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 finds you well and that your summer is off to a good start.
This past weekend marked the second year that Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and to honor the day, Framingham Community Vibes organized an event held at Farm Pond Park that included games, food, crafts and music. I attended, and had a great time working at the event alongside board members Tiffany Lillie, Omawali Stewart and Rep. Cesar Stewart-Morales. I was proud to be part of the Community Vibes collaboration that brought together organizations from across the city, not only to celebrate how far our nation has come, but also to stand together in the knowledge that there is still much to be done to address hate and bigotry in our community.
Just as Juneteenth raises awareness about racism faced by our neighbors of color, initiatives such as the BDS Supported Mapping Project demonstrate that hate against Jews is an ever present reality that we must continually work to overcome. This project, condemned in a statement by the JCRC, ADL New England and CJP as an anti-Semitic effort to target Jewish organizations and their allies, is one example of why we must take an active role in standing against hate. Despite how far our nation has come, race-based attacks continue and it is up to each of us, individually and collectively, to address situations as they occur. As joyful as the Juneteenth celebration was, discussions about the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde brought sadness to the levity, but also strengthened resolve to do more, do better so that incidents such as these are not repeated. JFS is a community convener against bigotry and antisemitism and we are working to empower our community members to intervene when incidents occur. We invite you to join in this fight by signing up to attend a future Active Bystander training. Click here to learn more.
The Juneteenth celebration instilled in me a sense of unity and common purpose and reminded me that Metrowest is a great place to live and raise a family. Messages celebrating Pride Month were abundant as families of all sizes and configurations ate, played and laughed together, and conversations in many languages took place illustrating the area’s rich cultural diversity. Here is where we at JFS are working to address social inequities so all of our neighbors can live in safety and enjoy opportunities to succeed. Here is where we are helping community members who are struggling to make ends meet. Here is where we are welcoming new arrivals who come to our country seeking safety and shelter. And, it is only through a sense of unity and common purpose with the over 100 community organizations and over 300 volunteers that we work with are we able to support the needs of over 7,500 individuals in the Metrowest area each year.
A special thank you to Jon Huibregtse, Ph.D. Professor, History Department at Framingham State University for putting some historical context to the Juneteenth celebration, and thank you to all who partner with JFS - it is only through your involvement, commitment and generosity that our collective impact is possible.
Sincerely,
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RESETTLEMENT PROJECT UPDATES |
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Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis
We are actively monitoring the situation and our work in this area is expanding. Click the link below to learn about opportunities to assist in these efforts.
Thank you for your caring, compassion and offers of support. Hope and prayers for the safety of all Ukrainians and peace soon.
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Afghan Evacuee Resettlement Project
Since October, JFS has welcomed 13 Afghan evacuee families (47 individuals) to the Greater Boston Metrowest Area. Our partners at area faith organizations have been essential in supporting these families as they build a new life in the United States. We are especially thankful for the teams of volunteer coordinators at each faith organization who have recruited, onboarded, and supervised large teams of volunteers.
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We sat down with Barbara and Mark Friedman to learn about their experience as Temple Beth David of Westwood’s volunteer coordinators for JFS’s Afghan Evacuee Resettlement Program.
"We wanted to help a refugee family but realized it’d be a herculean task. So we wrote a note in the temple’s weekly newsletter, and within five days, over 30 people had signed up."
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Place of Employment: Kiki Design and Consign, Founder Budding Bookworms
Education: Undergraduate Degree – Simmons University, Graduate Degree – Wheelock College
What inspired you to join the JFS Board?
“I could not be more proud to be part of an organization that focuses on improving the lives of at-risk individuals regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, or religion.
JFSMW does so much for the community with dignity and without accolades. I am excited to play a bigger part in the local Jewish community and make new connections. One of my goals is to help bridge the gap between those who are struggling to become individuals who are thriving. I feel I have an obligation to learn from experience and enrich the lives of others by sharing the knowledge and wisdom gained from life lessons. ”
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Place of Employment: Boston Sports and Spine
Education: Doctor of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, BS Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
What inspired you to join the JFS board?
“I have had the privilege of working with JFS as social action chair at Temple Shir Tikva and have seen first-hand the tremendous impact they make on improving people’s lives I look forward to my new role as a board member to help move the JFS mission forward to positively impact as many individuals as possible.”
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Place of Employment: Shorelight
Education: M.B.A., Harvard Business School, B.A., The Johns Hopkins University
What inspired you to join the JFS board?
“JFS is a direct impact organization. Its focus is on helping families in need and it does so in an empowering way. The people involved in JFS are those who want to engage directly with their fellow community members. JFS is a magnet for those who lead with their actions and who put the people they serve front and center.”
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Employment: Boston Public Schools (Program Director for Computer Science)
Education: BS Computer Engineering at Tufts, MS Mathematics Education UMass Lowell, Ed.D. Educational Leadership from Regis College
What about JFS inspired you to want to join the board?
“When I heard about JFS and read the mission statement, I instantly believed this organization was the right fit for me. The impact that JFS has had on the community with respect to social, academic, and health equity are all of the same issues I fight for on a daily basis.
My personal mission in life is to be able to provide a voice to anyone who needs one in their time of need. It is the same reason I work at the Boston Public Schools and work hard to provide all students there with an equitable computer science opportunity. In addition, my elderly parents have been struggling with healthcare and I have been helping to advocate for them with their doctors during this difficult time.
I am excited to be on the board at JFS, so that I can extend my personal passion and mission to the Metrowest community, where I have lived for 20 years. I am equally thrilled for my two children to see firsthand what being a helpful community looks like with the hope that it will make a profound impact on them.”
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Place of Employment: Framingham Public Schools
Education: BA in Psychology UMass Boston and MA in Urban Affairs Boston University
What inspired you to want to join the JFS board?
“Over the last several years, I have witnessed JFS's drive to support families in need to enhance their lives which motivates me toward the work of equity and justice for all families. It is my belief that we should center individuals from marginalized communities to ensure a strength-based approach. I believe the work of JFS truly approaches the work through a lens of justice and liberation. I am excited and honored to join the JFS board as I have seen directly the impact the agency and staff provide to our community.”
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Place of Employment: Keller Williams Realty Boston Northwest, former Public School Educator
Education: The City College of New York - MEd, Educational Leadership and Administration, Howard University – MEd, Education, Hampton University, Bachelor’s degree – Mass Communication/Media Studies
What inspired you to join the JFS Board?
“I’m a person that is very invested in our community. JFS is an organization that does so much for people and I want to be part of such an organization that makes a difference and impacts every day.”
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Place of Employment: TD Garden (Brand and Innovation Strategist)
Education: UCLA
What inspired you to join the JFS Board?
“I am excited about the intersection of social justice, community involvement, and Judaism. By joining the board, I hope to lend my marketing expertise as well as a commitment to the many causes that JFS supports.”
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Patrick Dugan
JFS Senior Accountant
With JFS since April 2021
Born in the U.S., Speaks English
Patrick is an accountant with over 25 years of accounting experience. As Senior Accountant, Patrick manages check and cash deposits, writing checks and journal entries, weekly and monthly financial reports, speaking with vendors, and various other duties.
He is easy to talk to and a great listener!
"I want to work for an organization that supports people over profits."
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As you begin to make summer plans, please consider joining JFS for the 11th Annual Build-a-Backpack event! Scan the QR code or CLICK below to register for
this year's backpack event!
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JFS proudly honors and celebrates the invaluable contributions of the immigrant community in the Framingham and Metrowest areas.
As a community-based organization, supporting the needs of immigrants in our community is vital to our mission. JFS ensures equity through multi-cultural, multi-lingual, culture-competent staffing. More than 60% of JFS employees, including its CEO, represent ethnic, racial, cultural and/or language minorities. Languages spoken by JFS staff include English, Spanish, Portuguese, ASL, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Hebrew, Italian, French, Chinese, Latvian, Albanian, Pashtu, Dari, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Ido, and other African Dialects.
Watch the video below which celebrates the language diversity of our staff members:
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JFS Stands with LGBTQIA+ Individuals
in Our Pursuit of Social, Academic, and Health Equity.
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Are you in need of mental health services?
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JFS COMMITTEE ON ANTI-RACISM & FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM |
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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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UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES! |
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Join our Virtual Visitor team and connect remotely with an assigned older adult on a weekly, mutually agreed upon schedule.
You’ll reduce social isolation and provide periodic wellness checks to older adults living independently in the community.
You’ll receive training to learn the essential questions to ask related to the elder’s well-being and basic needs.
Virtual Visitor is a flexible volunteer opportunity that can work within your schedule. We ask for a 6-month commitment for this program.
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Interested In Volunteering?
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Need help with an aging loved one?
JFS Geriatric Care Managers can help.
When you need expert guidance navigating the challenges that come with aging, the elder experts of JFS Allies in Aging can help.
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ARE YOU A JEWISH PROFESSIONAL LIVING IN METROWEST?
ARE YOU IN YOUR MID TO LATE CAREER?
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR JOB OR HAD YOUR HOURS CUT?
You may be eligible to participate in an employment project developed by JFS and Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and funded by Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). Ready for Success (RFS) is designed for active job seekers who have a clear career direction, but need some help with job search activities and landing a job.
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JFS Supports Our Veterans |
JFS has a commitment with our partner agencies to ensure
no veteran is left behind.
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Consider a Legacy Gift to JFS of Metrowest
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.
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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 exceeding industry standards,outperforming most charities - only 1% of nonprofit organizations achieve this rating
- JFS serves over 7,500 individuals yearly, 40% of which 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 6 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 over 100 displaced refugees from Syria and Afghanistan 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 Michelle, Douglas, Tom, Anita, Tiffany, Omawali, Shai, Patrick and all who are partnering with JFS to Accelerate Social, Academic and Health Equity in our community.
Your help is needed - get involved today!
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