Jewish Family Service Annual Report 2016

Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley helps individuals and families to live healthier and more stable lives by providing social services, professional counseling, education and community programs.

You make life-changing connections possible.

No one in our community should s

emotional or physical distress, or lack o

Feeding families at Thanksgiving With the help of the Jewish Federation's Young Adult Division and PJ Library, JFS volunteers were able to package enough food to feed nearly 40 families in need last Thanksgiving. “Everyone here is so nice that I don’t feel ashamed” of needing food assistance, one recipient said.

Riding in style At the "On the Road" fundraiser, JFS supporters enjoyed a fun-filled night with vintage cars and decadent desserts.

Proceeds from the event helped enhance our transportation programs for seniors.

"To everything there is a season."

- Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

Making mezuzot with seniors When cold winter winds drove everyone inside, students from Lehigh University Hillel joined us in a special mitzvah project to help seniors at Cedarbrook Nursing Home make mezuzot for their rooms.

Farming for fresh produce Thanks to a partnership with a community farm, volunteers like Albert Derby can use their spare time to deliver fresh vegetables from the farm to the food pantry at JFS. According to Rose Miller, food pantry coordinator, fresh vegetables are among the most popular items and families are extremely grateful to have a healthy option to prepare.

Produce delivery is one of many ways to get involved with JFS and help others.

suffer hunger, isolation, abandonment, of community support and caring.

“Many of the people I drive have similar backgrounds to my grandmother, so it makes me feel at home.

“ The staff at JFS are friendly and warm.

When you come here, you feel really good.

You not only get help, but emotional support and these people really care. They greet you by name and it's personal."

They all have very interesting stories, they’ve lived very vibrant lives, and aside from appreciating the ride, I think they appreciate meeting the people – and the same goes for me."

– Mary Beth Watson, cancer survivor and Food Pantry client

– Amy Ruth Singer Douglass, GO Program volunteer

Approximately 1/4 of our counseling clients pay little or no fee for our services.

There were 1,457 visits to the Community Food Pantry by 380 families.

50 seniors per month received a visit from one of our friendly staff members.

We doubled our number of volunteers who donate their time to help members of our community.

WHAT WE DID THIS YEAR

GO Program volunteers drove 13,642 miles to help older adults reach doctors' appointments, the grocery store and more.

In the next year, we will continue to be an agency of excellence and strive to become a go-to resource for the Jewish community for volunteer training, social service needs, resources, and referrals.

Jewish Family Service is a resource for the community, made possible by the community.

Our shared value of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – compels us to work together to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient Lehigh Valley for all of us.

Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families across our community.

VOLUNTEER

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Volunteers are the heart of JFS. With volunteer opportunities across our agency, we can help you find a meaningful, rewarding way to give back.

GIVE

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When you donate to JFS, you’re supporting more than an agency— you’re investing in individuals and families right here in our community working hard to change their lives.

STAY CONNECTED

www.jfslv.org/volunteer | (610) 821-8722

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Join the conversation and be the first to hear inspiring stories, community news and exciting ways to get involved with JFS.

MAKE A GIFT www.jfslv.org/donate | (610) 821-8722

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2004 W. Allen Street, Allentown, PA 18104 | (610) 821-8722 | info@jfslv.org | www.jfslv.org