JFS 2024 Impact Report by JFSWNY

IMPACT

Dear Friends of JFSWNY,

A lot of people think of resilience as being able to continue forward regardless of the challenges in front of us. I would argue that being resilient is learning from experience and making ourselves stronger and better to deal with the stressors and challenges that come our way, learning from our failures today to succeed tomorrow, and giving ourselves the space to recover.

These past few years, our community has been strained. And at JFS, we have been engaging in crisis response and dedicating our hearts and souls to managing the needs of the people we serve. We have persevered to push through.

This year brings many new, exciting experiences and challenges for the JFS team and the Western New York Community. We will be working on sanding the rough edges of the many new programs and projects established over the past few years. We will open our doors to new spaces, new faces, and new engagement with you - our community. We hope you will join us for the experience.

We understand and accept that we will continue to have unforeseen challenges that come our way. Still, we are conﬁdent that as we continue to grow, we will learn from our experiences and build our resiliency.

Molly S. Carr, Ph.D. Chief Executive Oﬃcer

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MISSION

JFS of Western New York empowers people to achieve their unique aspirations by oﬀering culturally responsive and individualized care.

VISION

JFS of Western New York will be the ﬁrst choice for the communities we serve and for the services we provide.

VALUES

Be a Mensch: An ethical, decent, and admirable person.

Be Person-Centered: Meeting individuals where they are.

Be Culturally Responsive: Creating purpose-built spaces and programs for our clients that respect their culture.

Be Resolute: Tenacity, solution-seeking, and getting stuﬀ done!

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SERVICES

JFS of Western New York deeply values Holocaust survivors as important members of our community. Our goal is to support them in leading positive and fulﬁlling lives. We strive to help Holocaust survivors maintain their independence for as long as possible, with dignity.

WHERE O UR CLIE NTS COME FROM

JFS FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Each week, parents gather in JFS Family Support Programs. Depending on their child's age or family needs, the curriculum may diﬀer, but a few things remain the same. The program is always oﬀered in the client's native language, and it is always evidence-based. These classes empower families to raise emotionally resilient children, but it doesn't stop there. Children whose parents participate are more likely to succeed in school, avoid the criminal justice system, and avoid lifelong mental health issues. 250 parents spent fourteen weeks learning together this year, promoting skilled parenting support for 622 children across WNY.

This year, the victory stories are pouring in. One parent found that she regularly argued with her son and husband, as her son would cry and scream to play on her phone. Her husband wanted her to hand it over to avoid tears and breakdowns, but his mom knew all that time on the phone probably wasn't healthy for a toddler. In her class, she learned skills to redirect her toddler from screen time and play together to avoid using a cell phone to encourage good behavior. "I can ﬁnally enjoy time with my son without a phone needing to be in his hand, and I know it's helping his brain."

Another parent felt helpless in handling arguments among her sons. She would rely on yelling and threats, but the relief was always temporary. "Now I start redirecting them right away," she says, "and I ﬁnally have some peace at home. It's so nice to see my boys enjoying each other."

250 parents spent fourteen weeks learning together this year, promoting skilled parenting support for 622 children across WNY.

Parents in other groups oﬀered in English, Dari, Rohingya, Spanish, and Ukrainian noticed results such as eliminating physical punishments like spanking or hitting, implementing eﬀective reward systems, and communicating better with spouses over parenting decisions. Groups like these help parents raise healthy, resilient children with higher educational achievement and better social-emotional skills.

Groups like these help parents raise healthy, resilient children with higher educational achievement and better social-emotional skills.

KATHY'S HAPPY HELPERS

When the news hit that the City of Buﬀalo would be receiving hundreds of Afghan evacuees, a group of four from St. Joseph's parish felt the urgent need to do something to help. They began setting up apartments for arriving individuals and families, creating the beginnings of a new home. As the ﬁrst few apartments turned into ten, the team grew and grew. Moving from an initial group of four volunteers from one church, quickly, the group welcomed other parishes and even other faiths, like Quakers and Latter Day Saints.

"I have not heard an argument, nasty words, or unwillingness to help in the 2 ½ years doing this! I have so many new friendspeople I admire, good people making a diﬀerence one house at a time! Working with old and young, all diﬀerent faiths and cultures … all for a common good. Why can't the world do this?" - Kathy

After the end of the ﬁrst year, the team was using two storage units and had a well-established system. One team member specialized in TV set-ups and never met a system he couldn't handle. Another loves keeping inventory, and she is a gifted creative writer. Yet another uses a wide social media network to help donors ﬁnd the opportunities to give. The team of over 100 individuals is a group of hardworking friends, a network of champions for newly arriving families. Together, they have managed over 80 home set-ups.

When reflecting on their set-up memories, the team recalls moments of overcoming language barriers to move a sofa with a Pakistani, stuffing 30 busy volunteers in a small apartment, and relay teams moving items upstairs - come rain, snow, or shine! Each memory is filled with joy, a testament to the happiness they've brought to others. It's clear that Kathy's Happy Helpers is a caring, committed group that's expanded way beyond the capacity of one caring member. From picture hangers to furniture mavens to curtain gurus, everyone on this team has a gift, and everyone has a way to contribute.

The team of over 100 individuals is a group of hardworking friends ... Together, they have managed over 80 home set-ups.

STAS’ STORY

In 1979, the Soviet Union was rife with antisemitism. With a stern anti-emmigration policy, the Iron Curtain made fleeing nearly impossible. In a rare gesture of support - at the urging of the free world - 12 Jewish families were allowed to make a pilgrimage to Israel. Stas' family was one of these lucky few who escaped oppression. Like many refugee experiences today, Stas' family waited in a second country for their chance to resettle in their new homeland. Finally, after months, the family arrived in Buffalo. They spent their first night in the former Hotel Lennox on North Street. Stas recalls, "After that, JFS sprung into action."

Stas' family was placed in a home in Kenmore, where he was enrolled in school. For the first two months, his family benefited from social safety net programs. However, it wasn't long before the entrepreneurial family became self-sufficient.

"JFS gave me a home. They gave me a bed. They gave me the things I needed to go on to prosper." - Stas

Today, after founding multiple businesses, some with global reach, Stas uses an EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) with 750 other facilitators worldwide. After the attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, the EOS facilitators gathered to determine what they could do to help.

"I'd been involved with JFS, but this was the first time it occurred to me that I could contribute from my skillset." Stas offered the organization a two-year series of strategic planning services using the EOS model. It's a unique skill that few people can offer.

When asked about his experience as a refugee, Stas said, "I have immense gratitude. Your worst day here in Buﬀalo, NY, is better than the best day you'd have in 95% of the world. Opportunities here are limitless."

Stas' story is unique, but he's not alone. Many refugees served by JFS return to volunteer or work for the organization, sharing their culture and experience. The impact of JFS is so profound that many seek a way to give back. However, you don't have to have been displaced from your home to be a part of this movement. Every day, people just like you offer their time and talents to make a difference for others. Join in and become a part of the team that is affecting real change in our community. Your skills and your time can transform the lives of others as they re-launch their lives in a new country, recover from trauma, or meet other needs.