A STRIKING EVENT JUNE 26, 2022
Ravinia Festival | 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, IL
FOOD. MUSIC. RAFFLE.
Musical Performance by TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
HONORING
ADRIENNE & JEFFREY KRIEZELMAN
IRVING B. HARRIS LEADERSHIP AWARD
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JULIE HAMOS
WHAT’S POSSIBLE AWARD
EVENT CO-CHAIRS
Simon Fleischmann and Abby Strauss
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Miles Robin | 224.585.8278 | MilesRobin@JCFS.org Sponsorship opportunities available JCFS Chicago @JCFSChicago JCFSChicago JCFS Chicago JCFS.org
JCFS Chicago is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. We embrace diversity. Our commitment to inclusivity is woven throughout our services, programs and welcoming workplace.
STACEY SHOR
President & CEO JCFS Chicago Spring is always a time for emergence, a celebration of growth and change. That is certainly the case here at JCFS Chicago. NEWS FROM JCFS CHICAGO
Joy Faith Knapp Children’s Center Esther Knapp Campus 3145 W Pratt Blvd Chicago, IL 60645
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WE’RE GREEN!
Defining Moments print edition comes out once a year, but you can get updates, news and events information in our monthly email version. To subscribe, send your name and email address to Communications@JCFS.org or visit JCFS.org! JCFS Chicago is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. We embrace diversity. Our commitment to inclusivity is woven throughout our services, programs and welcoming workplace. Licensed by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
We are proud to celebrate 50 years of addressing the needs of young people and their families through Response for Teens. We kicked off this anniversary year with a record-setting Tuned In: the Larry Dobkin Event. More reunions and events are still to come. Even after half a century of service, Response continues to grow and shift to meet the ever-changing challenges facing teens. We recently launched a new initiative focused on emotional-wellness designed to give teens a place to express themselves through creative activities. These opportunities to connect are just one way JCFS is helping people transition to life beyond the lasting impact of the pandemic. Our programs are addressing long-term mental health needs, job transitions and financial uncertainty. Demand for counseling, job supports, and other services have never been higher. We are grateful that, with the support of JUF, our funders and generous community, we are here to lift those who are struggling. And nowhere is the support of our community more evident than in our HIAS Immigration and Citizenship Refugee Welcome Campaign. After years of limited resettlement, JCFS is once again assisting refugees as they find safety in Chicago. Along with co-sponsoring synagogues, corporations, and individuals, we have already welcomed over 44 people from Afghanistan, 6 new arrivals from Sudan and we are expecting more people from all over the world. In addition, we are poised to welcome those fleeing the violence in Ukraine as we wait for guidance on when refugees will be admitted and if it will be through a traditional pathway or a new program. Again, we are grateful to partner with the community in all of our work. Together, we can lift every neighbor.
Stacey Shor President & Chief Executive Officer
HONORING THE LEGACY OF SERGIO CAMARILLO
Robin Clark with his Aunts
Sergio Camarillo was an exceptional person, not only as part of JCFS Chicago but with everyone he met throughout his life. Thus, it was with much sadness to everyone who knew him when he passed away from Covid-19 last year. The Sergio Camarillo Impact Award was created to honor his memory and legacy. Sergio worked for JVS/JCFS for almost seventeen years as a Vocational Trainer at the Madden Mental Health Center in Hines, Illinois, and Parkhurst Army Reserve Center in Darien. As a Vocational Trainer he provided instruction, guidance, and training to numerous workers with disabilities, many of whom had never been gainfully employed before. Sergio was a devoted team member of Contracted Employment Services (CES) who consistently wore a smile and always had a positive, upbeat attitude. He willingly filled in at other sites as needed and often worked weekends and evenings to assist with special projects. He performed personal acts of kindness for his colleagues and was a good friend to many. He understood the importance of work in our client’s lives and did everything possible to help them be successful. He had a knack for developing creative solutions to the barriers many of them faced. Oftentimes his clients moved on from his sites to one with more responsibility – or to competitive
employment – embodying our mission of helping people achieve their highest individual potential. With his passing, and to honor Sergio, CES thought it would be appropriate to create an award for clients that best represented who Sergio was in spirit, action, and deeds. After announcing the Sergio Camarillo Impact Award, Sergio’s colleagues began nominating potential candidates. There were a wide variety of nominations of welldeserving clients, but when the votes were counted, the inaugural Sergio Camarillo Impact Award went to Robin Clark. For more than 20 years, he was always Sergio’s right hand man at the Madden Mental Health Facility, and in a lot of ways served as a team lead at that facility. Robin also helped Sergio with some of his project work on weekends at other locations. Most importantly, Robin was the glue that really held everything together after Sergio’s passing. It was several months before a replacement supervisor was found, but Robin - thanks to Sergio’s mentorship made it an easy transition. “Sergio Camarillo was a dedicated employee, friend, father, and husband who will be deeply missed by all,” said Eric Kramp, Director of Contracted Employment Services. “The loss of Sergio is still deeply felt among the CES team and will be felt some time to come, but through the Sergio Camarillo Impact Award his legacy will live on.”
JCFS SIBSHOPS PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR SIBLINGS
SibShops is a program designed to provide siblings of children with special needs their own place to share common joys and concerns. JCFS Chicago uses the SibShop model, created by Don Meyer of the Sibling Support Project. Founded in 1990, the Sibling Support Project has published numerous books, magazines, and online communities dedicated to educating siblings on how to help and cope with these types of family issues. Think of SibShops as special events, rather than therapy or childcare. They are intended to be fun, energetic, and full-throttle celebrations of the relationships between siblings of kids with special needs. SibShops acknowledge that being the sibling of a person with special needs can be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding and powerful. These events reinforce that siblings have a lot to offer one another – when given a chance.
“When you think about it, the sibling relationship is often the longest relationship anyone will have in their lives,” said Tammy Besser, LCSW, NCG and JCFS SibShops organizer. SibShops alternate between group talk sessions with some wacky and offbeat games designed for all ages and stages. There are also cooking, art, and sporting activities for anyone who would like to join. Because SibShops are designed for school-age children, peer support is provided within a lively, recreational context that emphasizes a kids’-eye view. Even though SibShops are not therapy, they can have a therapeutic effect on many children who get involved. SibShops acknowledge that most siblings of people with special needs, like their parents, are doing well, despite the challenges of an illness or disability. Consequently, while SibShop facilitators always keep an eye open for participants who may need additional services, the SibShop model takes a wellness approach. During the pandemic, JCFS’ SibShops were forced to go virtual. “At first, we were worried the events wouldn’t be much fun if they weren’t in person,” said Tammy, “But the kids have been having a fun time with virtual scavenger hunts and showand-tell.” JCFS will continue to offer both virtual and inperson SibShops this spring. For more information about dates and times visit JCFS.org.
A WELCOMING PLACE FOR REFUGEES
Apartment 201 is quiet. The front door opens to clean hallways and white walls, all empty except for a few colorful, handwritten welcome signs. The kitchen is stocked, and the living room has a cheery red couch perfect for a movie night. Each bedroom is modest and cozy; the kids’ beds have stuffed animals propped on pillows, arms reaching out as though asking to be held. Everything is ready. Now it just needs a family to make it a home. For over a century, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship has supported immigrants and refugees seeking a safe place to call home. Founded in the early 1900’s and based on the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, Tzedakah, and Bruchim Ha’bayim, the organization has resettled thousands of refugees. Currently, HIAS is focused on the Refugee Resettlement and Placement Program, aimed at relocating refugees from around the world who all share the common wish to find safe place to start anew. Jessica Schaffer, Director of HIAS Immigration & Citizenship, speaks animatedly about the Refugee Resettlement Program. “Our program was on hold for about 2 years, and when President Biden came into office, we saw it as an opportunity to resume this work. We had ten weeks to get everything up and running before our first Afghan family arrived in January 2022.” Jamshid Daudzai is a Case Manager for HIAS. He assists refugees with their resettlement for the first four months, from the moment they arrive at the
airport. For Jamshid, his job is especially bittersweet. “I first arrived in this country four years ago and had to depend on the support of others for the first month…I understand their feelings, and I share my own, which gives them hope and helps them feel better.” The Refugee Resettlement Program is a major undertaking that JCFS does not handle alone. Our co-sponsors are an invaluable group who volunteer their time and resources to help each refugee’s adjustment go smoothly. Samantha DeKoven, Chair of Anshe Emet’s Social Justice Committee, is proud to be a co-sponsor through her congregation. Samantha believes “the refugee story is such a strong component of Jewish history. It is incredibly gratifying to participate in the good work of helping create a welcoming place for people fleeing persecution, war, political unrest, or other devastating situations.” Getting the refugees to the United States is an incredible challenge. Helping them integrate into society is a whole other one. Services include financial assistance, supplying food and clothing, and health screenings. Jamshid describes: “I apply for benefits on their behalf, assist them with health appointments, enroll their children in school, refer them to ESL classes and legal assistance.” Even after the refugees have settled in, HIAS and co-sponsors continue to be involved. Some get to know the families well, often playing games with the children and providing tutoring. Jessica explains, “This is really
PARTNER WITH HIAS
Co-sponsor group from Anshe Emet Synagogue in Lakeview welcomed a sibling group from Afghanistan in January.
their next chapter. It’s so meaningful to be a part of this and help plant the seeds that will hopefully allow for a lot of growth.” Jamshid has found “Chicagoans to be receptive to strangers” and feels connected to the community, as both an immigrant and a HIAS case worker. For Jessica, working at HIAS is more than a job. “My grandparents were Holocaust survivors and my mother was a resettled refugee when she was 3. We are providing the support my family received. I love being able to pay it forward in such a personal, moving way.” By the end of the year, HIAS will have welcomed 130 refugees from all over the world, including 70 people from Afghanistan. For Jessica, she is proud not only of the brave immigrants, but of the people she works with every day who set the stage for the refugees to succeed. “I think of the multitude of needs that our staff works to address. As a resettlement provider there is a list of things we are required to do…but there is so much more that happens in between those essential services.” At JCFS, we are committed to lifting up our neighbors, whether they were born here or elsewhere, providing services throughout Chicagoland. The Refugee Resettlement Program is a full-scale community effort, welcoming immigrants into a new life where they will someday feel at home. Visit JCFS.org/hias to learn more about HIAS Immigration and Citizenship.
When HIAS Immigration & Citizenship reopened our Refugee Resettlement and Placement Program we knew that we couldn’t do it alone. The cosponsorship program was created so communities can partner with HIAS to welcome refugees and provide support as they adjust to their new home, ensuring that each family’s needs are met and that they are on their way to self-sufficiency. Each co-sponsor is asked to raise a minimum dollar amount for the Welcome Campaign, set up the apartment for their matched family and assist them for three months post-arrival. Beginning with welcoming the family at the airport and taking them to their new home, volunteer tutors help the family with English language learning and/or homework assistance for school-aged children. Mentors provide rides to appointments, help the family access community resources, and support them as they settle in. Volunteers are with our new friends every step of the way. When asked what surprised them most, the core team of Arlene Brimmer, Fern Funk, Michael Gurin, Carol Miller, and Joan Zahnle, from cosponsor Aitz Hayim Center for Jewish Living in Glencoe, said, “Everyone showed such generosity and were so willing to help others even as they were adapting to their new lives in Chicago. One young man befriended two other refugees in his building and all three of them volunteered with us at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Their willingness to be involved in their communities is inspiring.” The support that volunteers from our cosponsoring groups provide is often the most meaningful part of the relationship. “Even when we have nothing in common, we can enrich each other’s lives.” For more information about co-sponsorship, contact ElanaBoiskin@JCFS.org.
COLLABORATION SUPPORTS CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
For over a year, Jennie Marble, Director of JCFS Integrated Pediatric Therapies (IPT), has been cultivating a relationship with program staff from Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (JFS) in Boca Raton, Florida. Having the need to set-up a pediatric therapy clinic within their own agency, JFS Florida embarked on a months-long research process and found that JCFS Chicago offered one of the only pediatric developmental therapies models within a Jewish social service agency in the nation. With our IPT program (speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy) embedded in the agency, we can also connect children and families with other services that support the whole family, such as counseling, respite, adult independent living, community supports, and employment guidance, which sets us apart from other agencies. Since it was not feasible to meet in-person last year, Jennie used Zoom to provide consult and virtual tours of our clinic to JFS staff. Advice and conversation were had on everything from the type of chairs we use and how to design a Snoezelen room (specialized sensory experience space) to funding sources and insurance contracts. Aliyah Longhurst, Director of Toby and Leon Cooperman Therapy and Family Resource Center and Beth Levine, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of JFS were so impressed by what they saw that they wanted to see the IPT clinic firsthand. So, Aliyah and Beth came to Chicago in
(Left to rigth) Stacey Shor, JCFS President and Chief Executive Officer; Aliyah Longhurst, Director of Toby and Leon Cooperman Therapy and Family Resource Center; Jennie Marble, JCFS Director of Integrated Pediatric Therapies; Karen Corken, JCFS Chief Operating Officer; Marlies Gramann, JCFS Associate Vice President of Disability Services; Beth Levine, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, JFS Florida. March 2022. They toured the clinic at the Abe and Ida Cooper Center and met with the JCFS executive team and program directors and staff who gave an overview of the agency’s structure, operations, and how our counselors, therapists, educators, employment specialists and others collaborate across our family of services to meet the needs of our clients. “This was an excellent opportunity to highlight the good work we do, and to foster shared learning and knowledge between sister agencies to support people of all ages and abilities,” said Jennie. JFS Florida is planning to officially open their pediatric therapy clinic in summer 2022. “We look forward to the potential for cross-consultation once JFS’ clinic is up and running,” added Jennie. “Partnership and collaboration can go a long way in helping children with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families build a quality life and become integral members of their communities.”
MAKE A DONATION
At any time, you can make a meaningful donation to JCFS Chicago either online at JCFS.org/donate or through the mail. Your tax-deductible contribution brings the gift of health, hope, and better lives to thousands in our community who need it most. Once again, this year, thanks to a challenge grant from an anonymous donor, all new and increased donations will be matched, doubling the impact you can have.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP
Log into AmazonSmile, choose JCFS Chicago as your charity, and make a purchase. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to JCFS Chicago. Amazon Prime still applies, and no extra surcharges are applied to your account.
SEND A TRIBUTE CARD
Whether it’s a Happy Birthday, In Honor of, Sympathy, or all-around Mazel Tov, JCFS Chicago has the right Tribute Card for you! Order online at JCFS.org, 24 hours a day!
BUY AND GIVE
For many of the families served by JCFS Chicago, tangible basic needs are out of financial reach. Through in-kind donations, JCFS can fill these otherwise unmet needs. Particular items are in higher demand than others, so please visit JCFS.org/donate/make-gift/kind-donations or call 773.467.3746 to see which items are need most and how you can purchase them online.
DONATE YOUR CAR
Thinking about selling you car, boat, motorcycle, truck, or another vehicle? Donate it to JCFS Chicago instead! Our Vehicle Donation Program converts your car into funds to support our family of services. Includes free pick-up! Call our dedicated toll-free number, 855.700.JCFS (855.700.5237).
JCFS.org | ResourceDevelopment@JCFS.org | 773.467.3895
50 YEARS OF EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE
Drug paraphernalia in Lerner Park was just one sign that there was a growing crisis facing teens in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. In 1972, a group of Jewish Federation agencies with both resources and expertise came together to start The Drug Response Program. The consortium of Jewish Children’s Bureau, Jewish Family and Community Service, Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Vocational Service, and Mount Sinai Hospital was formed to provide counseling, outreach, and medical assistance. As time passed, it made sense for Jewish Children’s Bureau to take the lead because of their clinical expertise and the work they were already doing in the community. The relationship was formalized, and Response for Teens opened its doors. From its inception 50 years ago, Response for Teens has always been about seeing the needs of young people and responding with relevant services.
“Outreach workers set out to build trust with teens by going where they were known to hang out, like the beach, the park or local hot dog stand, using these informal conversations as the first step toward getting the help they needed,” said Sara Manewith, Director of Response for Teens. Counseling focused on depression and problems at home, leading to counseling for the kids of Holocaust survivors whose internal conflict was affecting the whole family. The original medical unit was intended only for pregnancy testing but over time was adjusted to meet the needs of both girls and their partners. The medical staff eventually extended the clinic hours so local high school students could get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and have access to contraception options after their school day ended when they were more likely to seek help.
Outreach eventually moved into local schools, and workers shifted their efforts to classroom topics relevant to youth and began leadership training to help teens develop the skills and confidence to be both a great peer leader and competent adult. Operation Snowball started as a substance abuse prevention program in the mid-80s and is now an annual weekend retreat for teens to express themselves, build self-esteem and learn leadership skills while making their voices heard. As teens and their families were faced with more complex issues, the need for counseling services and support groups increased. And when the AIDS epidemic was affecting much of the country, Response developed a peer leadership program that educated young people about the risks of HIV/AIDS. In 1992, volunteers who committed to generously giving their time and resources to support the work and plan for the future of Response, formed the Lay Response Council or LRC. An integral part of the success of the program, the LRC helped to secure additional funding for the growing need for services. Eventually the LRC became the Response Advisory Council or RAC as it is known today. To bolster funding for Response, the first Tuned In event was held in 2008 and showcased teens from area high schools. In honor of Larry Dobkin’s commitment to Response and his 20-year tenure as the chair of the LRC, the event was renamed to be Tuned In: The Larry Dobkin Event in recognition of his tireless work on behalf of Response. Response continued to provide sexual and reproductive health services for young adults until 2019, when funding issues forced the program to stop offering these services and focus on sexual health education, touching thousands more young people with information and resources.
Keeping up with community need and creating relevant programming is part of the rich history of Response. Cult prevention in the 70s was replaced with AIDS awareness in the 80s. Relaxed emigration restrictions in the 90s resulted in programming focused on Soviet teens starting a new life in the United States. The birth of social media and rise in cell phone use of the 2000s saw typical teen issues impacting younger kids, and relationships with middle schools were developed. When teens became more open about sexual orientation and their journey of self-discovery, Response began programming for the LGBTQ+ community. And now today, as we begin to see the effects of the pandemic on teen mental health, we are shifting to provide vital services. “In the future, it’s going to be something different, but the needs of these teens and how we work with them will be the same,” said Stacey Shor, President and CEO of JCFS Chicago. Adolescence is a time of tremendous flux, of demanding independence and of searching for their place in the world. Sara adds, “Response for Teens is here, as we have been for 50 years, evolving to meet the needs of teens today. We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Response for Teens throughout the year. Look for special posts on social media, a new history section on our website and we have a brand new video on our YouTube channel.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORTED A FAMILY IN TRANSITION
In partnership with the Jewish United Fund (JUF), JCFS Chicago’s Financial Assistance Program has issued $2.2 million to people in the community since May 2020. Clients typically receive food assistance and help paying utility bills and several months of rent. However, certain cases require JCFS’ dedicated caseworkers to go above and beyond simply providing financial relief and look at additional supports that could help people get to a better place in life. A few months ago, we received a referral about a special case in which a young mother, Juanita*. and her two little girls were fleeing an abusive home in Mexico. Her caseworker, Marizela, worked tirelessly to help this woman find trusted resources and security during a grim time of transition. Juanita arrived in the United States with help from HIAS National before making her way to Chicago. She fled Mexico because her husband had been sexually abusive to her children, and she was now seeking asylum in the United States. As a condition of her entry, she had to have a sponsor, so she sought out her aunt and her uncle and stayed with them in Chicago. After a few weeks, Marizela discovered that Juanita’s relatives were taking the food assistance and donations she had received and keeping them for themselves. On top of that, there were situations when the relatives became physically violent with Juanita if she confronted them. As Marizela spoke to Juanita, she realized that JCFS was her only option for help and this woman desperately needed advocacy on top of financial support. Marizela knew that this was a special case
and one where we would be able to assist. Marizela connected Juanita with an immigration lawyer who explained her legal status and the necessary next steps and parameters needed to grant her asylum. Through our Financial Assistance program, JCFS helped Juanita rent a hotel room, and find a domestic violence shelter so that she could secure longer term housing, support, and counseling. JCFS also provided additional funds for food and transportation so that Juanita could focus on the health and safety of her and her children. With Marizela on her side and JCFS services lined up, Juanita obtained the space and safety she needed to transition to a stable life. She finally had the time and support to evaluate her options so she could determine the best path forward for her and her children. “JCFS is not a typical financial assistance program. Each case is treated with dignity and respect and offered trauma-informed care throughout the process. JCFS is proud to partner with those who have encountered challenging situations in their life and support and empower them to determine their best path forward,” said Kathleen Gerhold, Assistant Vice President, Programs and Operations All the available funds allocated for the pandemic emergency response financial assistance program have been distributed. In the spring of 2022, we will begin to collaborate with people looking for financial counseling services, which include money management education and resources in support of sustainability and stability. For more information call 855.275.5237.
STUDENTS GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE
Stop in the Life Skills Room at the Knapp School & Yeshiva between 8:30-10am, and treat yourself to a premium cappuccino or espresso, courtesy of our amazing high school students. Carrie Patterson, Work Development and Transition Specialist at Knapp School, oversees job programming and skill development among students. To begin training students in practical employment skills in an easy and useful way, Carrie created School Grounds, a makeshift coffee shop within the school where students serve as volunteer baristas. “It was a fantastic way to teach them soft skills that are really important for employment, like customer service and social skills,” said Carrie Patterson. “But I remember one student saying that they wanted to get a real job outside of school and suggested fast food to me.” In response, Carrie began reaching out to local fast-food restaurants and was delighted to find a partnership with Culver’s, which has never been a participant in a work program before. “Culver’s was perfect because they said it would be important to helping their current employees learn how to work with people from all backgrounds,” said Carrie.
Kelvin Warner, a Knapp School job coach, takes two students to Culver’s five days a week. The students are excelling at their new responsibilities; Culver’s manager is even considering promoting one student to cashier and hiring her permanently. Other institutions from neighboring communities have turned into resources for students to hone their job skills. Students volunteer at the Chicago Chesed Fund, a Lincolnwood food pantry, where they learn logistics and organization by coordinating the food pantry stocks. “The Skokie Public Library has been awesome, one of our classrooms is going every Thursday to utilize STEM kits, 3-D printing, or record music and use their art rooms,” said Carrie. “One of our students even got hired there through JVS Career Services.” Through our family of services, Knapp School collaborates with JVS Career Services to help students build their resumes and enhance their job interview skills. “At Knapp School, we believe an area of focus, especially for our middle and high school students, is employment. We believe planning and early preparation for successful entry into the job market is crucial,” adds Carrie.
RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT FENTANYL
Since March 2020, when Covid-19 first altered our daily lives, public health officials warned of a potential surge in drug overdoses. Experts feared the pandemic could produce conditions that would further increase overdoses and deaths, such as social isolation, higher rates of anxiety and other mental health concerns, and disrupted access to addiction treatment and recovery supports. Unfortunately, these predictions have been realized. For example, provisional data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate that there were a record 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021, the highest number of fatal drug overdoses ever recorded in the US. Approximately ¾ of these overdose deaths were due to opioids, primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent and is being unleashed by bad actors into the black-market drug supply. “We have to let people know that fentanyl is here -it’s deadly in minute quantities, it can be invisible, and is being added to a wider variety of recreational and illicit drugs than ever before,” says Dr. Beth Fishman, Manager of Addiction Services at JCFS Chicago. In order to inform Chicago’s Jewish community and thereby reduce the harm fentanyl can cause, Beth and her team, along with staff from JCFS Response for Teens, wrote three Fentanyl Alerts: for the general population, for parents, and for youth. The Fentanyl Alerts serve to educate individuals, families, and community organizations about fentanyl and suggest safeguarding steps. The
Fentanyl Alerts have been widely distributed to synagogues, Jewish schools, camps, other Jewish communal organizations, and the community atlarge. The alerts can be found on JCFS.org. What can you do? Share these alerts with your loved ones and your communities. Tell your friends, neighbors, and networks. If you have children, talk to them often about making safe, healthy decisions when it comes to drug use. JCFS’ addiction services is now partnering with Live4Lali, a local nonprofit, to provide community training about fentanyl and how to use the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone (brand name Narcan). Live4Lali was founded by a Jewish family who lost their son to opioid overdose; the organization’s mission includes reducing all harm associated with substance use. To that end, many resources are provided that promote prevention, safety, and self-efficacy. “We are thrilled to work with JCFS Chicago to provide fentanyl trainings,” said Laura Fry, Executive Director of Live4Lali. “We want people to know they can turn to us. Addiction is a Jewish issue, and recovery is real; we are here to help,” adds Beth. JCFS addiction services supports individuals and families struggling with addiction and in recovery and works with Jewish organizations to create compassionate responses to addiction’s many challenges. Contact us if you have specific concerns about your own or a loved one’s drug use or other addictive behavior, or to schedule a community education program: BethFishman@JCFS.org or 855.275.5237
Determining if a Service Dog is Right for You Service dogs have become increasingly commonplace in recent years as experts have discovered how useful they can be for accommodating people with disabilities. However, they are often confused with “emotional support” animals, another recent trend. The true definition of a service dog (or in some cases, a miniature horse) is that they are individually trained to do work or perform a task for someone with a disability. “Service dogs are really valuable for helping their owners become more independent,” said Kathryn Dougherty, a Case Worker at JCFS Chicago and a proponent of service dogs.
Career and Employment Resources When Natalie’s job turned into a toxic work environment, she left the position after 15 years and turned to JVS Career Services, lacking self-confidence and unsure of her next steps. After partnering with a career counselor, Natalie worked toward her next employment goal and established several job search strategies. She attended career counseling sessions to learn how to successfully transition to a new job, attended multiple workshops to build her knowledge and skills, and
“They help people feel more confident and in control of their surroundings.” Chris and Damon (pictured above) represent one incredible case of how a service dog can change someone’s life. Damon was a donation to the organization Retrieving Freedom, a nonprofit that provides extensive service training to dogs. After two years of training, Damon was assigned to Chris, a 14-year-old boy with autism. Damon helps Chris with a few specific mitigation tasks. Chris tends to wander off on his own, so Damon is trained to spot that and give Chris a friendly reminder to focus on his surroundings. When Chris is in school and therapy, Damon will put his head in Chris’ lap for general anxiety relief, calming him down. The presence of the dog also helps with stressful situations like doctors’ visits. “The first time Damon accompanied Chris to the doctor, the doctor was raving at how easy an appointment it was. He totally makes Chris feel calm,” said Elizabeth Geller, Chris’ mother. “The bond between the two of them is just unbelievable.” If you think a service dog may be the right choice for you or your loved ones’ situation, check out Canines for Disabled Kids and Retrieving Freedom to learn more.
participated in the Motivation and Accountability group to receive support and stay focused. With her career counselor’s help, Natalie selectively sent out resumes and expanded her professional network. After only two months of assistance, she was offered a new position in her chosen field. Now Natalie is equipped and excited to begin this new chapter in her life. JVS Career Services is one of 19 agencies offering career and employment
25,244
total number of people impacted by JCFS Chicago services
757
clients received mental health services through our counseling programs
$1,439,693 cash grants distributed to 736 people who benefited from our financial counseling services
resources through Project EM, a national initiative, created to support individuals struggling to secure employment. By providing coaching, training, skill building, and the needed support to find a good job that pays a living wage Project EM empowers jobseekers to find meaningful work. For more information call 855.275.5237.
The mission of JCFS Chicago is to provide help, healing and caring services infused with Jewish values to strengthen lives in the community.
JCFS.org
Joy Faith Knapp Children’s Center Esther Knapp Campus 3145 W Pratt Blvd. Chicago, IL 60645