March 11 - JFS Weekly Insider

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MARCH 11TH 2024 ISSUE

DON’T FORGET! TAKE THE JEDI SURVEY! The JEDI Survey is available! The JEDI Survey is important to make sure that JFS is making the most inclusive environment possible for all staff.

Complete the survey here. Your feedback is important.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BEHAVIORAL CLINIC?

By: Stacey Schmid, Behavioral Clinic Manager

The JFS clinical team is adjusting to the new space at 1170 Main St. The team is comprised of 8 full-time licensed therapists and one full-time licensed Older Adult Diagnostician.

The Clinic has both Office of Mental Health Licensed/ insurance reimbursed programs, and a supportive counseling option which is primarily funded and provided referrals through the Erie County Department of Senior Services. In addition to the Erie County referred supportive counseling, the clinic has been able to provide supportive counseling services to members of the Jewish Community who express a need for supports due to the continued violence In Israel and Gaza.

The clinic provides Insurance reimbursed or private pay licensed counseling services at the clinic, via telehealth, and in BPS #89 Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence. In addition, the GAP Program, which meets the counseling needs of individuals over 60, provides the option of in home sessions in a limited geographic area for those who have a medical/clinical reason they are unable to attend in person or via telehealth.

NEED A RIDE TO THE HALF DAY RETREAT? OR TO PROVIDE ONE?

SAY GOODBYE TO MATI

Mati Lorenzo’s last day at JFS will be Friday, March 22nd.

JFS staff will attend a half day retreat on April 8th from 9AM-11:30AM. The retreat will be mandatory and the focus will be on self-care and burnout. A breakfast buffet will be provided. The retreat’s location is TBD.

For those who would like to attend, a Goodbye Reception will be held at Resurgence Brewery at 2PM on March 22nd.

The restaurant and bar will be available to order food If you would like to offer a ride to fellow staff or need a and drinks. Come say goodbye to Mati and wish her a ride, please complete this form.

Happy Retirement!

VOLUNTEER AT THE RETREAT

LET US KNOW YOUR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

In an effort to be sensitive to all staff allergens and dietary restrictions, please take this anonymous survey Want to help on April 8th at Retreat? to advise the Employee Engagement Committee for future events. Specifically, we are going to be utilizing We are looking for a few good people to assist in setup the results of this survey for the Agency Potluck. and tear down on the day of the event. To sign up, please complete this form.

This survey will be available to complete for the next month.

Breaking the Silence: Encouraging Open Conversations about Mental Health in our Young People By: Bijoux Bahati, TST-R Manager At a local church in Buffalo, the TST-R team led attendees in a warm up activity and introductions. Youth learned about JFS, TST-R services and importance of speaking up about the stigma of mental health.

Youth reflected on the following questions in their breakout sessions: 1. What is it mental health, what does it feel like physically, what are some cultural implications?

2. What are the challenges of being a teenager? (gender roles, bullying, language barriers, pressure from parents or peers, daily stressors and associated emotions). Who do youth talk to in time of distress and What to do that can help to feel better (coping skills)?

It was a lively discussion, inspiring and thought provoking to hear some of their responses. Youth drew some similarities in taking care of the body and that of your mind. Soccer, staying active, healthy eating and good rest were identified as some of the good activities to do to take care of mind and body.

In times of distress, youth identified the following coping strategies 1. Trying to stay positive 2. Turning off phone/social media 3. Staying away from alcohol and drugs 4. Staying in the present moment 5. Video games (in moderation) 6. Taking a break and stepping outside 7. Make time for yourself for prayer and other meditative activities 8. Talk to a trusted adult TST-R team identified opportunities for future engagement with that group of youth, TST-R Team that led the mental health workshop 1. Volunteer and lead awareness workshops at their churches' after school program 2. Youth expressed interest in gender specific skills-based group to have a safe space to build strong relationships and to lay the groundwork for individual counseling support.

Shout out to Moses Serugo and the team members in attendance for hard work in executing such a wonderful outreach and educational experience. The team bonded over African food and learning more about the church community.

Social Impact Fellows will Rejoin the RICH Team!

By: Danielle Bernas, Director of RICH

On February 21st, our Refugee and Immigrant Center for Healing (RICH) was once again awarded the opportunity to participate in the Social Impact Fellows Program at the University of Buffalo for Summer 2024. RICH will be working with three students from the College of Arts and Science, the School of Social Work, and the School of Management who will be working alongside our Psychosocial Support Services (PSS) team to help with strategic planning and implementation of regular curriculum-based and wellness-based support groups for the refugee and immigrant community. The fellows and team will also identify additional opportunities for regular communication with community leaders for purposes of increased community outreach and education. Last summer, our Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugee Youth team worked with the Social Impact Fellows program to establish a strategic plan for expansion into additional schools that work with refugee and immigrant youth. The team won second place and was awarded money to help cover additional expenses for expansion. We are looking forward to hosting a new team of fellows this summer and improving our services provided in our PSS program!

SHOUT OUTS & THANK YOUS! HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH! Want to highlight someone who went above and beyond?

The month of March is Women’s History Month. In Want all of JFS to know what great work they’re doing? celebration, we will be highlighting a local woman in Submit any shout outs and thank yous here and see history every Insider. This week’s highlighted them in an upcoming Insider! woman is Elizabeth Dickinson.

“R.I.C.H would like to send a big thank you to Paula Valentino, who is always ready to share a kind word and Elizabeth Dickinson (1837-1931) was a Buffalo deal with every weird printer situation that comes up businesswoman and the driving force behind the without complaint. Thank you for all that you do to T&E Dickinson jewelry store. support us!” - Sydney Lyons, PSS Specialist Along with her husband Thomas, a watch and clock repairer, they established their business in 1849.

Originally located at 472 Main Street, this was the leading jewelry store in Buffalo, NY, and, at its height, one of the largest in the country.

To sign up for committees, contact the following people: Employee Engagement: Meghan Stith (mstith@jfswny.org) or Kara Kane (kkane@jfswny.org) Health & Wellness: Jennifer McNamara (jmcnamara@jfswny.org) or Meghan Stith (mstith@jfswny.org) JEDI, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Sierra Johnston (sjohnston@jfswny.org) or Danielle Bernas (dbernas@jfswny.org) Safety: Todd Warfield (twarfield@jfswny.org)

3/12 - Grant Quait, Buffalo Refugee Resettlement 3/12 - Stephanie James, Buffalo Adult Care Coordination

By: Fatima Slimani, Manager of Care Specialization, RICH

Ramadan this year is going to start on March 10th and end April 9th. 25% of the world population, the equivalent of 1.9 billion Muslims around the world, celebrates Ramadan. What is Ramadan and why is it very important for Muslims?

3/13 - Gina Lazar, Finance 3/17 - Anna Incorvaia, Behavioral Clinic

Ramadan is a commemoration Muhammad’s first revelation. It is a

of

month of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and devotion to Allah. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Ramadan lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Ramadan is considered the holiest month in the Islamic calendar because Muslims believed that the first verses of the Quran (the holy book) were revealed to the prophet Muhammad during this month.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is mandatory for all adult Muslims that are not chronically ill such as diabetic, traveling, elderly, breastfeeding, or menstruating.

Happy Ramadan for everyone and God blesses you all.

By: Rabbi Yonina Foster, Jewish Community Engagement Specialist

I mostly associate costumes with the Druid holiday, Halloween and this rabbi’s birthday! On Purim costumes are central to a joyous time when we remember Adar 14 on the Jewish calendar about 2300 years ago when Persian Jews escaped annihilation.

We are shown in the Book of Esther the revealed and concealed, a hiddenness expressed by dressing up. Have you thought how you hide in your own life? How do cover the true you? The story is read from a scroll known as Megillat Esther, “Revealing the Hidden.” This year Purim, or “lots” that were drawn to decide which Jews to kill first, begins Saturday night, March 23rd.

We dress as the brave beautiful Queen Esther who had not revealed she was a Jew to King Ahashverosh, who became her husband. Or evil Haman who pretended to be good but was conniving. He led the King to believe Jews were out to get him. King Ahas, not a very bright man, signed a decree to have them all murdered not knowing his wife was one of them. Once signed a decree was irreversible…Uh, oh! Learn the rest of the story next week…

OPEN Refer a new employee and get a bonus!

JOBS

Every two weeks, JFS staff receives an email titled, "Job Referral Opportunities." To ensure that you receive credit for the referral, make sure that the applicant either uses the links provided in the email or lists your name as the referring party.

Click here for all the open positions at JFS.

Correction from March 4th Insider Matthew Stewart is the Manager of Jewish Community Services, not Jewish Community Care.

Insider Contributors: Meghan Stith Rabbi Yonina Foster Sydney Lyons Emily Wirth Fatima Slimani

Jennifer McNamara Lauren Maguire Danielle Bernas

Bijoux Bahati Matthew Stewart Stacey Schmid Megan Brenner-Zwara

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