March 11 - JFS Weekly Insider

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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?

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.

If you would like to offer a ride to fellow staff or need a ride, please complete this form.

VOLUNTEER AT THE RETREAT

Want to help on April 8th at Retreat?

We are looking for a few good people to assist in setup and tear down on the day of the event. To sign up, please complete this form.

SAY GOODBYE TO MATI

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

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 and drinks. Come say goodbye to Mati and wish her a Happy Retirement!

LET US KNOW YOUR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

In an effort to be sensitive to all staff allergens and dietary restrictions, please take this anonymous survey to advise the Employee Engagement Committee for future events. Specifically, we are going to be utilizing the results of this survey for the Agency Potluck.

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,

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.

TST-R Team that led the mental health workshop

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!

HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

The month of March is Women’s History Month. In celebration, we will be highlighting a local woman in history every Insider. This week’s highlighted woman is Elizabeth Dickinson.

Elizabeth Dickinson (1837-1931) was a Buffalo businesswoman and the driving force behind the T&E Dickinson jewelry store.

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)

SHOUT OUTS & THANK YOUS!

Want to highlight someone who went above and beyond? Want all of JFS to know what great work they’re doing? Submit any shout outs and thank yous here and see them in an upcoming Insider!

“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 deal with every weird printer situation that comes up without complaint Thank you for all that you do to support us!” - Sydney Lyons, PSS Specialist

3/12 - Grant Quait, Buffalo Refugee Resettlement

3/12 - Stephanie James, Buffalo Adult Care Coordination

3/13 - Gina Lazar, Finance

3/17 - Anna Incorvaia, Behavioral Clinic

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?

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

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 OPEN OPEN

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.

Correction from March 4th Insider

Matthew Stewart is the Manager of Jewish Community Services, not Jewish Community Care.

Meghan Stith

Rabbi Yonina Foster

Sydney Lyons

Emily Wirth

Fatima Slimani

Insider Contributors:

Jennifer McNamara

Lauren Maguire

Danielle Bernas

Bijoux Bahati

Matthew Stewart

Stacey Schmid

Megan Brenner-Zwara

Have an idea for the Insider? Want to submit an article? Want to promote an event? Submit your ideas here!