FAMILYmatters IN THIS ISSUE
HONORING OUR COMMUNITY’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 p. 2
MEETING THE NEED
STAYING CONNECTED TO OLDER ADULTS
OUR RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
p. 3 JOB COACHING GOES VIRTUAL p. 4 LOCAL TEACHER DELIVERS LESSON IN KINDNESS p. 5
While keeping health and safety our top priority, we quickly mobilized to transform our services to meet the emerging needs of the community during the pandemic. Jewish Family Service has not only been providing vital services to our clients but to individuals and families throughout Colorado in response to COVID-19. Many have lost their jobs, making it difficult to pay bills, buy food to feed their families, and they are feeling stressed and anxious. To practice social distancing, we changed the Weinberg Food Pantry to a drive-up model, providing prepacked boxes of food to anyone in the community experiencing food insecurity with no documentation or sign-up needed. During the month of April, we served more than 150 families each day through the food pantry and deliveries. That is a 400% increase from our pre-COVID-19 operations.
EMERGENCY LUNCHBOX EXPRESS: FEEDING HUNGRY KIDS p. 4
SUMMER 2020
Staff and volunteers have been reaching out to older adults and clients with disabilities to ensure they are supported and not further isolated due to this crisis. We continue to deliver groceries and kosher meals, pick up
medications, and complete other errands for our older adult clients to minimize their need to go out. JFS therapists made the change from in-person sessions to teletherapy for mental health clients, including school-based youths we serve through our KidSuccess program. Teletherapy services are available to any individuals in the community that may have been impacted by the stress of COVID-19. Our therapists are offering several virtual wellness groups. The employment department continues to work with active clients by providing job development and job coaching mentorship over the phone or electronically. To help prevent homelessness, our Emergency Assistance Program is providing those who are struggling financially with payments for mortgage and rent, utilities, and prescriptions. JFS has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways, and we are committed to continuing our efforts, adjusting and adapting as needed.
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CLIENT IMPACT THE FIRST DAY On March 17—the first day we began our drive-up food pantry and opened it to anyone in need—an older woman using a walker arrived by bus. Mary told our CEO, Linda, that she is caring for her four grandchildren because their mother is in jail. She further relayed that she didn’t have any food or diapers in her house. Until she could get diapers, the babies were wearing paper towels. We not only gave Mary food and diapers, but also called and paid for a taxi to take her home, as it would be difficult to manage all the boxes on the bus. She was so appreciative. This story is just one example of how our caring community has helped vulnerable families during this pandemic.
FROM THE CEO Dear Friends, I hope that you and your families have stayed healthy and safe during these challenging times. Our shared values of G’milut Hassadim, acts of loving kindness, and Tzedakah, the obligation to act justly toward people in need, guide our community-wide response to the coronavirus. A lot has changed over the last three months, but one thing that remains the same is the generosity of our donors, Board, staff, volunteers, partners, and the community. You have answered our calls for support through donations of food, supplies, and money to meet the increasing demands for services. When we were running low on diapers and wipes, you provided 16,000 diapers. When we needed egg cartons and plastic grocery bags, your response was so overwhelming that the donations filled an entire room! Every time we need volunteers to assist in the food pantry or with our Lunchbox Express program, you sign up. Our team is working hard each day, overcoming challenges, and adapting to ensure that those in need are not forgotten. I am truly grateful for their dedication, flexibility, and compassion. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to JFS and the community we serve. With warm regards,
Linda P. Foster President and CEO
Family Matters is a quarterly publication of Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231
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HONORING OUR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 CRISIS Extraordinary. Unbelievable yet believable. Overwhelming outpouring of support. These are a few terms we’ve heard from our Volunteer Services team in the last few months regarding the community response to requests for help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
feeling powerless during this pandemic. Volunteerism empowers you to make a difference, helps you get through difficult times, and allows us to feel like a part of something. People are craving that need to help right now and I see it happening all around us.”
While we’ve always had a strong community of volunteers and supporters, we’ve never seen this number of people rally so quickly to help…not only our current volunteers, but other individuals and families throughout the metro Denver area.
The response we have received from volunteers is extraordinary. Tasks include sorting food, packing boxes, distributing boxes, assisting with the arrival of donations, and delivering food to homebound clients.
Nancy Benyamin, director of Volunteer Services, says, “So many of us are
Volunteer staffing for these immediate and critical needs have been achieved through a host of recruitment efforts
throughout the Denver community, including, but not limited to: the current JFS active volunteer mailing list; posts on VolunteerMatch, Spark the Change, Idealist, Help Colorado Now, and Mile High United Way; outreach to local civic, youth, and faith groups; communication with local synagogues, Jewish organizations including JEWISHcolorado, Denver Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and Ekar Farm; and the help of JFS staff, families, Board members, and donors. The community has rallied in other ways, too, such as providing check-in calls to isolated older adults; distributing and delivering kosher lunches to JFS at the JCC participants; delivering groceries to homebound families; donating food, diapers, Passover food, or money in Denver and Boulder; and sharing our requests on social media. In fact, because of all the social media shares, many of the volunteers are new to JFS. Nancy adds, “We’ve always seen our community give of themselves and knew what our volunteers were capable of but have never seen it in such a massive way. This outpouring of support is both believable and unbelievable at the same time. It gives us hope for the future of our community and the world. The response has been truly inspirational and fuels us to keep going every day.” We’re not sure how much longer this crisis will continue, but there are two things we do know: JFS will always be here to serve individuals and families in need and the community will always volunteer to help us accomplish that! For the latest volunteer opportunities, visit jewishfamilyservice.org/volunteer.
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STAYING CONNECTED TO OLDER ADULTS DURING THE PANDEMIC The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our Aging Care & Connections department and the more than 450 older adult clients it serves. Bernice, a 90-yearold resident at Kavod Senior Life, has received JFS services for many years. She lives alone and struggles with several health challenges.
It gets very lonely and I appreciate Mako’s sweet, caring phone calls. —BERNICE
Before the pandemic, a JFS homemaker cleaned her apartment every two weeks, which she greatly misses and looks forward to receiving this service again when it’s safe. Her care manager, Mako Osman, calls her weekly to check-in, which Bernice says is “so wonderful in these times. I feel like someone is looking out for me.”
NOW AVAILABLE: 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Read about the agency’s 2019 accomplishments at jewishfamilyservice.org/about-jfs/financials.
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THE POWER OF POTENTIAL. THE PROMISE OF HOPE. ANNUAL REPORT
Bernice only leaves her apartment for 30 minutes a day to take a walk and is otherwise in her apartment the rest of the day. “It gets very lonely and I appreciate Mako’s sweet, caring phone calls.” JFS also recently helped pay for medications that Bernice was unable to buy and delivered them to her. Bernice adds, “I cannot say enough good words about Jewish Family Service. I appreciate everything they did for me in the past and continue to do.” As one of the only aging service providers accepting new referrals, care managers are experiencing an influx in calls for assistance. Staff members are continuing to support our 75+ Holocaust survivor clients with frequent reassurance calls, delivering pantry boxes, doing personal grocery shopping, and providing prescription pick-up and delivery. We’re also delivering kosher meals to homebound older adults and distributing kosher meals to older adults at the JCC. For more information about our Aging Care & Connections services, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/acc.
EMERGENCY LUNCHBOX EXPRESS: FEEDING HUNGRY KIDS With school closures due to COVID-19, many districts set up school-based lunch sites. Unfortunately, for some children getting to these sites is not an option. To respond to the large number of children who, for a variety of reasons, cannot access existing school-based
lunch sites, we launched our Emergency Lunchbox Express program. We are delivering meals to seven locations that include large housing projects throughout metro Denver in “food deserts.” These projects house immigrant, refugee, and other vulnerable working families—all of whom have been
Family picking up meals from our Lunchbox Express program
disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis. JFS is providing 11,000 meals—breakfast and lunch—to vulnerable kids seven days a week. You can help support programs like these by visiting jewishfamilyservice.org/ donate.
JOB COACHING GOES VIRTUAL JFS has successfully provided employment services long before the COVID-19 crisis and continues to support job seekers during this time. We are now offering two virtual job coaching workshops. Career Launchpad helps jobseekers sharpen their skills and boost confidence. Topics rotate weekly and include: • Navigating Your Job Search During Covid-19 • Résumés and Cover Letters • How to Conduct an Effective Online Job Search • Virtual Interview Skills—Prepare to Impress In-Person and Online
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Job Club is for jobseekers to connect, share, learn from, and support each other throughout the job search process. You will learn creative job searching techniques, résumé writing, and professional communication skills, as well as how to manage emotions surrounding the job search. Both workshops are open to the public and meet online via Zoom. To see the schedule and join, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/services/ employment-support-services. Heather Seiden, employment program coordinator
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LOCAL TEACHER DELIVERS LESSON IN KINDNESS Ann Deyarmond, who works with kids on the autism spectrum at Joe Shoemaker Elementary, is helping students meet one of their most basic needs while the school is closed. She comes to the Weinberg Food Pantry up to three times a week and delivers food to six families, which she plans to continue through the summer. Ann knew that many families at Joe Shoemaker depended on the school for childcare and two meals a day. After the school closed due to COVID-19, the staff discovered that more families than they realized didn’t have transportation to get to a food pantry or Denver Public Schools’ lunch sites. Ann and several other teachers volunteered to pick up food for 14 families and deliver them to their homes each week.
Ann picking up food boxes for families that cannot access the food pantry
“Everyone is doing the best they can in this situation,” Ann says. “We all have something to give, such as time, money, or expertise. Now is the time to come together. I’m at a place in my life that I can take the time to wait in a pantry line and deliver the food.” She explains that her children are grown and she works with a small number of children with Individualized Education Plans, rather than being a general I am always struck by how efficient education teacher to a the food pantry system is as hundreds full class.
of cars move through the line. The volunteers and staff are so patient and always smiling. JFS as an organization is doing amazing things, and I love seeing all the individuals working on the front line. It has been such a positive experience during a time filled with negative news. —ANN DEYARMOND
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JFS has a KidSuccess school-based therapist at Joe Shoemaker, so Ann was aware of the organization. She learned about our food pantry and other services when the pandemic hit. “Seeing how JFS has reached out
to serve the community at large is so heartwarming,” Ann says with a smile. “I am always struck by how efficient the food pantry system is as hundreds of cars move through the line. The volunteers and staff are so patient and always smiling. JFS as an organization is doing amazing things, and I love seeing all the individuals working on the front line. It has been such a positive experience during a time filled with negative news.” Ann doesn’t want this story to be about her, though. She sees this as a chance to shine a light on JFS. She concludes, “I encourage others to help JFS in any way they can. If you received an economic stimulus check and are still employed, pay it forward and consider donating some of it to JFS. Or volunteer your time, donate supplies to the food pantry, or whatever is meaningful to you.”
COMMUNITY PARTNERS We are so grateful to our generous partners and the many individuals and families who have donated food and products to help those in need March–May 2020. Dena’s Mask Making Army Ekar Farms Feldman Mortuary Drs. Anne Goldberg Wernimont & Mel Wernimont and Julie Goldberg International Paper
JEWISHcolorado Jimmy John’s Englewood NCL Blue Sky NestFresh Otten Johnson Powerizer
Rose Community Foundation Sprouts Talnua Distillery & Tasting Room Trader Joe’s We Don’t Waste Whole Foods Tamarac
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: HOW YOU CAN HELP
DONATE FOOD
DONATE FUNDS
To continue to serve more people in our community, JFS needs donations of shelf-stable food, diapers, and wipes. See our list of most needed items here at jewishfamilyservice.org/features/donate-food.
More than ever, JFS needs donations to meet the demand for services. Make a gift to help JFS provide food, supplies, counseling services, and emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to individuals and families throughout Colorado. Donate at jewishfamilyservice.org/donate.
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NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID
Jewish Family Service of Colorado Joyce and Kal Zeff Building 3201 South Tamarac Drive Denver CO 80231-4360 303.597.5000
DENVER, COLORADO PERMIT NO. 1217
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Beneficiary Agency of JEWISHcolorado
Social services for Jewish victims of the Holocaust have been supported by a grant from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE (JFS) is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human service agency offering comprehensive, integrated, customized services to vulnerable individuals and families.
AGING CARE & CONNECTIONS DISABILITY PROGRAMS EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT HOUSING STABILITY & FOOD SECURITY MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING & SERVICES
S UMMER 2020
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