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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE JFS 150TH ANNIVERSARY EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON p. 2 FY21 HIGHLIGHTS p. 5 JFS IS GETTING A NEW LOOK p. 6 THE ACE PROGRAM IS ON THE MOVE p. 6
BE MERRY, BE BRIGHT The JFS Bright Holidays program began more than 20 years ago as a giving tree at Graland Country Day School. Members of the school community “adopted” JFS clients to help those in need celebrate the holidays. Every December since then, the holiday spirit spreads throughout the community and people’s hearts, as the program flourishes each year thanks, in part, to a dedicated JFS volunteer, Andrea Stillman. Nine years ago, Andrea wanted a meaningful volunteer opportunity and came to JFS. As she started getting more involved in various capacities, her role blossomed to include working with the Bright Holidays program, which matches donors with those who are struggling to provide holiday wishes for children, older adults, and families.
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“This program warms my heart, and I’m deeply affected by the need and the giving within our community,” said Andrea.
“Some requests aren’t frivolous; rather, people ask for necessities, like laundry detergent. But no matter what’s asked for, donors come together, whether it’s to support a single mom, a refugee, a family facing hardships, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community. There’s no hesitation to open their hearts and wallets.” Andrea’s responsibilities include sorting gifts, making sure presents match with requestors, shopping, and delivering parcels to client representatives so that everything is received in time for a magical holiday. “Working on the Bright Holidays program is the most meaningful to me,” said Andrea. “People are so generous, and everyone involved is appreciative and grateful. It’s just so special when you can help those with a great need.” When giving inspires the holiday spirit, we couldn’t agree more!
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down the street from the JFS office. Finding a better location with an integrated environment and more of a community feel has been critical to the success of our program. In 2022, JFS is celebrating a remarkable milestone. It’s the agency’s 150th anniversary of improving the lives of Coloradans. Throughout 2022, we’ll commemorate 150 years of strengthening the community by providing vital services to vulnerable individuals and families with a series of events, celebrations, and community-building activities. We look forward to sharing details and hope you’ll join us for these momentous celebrations.
It’s hard to believe, but when you read this message, we’ll be a few weeks away from 2022. When I think about this past year, two words that resonate with me are gratitude and pride. Gratitude for our donors, staff, volunteers, and clients, and pride for the work JFS has accomplished with our extraordinary supporters. While 2021 was filled with uncertainties, the one constant was that your support made it possible to continue to do our life-changing work throughout our community. Exciting changes for JFS and our community are on the way in the year ahead, and I wanted to share a few highlights with you.
And, JFS is getting a new look. The rebranding of a 150-yearold organization can be challenging. Still, we want to speak to people in a way that resonates with them, raise awareness about our services, find opportunities to reach and attract new audiences within and outside the Jewish community, and continue to build trust and move our mission forward. We’re excited for you to see our new logo and messaging. Everyone at JFS is excited to continue our life-changing work with you. Be on the lookout for more updates in the coming months. In the meantime, please know how much your commitment to JFS means to us. We can’t thank you enough. With warm regards,
You may have heard that we’ve sold our SHALOM Denver location, which is where we offered support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—like our Arts and Community Exploration program - ACE (ACE). We’ve moved the ACE program to Calvary Baptist Church, which is located
Linda P. Foster President and CEO
Lisa Soicher has joined JFS in the newly created position of Jewish Community Liaison. Lisa has more than 12 years of experience working in the Colorado Jewish community, and has been a donor, volunteer, and loyal supporter of JFS for years. In her new role, Lisa will collaborate with community partners to strategize and address Jewish economic vulnerability, improve our outreach efforts, and educate about the many programs and services of JFS.
“I’ve always valued the holy work JFS does in support of the most vulnerable among us, especially those often marginalized like refugees and people with disabilities,” said Lisa. “To be given the opportunity to work for an organization long rooted in Jewish values, charged with specifically helping Jews in need, and getting to do it in partnership with clergy, Jewish communal professionals and visionary lay leaders, makes this meaningful work even more fulfilling.”
P.S. Congratulations to Inna Oganesyan, ACC care manager, for celebrating 30 years of service at JFS! 1
TOGETHER, WE CAN PROVIDE HOPE For nearly 150 years, JFS has provided hope to those who need it most. We believe that we have a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community, and together, we’re making a difference with our holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family, and providing the appropriate services from one organization. When you make a gift to JFS, you help: • Feed individuals who lost their jobs. • Keep families in their homes. • Support employment services to help the unemployed get back to work. • Provide mental health services for people of all ages struggling with social isolation, depression, and anxiety.
You provide hope. You can make a life-changing difference for the thousands of families who come to JFS to rebuild and transform their lives by making a gift today at jewishfamilyservice.org/2021.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE JFS 150TH ANNIVERSARY EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON Join us for lunch and laughs, featuring Emmy and Peabody Award winning Jewish comedian, actress, writer, producer, director, mother, advocate, and caregiver, Amy Schumer. Monday, April 4, 2022 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Colorado Convention Center – Mile High Ballroom Co-Chairs: Jordan and David Feiner and Niah and Aaron Hyatt This special Executive Lunch will honor and celebrate our 150 years of providing vital programs and services to those who need them most. We believe that we have a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community, and together, we’re making a difference with our holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family, and providing the necessary services all from one organization. Your partnership in our history and our future is essential. Moreover, JFS is excited to present the inaugural Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Community Leadership Award to Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP during this event. Learn more about our 150th anniversary and the event at jewishfamilyservice.org/events, including ticket information and sponsorships, or contact Kate Shephard at kshephard@jewishfamilyservice.org or 720.248.4633. Tickets will go on sale February 28. Family Matters is a quarterly publication of Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231
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HOPE AND GRATITUDE THROUGHOUT FACES OF JFS “What gets us all through these turbulent and uncertain times is hope,” shared Jewish Family Service of Colorado President and CEO Linda P. Foster at the Faces of JFS event. “Hope for better days ahead, hope in science, hope in our community coming together to help the most isolated older adult with delivered food, hope in finding a trusted therapist to speak with about the anxieties we’re all experiencing, hope that we can help a neighbor on the verge of eviction secure vital rental assistance to keep their family housed. You provide the promise of hope.”
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The themes of hope, gratitude, and the extraordinary impact JFS makes throughout the community were in every speech, smile, and interaction at the Infinity Park Event Center on October 13. Guests came together to support JFS and honor Cary Chapman, Leanna Harris, and Jamie Sarché. For everyone who attended the event, whether in person or virtually, we hope you felt a sense of pride for all you help accomplish. We couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you so much for investing in JFS and our mission to enhance the well-being of those in need throughout Colorado by delivering services based on Jewish values—and for making this event our most successful yet!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Leader $25,000 Zeff Kesher Foundation Julie and Brent Morse Community $15,000 Leanna and Jamie Harris Nancy Reichman and Charlie Gwirtsman Family $10,000 Anonymous Helene and Marshall Abrahams Louis Gelfand Kris Family Fund Mindy Levy Peckar and Steven Peckar Dr. Richard and Jo Sanders
Friend $5,000 Barbara and Jay Chapman Cynthia Chapman Stacey and Cary Chapman The Chotin Foundation Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation Feiner Family Foundation Jordan and David Feiner Linda and Bill Foster Sheri and Will Gold Gabriela and Peter Gottlieb Niah and Aaron Hyatt Hyde Park Jewelers Roberta Naiman, Laren and Marc Naiman, Robyn and Rob Naiman and Nancy and David Kaufman Michele and Richard Right and The Bertha and Sidney Katzson Family Foundation Toni and David Roitman Jane E. Rosenbaum Carol and Michael Sarché Jamie, Jon, Alec, and Daniel Sarché Michael Staenberg Andrea and Scott Stillman Alberta and Dr. Allan Sulzer Terri and Gary Yourtz
Patron $3,500 Jamie and Rob Blume First Western Trust The Giving Trust Meg and Josh, Traci and Pat, Elyana and Michael, Jacki and Ari, and Stephanie and Todd MidFirst Bank Louise and Chester Schwartz Lori and Lou Sigman Western Centers Supporter $2,000 AFP Horizon, Terry Woodall Amanda and Jonathan Alpert The Alterman Family Donna Antonof Anna and David Asarch Elise and Brian Barish Carla and Dan Bartell Joscelyn Blumenthal Laurie and Andrew Brock Centre Communities Kristi Dinner and Susan Schwab Debra and Dr. David Flitter Foster, Graham, Milstein & Calisher LLP David Ickovic and Jane Kranich Independent Bank John Keith and Harvard Communities J.P. Morgan Private Bank Lee and Burton Levy Rebecca and Mac Macsovits Laura Michaels and Jeff Olson Wendy Morrison and Vic Sulzer Susie and Perry Moss Marvin Naiman and Margery Goldman Family Foundation Pam Naiman Susan and Dr. Ivan Naiman Dawn Richard and Terry Fenner Jennifer Rothschild and Julian Izbiky Elana and Benjamin Sulzer Betty Vean Salina Whitaker Xcel Energy Zim Consulting
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FY21 HIGHLIGHTS
32,000
people impacted with life-changing services
1,671
dedicated volunteers donated their time
90,728
free lunches and breakfasts served to low-income children by Lunchbox Express
708
families in crisis received emergency financial assistance, helping them with rent so they could stay in their homes
74
Holocaust survivors served with vital support services
607
school children provided with free mental health counseling
1,375,000
meals distributed to individuals and families through the Weinberg Food Pantry
123
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities served with a variety of support services and inclusion activities
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JFS IS GETTING A NEW LOOK We’re excited to launch our new brand soon, including a new logo and messaging—both of which will showcase JFS’s personality, vision, and services. The rebrand coincides with our 150th anniversary. This momentous milestone is a great time to unveil the new look of JFS while also honoring our past and reflecting on who we are today and who we will be in the future. “We believe our new brand will expand our reach, help even more people throughout the community, and better communicate our programs and services to donors, clients, and stakeholders,” said Director of Marketing and Communications Jenny Herren. “Our new brand is more visually compelling and differentiates JFS’s identity and offerings in the human service sector.”
Our redesigned logo has a more modern, fresh look. Our messaging will raise our brand awareness in the community as we find opportunities to grow our recognition and reach and attract new audiences within and outside the Jewish community. While JFS is getting a refreshed brand identity, we remain committed to one of the most important Jewish values: that of Tikkun Olam, the obligation to make the world a better place. We will continue to strengthen the community by providing vital services to vulnerable individuals and families.
ACE focuses on the whole person, community involvement, and integration, with activities tailored to each participant’s needs and unique personality and centers around healthy lifestyles and mindfulness through art, exercise, and nutrition. Participants explore the community at cultural and art centers, parks, libraries, downtown adventures, and museums and can volunteer and give back to the community. “The move to Calvary Baptist Church will let us expand the programs and services we offer to our participants,” said Judy Pankoff, ACE program manager. “There’s a commercial kitchen for cooking classes, an indoor gym for exercise, and outdoor space for activities and a garden. And, we’re within walking distance to restaurants and parks.” ACE participants are part of an advisory committee that helps make decisions regarding programs. Currently, programs are on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
In early November, JFS sold its SHALOM Denver location, which is where we offered support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—like our ACE: Arts and Community Exploration program (ACE). The ACE program moved down the street from the JFS office and is now located at the Calvary Baptist Church.
Director of Disability Services Roxane Miller-Freutel shared, “This has been such a wonderful collaboration with Calvary Baptist. There has been a ‘can do’ attitude throughout the process, and the new space is warm and welcoming.” Learn more about the ACE program at jewishfamilyservice.org/services/ace and be sure to be on the lookout for program updates!
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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 Social services for Jewish victims of the Holocaust have been supported by a grant from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Join JFS as we light the world, one donation at a time! NOVEMBER 22, 2021, THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2022 WRITER SQUARE – 1512 LARIMER STREET, ON THE 16TH STREET MALL
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