June 10 - JFS Insider

JFSWNY

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024

THE INSIDER THE INSIDER IS GOING BI-WEEKLY! That’s right - JFS’ Insider is going BI-WEEKLY! Please check the schedule below for publication dates and their corresponding submission deadlines. While you can submit content at any time, these are the deadlines for your content to make it into each publication. Going forward, the Insider will always have the deadline submission for the next edition posted in each publication.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY PAID TIME OFF

By: Dee Howell Due to the upcoming Juneteenth Holiday, ADP has changed the payroll processing submission date for our next pay date of 06.21.24. Both employees and managers will need to have their timecards approved no later than noon on Friday 06.14.24.

Please plan accordingly.

DONATIONS NEEDED! ~Strollers (double or single) ~Gently used toys in great condition (no stuffed animals) ~Electric fans Contact David Jankowiak at djankowiak@jfswny.org to coordinate donations

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024

JFSWNY

INTRODUCING THE SMALL WINS

INITIATIVE

CONGRATS ERIN AND OKSANA! By: Jill Gavin

As a new Health and Wellness Committee initiative, we’re collecting “Small Wins” from staff to celebrate every victory, no matter the size, at JFS! Example Small Win: “I recently heard from one of our employment partners that a client is really thriving in their new role!”

If you’d like to share one (or as many as you want) small win(s), click below for it to be featured in upcoming editions of the Insider!

SHARE SMALL WINS HERE

Please welcome me in congratulating JFS' own Oksana Protsuk and Erin Fisher, who are now officially certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians! Erin and Oksana completed the 32 hour training back in May through Safe Kids Worldwide. The four day training combined classroom instruction, indoor and outdoor hands-on activities, skills assessments with car seats and vehicles, and a community safety seat checkup event. Thanks to this training, both colleagues are now able to advise on proper use and installation of child restraints and safety belts and teach parents and caregivers how to properly protect their family on the road. Way to go, Erin and Oksana!

HAPPY SUMMER’S ALMOST HERE! SHOW OFF YOUR GARDENS!!

With the beginning of summer later this month and flowers and gardens in near-full bloom, we want to see your plants! Inside, outside, green thumb or not - show off your flora!

We’ll be showcasing everyone’s plants and gardens at the beginning of July so submit your photos today!

SUBMIT GARDEN PICS

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024

JFSWNY

JUNE 20TH IS WORLD REFUGEE DAY!

HERE’S A REFLECTION FROM JILL GAVIN IN REFUGEE SERVICES ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS DAY By: Jill Gavin June 20th marks World Refugee Day, the international day to honor people who have been forced to flee. According to the UNHCR -- The UN Refugee Agency -- “World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive, but thrive.”

At JFSWNY, we work every day to achieve our mission of empowering people to achieve their unique aspirations by offering culturally responsive and individualized care. JFSWNY’s Buffalo and Niagara Falls Resettlement teams work day and night to help ensure a smooth arrival and transition for newcomers, resettling more than 420 refugees since October 2023 and anticipating another 300 to arrive by the end of September. This adds to the more than 10,000+ refugees who’ve resettled into Western New York over the past 20 years, adding to the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our great community.

This World Refugee Day, let’s take a moment to honor not just the new neighbors who have found a second (or often third) home in WNY, but also our dedicated resettlement caseworkers and colleagues -- many of whom have lived through the resettlement experience firsthand themselves.

For these folks, who make new life possible for hundreds of people seeking refuge every year, team work really does make so many dreams work. Thank you, Resettlement! not only survive, but thrive.”

NOTE: JFS’ TIFERET CELEBRATION, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 20TH, WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 19TH TO COINCIDE WITH WEKLCOMING WEEK. THANK YOU!

UPCOMING EAP SESSIONS QUEER QUESTIONS: NAVIGATING TERMINOLOGY AND CREATING INCLUSIVE SPACES

Thursday June 20th 12:00pm-12:30pm Join diversity professional and founder of Parrino Consulting, Rachel Fangsrud, for an enlightening discussion on LGBTQIA+ terminology and the essence of Pride Month in "Queer Questions." This conversation will address frequently asked questions, demystify key terms, and provide actionable insights on fostering welcoming and inclusive environments. Whether you're part of the community or an ally, gain valuable knowledge and tools to support diversity and inclusion.

LEARN MORE/REGISTER

JFSWNY

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024

HAPPY SHAVUOT! By: Rabbi Yonina Foster Counting. We learn to count when we are young.

In every language, every culture. We are in a time of counting in the Jewish calendar since the second night of Passover. It is called the Omer, an ancient measure honoring the spring barley harvest at the Temple in Jerusalem. It continues today as a 49 day mystical custom moving us from physical enslavement to spiritual freedom from the second night of Passover to Day 50, Shavuot, Seven Weeks. The seven weeks of counting reminds us of the desert journey more than two thousand years ago, when, having escaped Egypt, we walked many weeks and stood at Sinai. There we accepted Revelation, Torah, including the Ten Commandments, or Statements, many are familiar with. That day is known as Shavuot and arrives this year at sundown on Tuesday, June 11th.

For some of us the journey includes reflecting on the Sephirot, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. When you read this we might be at Day 48 (begins Sunday night) of the Omer. It will be “Yesod” of “Malchut/Sheckina.”” Yesod” has many meanings: bonding, foundation, truth, grounding.

“Yesod” within” Malchut” (Kingdom)/”Shekhina” (Queendom) is related to nobility, authority, leadership. May you be grounded in the values of this 162 year-old jfs/wny organization, with its person-centered, culturally responsive, partnership based, built on trust, to do the work you are called to do by your leadership. May we strengthen ties to the community in the healing work we strive for.

May you be a light to one another and those you serve.

NOMINATE HERE

JFSWNY

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024

SIGN UP FOR JFS COMMITTEES! EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT BRIANNA NILSEN, 6/11, MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST JESSICA LEE, 6/20, INTENSIVE CASE WORKER NF

HEALTH & WELLNESS

CAROL QUARANTILLO, 6/21, VP OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS BIJOUX BAHATI, 6/23, TSTR MANAGER ERIN YODER, 6/23, MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST

JEDI; JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

SAFETY

INSIDER CONTRIBUTERS MADISON RUFFO KARA KANE MEGHAN STITH LAUREN MAGUIRE MOLLY CARR KELLY BROWN JILL GAVIN DEE HOWELL RABBI YONINA FOSTER AJ MARTHA

HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE INSIDER? WANT TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE? WANT TO PROMOTE AN EVENT? SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS HERE!