Thriving in a Changing World: JFS and the NJHSA PowerNET Conference
JFS had the honor of hosting The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) PowerNET conference in Denver at the end of April. PowerNET is a multi-day conference where approximately 500 human service professionals, agency leaders, and partner organizations exchange ideas, share successes, and explore challenges. The event aims to empower participants with strategies to strengthen their work and communities and drive impactful change across the Jewish human service sectors.
This year’s PowerNET theme was “Thriving in a Changing World,” and JFS had several staff chosen to present workshops. We hosted site visits at our Denver office, JFS Altius Farms, and Hyatt Hotel, a JFS employment services partner for refugee employment.
Several JFS staff held presentations and workshops on topics, including:
• KidSuccess: A School-based Kids’ Success Story
• Accessibility, Accommodations, and Universal Design: Making Belonging a Reality
• Transforming Jewish Human Service Teams Using a Servant Leadership Approach
• A Case Study on Planning & Launching a Nonprofit Social Enterprise: Hydroponic Farming
Thank you to the NJHSA, sponsors, participants, and everyone who made the event successful!
Dear Friends,
Building and strengthening our community goes beyond bringing people together. Community fosters a sense of belonging, creates a healthy space, and supports one another. Our community is fundamental to building trust, shaping programs and services, and expanding our outreach. Simply put, our JFS community is crucial for our ability to serve everyone who comes through our doors so they can receive support, now and in the future.
JFS has faced hurdles in the past, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Marshall Fire, and now the biggest challenge our community is experiencing is extreme uncertainty, and it is not going away anytime soon.
While we already feel the effects of some executive orders, we still don’t know exactly how policy changes will impact us. Yet, we do know that major shifts are on the horizon for JFS. For context, we receive annually, on average, $4 million in federal grants. This fiscal year, we’ve already experienced cuts that have halted our refugee resettlement funding, and
we are currently assessing the impact of recent funding changes to our food and mental health programs. We’re cautiously watching what happens with the state and city budgets and how those might also affect our services.
Every day we’re working on scenario planning, pivoting, and assessing what cuts will mean to our programs. We’re navigating this ever-evolving landscape to ensure our critical services are there for our community. We must continue to be the safety net for those who depend on us, as we have for 153 years.
JFS can’t survive these funding challenges alone, and that’s where you come in. We know that we are going to need to rely more heavily than ever on private donors and community foundation support. Our resilience and commitment to caring for our community will lead us through this uncertainty. We will stand together and prove that JFS and our community will answer the call when times are difficult. Let’s commit to not letting the uncertainties overshadow the incredibly positive impact we continue to have across our communities through our programs. We are grateful that you are a part of our JFS community!
Linda P. Foster President and CEO
Backpacks, Supplies, and a Focus on Learning
A backpack is more than just an accessory. For a child starting the school year, it represents a new beginning and the promise of independence. And when it’s filled with necessary school supplies that bring ideas to life and allow for a focus on learning, the possibilities are endless.
Sadly, for too many families, the skyrocketing costs of backpacks and school supplies mean that students are doing without, which hinders their ability to learn, dream, and succeed.
This is where you can make a meaningful difference for emerging learners.
Now, you can help JFS provide backpacks filled with school supplies to local JFS clients! Your $50 donation provides all the essentials for a kid’s first day of school and the tools needed for learning so that they start the year off strong!
Education is the first step to overcoming poverty, and your support lets kids know we’ve got their backs! Make your gift today at jewishfamilyservice.org/donate/school-supplies
Any funds donated in excess of the need for school supplies will be used to support the Community Resources for Stability department throughout the year.
Paying It Forward
Listening to Abby share how she came to JFS is remarkable. Ultimately, her story is a testament to strength and resilience, especially when given the opportunity to succeed, and that’s where JFS comes in.
For 28 years, Abby built her business, raised her child as a single parent, and paid her debts. However, due to a series of missteps and challenges, she found herself unhoused, living in her car at night and spending her days trying to find work in the library. “I know how to be smart. I’m very resourceful because I had to be, and I was safe, doing the best I could,” she shared. “I liked the independence that I had my own car, even though it was a horrible way to live.” (Previously, Abby slept in a shelter, but after a frightening experience, she was determined never to return.)
Abby kept her situation to herself. “That really was the worst part of all—that I had so much shame around it and denial, which is a survival tactic,” said Abby. “I have amazing blessings in my life, but at this point, I was kind of like, ‘your luck is running out.’ I realized I was trying to be too independent, and that is when I contacted Melissa at JFS Boulder.”
Director of JFS Boulder, Melissa Mascareñas, worked with Abby to connect her with resources in the Boulder community, and JFS provided financial assistance for housing and care management services. Abby is very motivated to gain complete independence. While she no longer receives support from JFS, she is still enrolled as a client and can receive care management if necessary.
“I never thought someone like Melissa would come along and Jewish Family Service. If it weren’t for Jewish Family Service, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
—ABBY, JFS BOULDER CLIENT
Abby now lives in a safe apartment and is restarting her business, and she’s very thankful for Melissa and JFS’s help. “I’m in a very good place to tell you the truth, and so that’s a miracle. I’m only telling my story because I believe I need to give back. I need to pay it forward because my life is already turning around,” shared Abby. “I never thought someone like Melissa would come along and Jewish Family Service. If it weren’t for Jewish Family Service, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Harnessing Solar Power at JFS
Thanks to a partnership with the Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency and the Renewables and Resilience Incentive Program for Human Service Provider Climate Protection Fund, JFS received an award to install 167.2 kW of solar panels at our Southeast Denver headquarters. Work began in November 2024, and the inspection will take place this summer.
The funding, part of the city’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and encourage clean energy, helps nonprofit organizations, like JFS, install solar panels and EV charging stations. The program covers up to 100% of the cost, and nonprofits get financial relief from lowering their energy costs.
“We’ve been looking at solar for several years, but because of the costs, we were not able to do it,” said Linda Foster, president and CEO of JFS. “The initiative will reduce JFS’s environmental footprint and generate $16,000 annually in cost savings by offsetting 92% of our building’s electrical use—which will be directly reinvested into our programs and services that help throughout our community.”
In addition, this project strengthened JFS’s commitment to apprenticeship models of workforce development by partnering with the COSSA Institute and 11 students from Littleton EPIC, who gained valuable practical skills in solar panel installation, electrical safety, system design, and equipment maintenance, and even conducted a food drive at their schools for the Weinberg Food Pantry.
We’re excited to have taken this important step toward a more sustainable future!
The JFS Executive Luncheon: Successes, Challenges, and Lively Conversations
The JFS Executive Luncheon was the place to be on Tuesday, April 22! Nearly 1,000 members of the Denver philanthropic community gathered to learn more about JFS, enjoy lunch, and celebrate the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Community Leadership Award presentation to our longstanding partners at the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation.
The day before the Executive Luncheon, we received notification that CNN had sent Anderson Cooper to Rome to cover Pope Francis’ death and the succession process. Therefore, Mr. Cooper was not able to appear at the event. We quickly pivoted and were fortunate to have Emmy Award-winning journalist Chuck Todd, former NBC News political director and the moderator of the longest-running show on television, the network’s flagship Sunday public affairs program, “Meet the Press,” for nearly a decade, step in as our guest. Mr. Todd and 9NEWS anchor Kyle Clark, who served as the moderator, made the event outstanding.
In their thought-provoking conversation:
• Did Mr. Clark and Mr. Todd joke about telling childhood tales of growing up as a Vanderbilt? (If you know, you know.)
• Did Mr. Todd share a theory that he believes youth sports are a unifier because whether you’re wearing a red or blue jersey, you just want to see your kid play?
• Were there spirited moments about how local journalism at its best helps people live their lives and gives national journalists credibility, and national journalism essentially offers people what they need to know for civics—and you arguably need both—but the collapse of local media has caused problems?
Yes, yes, and absolutely yes!
One part of the conversation that particularly resonated with attendees and garnered cheers and comments after the event was when Mr. Todd shared remarks around his faith. He spoke about how he was raised to be “a quiet Jew” partially because of anti-Semitic attacks against him and his family. While he recognizes why he grew up this way, Mr. Todd believes that “the more we hide, the more we hide,” and he has tried to be less shy about it. “The more we show our pride, I think it’s easier to stamp out the hate.”
Guests also heard how JFS is facing funding challenges, working on scenario planning, pivoting, and assessing what government cuts will mean to our programs. While the agency is navigating this ever-evolving landscape, we must continue to be a safety net for those who depend on us, as we have for 153 years.
We’re excited to share that we met the $60,000 on-site match from The Evelyn Shamon Trust, which was generously donated to ensure JFS is here for future generations. Evelyn Shamon served on the JFS Board of Directors for 10 years and is an honorary lifetime member—and we’re thrilled that she attended the event! Thanks to our sponsors, ticket purchases, and donations, the event raised more than $1.2 million to continue to respond to the critical needs of individuals and families when they need JFS most.
A special thank you to guests and the elected officials who attended the event, those who contributed to the generous match opportunity, and to our remarkable sponsors. The Executive Luncheon wouldn’t have been the same without you and your support. Thank you for making it an afternoon to remember.
See photos from the JFS Executive Luncheon at jewishfamilyservice.org/event/photo-galleries.
Thank you to the 2025 JFS Executive Luncheon sponsors:
Champion $25,000 Anonymous (2)
Host $15,000
Leanna & Jamie Harris
Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC
Mindy Levy Peckar and Steven Peckar
Jane E Rosenbaum
Cindy and Carl Rossow
Leah Weinkle and John Keith
JFS Adaptive Cycling: Enjoy the Ride
For the second season, we’re ready to enrich the lives of Douglas, Arapahoe, and Elbert County residents in the intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) community with our adaptive bike program!
Our community-based program provides a fun and safe way to connect individuals who are 18 and older to recreational adaptive biking. Our program offers two classes, each focusing on safety, improving balance and mobility, being intentional, and breaking the barriers to exploring the outdoors—all while building a community!
Bicycle Basics: Beginner and intermediate riders can get comfortable with riding and bicycles by enjoying games, relays, and obstacle courses, along with some casual riding. Classes take place in the Parker Fieldhouse parking lot.
Trail Riding: For riders who want to focus more on riding, this group pedals on different local trails. The group determines the length of the ride, all on paved and mostly flat trails, while learning basic map reading and navigation skills.
Each month-long session offers morning and afternoon classes, five days a week, and participants can choose what they want to focus on and join either group. We supply adaptive bikes and safety gear, and participants provide enthusiasm to form meaningful friendships and learn or improve their biking skills!
The program will run from June through September at Parker Fieldhouse at 18700 Plaza Dr., Parker, CO 80134. Medicaid waivers and private pay will be accepted. Learn more at jewishfamilyservice.org/services-adaptive-bike-program or jewishfamilyservice.org/volunteer-disability-services to volunteer.
Addressing Economic Vulnerability in Our Jewish Community
At Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS), we have long understood that economic hardship doesn’t always look how we expect and can affect anyone. There is a newly released study by Tulane University and Rosov Consulting called, “On the Edge: Voices of Economic Vulnerability in U.S. Jewish Communities (2024).” The study confirm this truth on a national scale—no segment of our community is immune to financial instability. You can read the full report at bit.ly/JEV-study.
Nearly half of those who identified as economically vulnerable in the On the Edge survey said they were unable to afford at least one basic need—whether that be food, medical care, housing, or transportation. These are essentials no one in our community should have to go without. Here in Greater Denver, we see the same patterns. The rising costs of basic needs, such as food, health care, housing, and transportation—combined with unexpected life events like job loss, illness, or divorce— have created a growing population of Jewish individuals and families who are struggling to or are not making ends meet. These challenges do not just threaten financial stability; they impact mental health, strain relationships, and limit participation in Jewish communal life.
At JFS, we respond to this reality every day with a comprehensive, compassionate approach. Over the past year, we have provided more than $100,000 in direct cash assistance to 35 households, offered vital case management, and coordinated care for 95 more Jewish clients. JFS provides financial assistance, and we also take a comprehensive approach by offering case management to connect those in need to internal and external resources to promote self-sufficiency. We have expanded our team to meet the rising demand, ensuring that those who come through our doors are offered timely, personalized, and effective support.
But we cannot do this work alone.
We all share the responsibility to ensure no one feels left behind, and we must build a stronger, more connected Jewish community. For this to happen, we must:
• Address the stigma associated with needing assistance, so when people need to ask for support, they do not feel embarrassed, which can further alienate them from the community.
• Spread the word and raise awareness that more people are struggling to make ends meet.
• Foster inclusive spaces for those looking for meaningful connections in the Jewish community.
• Encourage those who are struggling to contact JFS.
To learn more about Jewish economic vulnerability and resources, please contact JFS Jewish Community Liaison, Lisa Soicher, at lsoicher@jewishfamilyservice.org or 720.780.8728.
Making an Impact at Samuels Elementary School
JFS is celebrating the 30th anniversary of our school-based mental health program, KidSuccess, throughout the year. The KidSuccess program has been in Samuels Elementary School for approximately five years, and Tarra Stapelman, school nurse, shares her experience with the program and its impact on their school.
Q: How do you feel the program has impacted the overall well-being of students?
TS: Students who participate in this program feel safer at school. They know they have a neutral place and a person they can go to in a moment of crisis or when feeling troubled or frustrated.
Q: How well does the program collaborate with other school staff, like counselors and administrative personnel?
TS: I think the collaboration works incredibly well. The staff all know the counselors and respect and trust them. It’s easy to put in a referral because I know it will be followed up quickly, and I trust that the student will be in good hands. Counselors develop relationships with other staff at the school who can help provide wrap-around support for students’ needs.
Q: Why is school-based mental health so important?
TS: Having mental health services in the school makes them so much more accessible to those who might otherwise not be able to have these services due to financial barriers, transportation, and difficulty finding a provider—the list goes on and on.
Q: Have you noticed any changes or trends over the years?
TS: An increase in services over time has given more students the chance to participate [in the program] and helps create an improved sense of wellness in more students, making them healthier members of the school community and improving the overall well-being of the community.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
TS: I have only positive things to say. Every person associated with this program who has been in our school has been incredibly well-suited to the work and the environment. So much positive energy has been brought into our school because of it—5 out of 5 stars. HIGHLY recommend!!!
Jewish Family Service of Colorado
Joyce and Kal Zeff Building
3201 South Tamarac Drive
Denver CO 80231-4360
Social services for Jewish victims of the Holocaust have been supported by a grant from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Located just outside our downtown Denver farm, we have a beautiful 8,000-squarefoot gated garden designed for community gatherings, farm-totable dinners, and celebrations. Your function will be spectacular amidst our garden, which holds 10 raised beds, with a full perimeter bed, consistently growing unique varieties of fruiting vegetables.
JFS Altius Farms is a unique outdoor space just waiting to help you showcase your gathering! Scan the QR to schedule your event or visit jewishfamilyservice.org/altiuscommunity-gatherings-form.