Fall 2018
The Million Dollar Question
“Is JFS trying to do too much?” It’s a common question people have asked me in my new role. My answer is usually, “We recognize that we can’t be everything to everyone but we are something important and life-changing to many”. What that looks like depends on how you come to work with the agency whether as a client, volunteer, lay leader or agency partner.  

So, how do you continue to meet the growing needs of the community, continue to hire and engage trained professionals, enable volunteers to provide meaningful support to our clients and the agency, and help donors to feel guided by and connected through our vision to assist all in need?

That’s the million dollar question now, isn’t it? But, it’s the challenge we at JFS accept and work to meet each and every day. It’s who we are as an agency. Driven by our Jewish values to make the world a better place for those in greatest need.

In being that “something important to many”, we strive to identify and establish critical services that will add value to our client’s lives. As you can read in the recent Annual Report, this included the opening of our first Clubhouse to provide freedom from isolation through a work ordered day for those with persistent, severe mental illness, 21 Transitional Housing apartments for over 40 victims of crime and adding 16 extra Food Pantry appointments, each food distribution day, to address increased requests for food and emergency assistance to name a few. 

As a result of maybe doing a little too much as an agency, many of the lives we touched this fiscal year became emotionally and physically healthier. Over 13,000 of them. 11% more than last year. I have to say. That’s something. 

Thank you for helping us strategically answer that million dollar question and meet the growing needs of our community as a donor, volunteer, lay leader, or agency partner. We can't do it without you.

Sincerely,




Cathy Barker
Interim Chief Executive Officer
SNP Honors Event benefiting the
Special Needs Partnership
Thursday, October 11, 2018
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Congregation Shearith Israel


An event of the Special Needs Partnership at JFS, SNP Honors highlights the important accomplishments and honors outstanding contributors, Melissa and Baer Ackerman & Judy and Jeff Kogutt , for their work in advancing the special needs movement in our community. The event also raises important dollars to support the Partnership’s work year round.
Support the 8th Annual Diaper Shower

Donate All Month Long!

Stock the JFS Food Pantry with infant and adult diapers, pull ups and wipes for community families in need.

Help us reach our goal of 
100,000 diapers again!

Drop off at JFS Food Pantry
Sunday, October 21, 2018
1:00pm - 3:00pm 
5402 Arapaho Road Dallas, TX 75248

"Connections to Your Future" Career Fair
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
11:00am - 2:00pm
The Hilton, Lincoln Centre

Help spread the word! Jewish Family Service is hosting a multi-corporation Career Fair to help people land their dream job! Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Hospitality
  • Customer service
  • Sales
  • Administrative
  • Management
PLAN Clubhouse Open House Delayed
Flooding at PLAN Clubhouse
Only a month after we officially moved into our new PLAN Clubhouse... "PLAN @ 1121 Rock", suffered extensive flooding after an exceptional rainstorm, requiring major remediation. The building will be closed until at least Monday, October 15. All PLAN Activities, including our daily lunches, are now taking place at the Iris Place Community Room.  
Open House Date Change
Due to the flood, our Open House that was scheduled for September 30, will be delayed until
Sunday, October 28, 2018.  The event will begin at 3:00pm. We invite you to come and find out more about the Clubhouse and its resource to the community, as well as meet our Members and Staff. 
JFS Staff Speaker Series:
Program Education for our Community
Volunteers and Community Members are invited to the inaugural Staff Speaker Series at Jewish Family Service. Hear from the professionals about services JFS has to offer and important topics that may be valuable to know in your everyday interactions. Sessions are free of charge, one hour long, and will be held in the JFS Board Room.
Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery
Thanks to over 60 dedicated volunteers, more than 600 members of the community received a Rosh Hashanah package at their door on Sunday, September 9th. The packages, that have become a tradition of our agency, were filled with an apple, honey, grape juice, and a challah roll to ring in the new year with a sweet treat and serve as a reminder of the support they have from the community.
 
An extra big THANK YOU to Nature Nate’s Honey for their generous donation of honey and to Tom Thumb at Preston and Forest for the apples!

Substance Abuse Support Group - Sign up now!

Beginning on October 15, 2018, this group is for anyone that has a family member, spouse, friend or co-worker that has problems with substance use. This group is 6 weeks long and will cover a lot of different topics surrounding the topic of substance use and addiction.

Cost is $10 per session
For more information view the flyer here
Meet Officer Rick Samano!
We are pleased to introduce everyone to the newest JFS Team Member, Officer Rick Samano from Smith Security. 

Thanks to a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, we now have full time security at JFS. We are excited to have him on our team and thank the Federation and the Greater Dallas Jewish community for their support which made this project possible.
Donate Gently-Used Items This Fall
There are multiple locations you can drop off your gently-used items at during the below mentioned hours.

The Resale Shop – Richardson
2120 E. Belt Line, Richardson 75081
Monday-Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm

The Resale Shop – Garland
3338 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 314
Garland, TX 75043
10am-5pm Monday-Saturday

Jewish Family Service
5402 Arapaho, Dallas 75248
Monday-Thursday: 1-5 pm only
Friday: 12:30-4:30 pm only
At JFS please go to the Food Pantry door

Jewish Community Center – JFS Bin
7900 Northaven Rd
Dallas, TX 75230
Bin located in Far North Parking lot
Anytime

Help us spread the word by writing a google review about our two stores
and sharing with friends!
Garland Store:  https://goo.gl/Koxw5E
Richardson Store:  https://goo.gl/PXar7L

Find out about our donation policies by clicking here

Check out our new list of daily specials by clicking here
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