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Hello Friend,
This Pride Month, we honor the strength and resilience of LGBTQ+ refugees and the community of care that surrounds them.
Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision reminds us that our laws and systems do not always protect the most defenseless among us. New state laws across the country are targeting LGBTQ+ youth, restricting their access to affirming care and safe spaces. For many, especially LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution, these challenges add to the hardships they already face.
At JFCS East Bay, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building a world rooted in safety, dignity, and belonging. Even as our LGBTQ+ refugee program is currently paused due to shifts in federal policy, the spirit of that work lives on in the lives we have touched and in the stories that remind us what true welcome looks like.
One such story is Mark’s.
In 2019, Mark, one of our incredible volunteers, opened his home to an LGBTQ+ refugee through JFCS East Bay. What began as a three-month hosting commitment turned into a year of shared life as the pandemic unfolded.
“It was clear there was no way for him to get a job and be on his own during COVID, so he stayed with us,” Mark said. “And over time, he became a friend.”
In February 2025, that friend passed his U.S. citizenship test.
This is what it means to welcome the stranger, a core Jewish value that calls us to offer not just shelter but relationship, not just refuge but belonging. Today, they still share meals, celebrate milestones, and support each other as chosen family.
For LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution, home is not just a place. It is the people who open their hearts and walk alongside them.
Thank you for being part of this community, especially in times like these. Together, we continue to say yes to welcome the stranger.
With gratitude,
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Mercy Willard, EdD
Chief Development Officer, JFCS East Bay
| | Get to Know JFCS East Bay | | ICE Raids Threaten Our Communities and Our Rights | | |
Over the past several days, ICE has carried out sweeping raids across California and the country, detaining people at courthouses, places of worship, and even graduation ceremonies. Attorneys are being blocked from seeing their clients, and fear is growing across immigrant communities.
JFCS East Bay stands firmly against these unjust actions and in support of all who are speaking out.
Read our full statement and stand with us
| | The New Travel Ban Hits Home | | |
The federal government has enacted a sweeping new travel ban, an expansion of the 2017 policy, that now targets 19 countries, many of them Muslim-majority. This action is already having a painful impact on families right here in the East Bay.
Even with months of preparation, the reality is devastating. Families are once again separated. Fear and uncertainty are rising. At JFCS East Bay, we remain committed to telling the human stories behind these policies, and to fighting for a community grounded in justice, dignity, and inclusion.
Contact your elected officials and urge them to speak out against the travel ban and uphold our values of inclusion and justice for all.
Learn more:
New Travel Ban Explained (CNN)
Local Response (KQED)
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JFCS East Bay honors Juneteenth as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and equity. This day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience of Black communities.
As an organization committed to building a more just and inclusive East Bay, we reflect on our responsibility to advance equity and dismantle systemic barriers. Our mission calls us to serve with compassion and cultural humility, and to stand in solidarity with those working for racial justice.
We honor Juneteenth by continuing the work of creating a community where all people can thrive.
| | Walking for Healing and Hope: JFCS East Bay at the Healing Hearts Event | | |
On May 17, JFCS East Bay joined Healing Hearts: Walk/Run/MOVE! for Suicide Prevention at Lake Merritt, hosted by Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. This uplifting event brought the community together in support of mental health.
Our presence reflected the core of our work: providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health care. Last year, we delivered more than 3,000 hours of services to over 1,200 individuals, including 150 children and youth. About 40 percent of our clients are immigrants or refugees who face unique challenges accessing care.
We offer therapy, case management, and crisis support to people of all ages. In a recent survey, 98 percent of clients reported improved emotional well-being. Services are always available regardless of ability to pay.
We were proud to walk alongside community members, partners, and advocates—united in a shared commitment to healing and hope.
| | Celebrating Our Amazing Volunteers: A Heartfelt Thank You | | |
At JFCS East Bay, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Last month, we gathered to honor their incredible dedication at our Volunteer Appreciation event, celebrating over 200 active volunteers who contribute more than 12,000 hours annually to support our community.
During the event, CEO Robin Mencher and Board President Jeff Ilfeld shared important updates, including that we are reconfiguring some of our volunteering options to better meet current and projected community needs in a rapidly changing environment. They also addressed questions about how recent changes in federal policy are impacting the lives of thousands of community members in the East Bay.
Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating the heart and soul of JFCS East Bay, our amazing volunteers whose commitment directly impacts over 3,000 individuals and families each year.
| | Celebrating Mothers, Celebrating Community | | |
Recently, JFCS East Bay hosted a heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration at Hillcrest Community Park in Concord. Over 150 families, children, volunteers, and staff came together for a joyful afternoon filled with connection, laughter, and gratitude.
We are dedicated to supporting more than 3,000 families across generations and backgrounds annually through a wide range of services, including refugee resettlement, early childhood support, mental health care, and services for older adults. Uplifting and supporting caregivers, especially mothers, is central to our work and values.
Attendees enjoyed kids’ activities designed for over 75 children, a delicious lunch and refreshments served to 200 guests, a raffle with more than 30 prizes, and the opportunity to connect with others in the community. The event offered a warm space for families we serve to gather in celebration and for neighbors to strengthen their bonds.
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Supporting Stronger Families:
Culture Orientation on Family Conflict Prevention
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Last month, JFCS East Bay partnered with the Family Justice Center of Contra Costa County to host an online Cultural Orientation session, “Family Conflict Prevention.” This training is part of an ongoing series designed to help newly arrived immigrants adapt to life in the United States by offering essential information and resources.
Over 75 participants from across Alameda and Contra Costa counties joined the Zoom session to learn about common sources of family conflict during the resettlement process. The session offered practical tools for navigating change, promoting healthy communication, and accessing local support services.
At JFCS East Bay, we understand that adjusting to a new culture and environment can put stress on families. These orientations are one way we help individuals feel more confident and connected as they begin their new lives. Our commitment is to support every person in building a future where they can live with safety, dignity, and belonging.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to continuing this work together.
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Staff Spotlight
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Clinician: Sasha Stahl
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Sasha Stahl, MSW, a passionate Child & Adolescent Mental Health Clinician serving families throughout Alameda County. Sasha believes deeply that all children and families deserve access to quality mental health care and resources, a commitment she lives every day in her work providing individualized and developmentally appropriate psychotherapy and case management.
Her role has allowed her to support families in many meaningful ways, from securing funding to help keep a family housed to guiding families through healing cycles of generational trauma. We are grateful for her dedication and the positive impact she brings to our community.
| | Board Spotlight: Harris Mojadedi: | | |
“I Was the Navigator”
Harris Mojadedi’s commitment to refugee advocacy is deeply personal. His family fled Afghanistan in the 1980s after political upheaval, spending years in refugee camps before resettling in the East Bay in 1986.
As a child, Harris helped his parents navigate a new and complex world, translating letters and filling out forms, serving as a vital bridge between his Afghan community and American life.
Though supported by dedicated local activists and social workers, his family faced gaps in services like workforce training and mental health care. Harris serves on the JFCS East Bay board to help fill those gaps and strengthen community support.
“Refugees aren’t burdens, they are neighbors and contributors. Investing in them means investing in our future. My story shows what’s possible when people care.”
Read the full story here.
| | World Refugee Day Is Almost Here - Double Your Impact | | |
This is a powerful opportunity to make twice the difference. From now through June 20, your gift to JFCS East Bay will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000.
As refugee families continue to rebuild their lives in the East Bay, urgent challenges remain. With Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans ending this July, many are at risk of losing legal protections and being returned to dangerous conditions.
JFCS East Bay is responding by:
● Providing legal consultations for those losing TPS
● Filing immigration and asylum applications
● Supporting families from countries where protections have been rescinded
● Offering an array of newcomer support services - from employment to health navigation, to resource navigation - so our new neighbors can thrive
In 2024, we’ve submitted more than 750 legal filings to keep families safe. With your support, we can do even more.
Make your gift by June 20 to double your impact.
| | JFCS East Bay Stands with MAZON to Protect SNAP Access | | |
We join our partners at MAZON in sounding the alarm: the Senate’s proposed budget bill would eliminate SNAP protections for veterans, former foster youth, and people experiencing homelessness. With a vote expected next week, now is the time to act. Click here to take action and help ensure no one is denied access to the food they need.
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Board Game Night at East Bay Community Space (Oakland, CA)
Why be bored when you could board? Join East Bay Community Space every third Thursday for a donation-based game night in the Telegraph Room from 7–11pm. All are welcome, bring games, snacks, and friends!
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Family Drive-In Movie Night (Concord, CA)
Enjoy a classic Drive-In Movie Night in Concord on July 15 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $2 for kids, bring the whole family for a fun evening under the stars!
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Techno Ecstatic Movement (Oakland, CA)
Techno Ecstatic Movement is a free, weekly dance-improv meetup held every Tuesday at East Bay Community Space. Participants gather for an evening of expressive, unstructured movement set to electronic music. The next session takes place July 1.
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(970) 867-5309
515 Ames Blvd
Fort Collins, CO 80521
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