MEETING THE MOMENT
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR THE NEXT 75 YEARS
OUR HISTORY
1911
RESETTLING EUROPEAN JEWISH FAMILIES
Over 110 years ago, the organization began in the basement of the Dallas Jewish Welfare Federation building (currently the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas) as a response to the critical and urgent need of helping European Jewish families resettle in America. With Texas as their gateway to a new life, these families were met by support systems that evolved into the organization we know today as Jewish Family Service.
1950
JEWISH
FAMILY SERVICE FOUNDED
Following a study conducted by the Social Planning Committee of the Jewish Welfare Federation (JWF), Jewish Family Service was reorganized as a department of the JWF, with the responsibility of conducting the federations activities in the fields of family and individual welfare for children, adults, and older adults.
“We had to educate the community... families have to do more than put bread and butter on the table. We had counseling, children’s behavior, schools, and the elderly to look at. We wanted a professional agency to focus on the whole wide range of family needs.” -Bernie Goldstein, the first Director of JFS
EXPANDING SERVICES AND MISSION
1983
After years of serving as the social service bureau within the Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Service took a bold step and incorporated as an independent organization, becoming a Federation partner agency. The organization continued to grow and evolve, expanding its mission to include vital services in mental health, children’s services, parenting education, family violence intervention, and support for those with special needs.
2001
MOVES INTO ARAPAHO BUILDING
In 2001, we moved into our current building, a place where the organization has continued its mission in meeting the needs of the community. Guided by our strategic plan, JFS continues to move forward with its original purpose and vision and continues its legacy of service for generations to
OUR PRESENT
WHOLE-PERSON CARE
Guided by our Jewish values we take a holistic approach to serving our community, offering comprehensive health services that address physical, emotional, nutritional, and financial well-being, recognizing that all areas of life are connected.
Last year, our efforts empowered, stabilized, and secured the lives of over 16,500 individuals.
ADDITION OF MEDICAL SERVICES
Until March 2024, our holistic approach lacked medical services, limiting our clients’ progress toward self-sufficiency. Struggling to afford primary and preventative health care, they often avoided their medical needs, worsening treatable conditions over time.
With the opening of the JFS Northpoint Health Center, we can now provide affordable, accessible healthcare in North Texas. By offering quality medical care, we have filled the gap in our services to better support those in need.
By 2028, the JFS Community Health Center will:
MEETING THE MOMENT
For almost 75 years, Jewish Family Service has welcomed anyone through our doors regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, or the ability to pay. Our mission is to provide effective and accessible wholeperson care that promotes lifelong self-sufficiency and well-being for the Greater Dallas community.
To build the foundation for the next 75 years, JFS will expand our comprehensive health services, grow our endowment, and create sustainable structures.
• Provide primary care, behavioral health, and dental services to patients of all ages.
• Serve thousands of low-income and high-need individuals who lack access to a medical home.
• Become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), allowing us to access a sustainable funding model for our primary and behavioral health services.
JFS is in a unique area of Dallas that lacks social services for low-income families, often assumed to be affluent due to their zip code. These working poor struggle to access the help they need. Our clients are hidden in plain sight and frequently overlooked, both within our Jewish community and beyond.
There are few agencies in North Texas that offer all of these services in one location. Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas will lead the way.
OUR FUTURE
VISION FOR A NEW JFS
To better meet community needs, serve more clients, improve working conditions for our staff, and bring all our services under one roof, we will secure and renovate a new facility.
This 100,000 sq ft building will include:
• Highly secure reception and entrances
• Expanded Food Pantry shopping and storage areas
• A second primary medical clinic and a dental clinic
• Private spaces for all behavioral health services, case management and support groups
• Play therapy rooms and a sensory gym for children with special needs
• Our accredited PLAN Clubhouse for adults with severe and persistent mental illness
• Dedicated space for packing Kosher Home Delivered Meals
• Computer training rooms and offices for career and financial coaching
• Improved conference rooms, offices, and training facilities
With the new building established, we will significantly increase the number of clients receiving services annually.
of food distributed by the Food Pantry
MEETING THE MOMENT
INNOVATION
WHOLE-PERSON CARE
Investment - $6,000,000
Adding primary care services will enable us to provide whole-person care. These funds cover construction, equipment, and staffing for the first medical clinic until receiving FQHC status and access to enhanced feefor-service revenue. Funds will also be used towards providing the full breadth and depth of our integrated services as we build sustainable structures.
ENDOWMENT
ENSURING THE FUTURE
Investment - $6,000,000
The JFS Foundation ensures the long-term viability of our agency through planned giving and endowments. By investing in our endowment and growing the assets to over $15,000,000 by 2028, the foundation will increase its annual distributions and support the agency’s needs for years to come.
EXPANSION
NEW CAMPUS
Investment - $28,000,000
Expanding our services starts with purchasing and renovating a new facility. Almost four times larger, the new building will include a second medical clinic, dental office, a sensory gym, client meeting and conference rooms, and an enhanced food pantry designed to better serve our community.
IF NOT US, WHO?
We invite you to help shape the future of JFS and the Greater Dallas community by investing in our $40 million comprehensive capital campaign which will fuel innovation, drive expansion, and secure sustainability for our essential services for the next 75 years.
mayalefkovits@jfsdallas.org direct line: 469-496-2575
cbarker@jfsdallas.org direct line: 469-206-1645 Maya Lefkovits Capital Campaign Manager
cwalters@jfsdallas.org direct line: 469-206-1675
lguskin@jfsdallas.org direct line: 469-206-1690 Chris Walters Director of Development