FamilyMatters Volume 25, No. 3 • MAY/JUNE 2016
MEET OUR NEW THERAPISTS
Mental Health Matters page 6
Strategist for Job Seekers Program Spotlight page 8 Older Adult Drivers Seniors Matter page 10
A PUBLICATION OF
Gabriella: Back to Work and Self-Sufficiency Client Spotlight, page 4
From the CEO Jewish Family Service has been
The Silver Tsunami is Here
providing vital services to vulnerable seniors in our community for decades. Our focus has always been to provide older adults with basic services that will help them age in place. We want to give seniors the extra help they need so that they can continue to live safely and independently in their own homes, where they want to be. Colorado’s aging population is in the middle of a major shift. The so-called Silver Tsunami is already upon us. The percentage of people over the age of 65 is expected to double between now and 2030. Baby Boomers are aging and living longer. They will need all kinds of Yana Vishnitsky special services, including transportation, meal delivery, counseling, socialization, medical care, home repair, fitness opportunities, and nutrition education. What’s concerning is the scale at which these services will need to be provided. Whether it’s a delivered meal, the installation of a grab bar in the shower, or homemaker services to help with housework and heavy lifting, these basic services can make all the difference between the move to a nursing home and staying comfortably at home. When you consider that the average annual cost to
stay in a nursing home in Colorado is $80,000, providing these services makes a lot of financial sense. JFS is uniquely qualified to respond to the needs of seniors, especially those who wish to remain in their homes or don’t have the financial resources to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home. JFS is serving a special niche of seniors: those who are too well-off to qualify for Medicaid, but who don’t have the income to afford extra services that can keep them safe and healthy. These are the seniors who are falling through the cracks. JFS has significant expertise in working with seniors and their families on all aspects of aging. But just as the aging population is growing, so must our capacity to serve them. There are plenty of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, but there aren’t many organizations that focus on providing in-home services and care management that will help older adults age in place. This is where JFS is positioned to make a real difference. It is important work, and I hope we can count on your support to meet the need in the coming years. B’shalom,
Yana Vishnitsky, LCSW President & CEO
Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS)
believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome life’s challenges to live fuller, more meaningful lives. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently in their homes, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis. Every year, the agency benefits nearly 25,000 people of all ages, faiths, incomes, and abilities. For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org. Family Matters is published bimonthly by Jewish Family Service of Colorado, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver CO 80231 / www.jewishfamilyservice.org 2
FAMILY MATTERS MAY/JUNE 2016
Thank You to the JFS Executive Luncheon Sponsors! Thank you to the generous sponsors who supported the 12th annual JFS Executive
Luncheon featuring Al Pacino held April 13. View a complete event recap, including photos and video, at www.jewishfamilyservice.org/luncheon. Chief Operating Sponsors
Chief Information Sponsors
Brent and Julie Morse Chief Financial Sponsors Anonymous Bender Foundation Inc.
Lynda M. Goldstein Jack and Celeste Grynberg Aaron and Niah Hyatt
The Ernest S. Madison Family Foundation Micky and Jimmy Miller and Miller Global Properties Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Mindy Levy Peckar and Steven Peckar ROI Equities—Jamie and Leanna Harris Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum The Saltzman and Topelson Families The Sturm Family Foundation and ANB Bank
Executive Vice Presidential Sponsors Anonymous David and Anna Asarch Michael S. Asarch Atreo Group Berkeley/Harvard Boulevard One Lowry Colorado Real Estate Journal Colorado State Bank and Trust Barry and Gay Curtiss-Lusher Dependable Cleaners The Feiner Family Foundation—Michael and Debbie Feiner FirstBank Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Charlie Gwirtsman and Nancy Reichman HFF MasTec Advanced Technologies MidFirst Bank Miller Frishman Group, LLC Moda Man on Larimer—Joel and Tiffany Appel Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC Kami and Neil Pomerantz Marcia and Dick Robinson and Susan and Eddie Robinson Rose Medical Center RSC LLC: Marc Soicher, Mark Goodside, Jim Flora Singer Family Foundation Tschetter Hamrick Sulzer, P.C. and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association UMB Bank Colorado Wells Fargo Advisors LLC Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking Western Centers, Inc. Westword & V Digital Services Vice Presidential Sponsors All Packaging Company Denver Retirement Partners / BOK Financial Advisors The Diner Family Etkin Johnson Real Estate Partners John Keith—Harvard Communities Laura Michaels and Jeff Olson Milender White Construction Co. MTech Mechanical Nothing Bundt Cakes Richard and Michele Right Chet and Louise Schwartz Shea Properties Syntrinsic Investment Counsel, LLC Yana Vishnitsky and James Wolfe
Associate Sponsors AEG Live Rocky Mountains Sue and Harvey Allon Jonathan and Amanda Alpert Ted and Marsha Alpert Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management Bank of Colorado Dan and Carla Bartell Maurice and Samantha Bennett Alan and Gayle Boxer Braddock Financial LLC Citywide Banks CoBiz Financial Delwest Capital LLC Andrew and May Dodds Faulkner + Associates Feldman Mortuary, Inc. Fidelity National Title Insurance Company Morris and Helen Ginsburg Hangar 2 Partners Stuart and Judy Heller Dr. Gilbert and Jane Hermann Leland Huttner IMA, Inc. Integrity Print Group Izbiky & Associates PLLC Hud and Carol Karshmer Joel and Janet Kaufman Rob Kaufmann and Jennifer Gilbert-Kaufmann Don and Mary Lou Kortz Stuart and Janet Kritzer Family Foundation KUNC—Colorado’s Source for NPR and More Land Title Guarantee Company Howard and Blanca Lerman MassMutual Colorado McConnell Fleischner Houghtaling, LLC Rick and Mindy Miller Monroe Group Ltd. Michael Opatowski and Ruth Malman OZ Architecture of Denver, Inc. Jay and Lisa Perlmutter Dick and Annette Pluss Senn Visciano Canges P.C. Judy and Ken Simon and Karen Robinson Joanne Singer The Smile Generation Spencer Fane TMS Center of Colorado, LLC Sam and Stephanie Zaitz
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CLIENT Spotlight
Gabriella: Back to Work and Self-Sufficiency Following a Difficult Time
Gabriella, 41, had her first experience
with depression eight years ago when her beloved grandmother passed away. They were very close and losing her grandmother was devastating for Gabriella. “She was like my second mom,” she says. “My mother was working a lot, so I pretty much grew up with my grandparents. I went on trips with them in the summers in their little camper. I did everything with them. When Grandma died, it threw me into a depression that I’d never known before.” Fortunately, Gabriella’s doctor was able to prescribe medications that improved her state of mind—for the time being. Gabriella managed well for a number of years until last year, when the depression returned with a vengeance. This time it was so bad that she was hospitalized. “I was really sick,” she confides. “It was devastating to every aspect of my life, including my marriage and professional life. It was really hard on us financially and emotionally.” Before long, Gabriella lost her job and her downward spiral worsened. “It got to the point that I didn’t want to leave the house at all,” she recalls. “When you’re depressed, nothing matters. It leaves you numb; you don’t feel anything. You’re a shell of a person. It’s a horrible thing.” Gabriella couldn’t find help. Every place she called had a waiting list for services— and she was in no condition to wait. The medications her doctor prescribed didn’t work. Her husband Bob didn’t know what to do or how to help. She finally got the treatment she needed in the hospital. Before long, the nightmare subsided and she started feeling better. But she was now without a job and she and Bob were struggling financially. They were facing eviction and homelessness.
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Bob and Gabriella benefited from food assistance from the Weinberg Food Pantry.
That’s when their rabbi suggested that they contact Jewish Family Service for help. Bob and Gabriella were somewhat familiar with JFS, but didn’t really know what the agency did. They soon found out. The couple scheduled an appointment with a case manager from JFS’s Family Safety Net Services department. At their first meeting, they were given rent assistance that kept them in their apartment. They also received food assistance through the Weinberg Food Pantry, which was a welcome relief for Gabriella. “The food pantry at JFS is wonderful,” she says. “In addition to food, they have some household items and even flowers, which was amazing! The staff and volunteers are so nice. It’s great to be able to get that extra help during a tough time.”
Gabriella’s case manager told her about an eight-week class offered by Dress for Success to underemployed and unemployed women called “The Job Success Series for Women.” The class gives women the tools they need to get a good job, including how to dress professionally and write a compelling résumé. Through the class, women build confidence, improve interviewing skills, and identify their strengths. Gabriella knew she had to get back to work as soon as possible, so she signed up. The class was co-led by Heather Seiden, JFS employment case manager, who works with clients to help them reenter the workforce. Gabriella thought she had a good résumé, but she wasn’t getting called for interviews. She also had a LinkedIn profile, but it was pretty bare bones and she knew it could use improvement. “I didn’t realize how important that was to getting a job,” she says. “Heather really helped improve how I was presenting myself to prospective employers. Once I sent out my new and improved résumé, I started getting calls right away. I had several interviews within a couple of weeks of sending it out. Before long, I had an offer.” Heather also helped Gabriella identify target jobs and provided her with leads. “More than anything, Heather helped me regain my
confidence and self-esteem,” says Gabriella. “There was little left following my depression and all that had happened. I don’t believe I would have the job I have now without Heather’s support and encouragement.” Gabriella and Bob also benefited from the Bright Holidays program at JFS. They were matched with donors who purchased items on their wish list so they could enjoy the holidays. They were “JFS is saving able to get some things they lives every day.” really needed for their new —Gabriella apartment, including sheets and kitchenware. They were very grateful. “It was really wonderful to get those items as we were settling into a new place,” she says. Gabriella is very appreciative of the help she got from Jewish Family Service. “JFS has been such a tremendous help to us,” says Gabriella. “Taking the class and working with Heather has really enriched us. Without JFS, I don’t know where we would be.” “JFS is doing amazing things,” she says. “You don’t realize how many people JFS is actually helping—and in so many ways. It’s putting food on the table and helping people find a place to live. It’s connecting people with the resources they need. JFS is saving lives every day.”
Spaces Still Available for
Summer Magic Camp! There are still spaces available for Jewish
Disabilities Advocates’ Summer Magic Camp! Children and young adults with special needs (ages 8 to 30) are invited on exciting day trips to Shwayder Camp on Wednesday, June 22, and to JCC Ranch Camp on Friday, July 22. Cost is $20 per day. Summer Magic is also seeking fun, responsible teens and young adults to serve as camp buddies. Training is provided and no experience is necessary. For information/registration, contact Rita Singer at rocky2323@aol.com.
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MENTAL HEALTH
Matters
In this issue, we are pleased to
introduce our two newest therapists: Rotem Brayer, MEd, LPC, Refugee Mental Health psychotherapist; and Deborah Goodman, LCSW, psychotherapist.
Rotem Brayer, MEd, LPC, joined the JFS Refugee Mental Health department in December 2015. He grew up in Israel and moved to Massachusetts in 2007 to earn a master’s in education at Cambridge College. While in Boston, he worked at a community mental health center providing therapy for people with chronic mental illness, addiction, stress, or other issues. He specialized in addictions, especially helping people in their 20s with behavioral addictions such Rotem Brayer as gaming and the Internet. While he didn’t specialize in working with refugees, he got referrals for clients from other countries and could easily relate to them since he didn’t grow up in the United States. Rotem and his wife moved to Denver in 2015 for the mountains and quality of life. In JFS’s Refugee Mental Health department, he sees adults from many war-torn countries, including Iraq, Congo, Iran, and Afghanistan. Rotem helps them with anxiety, depression, and adjustment issues. The clients he Deborah Goodman has seen so far have been in this country for anywhere from a month to eight years. “So far I love everything about working at JFS,” says Rotem enthusiastically. “The work environment, my coworkers, and of course working with the clients have been wonderful.” He adds that he was attracted to this job because “I am interested in different
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cultures and relating to people’s experiences when they are coming from other countries.”
“I am interested in different cultures and relating to people’s experiences.” —Rotem Brayer
Deborah (Debbie) Goodman, LCSW, joined the Jewish Family Service Mental Health Specialists team in February 2016. Originally from Denver, Debbie left in her 20s and lived in several states before landing back in Denver more than two years ago. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, followed by a master’s degree in applied early child development. She earned a second master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan. Debbie spent the majority of her career working with children; she counseled pregnant and parenting teens at an adolescent healthcare clinic, served as a Jewish educator and preschool teacher, and worked with foster care children. About four years ago, she started working with adults at two different mental health centers and discovered she really liked it because they could make decisions about their lives. Her area of expertise is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (referred to as “ACT”), a cognitive behavior therapy that helps people gain skills to manage their symptoms so those symptoms don’t stop them from leading a value-laden life. “I am so passionate about this type of therapy,” Debbie says. “It is so effective and I have seen it turn people’s lives around! We’ve spent years thinking people had to get rid of their anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses, but they don’t—they just need tools to manage and accept them.” She looks forward to employing this technique with both individual clients and starting a group at JFS in the near future.
So far, Debbie loves everyone she’s met at JFS and is very impressed with the longevity of the staff. “Everyone is so kind, sweet, and accepting,” she says. “I also really love working in a Jewish agency again—there is a comfort there.” Debbie’s 29-year-old twin daughters have followed in her footsteps: Rebekkah works as a therapist in the Counseling Department of Regis University and Rachael is in a community psychology doctoral program at Michigan State University.
DONOR Spotlight Jimmy Miller and his family have
supported Jewish Family Service (JFS) for generations! Jimmy, president and CEO of Miller Global Properties, served as a JFS Executive Luncheon cochair this year. We spoke with him to learn more about his commitment to the agency and his leadership role in the event. Family Matters (FM): How long have you been supporting JFS? Jimmy Miller (JM): I know my parents have been supporting JFS for many years. When I was evaluating all the organizations I could support, at least 15 to 20 years ago, I knew it was important for me to support JFS. FM: Why did you choose to start supporting JFS? JM: Initially, I knew it was a great organization that served thousands of people in the Denver area, particularly underprivileged people and older adults, in ways that other organizations didn’t. I also have a lot of family connections to JFS; some family members have used the services and others have supported the agency financially. My aunt and uncle, Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum, have been involved with JFS for many years and Jane E. is now the board chair. They have helped me get more involved in recent years. My grandfather, Judge Charles Rosenbaum (Stanton’s dad), inspired me to get involved and be charitable with Jewish
Jimmy Miller organizations. My relatives on both sides have a long family history of giving their time and resources. I am trying to follow in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents. I hope I have instilled that same commitment and importance in my three children and that it will continue for more generations.
Jimmy Miller
FM: How did you become a cochair of this year’s Executive Luncheon? JM: That’s an easy one. Uncle Stanton, also a cochair, asked me and I couldn’t say no to him! FM: What did you enjoy about cochairing the event? JM: I loved learning more about JFS. I didn’t realize all the areas the agency provides help and I didn’t know it served more non-Jewish people than Jewish. It was a pleasure to work with the JFS staff. I did a lot of singing and acting in high school and college, and Al Pacino is one of my acting heroes. I was thrilled beyond belief that I might get to meet him. Unfortunately, I agreed to chair the luncheon before the date was finalized and I already had a family trip planned, but it didn’t keep me from working to get sponsorships! I believe in the cause, so I was happy to reach out to my business contacts to sell event sponsorships and tickets.
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PROGRAM
Spotlight
Heather Seiden: Master Strategist for Job Seekers
By Audrey Friedman Marcus
Meet Heather Seiden,
JFS employment case manager, whose gift for forming impactful relationships and boosting clients’ self-confidence enables her to help those at risk of becoming homeless (and homeless clients) to navigate job searches and pursue career transitions armed with knowledge, tools, and confidence. Heather motivates her clients by actively listening to their needs, frustrations, and professional goals. After synthesizing the information gained from a comprehensive questionnaire she designed, she meets with each client before creating personalized solutions that work, including customized résumés and cover letters. Heather also teaches them how to make use of social media, such as LinkedIn. Heather Seiden Heather’s in-depth job research enables clients to connect with jobs that might interest them based on their field, prior experience, skills, and values. Partnering with other agencies and programs, such as Goodwill Career Connection Center and Dress for Success, Heather works to strengthen clients’ skills and to help them obtain appropriate clothes for interviews and jobs. JFS recently hosted a seven-week class called “The Job Success Series for Women,” a partnership among JFS, Dress for Success, and the Going Places Network by Walmart. This free class teaches underemployed and unemployed women how to market their unique and valuable skills to employers, define their transferable job skills, present themselves professionally, and resolve conflicts in the workplace. Students learn interview skills from 8
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knowledgeable hiring managers, and also participate in a job-shadowing event. Heather’s goal is to help clients find a job they like that will sustain them—one at which they can succeed and grow their skills. Heather began her career as a recruiter, and then chose to raise her two young daughters for 10 years. While at home, she started a successful résumé-writing business and entered the nonprofit world as the career advisor for the Mountain Resource Center, a human services agency in Conifer. After coming to JFS in October 2014, she designed from scratch the program and protocols she currently follows. Since then, she has worked with approximately 80 clients, helping 53 of them to obtain employment. Her success rate of 66 percent is far above the average of 25 to 30 percent in programs serving the same demographic, as well as the 50 percent success rate in full-service job readiness programs, such as the State of Colorado Workforce Centers. One 30-year-old client, Brittany Torrence, laid off after seven years as a receptionist in a medical office, obtained another similar job with Heather’s help. Happy with a new position that is close to home and provides a good salary, she had this to say about Heather: “Heather is amazing! She goes above and beyond for her clients, checks in regularly, and helped me believe in myself again.” Heather credits her supervisor, Shelly Hines, for giving her free rein to design the program and for providing support and help whenever needed. She also works very closely with Dicia Kemp and Kathy Messer, the Family Safety Net Program case managers, to help clients attain self-sufficiency skills and achieve economic independence. Most of Heather’s clients also avail themselves of other JFS services, including emergency assistance with
Heather’s goal is to help clients find a job they like that will sustain them. rent and utilities, as well as access to the food pantry and sometimes counseling services. It takes talent, passion, and commitment to help clients in difficult life situations to find jobs. Heather Seiden demonstrates all three as she teaches skills, models responsibility, finds creative solutions, and stays in touch with the JFS clients she has helped.
Audrey Friedman Marcus is a volunteer writer for JFS. She was cofounder and executive vice president of A.R.E. Publishing, Inc., for 30 years before retiring in 2001. She also founded the annual Fred Marcus Memorial Holocaust Lecture and authored the book Survival in Shanghai: The Journals of Fred Marcus, 1939 to 1949 (Pacific View Press).
Hop Aboard a
Lunchbox Express Bus to Serve Summer Lunches to Kids in Need Now in its third year as a Jewish Family Service program, Lunchbox Express is
gearing up for another successful summer of feeding kids in need. This simple mobile fooddelivery system targets areas of underserved children and brings free lunch to them when school is out for the summer and children don’t have access to free or reduced-fee lunches in their schools. Utilizing repurposed mini school buses as the delivery vehicles, an enthusiastic group of dedicated volunteers will serve thousands of meals this summer on five different delivery routes throughout metro Denver. That’s where you come in: we are seeking volunteers to help distribute these lunches from May 31 to August 19. Whether you can help weekly or just once, we’d love your help with this fun and meaningful volunteer experience. Kids 10 and up are welcome with a parent, too. Contact Nancy Benyamin, Volunteer Services director, at 720.248.4642 or nbenyamin@jewishfamilyservice. org for more details. JFS is also collecting new or gently used books for children ages 1 to 13 to distribute with the In addition to lunch, kids received backpacks lunches. Donations can be dropped off at JFS, 3201 loaded with school supplies at the end of the summer. South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231. For information and a list of delivery routes, please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/services/lunchbox-express.
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SENIORS
Matter
Caring Conversations with Older Adult Drivers
By Sladjana Todorovic, Jay and Rose Phillips Senior Solutions Center intern
Safe mobility is essential to healthy
Sladjana Todorovic
aging. Driving has been recognized as a key factor in the well-being and independence of older adults. The idea of limiting or giving up driving can be a deeply personal and emotional issue for both the family and the driver. Communication about driving can trigger negative emotions, including sadness, powerlessness, frustration, anger, and decreased self-esteem. There is no easy way to approach the subject, but steps can be taken to preserve the driver’s freedom and mobility while ensuring safety on the road.
Prepare for the Conversation • Plan ahead: The first conversations about safety should occur long before driving becomes a problem. A frequent discussion allows for minor modifications and a gradual transition from driver to passenger. • Avoid stereotyping: Physical and cognitive functioning matters most in driving safely, not age. Avoid overgeneralizing, such as “older adults cannot drive.” • Observe driving ability: Gather facts and information on the driver’s skills and capabilities. Drive with him or her to learn what the specific safety risks are. • Who and where: Avoid holding a large family intervention and “ganging up” on the driver. Make privacy a priority; hold the conversation in a safe, comfortable, and private space. Tips for a Successful Conversation • Be respectful: Acknowledge that this is difficult and avoid coming on too strong, as you may start the discussion off on the wrong foot. 10
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• Stick to the facts: Focus on actual driving capabilities based on information you have gathered, not on age. • Focus on safety: Clearly express your concerns about safety and the risks to the driver and others on the road. Ask how safe he or she feels on the road and assess comfort level. • Address independence concerns: Acknowledge the importance of maintaining connections to the people, places, and activities that are important. Transportation Plan and Alternatives • Introduce transportation plan: Identify transportation needs and create a specific plan for how these needs will still be met. • Driving modifications: Minor modifications can address safety concerns while maintaining driver independence. These modifications include limiting night driving, driving on familiar and close streets, and avoiding the freeway, rush hour, and risky spots (ramps and left turns). • Friends and family: They are often a primary alternative for transportation. When providing transportation for your loved one, there are ways to frame the experience to be meaningful rather than just a “ride.” This can be done by asking the older adult to participate in family outings that already have planned transportation. Caring for your loved one demonstrates love and commitment, but it can become stressful and exhausting. It is important to understand that you are not alone and there are resources in the community to assist with some of the driving demands. • Community resources: There are various services designed to bridge the transportation gap in the aging community. These resources include public transit/fixed routes, paratransit, medical service providers,
volunteer programs, and hired drivers. The service suitable for your loved one may vary in accessibility, driving needs, affordability, and eligibility. For more information on transportation resources, please contact the Jay and Rose Phillips Senior Solutions Center at 303.597.5000.
Sladjana Todorovic is a student at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. Sladjana is a PROGRESS student in the Aging and Policy concentration and is set to graduate in June. She is completing her internship with the Jay and Rose Phillips Senior Solutions Center at Jewish Family Service.
Meet Aileen Englander, Volunteer Program Administrative Assistant While Aileen Englander,
Volunteer Program administrative assistant, has only been a member of the JFS staff since October 2015, she has had a long-standing relationship as a volunteer, a donor, and a former member of the bereavement group. All of these experiences led Aileen to respond to the job opening in the Volunteer department. Because of her positive experiences with JFS, Aileen wanted to give back to the agency, but didn’t have much time to volunteer. She met with Nancy Benyamin, Volunteer Services director, who considered her time constraints, skills, and interests and found a great volunteer job to fit her needs—making thank-you calls to donors. Aileen says, “I loved calling the donors! I was so touched hearing their stories of the various ways JFS impacted their lives and why they gave and supported JFS.” She continued this volunteer role for three years and discovered in the process that she wanted more meaning and purpose in her life. “I realized I needed to pursue my passion for helping people and making a difference in others’ lives in my little corner of the world,” she says. Aileen was thrilled when a position opened up in the Volunteer department and applied.
The position is continually evolving. Aileen explains, “Our department is constantly adjusting to meet the ever-changing needs of this dynamic organization. We strive to find the best fit for all the amazing volunteers and meet the needs of the programs and clients as well.” Aileen is very pleased with Aileen Englander her recent career move. “It was the best decision I’ve made.” She adds, “I am so happy to be a part of the Volunteer department; we work well as a team and complement each other. My work comes from my heart and I go home at night feeling like I made a difference in someone’s day or toward the greater good.” If you have attended one of our recent fundraising events, chances are Aileen’s husband, Murray, has taken your photo on the red carpet at Real Hope or at a meetand-greet with a JFS Executive Luncheon speaker. In addition to donating his company’s photo services for the events, Murray is an active volunteer with the Lunchbox Express program. We are incredibly happy to have both Englanders as part of the JFS family! Welcome to the team, Aileen!
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THank you to Participants of Spring Community Food Drive! Jewish Family Service recently held its third annual
Spring Community Food Drive to benefit the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry. JFS partnered with Calvary Baptist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mile High United Way, and Rose Medical Center for this interfaith effort. The food drive ran from April 1 to 25 at various synagogues, churches, and businesses throughout the Denver metro area. Thanks to everyone who donated food to help us feed the hungry at a time of year when food donations are traditionally low!
Thanks to all participating partners: AIMCO Argosy University Brookdale Tamarac Square Calvary Baptist Church Cardinal Health Chick-Fil-A of Greenwood Village Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Congregation BMH-BJ
Congregation Hebrew Educational Alliance Congregation Rodef Shalom Denver Jewish Day School Holland & Hart LLP JCC Denver JEWISHcolorado Kohelet Mile High United Way PCL Construction
Rose Medical Center Shalom Cares South Denver Fencing Academy Temple Emanuel Temple Micah Temple Sinai Walgreens
AgeForward: Navigating Life’s Transitions with Grace May 15 at B’nai Havurah
Are you wondering how to balance your life with that of your aging loved ones?
Are you one of those loved ones who is wondering how to meet your changing needs while continuing to contribute to those you love? Aging isn’t easy, but we can prepare ourselves and our loved ones to age well. We can plan ahead, be in a better position to respond to unexpected, and lessen the uncertainty that comes with growing older. On Sunday, May 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at B’nai Havurah, Jennie Creasey, Jewish Family Service Senior Solutions operations manager, and Jamie Sarché, Feldman Mortuary director of outreach, will moderate a thoughtful discussion on the practical and emotional considerations of life’s ever-changing landscape. Participants will discover that this is a well-traveled road with plenty of support along the way. This program has been created for older adults as well as those who love and care for them. $10 suggested donation to benefit B’nai Havurah’s Acts of Loving Kindness Fund. A light brunch will be provided. Registration is requested. For more information or registration, visit www.bnaihavurah.org/event/ageforward-navigating-lifes-transitions-with-grace.html or call B’nai Havurah at 303.388.4441.
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Join Us
to Celebrate JFS—and YOU—on June 27 Please join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate YOU—our
dedicated and devoted JFS staff, volunteers, and board members. Celebrate JFS will take place on Monday, June 27, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Palazzo Verdi Event Center, 6363 South Fiddler’s Green Circle, in Greenwood Village. We will present the Max Frankel Volunteer of the Year Award and install new board members. This is not a fundraising event and there is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. RSVP to Lisa Benoit at 720.248.4633 or lbenoit@jewishfamilyservice.org by June 20, or online at www.jewishfamilyservice.org/CelebrateJFS.
Join the JFS Summer Teen Volunteer Program! Teens ages 12 to 18
are invited to join our summer volunteer program June 9, July 14, and August 11 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Weinberg Food Pantry. Volunteer opportunities for students can be a life-changing experience, one that allows teens to expand their horizons, build their skill sets and résumés, and foster meaningful relationships. Attend one session or come to all three! For more information and to register, please contact Nancy Benyamin, Volunteer Services director, at 720.248.4642 or nbenyamin@jewishfamilyservice.org.
Thank You to JFS Volunteers for Leading Passover Seders In April, Jewish Family Service continued its long-
standing tradition of hosting Passover Seders for Jewish residents of non-Jewish skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living facilities in Denver and Boulder. Thank you to our dedicated JFS volunteer para-chaplains for leading services at 15 senior communities in metro Denver. These Seders engage residents in a meaningful way and provide an important Jewish connection.
FOLLOW US!
STAFF Anniversaries Congratulations to the following staff members celebrating their anniversaries in May and June: 10 years: Kari Alpen, graphic designer 5 years: Beth Lippa, Senior Solutions volunteer coordinator
www.facebook.com/jfscolorado www.twitter.com/JFS_Colo
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THANK YOU for Caring! The following donations reflect tribute gifts received from February 1 to March 31, 2016. Due to space limitations, we are only able to list tribute gifts received during this time, but all contributions are greatly appreciated. Please accept our apologies for any omissions or errors. IN HONOR OF ANNIVERSARIES Rabbi Steven Foster Noreen Stillman Paul and Zelda Goldstein Bernard and Leba Munishor IN HONOR OF BAR MITZVAH Braden Mayer Scott and Sharon Sagel Jack Stern Betsy Stern IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF A BABY Henry Krovitz Mike, Harriet, and Allison Greenstein IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS Rabbi Eliot Baskin Phillip and Fran Yeddis Mila Bremenstuhl Mark Pogrebin Carol Cardin Cardin Family Philanthropic Fund Myrna Garfield Allan and Alberta Sulzer Collin Goldman Douglas and Cedra Goldman Elaine Goldstein Allan and Alberta Sulzer Edith Hayutin Lynn Cohen Mildred Cohen Jordan and Sue Hochstadt John and Barbara Martinez Evelyn Mendelsberg Marcia Karshmer Allan and Alberta Sulzer Seymour Katzson Norma Goldblatt Roger Kempton Marvin Tyor James Miller Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Alon Mor Martin and Marilyn Warren Julie Morse Gary and Connie Levine
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Thank you for your generosity! Your support makes our life-transforming work possible.
Linda Neuman Toni Getz Donald Neuman Toni Getz Steven Peckar Mark Rosenblum and Laurie Levy Jerry Scezney Marvin Tyor Diane Weissberg Jim and Bobbi Seff Philip Winn Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum IN HONOR OF MARRIAGE Ron Ware and Alyse Howe Harvey and Judith Cohen Marc and Adrianne Wolfe Richard and Carolyn Sampson IN HONOR OF THE RECIPIENT OF AN AWARD CJ Chapman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Betsy Mordecai Heyman and Gareth Heyman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Rob Kaufmann The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Julie Kramer Trude Bershof Sean Leventhal Sheldon Seidel and Judie Davidson-Seidel Jessica Shouse The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky IN HONOR OF RETIREMENT Yana Vishnitsky Morris and Helen Ginsburg IN HONOR OF VOLUNTEER EFFORTS AT JFS Robert Epstein Beth Lippa
FAMILY MATTERS MAY/JUNE 2016
IN HONOR OF Isadore Elijah Greenfield Lawrence and Sheila Margolis Sarah, Ben, and Sam Humphries Teri Hanke Sarah Kerstein Joshua Kerstein Donald Kortz Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld Mo Levine Doris Fasbender Mark and Linda Loewenstein Larry Cohn Jay Miller Diane Miller Micah Rosenbaum Martin and Melissa Rosenbaum Judith Rosenthal Eric Cohen Paul and Nancie Singer Helen Rae Cohan Horty Youngelman David Simon and Andi Jason Jason and Kaiya Fox Gary and Joyce Lozow IN MEMORY OF Murray Balter Wind Crest Jewish Community Eve Bat Shalom The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Bruce Cohen Harold Becher The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Bill Becker Nina Becker Phyllis Becker Nina Becker Gary Boyce Cynthia Chapman Tamar Bronstein The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Henry Buckstein Louis and Marian Gelfand Charles Cleveland Libby Marcus A. Herbert Cohen Henny Kaufmann Sherman and Lois Rich Philip Stahl Eleanor Cohen Joe and Tsai Bilett Robert and Diane Cohn Pam Naiman Howard and Sherrie Zeppelin
Anita Cooper Marvin and Jackie Cooper Craig and Vicki Eskanos Barton and Marci Rivkin Evelyn Duman Ber Ronald Hull and Eva Ruda-Hull Eleanor Eisen Chuck Eisen Beatrice Epel Joshua and Betsy Epel Joseph B. Epel Joshua and Betsy Epel Laura Fischer The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Alan Fishman Louis Fishman Daisy Flynn John and Joan Adams David and Nancy Benyamin The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Charles Bouley Linda Dorfman Sherry Little Robert and Bonnie McCurry Gail Pennington Marcie Smith Scott and Andrea Stillman Temple Sinai Knitting for Charity Ladies Wendy Vean James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Cathy Grimm The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Jennie Creasey Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Pat Gisburne Arthur Mahoney and Pamela Baron Mahoney Roslyn H. Grueskin Dan and Candace Hepner Miriam Hoffman Dan and Susan Rich Clare Hooper Cynthia Chapman Edel Jacobs Larry and Debra Jacobs Aranka Jonap Stephen and Celeste Gorden Bernard Karshmer The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Cynthia Chapman Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Gary and Joyce Lozow Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Aileen Kassen The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service
Donald Kaufmann Libby Marcus Lonnie Kline Barbara Goldburg Estelle Knaster Craig and Vicki Eskanos Richard Gabriel and Jill Wichlens Stewart and Marilyn Greene Patty Ann Kreis The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Sidney Levin Charles and Shirley Henry Isabel Levitt Marcee Newman Milton Lewkowitz Larry and Audrey Plotkin Harley Lubin Sheldon Seidel and Judie Davidson-Seidel Leo Lubliner Alan Lubliner Susan Mason Richard and Perri Courtheoux Kristi Dinner Leonard Jonas James and Debra Mayworm Randy Sachter Martin Tobin Belle Miran Joe and Tsai Bilett The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Dawn Richard Sister Gertrude Nemirow Marvin Berkowitz Cindy Polger Eileen Eller Barrie Ray Lynn Cohen Lenore Reich Hank and Sherrie Brandon Norma Goldblatt Elias Reisman Leorita Reisman Sheldon Roger Sheldon Seidel and Judie Davidson-Seidel Shelly Rogers Harvey and Judith Cohen Sandi Rosenthal Joe and Tsai Bilett Skip Scott Trude Bershof Sondra Siegel Turkins Noreen Stillman Debbie Silversmith’s Mother Jo Ann Semple Marion Slavsky Marvin and Jackie Cooper Mark and Kathryn Goldstein
Pasha Smirnov Neil and Sarah Goldblatt Gary Smith Kevin and Marleen Konieczny Lawrence and Joann Litvak Mindel Spector Mike, Harriet, Jeff, and Allison Greenstein Jay Stillman David and Nancy Benyamin Joe and Tsai Bilett Phillip Tyor Marvin Tyor Laurie West-Roberts David and Anita West Ethel Wolfson Gerald and Kathy Berenstein The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Ronald and Roni Brown Robert and Diane Cohn Gary and Joyce Lozow Pam Naiman Jerry and Terry Rubin Bonnie Shore James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Vita Wouk Arthur Wouk WITH GRATITUDE FOR Debra Zimmerman Jennie Creasey WITH WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY
Lewis Sapiro The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Cindy Shaiman Howard and Sherrie Zeppelin Daniel Sullivan Norma Goldblatt Sue Zimet Ben and Robyn Friedman Sharon Zuckerman Pam Naiman In Kind DONORS Capitol Hill Community Services Colorado Public Television-CPT 12 Congregation BMH-BJ Congregation B’nai Havurah Congregation Hebrew Educational Alliance Congregation Rodef Shalom Denver Jewish Day School Denver Relief Hadassah Image Audiovisuals, Inc. King Soopers Reclamation KUNC–Colorado’s Source for NPR and More Roots and Branches Foundation Temple Emanuel Trader Joe’s We Don’t Waste Whole Foods at Tamarac
Sharon Bensinger Cynthia Chapman Steven Chotin Sheldon Seidel and Judie Davidson-Seidel Arnie J. Goldstein Ronald and Roni Brown Jeffrey Grazi Robert and Diane Cohn Arlene Hirschfeld Gary and Joyce Lozow Pam Naiman Ellyn Hutt Daisy Berl Cheri Michelson Pam Naiman Gareth Heyman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky James Peters Cynthia Chapman
FAMILY MATTERS MAY/JUNE 2016
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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 80231-4394 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED tel: 303.597.5000 fax: 303.597.7700 www.jewishfamilyservice.org
Beneficiary Agency of JEWISHcolorado and Mile High United Way
Social services for Jewish Nazi victims have been supported by a grant from The Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
DENVER, COLORADO PERMIT NO. 1217