, workshops, and activities on all aspects of wellness. During the event JFS highlighted many programs including Volunteering, Patient Navigator, Allies in Aging, and Geriatric Care Management.
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JFS staff, board and community members officially opened the JFS Innovation Center in loving memory of Susan Copeland. The Center is funded from a generous legacy gift from beloved donor Susan Copeland and will focus on developing new approaches to social challenges to effectively address increasing needs in the Metrowest community.
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Board President Allison Kates, Board Vice President Barbara Schultz, Board members Michelle Bearak and Elana Margolis, and volunteers Robin Kotzin and Dana Volman graciously hosted their friends and family at 5 different events where they assembled 100 Hanukkah gifts to be distributed to JFS Older Adult clients.
Thank you to all who participated!
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My name is Caleb Ruiz, and I am the Americorps Service Member at JFS! I was born and raised in a Spanish speaking household in Framingham, MA. I graduated from Framingham State University with my bachelor's in liberal arts. After graduating, I signed up for the NAiP program which introduced me to Americorps and this line of work. Before working for JFS of Metrowest I worked in retail and restaurants, but I am excited to work in a more professional environment.
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Coordinated in part by Singer/Songwriter Jodi Heights and Director of Music Dr. Kevin McDonald, this powerful performance will wrap your heart with ethereal song and bring the community together to find strength and hope during these dark and uncertain times.
This concert is offered free of charge, however registration is requested.
Donations are suggested to support JFS of Metrowest Refugee Resettlement Programs.
Please save the date and register today!
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SEIZE THE DREAM
WEDNESDAY MAY 15, 2024, 6:00PM
The Westin Waltham Boston, Waltham MA
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JFS of Metrowest, in collaboration with the City of Framingham Office of Community Development and with the Framingham Council on Aging - Callahan Center has launched the Framingham Senior Home-Share pilot program. This innovative program connects older adults with extra space in their homes with others looking for affordable housing to rent.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please click here to complete the form and a representative will contact you shortly. If you have questions or would like to learn more about this program, please contact Diana O'Brien via email [email protected] or by phone at 508-875-3100 x 700.
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Need help caring for an aging loved one?
JFS Geriatric Care Managers can help.
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JFS in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) provides support to eligible clients who are unemployed or underemployed.
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JFS in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) provides support to eligible clients who are unemployed or underemployed.
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Are you in need of mental health services?
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JFS Supports Our Veterans | |
JFS has a commitment with our partner agencies to ensure
no veteran is left behind.
Studies on the advancement of mobile health apps and their use for the treatment of PTSD show that mobile apps can provide access to treatment that typically or otherwise must overcome geographic, temporal, financial and cultural barriers. The research into the efficacy of mobile health apps for PTSD is ongoing.
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WANT TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE? VOLUNTEER! | |
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Patient Navigators Needed!
Join our Patient Navigator team and accompany older adults to medical appointments, easing the stress of the appointment for both the patient and their families.
You’ll help older adults prepare for upcoming medical appointments, serve as a companion at the appointment, facilitate communication between doctor and patient, and take notes during the visit.
Patient Navigator is a flexible volunteer opportunity that can work with your schedule! We ask you to commit to a minimum of 4 appointments per year. All appointments are during weekday, daytime hours.
Click here to learn more about the Patient Navigator Program!
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Second Chance Cars is a Massachusetts nonprofit with a mission to connect low income working adults with affordable vehicles so they can maintain living wage jobs and support their families.
SCC solicits “gently used” car donations from the public and offers in return:
- The highest tax deduction – the car’s retail value
- The most rewarding donor experience – meeting who got your car
- The most impact – getting someone to work
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Make a Legacy Gift to JFS of Metrowest and
Join the JFS Generation to Generation Legacy Circle
Your concerns and priorities have helped shape JFS today. Your legacy gift will help shape tomorrow.
To ensure that the values and concerns that have inspired your involvement in JFS will endure for generations to come, consider:
- Including JFS in your estate planning -
- Making a gift to JFS as a bequest in a will or trust -
- Designating a gift to the JFS Endowment Fund -
Together, we can maintain the agency’s promise to the community to stand up for those left behind.
Contact Jayne Lampert, Senior Director of Philanthropy today
to learn how you can become a member of the Legacy Circle
Email: [email protected] - Call: 508-875-3100 x 430
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JFS COMMITTEE ON ANTI-RACISM & FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM | |
To learn about upcoming news and events as they occur, like/follow the JFS Committee on Anti-Racism and Fighting Antisemitism social media channels, and CLICK HERE for a list of resources specific to this work.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT...
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JFS is a multi-year recipient of the 4-star Charity Navigator rating with a 100% PERFECT SCORE! Less than one-tenth of one percent of charities rated earn a perfect score.
- JFS serves over 7,500 individuals yearly, 40% of whom are not Jewish
- JFS engages over 300 volunteers across 17 programs
- JFS distributed over 7,000 clothing items for children of low income families in the past six months
- JFS serves 3,500 older adults by increasing access to healthcare and safe aging solutions
- JFS, in partnership with CJP, distributed 6,000 holiday meals for Passover and Rosh Hashanah
- JFS resettled almost 300 displaced refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Venezuela in partnership with local faith organizations
- JFS works hand in hand with immigrants and families from 60+ countries
- JFS is a community convener in the areas of bigotry and antisemitism
- JFS works with over 100 collaborative community partners throughout Massachusetts
- 80% of JFS' total annual revenue is philanthropic dollars, supported by donors like you!
Partner with JFS and make a meaningful impact in our community.
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Thank you to all who partner with JFS to
Accelerate Social, Academic and Health Equity in our community.
Your help is needed - get involved today!
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