Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts

📣 Calling all families with elementary to middle school-aged children! We're thrilled to extend an invitation to you to join our new initiative, the Jewish Family Service Corps. This is an opportunity to make a significant, positive impact in our community while simultaneously strengthening the ties within your own family. By extending a helping hand to refugee families, older adults, and families in need, you can become a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change. Register now and embark on this inspiring journey of community service with us. Together, we can truly make a difference! 🌟✨

For more details and to register, please refer to the first comment.

A big shout out and thank you to our incredible intern team! They organized a free yard sale for our client community to come pick up household items, toys, and other things. Over the last two days more than a hundred clients came to our office to pick up items and connect with case workers. Their thoughtful and dedicated service really exemplifies our core value of human dignity, and is just one of the ways that we welcome people and cultivate resilience among our new American clients.

🌟 Join the JFS Legacy Society and make a lasting impact on our community! 🌟

Support programs benefiting the Jewish community and Western Massachusetts through planned gifts. Create a brighter future for all. 💙💫

For more information on how you can leave a lasting impact through planned gifts, check out the first comment.

📣 Join us for the Ride to Provide 2024 on September 29th in Springfield, MA! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ Ride with us to raise funds for local Jewish organizations, including JFS. This family-friendly event, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, is an opportunity to make a difference and strengthen your Jewish connections. Sign up now: https://jewishwesternmass.crowdchange.co/37516/team/55535 ! ✨🌟

🌟 Discover the strength-based services at JFS Behavioral Health programs! We empower individuals and families through life transitions, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Accepting private insurance, Mass Health Managed Care, and Medicare. 💪🏼

For more information on the specific programs we offer, check out the first comment!

Thank you to RadSpringfield for continuing to support our newly arriving refugee clients with refurbished bicycles. If you have a bike to donate, please call our office at (413) 737-2601, or you can drop bicycles off at our office at 15 Lenox Street, Springfield, during regular business hours.

Today we welcomed 2 new friends from Syria and helped them with some much needed transportation. Thanks to the crew at Rad, along with generous area donors and our partner orgs:
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts
Hampshire Bicycle Exchange
Make-It Springfield

Mazal Tov to Cindy Ngamba, who will win the first-ever medal for the Refugee Olympic Team! The Refugee Olympic Team first participated in the 2016 games. This year’s team is the largest yet, and reflects the resilience and strength of refugees from around the world.

🌞 Let's Make a Difference Together This Summer! 🌞

As the summer heat intensifies, our resilient refugee families are facing the challenge of staying cool. We're reaching out to our wonderful community with an urgent request: could you donate a new or gently used air conditioner or fan? Your act of kindness could dramatically improve their summer, offering a much-needed respite from the blistering heat.

If you have an air conditioner or fan that you're ready to donate, we invite you to bring it to our JFS office at 15 Lenox Street, Springfield during regular business hours. Alternatively, you can contact Nina Echols at 413-737-2601.

We're profoundly thankful for your ongoing support and generosity. Together, we're making a positive impact! 💙

For more details on how you can contribute, please see the first comment.

Earlier this week, our Sudanese Health Group enjoyed a classic New England summer activity: blueberry picking at Kosinski Farms in Westfield, MA! Since the group's inception, we have had nearly perfect attendance, thanks to our incredible and personable staff member, Sal. Sal has been instrumental in developing and leading this group, with the goal of educating clients about health-related topics and fostering a sense of community.

During our outing, one attendee shared: “It is my first time blueberry picking. I saw beauty in the small things. They are so sweet and juicy. I saw blossoms on the bushes like sunshine. It gave me sweet memories of when I used to harvest my plants and farm back home. I enjoyed the company of the people I was with as much as the blueberries themselves.”

We are grateful to the staff at Kosinski Farm, who were incredibly kind and expressed their appreciation to us for bringing our group to the Farm.

Moments like these highlight the impact of this program and the wonderful experiences we share together.

🌟 Explore the remarkable history of JFS, a social service organization that has been serving the community since 1881. Originally established as the Hebrew Ladies Relief Association, JFS provided financial assistance to needy Jewish families. Over the years, our agency has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community, offering services such as family casework, counseling, and resettlement. From supporting families affected by war in the 1940s to helping resettle Russian Jews in the 1990s, JFS has always been dedicated to making a positive impact. Join us in continuing this legacy of service and support. Together, we can create a world of difference. 🌍💪

For more information about JFS and the range of programs we offer, check out the first comment!

Nine of our staff members are in Washington DC attending the annual HIAS conference. The chance to learn and connect with counterparts at other affiliates is a key resource for us in our work of welcoming people, and helps us build resilience among our staff team.

Last Friday, JFS staff and family came together for our summer picnic to celebrate all the great work of this past year, enjoy some delicious food from Fresh dish halal, and play some games. Our favorite was the children’s water balloon toss!

Shabbat Shalom and happy summer from all of us at JFS!

Our CEO, Rabbi James, made a site visit to see one of our fantastic partners, Westover Job Corps. This program serves hundreds of emerging adults from around Western MA, providing life skills and job training that are critical to the success of our clients and cultivating resilience in our community.

Today was our JFS staff and family picnic. Our team came together with family to celebrate all the great work of this past year, enjoy some delicious food from Fresh dish halal, and play some games. Our favorite was the children’s water balloon toss!

Shabbat Shalom and happy summer from all of us at JFS!

Rabbi Prinz famously said that neighbor is a moral term, not a geographic one. It takes many hands and a lot of heart to welcome people at JFS. Mady is a junior in high school and has been a regular volunteer over the summer helping organize our New American Program clothing donation space. Thank you, Mady, for helping us welcome our neighbors when they arrive in Western MA!

Thank you to two of our teen volunteers who helped us set up an apartment today for a newly arrived family! It takes hundreds of volunteers each year, alongside our dedicated staff, to create a welcoming community here in Western Massachusetts.

Our JFS Youth Staff recently hosted a fun bowling night with 17 youth mentees and their mentors. The event was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to play, have fun, relax and build relationships in an informal setting. If you're interested in learning about our Mentorship Program, visit our website at https://www.jfswm.org/volunteer/.

🌟 Discover the comprehensive range of services offered by JFS Citizenship Services to help immigrants become U.S. citizens! 🌟

Since 2011, JFS Citizenship and Immigration Program has been providing a full range of education and representation services, with funding from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and Project Citizenship. Our accredited staff assist applicants through all phases of their immigration process, from one-on-one citizenship counseling to filing for family reunification and petitions for legal permanent residence. We also provide free classes to help clients prepare for the citizenship interview.

Services JFS provides include:
- Becoming a citizen
- Obtaining permanent residency (green card)
- Applying for asylum
- Bringing family to the United States
- Obtaining travel documents
- Getting employment authorization

Reach out to JFS Citizenship Services today to start your inspiring path to citizenship! 🗽🌍✨

For more information, check out the first comment.

Thank you to our partner, Rachel's Table, for inviting our staff to interpret and ensuring that the program was inclusive of the entire community!

🌿🌞 A wonderful day in the garden with the Rachel's Table Growing Gardens Program! 🌞🌿

Huge thank you to everyone who made the Food Preparation w/Culturally Relevant Crops demo so memorable! 🌱🌸This event was hosted within the beautiful garden site at the Gray House.

Together, we harvested cilantro, lettuce, and strawberries right from the garden. 🍓🥬 Then Ascentria Care Alliance's SNAP Ed team led a cooking class. We made delicious sweet potato and black bean quesadillas with mango and strawberry salsa. 🌮🥭

Resources on SNAP and HIP were available in multiple languages, ensuring everyone could access this valuable information. 📚💬

Grateful to be joined by our supportive local legislative team, State Representative Brian Ashe, Mari and Mark from Senator Adam Gomez's office, District Director Jennifer Pickering from Senator Jake Oliveira's office, Angelica from Carlos Gonzalez State Representative's office. Thank you all for your support and dedication!

Special thanks to Marie from Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts for Haitian Creole interpretation and Yolanda from The Gray House, Inc. for Spanish interpretation. 🙏

💚✨

🌟 Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts provides exceptional support to individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Join us in making a difference and creating a brighter future. ✨💪

For more information on how you can support our mission, please check the first comment.

Together with , we're celebrating the stories of displaced people across the U.S. who are supporting and thriving in their new communities. Swipe through and meet Sal, a JFSWM staff member!

We can never thank our JFS volunteers enough! Recently we hosted a special open house event at our Welcome Center offices in honor of our wonderful JFS volunteers. The open house featured an office walkthrough with local artist Laurène Boglio who created murals on our Welcome Center walls representing visions of "home" based our input from our staff and clients. The artist spoke about each mural, answered questions, and we enjoyed delicious treats together.

Our amazing volunteers play an integral role in supporting JFS staff and our clients. From ESL to Refugee Youth Mentors and more, they contribute countless hours to making a difference in our community and our clients' lives. Join us in honoring their dedication and learn how you can get involved. Visit our website at Volunteer | JFS (jfswm.org) or contact Olga Bauman at [email protected] for more information. Check out the comments below for more details. 🎉🙌

🌍 World Refugee Day! 🌍

Let's unite and show our unwavering support for refugees on this significant day. 🤝

Together, we can make a lasting impact by empowering new Americans and helping resettle refugee families. 🙏 As a HIAS resettlement partner, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts helps refugees find safety and integrate into their new communities. In FY23, we helped 1,066 refugees and humanitarian arrivals fleeing religious and political persecution.

Refugees' contributions - social, cultural, and economic - strengthen communities and boost local economies. Through employment services, financial & digital literacy courses, housing support, English classes, and more, we help refugees build financial independence and start their new lives.

Join us in creating a brighter future for refugees. Donate now to support our mission: jfswm.org 🌟

In honor of Juneteenth, join the Springfield Symphony for their second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Concert for a powerful celebration of music and unity.

As a social service agency dedicated to the vision of a resilient and collaborative community where people are welcomed and barriers are eliminated, Jewish Family Service of Western MA honors the importance of this historic day in the fight for justice and freedom.

We are thrilled to announce that our building is getting a brand-new roof! 🏠✨ This upgrade is crucial for us to continue providing a safe and welcoming space for our community. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful neighbors at Trinity United Methodist Church (Springfield, MA) and Walgreens for allowing us to use their parking spaces during the construction. Your kindness and cooperation mean the world to us!

🏠 Help support families transitioning from emergency sheltering into permanent housing! The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has asked organizations like JFS to assist in this important mission. Donate affordable housing, temporary housing, and household items to make a positive impact. Visit jfswm.org to learn more about how you can help.

Urgently needed items can be purchased on our Emergency Shelter Wishlist. For more information on the partnership between the Healey-Driscoll Administration and resettlement agencies, click here: mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-launches-new-partnership-with-resettlement-agencies-to-help-families-find-housing-jobs.

Contact Frenaud Dorilien at [email protected] for any questions. 💙

For more information and to find out how you can help, head to the comments below.

JFS Older Adults is here to uplift and inspire seniors and their families every step of the way. We offer a wide range of services, including counseling, caregiver support groups, in-home assessments, and more. Contact us today and let's navigate the challenges of aging together. 💙🌟🌈

For more information about our services, head to the comments below.

🎉 Exciting News! We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new ESL class in partnership with American International College. Join us in supporting new Americans on their journey towards independence and success. 🌟🌍

For more information about how you can get involved, please check out the first comment.

📣 Join us in creating a welcoming and inclusive community for New Americans in Western Massachusetts through our JFS refugee resettlement program. Together, let's make a difference in the lives of refugee families as they start anew and strive for independence. 💪🌍

For more information on how you can get involved, head to the comments below.