FamilyMatters N E W S F R O M J E W I S H F A M I LY S E R V I C E O F C O L O R A D O T H E G R E AT E S T I M PAC T. F O R T H E G R E AT E R G O O D .
Your Year-end Giving Makes a Difference Every day, so many positive things happen at JFS and within the community. We see a place where people support one another, work together to improve life for those struggling, and collaborate to change how our community sees those who need help. Our clients may be an older neighbor, your child’s friend, or a loved one who faced an unexpected tragedy or setback; it could be you. The need for our programs and services continues to increase, and because we believe in a shared responsibility to support impactful changes that make the world a better
place, we hope you will help us meet these challenges. Your 2023 donation will help sustain the programs and services our community relies on to succeed. As you consider your gift, remember that together, we are a part of something bigger. JFS has a strong vision to support our community and grow our programs, and with your involvement, we can do all of this and more. To complete your donation, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/donate/2023.
WINTER 2023
Dear Friends, It’s hard to believe we’re just a few weeks away from 2024. We have accomplished so much together over our last fiscal year thanks to the commitment of our staff, Board, volunteers, and donors, and I hope you feel as proud as I am. Together, the work we do throughout our communities makes a tremendous difference and contributes to JFS’s mission of improving the lives of individuals and families throughout Colorado. You’ll see JFS’s impact during our last fiscal year in this issue, but I wanted to share a few highlights here. With your commitment, we: • Identified solutions where our community needs us most, such as with our Jay and Rose Phillips Aging Care & Connections department needs assessment, which noted gaps in the programs and services available so that we can serve our older adult population better. • Invested in finding new ways to improve our clients’ lives with programs like our Computer and Internet Safety class, which is for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to learn how to safely use a computer, navigate the internet, and use apps to increase their independent living skills and social opportunities and decrease loneliness.
• Focused on helping individuals and families achieve long-term stability with our housing programs, including Rapid Re-housing, which moves the unhoused in supportive, permanent housing and Homeless Prevention, which provides emergency financial assistance to our neighbors to remain housed. We recognize it’s an emotional time in our world, and it’s difficult not to be consumed by tragedies, particularly in Israel. While JFS responds to the immense needs in our community, our work providing vital programs and services for Coloradans must continue, and we cannot turn needs into action without your financial support. We must act now as the need for our programs and services continues to increase because the alternative is dire—more food insecurity, low wage growth unemployment, and homelessness. We believe it’s our shared responsibility to support impactful changes that make our community a better place, and we’re counting on you to help us meet these challenges. 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, 303.597.5000
Announcing the 2024 JFS Executive Luncheon Speaker... Join us for the 2024 JFS Executive Luncheon, featuring the founder of the first multi-channel lifestyle company, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Emmy Award-winning television show host, Martha Stewart. We’re bringing together the Denver philanthropic community on May 8 at the Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center to learn more about JFS, enjoy lunch, and present the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Community Leadership Award to Temple Emanuel during their 150th anniversary, and listen to a fun, moderated conversation with lifestyle guru Martha Stewart. Learn more about the event, including sponsor opportunities and ticket sale information, at jewishfamilyservice.org/event or contact Kate Shephard at kshephard@jewishfamilyservice.org or 720.248.4633.
JFS Boulder: Expanded Mental Health Services JFS Boulder has expanded its mental health services to provide ongoing, high-quality outpatient support to adults, children, and families who need therapy. The increase in our therapists, along with a new dedicated office space for these services, means our capacity has increased to accept new clients. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, grief, or trauma, you are not alone. Our skilled, compassionate, and professional therapists are ready to work with you to find solutions to whatever you are experiencing. To learn more about our JFS Boulder mental health services, visit jewishfamilyservice.org/boulder-mental-health.
We Are Here For You Our heart break watching the ongoing crisis in Israel. We know many in our community have friends and family in Israel and the surrounding countries, and we hope for their safety and security. We pray for the healing of the wounded, redemption for those captured, and comfort for the many bereaved.
We continue to serve individuals and families regardless of faiths, races, ages, ethnicities, incomes, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. JFS continues our commitment to serving those in need in our community, and we are available to provide spiritual and mental health support to those impacted by this crisis. For spiritual support through the JFS Baskin Jewish Community Chaplaincy program, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/services/chaplaincy, and for JFS mental health services, please call 720.722.4496.
Our priority at JFS is that our staff, volunteers, and clients feel safe—physically, mentally, and emotionally. JFS exists to fulfill one of the most important Jewish values: that of Tikkun Olam, the obligation to make the world a better place. 02
Abby’s Impact: Strengthening Participants’ Sense of Self The JFS Abby’s Impact: Realizing Resilience program has been reimagined with a fresh, culturally relevant take on our clients and world today. And now, anyone over 14 years old can work on individual growth, build a peer support system, increase resilience, and strive to live healthier lives. For those who believe focusing on themselves is selfish, we need to change that mindset and realize that doing so allows us to be present, build confidence, strengthen our relationships, learn about our values and prioritize them to make the right choices for us. Enter Abby’s Impact. This client-centered mental health education program provides a framework for dealing with daily stress and life’s struggles. It offers participants evidenced-based resources and tools to facilitate resilience so they can build their own mental health toolboxes. Learning coping and problem-solving skills is life-changing for those who have faced adversity and trauma. The Abby’s Impact program includes one mandatory 90-minute introductory class that lays the groundwork for discussing resiliency and toxic stress and reviews the program structure and other courses. There is no commitment to take additional classes after the introductory session, but the initial course ensures everyone moves ahead with the same information. All subsequent classes fall within the following four themes: • Sense of Self: Exploring the relationship you have with yourself. • Self in Time: Who you are and what’s shaped you throughout your life. • Self & Others: Navigating the relationships you have with others. • Self in the World: How you interact with the world and engage with its systems.
Classes are free to participants with funding provided from the Colorado Works/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the Lewkowitz and Meisterplass families. All sessions are taught by a resiliency instructor and are capped at 15 individuals to encourage a community feel and help participants build deeper connections and foster communication with each other. JFS individualized supports are in place as another layer of support, and participants will partner with their coach to define their goals, build their own resilience pathway, and find the tools and coping skills that fit best into their mental health toolbox.
“ I ’M EXCITED TO SHARE THE HOPE WITH PARTICIPANTS THAT THEY, TOO, CAN REWIRE THEIR BRAINS AND FULLY ENGAGE WITH ALL EMOTIONS IN A HEALTHY WAY.” — REBEKAH COLE, ABBY’S IMPACT RESILIENCY INSTRUCTOR
“Abby’s Impact is an incredibly unique program,” shared Rebekah Cole, the Abby’s Impact resiliency instructor. “Writing content for its classes has pushed me to look deeper at my stress and resilience, and I have grown so much. When I encounter difficulties, I recall practices from Abby’s Impact classes and put them into practice. The result is that I have a healthier relationship with stress and a stronger ability to bounce back. I’m excited to share the hope with participants that they, too, can rewire their brains and fully engage with all emotions in a healthy way.” To learn more about Abby’s Impact, including class descriptions and registration information, visit jewishfamilyservice.org/services/abbys-impact today!
Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights We’re excited to share 365 days of progress, highlighting JFS’s work throughout our last fiscal year (July 1, 2022– June 30, 2023). To view our Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/about/financials.
Began our JFS Vocational Training program to help those looking to find a new job, learn a new skill, or gain practical learning opportunities and hands-on experience.
Launched our Yana Vishnitsky Refugee Resettlement program as a permanent Reception & Placement (R&P) agency working in partnership with HIAS, making JFS the fourth resettlement agency in Colorado.
Expanded our Boulder mental health services and opened a mental health office in Boulder to provide ongoing, high-quality mental health care.
Expanded our efforts to help our food insecure neighbors with our new state-of-the-art Mobile Food & Hygiene Pantry to combat food and hygiene poverty where it exists.
145,141 services including visits, sessions, classes, and deliveries provided to 32,338 clients across multiple programs.
73 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities received a variety of support services and participated in inclusion activities.
102 refugees have been resettled from places like El Salvador, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
$1,629,403
896,109
was provided to 654 individuals and families in metro Denver who received emergency financial assistance to pay their rent, mortgage, utilities, and more.
meals were served through the Weinberg Food Pantry, Lunchbox Express, and the Mobile Food & Hygiene Pantry.
105
534 students at 15 Denver public schools and 1 private school benefitted from mental health services through our school-based KidSuccess program.
872 volunteers donated their time.
04
Holocaust survivors were supported with in-home personal care, homemaker services, and emergency assistance, for needs such as groceries, eyeglasses, and medical expenses.
Celebrating JFS Altius Farms On October 4, friends and partners learned about JFS Altius Farms, spent time with friends, and celebrated Sukkot—while being inspired by the work we’re doing together throughout our community. Our guests: •L istened to remarks from Linda P. Foster, JFS President and CEO, Aaron Hyatt, JFS Board Chair, and Sally Herbert, Director of JFS Altius Farms. •L earned how Altius Farms will help JFS food support programs and help combat hunger. • Toured the greenhouse. Thank you to our Board of Directors for their support and investment in JFS’s needs today and for thinking ahead about what’s next to ensure we continue to make the greatest impact for the greater good. A very special thanks to John Keith for spearheading and researching our social enterprise options, including aeroponic gardening, the pursuit of Altius Farms, and controlled environment containers for growing mushrooms. And our heartfelt appreciation to Diane Cushman Neal and Scott Neal for their underwriting of the JFS Altius Farms greenhouse. In honor of their generous gift, the greenhouse will be named the Cushman Neal Greenhouse.
APPLE PECAN ARUGULA SALAD Enjoy a simple, seasonal, and oh-so delicious salad! JFS Altius Farms arugula can be purchased at Marczyk Fine Foods and Leevers Locavore grocers. Serves two as an entrée and four as a side. Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw pecans 7 ounces JFS Altius Farms arugula 2 small apples (1 tart, 1 sweet—peeled and quartered, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise) 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced) 2 Tbsp dried cranberries (optional) Dressing: 1 large lemon, juiced 1 Tbsp maple syrup 1 pinch each sea salt and black pepper 3 Tbsp olive oil Instructions: • Preheat oven to 350°F and arrange pecans on a bare baking sheet. • Bake pecans for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant and deep golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside. • While pecans are toasting, prep remaining salad ingredients and add to a large mixing bowl. • Prepare dressing in a mixing bowl or mason jar by adding all ingredients and whisking or shaking vigorously to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as needed. • Add pecans to salad and top with dressing. Toss to combine and serve immediately. • Store leftovers (dressing separate from salad) covered in the refrigerator for two to three days (although best when fresh). Dressing can be kept at room temperature for two to three days when well-sealed. From the Minimalist Baker
PA J FR ST N AELR T ISUPSOFTALRI G MH ST
Employer Community Partner Spotlight: Hyatt Hotels
“We talk about the ‘Hyatt Way,’” shared Molly O’Connor, Hyatt’s Area Talent Acquisition Manager. “As early as the interview process, we make sure candidates know we’ll work with them individually to master their skill sets. We regularly ask, ‘Where do you want to go next—a different city, department, hotel type, role?’—and we see what that looks like, which could be shadowing a person in the desired role or just learning more. There are so many opportunities under the Hyatt umbrella, and we encourage all our employees to explore these opportunities.”
The Denver workforce is as diverse as its job seekers, and JFS is here to connect metro area businesses with qualified candidates for employment success. Our Employment Services team partners with Colorado businesses to provide candidate referral assistance and ongoing support to both the employer and newly hired staff, which ensures a successful experience for all. Our typical job seekers are often newly unemployed, looking for a career change, or facing additional barriers to employment, so they value the comprehensive level of support they receive from their employment specialists. One JFS employer partner has gone above and beyond to achieve their hiring needs while helping our resettled refugee clients start a new life in Colorado: Hyatt Hotels.
“ H YATT IS VERY WILLING TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND BE CREATIVE IN OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. THEY EXPANDED THEIR TRAINING PROGRAM AND WERE THE FIRST PARTNER TO ALLOW FOR AN INTERPRETER
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the service industry hard, and as people stopped traveling, business came to an abrupt halt and hotel employees were let go. In the post-COVID world, there was a significant need to backfill positions, especially housekeeping and kitchen roles. While it can be challenging to hire for these positions, there are also a limited number of opportunities for those who are non-English speaking or have limited proficiency in the language. And that’s where Hyatt’s willing, innovative mindset to hire a variety of diverse workers has made them our employer partner who has hired the most refugee clients.
ON-SITE FOR ONBOARDING.” —HEATHER SEIDEN, JFS CAREER SERVICES MANAGER
It’s not just providing a job with full benefits that makes employment with Hyatt positive. As O’Connor said, there are “a lot of new” opportunities for resettled refugees, and staff often thinks about how they can help new employees acclimate to the city and life in the community. When asked what she’d like other employers to know about working with JFS and their clients, O’Connor said, “JFS is instrumental in changing lives. They set employers and clients up for success and do the research necessary to place the right people in the right roles, so it’s a good fit all around. It may feel like a leap of faith, but you need to know that JFS will prepare clients in every way, from how to get to work to job expectations. It really is a case of ‘the more you know’—ask questions, be open-minded, and know what JFS’s expectations are to help clients find meaningful employment with career pathing opportunities. We appreciate working with JFS because it’s easy, we’re in it together, and they bring us great candidates.”
“Hyatt is very willing to find solutions and be creative in overcoming barriers to employment,” shared JFS Career Services Manager Heather Seiden. “They expanded their training program and were the first partner to allow for an interpreter on-site for onboarding. We’ve truly seen Hyatt cultivate an environment for long-term employment.” Since our partnership with Hyatt began in 2021, 17 JFS refugee clients have been hired at the Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt Hotels, and we are proud to share that one employee was recently awarded the employee of the quarter.
If you’d like to learn more about why you should partner with us and hire JFS job seekers, visit jewishfamilyservice.org/employment/for-employers.
The Hyatt organization believes in hiring employees with the intention of creating clear pathways for growth, working to develop an employee’s skills, and promoting from within. 06
NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 1217
Jewish Family Service of Colorado Joyce and Kal Zeff Building 3201 South Tamarac Drive Denver CO 80231-4360 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.
New Year, New Skills! Thanks to the JFS Vocational Training program, practical learning opportunities and hands-on experience could be what you need to take your skills to the next level. Our program supports personal skills growth with three different learning opportunities. Learn more at jewishfamilyservice.org/vocational-training.