JFS 2024 Capital Campaign

Opening Doors on the Pathway to Healing 2024 Capital Campaign

Case for Support

Opening Doors on the Pathway to Healing Dear Friends, Jewish Family Services of Western New York opens doors for our clients and community every day. For over 160 years, JFS has been providing our neighbors critical health and human services. Our clients, especially our elder Holocaust Survivors, shine a light on our path as we build a future where all people receive the personalized care they need to heal and thrive.

Solomon was born in 1937, in Ukraine. When Germany invaded, Solomon’s father enlisted and, shortly thereafter, was killed. Solomon, his mother, older sister, and younger sister fled. Their constant efforts to seek shelter were perilous, and his sister - then 2 years old - succumbed to malnutrition.

Solomon married, had children, and built a life in Ukraine. But with the rise of the Soviet Union, he once again faced oppression in his homeland. In 1978, Solomon and his wife decided to leave to avoid persecution and protect their children. They were eventually granted passage to the United States.

Recently, Solomon and his wife relocated to Buffalo. Our dedicated and compassionate Jewish Community Case Workers have ensured that he and his wife have the care they need at home and have connected them with the JCC, where they can connect with other Russian-speaking Survivors.

As we reflect on the stories of our elders, like Solomon, we are reminded of our commitment to open the doors of healing for all those in need. We are committed to creating spaces where healing can occur, opening doors to culturally responsive and individualized care that survivors require. As the needs in our community continue to grow and change, JFS will be there with open doors.

Today, at Jewish Family Services of WNY, we stand at the doorway of a new and exciting future.

Will you join us in creating the future of healing for survivors?

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

Blaine S. Schwartz Chairman, Capital Campaign Committee

Jewish Family Services of Western New York is committed to meeting the needs of our growing community. In recent years, JFS has doubled its operating budget, added innovative new programs, and quadrupled the number of clients we can serve.

Rooted in our Jewish values and commitment to providing the best in culturally responsive and individualized care, JFS continues to grow to meet the needs of our community.

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WHO WE ARE: Since 1862, JFS has been providing our community with essential health and human services. Our doors are open to everyone, regardless of age, ability, religion, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, or gender identification. We are dedicated to providing the three C’s:

Clinical Services

Community Programs

Care Coordination

MISSION

VISION

VALUES

We empower people to achieve their unique aspirations by offering culturally responsive and individualized care.

We will be the first choice for the communities we serve and for the services we provide.

We are person-centered, culturally responsive, and resolute in repairing the problems that affect our community. We strive to be ethical and admirable people!

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JFS PROGRAM STATISTICS Jewish Community Services

750 INDIVIDUALS HELPED Mental Health Programming

350 INDIVIDUALS HELPED Medical Care Programming

424 INDIVIDUALS HELPED Refugee Support Programming

1,954 REFUGEES HELPED

Family Support Programming

93 FAMILIES SUPPORTED Career Services

564 CLIENTS FOUND WORK RICH Clinic

52 INDIVIDUALS HELPED Holocaust Survivors Served

48 INDIVIDUALS

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OUR NEEDS: JFS has the professional skills and experience to meet the needs of our community. However, the need for more suitable space limits our ability to provide more services to more people.

Our current facilities are also sterile and outdated. The environment does not encourage our clients to open up so that we can better help them recover and start new, better, more hopeful lives.

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OUR VISION: With your help, JFS will secure $2.2 million to renovate and modernize our facilities to improve accessibility and accommodate more staff. In addition, we will also create a safe, inviting, and affirming space that communicates our respect for those we serve and establish a therapeutic environment.

In alignment with our values, these renovations reflect our commitment to being person-centered and culturally responsive in our approach to care. We envision an environment where everyone who comes to us for help feels safe, welcome, and empowered to reach their full potential.

The Opening Doors on the Pathway to Healing campaign will ensure that JFS can continue to provide compassionate and trauma-informed care to all who seek it.

70 Barker Street Construction / Remodeling $1,126,746

70 Barker Street Elevator / Accessibility Features $469,073 Security $117,093 IT Upgrades $75,000 Niagara Falls & 1170 Main Street Furniture $175,000 70 Barker Street Furniture $270,957

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BARKER STREET: We will upgrade our main offices on Barker Street to better serve our community by: Welcoming clients into a lobby space that conveys warmth and respect.

Ensuring that all clients can access services by installing an elevator.

Supporting mothers with a new, comfortable nursing room.

Accommodating a variety of physical ability levels by making our restrooms ADA compliant.

Promoting community conversations and relationship building with a new meeting space. Such a space would enhance the orientations we hold for newly arrived refugees and our parent education groups.

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We will expand cross-program collaboration by relocating the Refugee Resettlement, Career Services, Family and Community Wellness programs, and agency administration.

Nadiya and her mom, Inna, are on their way to JFS. They were invited to join a parenting class during their cultural orientation. Walking hand in hand, both visitors are nervous. They're about to enter a new place among strangers - a scenario that has become all too common since they left Ukraine.

They both feel scared as they leave the bus and walk into the building. As they climb the stairs, they hear the sounds of children laughing and a sign welcomes them in Ukrainian. They know they are in a place that will provide them a sense of belonging.

As they open the door to where the class will be held, they see bright-colored toys and happy children playing alongside their mothers. The other mothers greet Inna with smiles, and she begins to relax. Nadiya is eager to join the other children at play. These are the first friends she will make in the United States. As Inna learns new parenting skills alongside the other mothers, she begins her own lifelong friendships.

Moments like these are possible because of your generosity.

Help build new beginnings through this capital campaign.

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ENVISIONING HEALING SPACES

Waiting Room: A warm, welcoming reception area with soft textures and natural light will offer comfort to our clients and visitors. Designed to promote a sense of safety and confidentiality, this space offers respite and inspires hope on the healing journey.

Conference Room: Fostering creativity and engagement, the new conference room will ignite inspiration among JFS team members. Community partners will feel welcome in the modernized meeting space, fostering dynamic collaboration and relationship building.

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Kids Room: Families can relax while our young visitors are safe and occupied in the newly configured kids’ room. Comfortable furnishings, childproofing features, and a children's activity zone will offer versatility for various group sizes. This cozy and inviting environment will provide families with little ones with suitable space for transitional times around appointments.

Open Office: Like the organization itself, flexible and adaptable to changing needs, the new modern workspace will allow for easy reconfiguration.

The open office layout fosters accessibility, helping staff to connect and collaborate. The flow of the inclusive work environment will support teamwork with ease.

Consider leaving a lasting legacy by naming a new room.

Join us in building a brighter future and leaving a meaningful mark at JFS.

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Donations to the Opening Doors on the Pathway to Healing campaign are building blocks for our community's future.

The Jewish value of Gemilut Hasadim teaches us to bestow kindness towards others without expecting anything in return. Your support of this capital campaign is an act of this loving-kindness towards your family, friends, and neighbors.

Together, we can make meaningful and lasting social change for the most vulnerable in our communities: Holocaust Survivors, youth, isolated seniors, people struggling with mental health challenges, and refugees, among others.

For more than 160 years, JFS has been a cornerstone of our community. This capital campaign will ensure that JFS has the infrastructure to continue to build that legacy into the future.

Your generosity will enable JFS to modernize and continue to provide help and hope for a life of dignity and abundance for years to come.

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70 Barker Street Buffalo, NY 14209 716.883.1914 ext. 309 Lauren Maguire

Vice President of Development and Community Engagement

LMaguire@jfswny.org