JFS Perspectives

May is Off to a Great Start for JFS!

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Here are some exciting things that have happened around JFS so far this month:

On May 6, Sara Leeper from SHALOM Denver, and Victoria Martysh from the JFS New Americans department, attended a Rose Youth Foundation celebration for grantees. JFS received $10,000 for its citizenship program and SHALOM Denver received $6,000 to increase community employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Sara Leeper, Sara Goldstein from Rose Youth Foundation, and Victoria Martysh.

On May 8, the JFS Executive Luncheon raised a record $468,000—$156,000 more than last year— to support all programs of JFS, including mental health counseling, senior and adult in-home care, disability and employment services, and family safety net services. Read the full story and view event photos!

On Friday, May 11, Denver Jewish Day School seventh graders volunteered in the pantry as part of their study on homelessness. They arrived at the pantry and gave the regular volunteers a break while they performed all their duties, including unloading the truck from the morning’s pickups at grocery stores, stocking the shelves, and organizing the pantry.

On May 12, Temple Sinai eighth graders held a fundraiser for the Weinberg Food Pantry and Lone Soldier called “Food Fight 4 A-WEAR-NESS.” The event included the world-famous rapper Kosha Dllz, DJs and breakdancers, a fashion show, a professional Flatland BMX demo, an on-site photo booth, educational presentations, food, refreshments, dessert, and more! In total, they donated 374 pounds of food and bagged 120 pounds of rice for the food pantry. In addition, they gave us 100 Fazzoli’s meal coupons to hand out to clients.

Here’s to a successful rest of the month!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Guest Blog Post by Jim Sharon: Growing From Defining Moments

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:04:00 GMT

Jim Sharon, Ed.D. of Energy for Life serves as a licensed psychologist and certified life coach in private practice with his wife, Ruth, in Centennial, CO. He has 40 years of professional experience, specializing in areas such as men’s issues, couples counseling, high-level wellness, positive psychology, and spirituality. Dr. Sharon is also the founder/coordinator of Whole Man Expo in the Denver Metro area.

Each of us has a rich life story worthy of sharing not only with others, but especially with ourselves!

As the originator and editor of the men’s anthology Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Lives: Defining Moments, I received exuberant comments from many of the 40 contributing authors that the writing process allowed them to garner fresh insights about a pivotal event or period that shaped their lives. I had the same experience from writing my anthology story. Each of us was surprised to discover that we had calcified our stories, i.e. constricting our events in a “box.” Re-visiting what were clearly our defining moments, and witnessing them from different vantage points, allowed us to rejuvenate ourselves and to benefit, in some instances greatly, from those vital times.

Doing book presentations and signings led me to soon realize that I wanted to interact with the audience about its own transformational experiences. Participants have realized the most value from a guided, step-wise process that I developed to catalyze learning from major life challenges. Working from the theme that “adversity is the canvas upon which you (often) paint your greatness,” I facilitate folks to re-view positive lessons from their key experiences, realizing anew and energetically the highlights that made those times genuine “defining moments” for them. More importantly, based on their updated reflections and perspectives, participants are given the opportunity to envision a powerful future and determine specific courses of action to begin implementing that vision. A potent synergy typically gets created in the room when participants share their realizations.

You are invited to attend a free workshop of the JFS Counseling Center at Jewish Family Service on Tuesday, May 29, 4:00–6:00 p.m., followed by a book-signing, to experience this vitalizing process. Learn more and RSVP!

-Jim Sharon, Ed.D.

Spotlight on Citizenship Volunteer

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Marilyn Amer, 3rd from left, with a group of students at their citizenship ceremony.

Today we are highlighting a very special volunteer in our citizenship department, Marilyn Amer. She has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 10 years who helps teach citizenship classes every week no matter what the weather or circumstances.

Below is an excerpt from a letter that we recently received from Marilyn:

Preevyet. Hello, my name is Marilyn Amer, and to quote from the Declaration of Independence, I believe it is “self-evident that all men (women) are created equal” and that they have “unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” To put these truths into practice, I have been a volunteer for more than 10 years with Jewish Family Service, working with Victoria Martysh to prepare immigrants, primarily Russian seniors, for citizenship in the United States.

Our focus has been on American History and the English language, particularly on the rights and responsibilities of being a United States citizen. In this process, both the students and I have benefited from learning about each others’ families, traditions, cuisines, and personal lives.

My life was enriched, for example, by a Russian opera singer who would belt out an aria from Eugene Onegin in a boring moment of class. I reveled in another student’s stories about Russian divas of opera and I was stimulated by my discussions with another student on writers Chekhov and Tolstoy. I have been overwhelmed by hugs, kisses, Russian chocolates, bouquets of flowers, and objets d’art from appreciative students over the years.

Marilyn (right) with a happy student who just became a U.S. citizen.

Working with Victoria Martysh of Jewish Family Service is a privilege. She offers continuing support of my class efforts and enlightens me with stories about Russia. Her robust energy and humor enlivens our meetings. Most of the students in our classes garner knowledge and confidence that enables them to pass their citizenship exams.

Thank you to Jewish Family Service for continuing support of the citizenship program, thus helping to produce enlightened individuals who will continue toward the well-being of the United States.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Houston Hoe-Down

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:58:00 GMT

SHALOM Denver staffers Meeka Houston, Employment Services Manager; Sara Leeper, Coordinator of Client Services; Susan Simons, CBT Developer/Site Supervisor; and Arnie Kover, Director of Disability and Employment Services at Houston Hobby Airport, ready to get back home from the joint IAJVS/AJFCA conference in Houston Texas.

Several members of the SHALOM Denver staff, along with JFS President and CEO Yana Vishnitsky, Director of Marketing & Communications John Kayser, and JFS Board Chair Alan Mayer, attended the joint annual conference of the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS) and the Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies (AJFCA) in Houston, Texas, April 21 to 24.

They all enjoyed the conference and learned a lot from colleagues from around the world at the three-day gathering, hosted by the Houston JFS. The conference was filled with informative sessions, networking with colleagues, and a fun Sunday night "hoe down," complete with kosher BBQ, line dancing and the "Cotton-Eyed Joe."

SHALOM Denver staff, Meeka Houston and Arnie Kover, were honored to deliver presentations about the innovative employment services provided through SHALOM Denver for Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) recipients and people with developmental disabilities.

Arnie Kover with IAJVS colleagues. Left to right: Leah Rosenbaum, from Detroit, Jerry Rubin, Boston and Peter Bloch, Cincinnati.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Get Your JFS Executive Luncheon Tickets Before It's Too Late!

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Our JFS Executive Luncheon billboard on Colorado Blvd. and Cherry Creek Dr. South

Unfortunately, there will be no Crown Royal at our "Happyness Hour." :)

Kari, JFS graphic designer, showing off her beautiful work!

There are only a few seats remaining for the JFS Executive Luncheon on Tuesday, May 8 featuring Christopher Gardner! Be there or be square...get your tickets before they're gone!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Chag Sameach Pesach (Happy Passover)!

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:44:00 GMT

Although Passover officially starts tonight, we feel like it's been going on for weeks around our office. Through the Community Passover Program, Jewish Family Service and the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver provide families in need with all the kosher-for-Passover items they need to prepare a Seder. We start the process of getting things ready for this program many months in advance, including collecting food and monetary donations from the community.

Unloading donations from La Vie Catering.

Our community really came together again this year to support this program! We’re happy to report that, with your help, we raised more than $5,200. In addition to the money we received, many community members generously contributed Passover food, and Grand Hyatt Denver, La Vie Catering, and Rocky Mountain Spice Company collectively donated more than 1,700 pounds of apples, potatoes, carrots, onions, walnuts, and cinnamon.

Loading donations from Grand Hyatt Denver onto the JFS truck.

This project also couldn't be a success without the help of our volunteers. Last week, about 10 people came to pack the Passover boxes and make sure everything was organized for distribution day.

Nancy Benyamin and Rivka Miriam Reiffman.

One of these volunteers, 12-year-old Rivka Miriam Reiffman, a student at Denver Academy of Torah who is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah, organized a group of six classmates to help out on this day. "I was so impressed with Rivka Miriam for the way she handled herself during her mitzvah project," said Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services. "She initiated the phone calls to get the project started and coordinated all the details with her friends and me every step of the way. I couldn't be happier with the way it all turned out!"

The volunteers from Denver Academy of Torah.

This Monday, with the help of more volunteers, we distributed kosher-for-Passover food to 167 individuals from 60 households. A handful of volunteers worked in the pantry while 10 others delivered the boxes to homebound clients who couldn't pick them up from the pantry. Thank you to our Family Safety Net program staff for working hard to make the day go smoothly and to ensure we could help everyone celebrate the holiday!

Volunteers working hard on Passover distribution day.

And if that's not enough, over the next couple weeks, our volunteer para-chaplains are helping isolated seniors celebrate Passover for conducting Seders in 20 retirement communities and nursing homes in Denver and Boulder.

Last, but not least, when Passover is over on April 14th, how delicious will fresh pita bread taste after a week of eating matzah? Give yourself a break from cooking and eat at Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill while supporting JFS! See what we're talking about...

Phew, that's a lot of Passover! We hope we enjoy the holiday...and for all you non-Jews out there, happy Easter or anything else you may be celebrating this weekend!!!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

National Council of Jewish Women Visit SHALOM Denver

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:56:00 GMT

Last week, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Denver Section, held their March board meeting at SHALOM Denver. NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. This group was instrumental in establishing the Utility Workshop in 1954, which was renamed SHALOM Denver in 1978. The members still have a special place in their hearts for SHALOM Denver and have stayed connected through the years.

In addition to holding their board meeting, the group toured SHALOM Denver and was very impressed by the services offered to people with disabilities and those moving from welfare to work. Elaine Long, an NCJW board member, had actually worked as a manager of the Utility Workshop in the 1960s and observed, "You still help people feel productive and have a sense of dignity, but on a much larger scale. It's terrific how this program that started out serving eight Holocaust survivors in 1954 has grown to serve so many and in such a beautiful facility."

Thank you to Arnie Kover, JFS director of disability and employment services, for providing the information for this blog post!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

SHALOM Denver in the News!

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:12:00 GMT

We had quite an eventful week at Jewish Family Service and SHALOM Denver! While there are always exciting things happening in our agency on a daily basis, below are a few things we think you'll especially enjoy:

Yesterday, CBS4 Denver aired an inspirational story about the wonderful work SHALOM Denver does to help transition people from welfare to work. View this story and learn more about the program! Thank you to Xstatic Public Relations for working with CBS4 and our staff to get this story on TV!

Heidi Pittaway, who is featured in the CBS4 story, with her daughters

Also yesterday, BBYO hosted a pre-screening of the popular movie The Hunger Games for Jewish youth in 6th-12th grade. To show that "hunger is not a game," the teens had to bring at a minimum of three canned food items to benefit the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry for admission. And in the spirit of the competition shown in the movie, BBYO had a contest to see which of their chapters would bring the most food. In total, the teens collected 2,200 pounds of food for our pantry! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make an incredible impact on the lives of people who are in need.

Teens contribute food to their chapters' food bins at the theater

Earlier this week, we said goodbye to Amy Wood who left JFS after nearly 20 years of involvement with the agency. Amy actually started as a JFS board member in 1996 and held various positions including volunteer, intern, case manager, Family Safety Net program director, and finally government and community affairs director. We had a great party to toast (and roast) Amy and her love of flip charts, decision trees, and Venn Diagrams! Her energy, talent, and dedication will be missed!

Shelly Hines, Family Safety Net director, with Amy Wood

Amy's Tenure Timeline posted at the party in honor of her love of flip charts

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Celebrate National AmeriCorps Week March 10-18

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:28:00 GMT

This Saturday, March 10, marks the beginning of National AmeriCorps Week which recognizes the commitment of AmeriCorps Members and Alumni by highlighting the extraordinary impact they make across our country every day.

Did you know:
AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 men and women in intensive national service each year through more than 15,000 organizations across the country?

Last year, Boomers Leading Change in Health (BLCiH) received a grant of nearly $250,000 to recruit, train, and place 23 full- and part-time AmeriCorps Members age 55+ at nine Host Sites across Metro Denver, including Jewish Family Service of Colorado. Our Members are helping to build the capacity of these Host Site Organizations in a variety of ways.

Here are a few Fast Facts about our AmeriCorps Members:
Average Age = 61.5
92% have a college degree
54% have a graduate degree
21% have worked in healthcare

Since they began their service last October, BLCiH AmeriCorps Members have logged more than 10,000 hours serving our community and helping our nine Host Sites better meet the needs of their constituents.

For more information about AmeriCorps--including how to become a Member--please click here.

-Submitted by Boomers Leading Change in Health

Thank You Congregation Beth Evergreen!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:10:00 GMT

This week, we received some beautiful baskets of food and toiletries from the sixth grade religious school class at Congregation Beth Evergreen. Nineteen students bagged rice and held a food drive for items needed in the Weinberg Food Pantry. In honor of Purim this week, they made cards and put the items into colorful baskets.

Thank you to Gareth Heyman, a longtime supporter of JFS and member of Beth Evergreen, for connecting their religious school with our volunteer department for this project!

If your family or group is looking for some fun, easy ways to help JFS, check out the Family and Group volunteer page on our website and contact Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services, at 720.248.4642 before starting your project.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

El Teatro Performs at JFS!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:13:00 GMT

Last month, Greeley’s El Teatro (a multilingual theater company) performed "OUR STORIES," a multilingual play written and performed by Greeley refugee and immigrant high school students, at JFS. The theater group was touring Denver and as part of our International KidSuccess program, we invited educators and supporters of refugee services to this performance.

Jewish Family Service is a part of the Refugee School Impact Grant program, which supports impacted school districts in Colorado with services that target school-age refugees between the ages of five and eighteen and within the first three years after arrival in the United States. The other service providers under the grant are Colorado African Organization and Lutheran Family Services.

El Teatro focuses on cultural pride, the benefits of knowing more than one language, and the idea that people are more alike than they are different. The script is based on true experiences of the El Teatro members, their families and friends. All of the students who performed also contributed to the writing of the script.

A couple of the attendees had this to say about the moving show:

"The play was very powerful and the personal experiences refugee and immigrant students shared with us were thought provoking and very inspiring. Thank you so much for organizing this amazing event!"

"I too was very moved and awe struck by the performers. Their stories certainly gave me pause to reflect on what’s important and all that I have to be grateful for."

To learn more about El Teatro and get a taste of their performance, view this brief segment that was on 9News recently:

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

What JFS Really Does

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:10:00 GMT

You have probably seen the "What People Think I Do/What I Really Do" meme going around on Facebook and other social networks this month. We decided to jump on the bandwagon and make one about Jewish Family Service of Colorado! We hope you get a few laughs and learn a few things about what JFS really does and who we really serve in the community!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Guest Blog by Evan Silverman: The Chain Reaction of Good

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Evan Silverman; photo courtesy of Nathan Armes and Magpie Media, Inc.

Evan Silverman has been a JFS volunteer since 2008. We first introduced you to Evan in this blog post and he has been featured in two of our print newsletters. He is a great advocate and friend of JFS who wants to share his perspective about “the chain reaction of good” and other key ideas that have guided him along his journey in life.

There is a concept that Jewish Family Service (JFS) has been talking about recently called “the chain reaction of good.” This idea resonates very well with me. I think all of humanity is linked – not in straight line, but rather in a gigantic circle. What are the implications of this circular chain? First of all, it means everything is connected. According to Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, every point of mass attracts every other point of mass—everywhere.

It also means that when somebody holds the door open for someone, a temporary one-to-one connection has been made between the two people through the act of kindness. I believe the chances improve that the recipient will do something nice in the future for someone else. It is my feeling that temporary one-to-one connections happen all of the time as we make our way to the grocery store, pharmacy, and beyond.

I believe that sometimes there are more permanent connections as well, such as friendships. Another example of important connections is one where many people are connected over time, i.e. a community. Sometimes these communities are healthy, such as the one at Jewish Family Service.

There are connections created between staff, volunteers, and clients at JFS. A healthy community like JFS has some specific characteristics; everyone is valued for their uniqueness and there must be a sufficient amount of love. It’s also a community that helps assure that the people who need help the most get the most help. I believe that a community in which the members exercise free will in a positive way is extremely important as well.

Two assets over which we can exercise free will (at times) are time and money. One positive way to use time is to cultivate love. This, for me, has occurred as a natural part of being an active member of a healthy community. Jewish Family Service, where I’ve volunteered for the past four years, fits in that category. The Tattered Cover Book Store, where I work, is a great example as well. In each group I am motivated as part of something bigger than myself rather than by fear or greed. When we make positive choices within a healthy community, we transform that community, and by extension, we transform the world in general. In turn, this also further changes us.

Money is valuable as well. When we support a local charity, we improve the community in which we live. The Jewish concept of tzedakah contains the idea that regardless of how little money one has, there is always at least a small amount that can be donated. Living in this way improves the biggest human community of all—mankind.

-Evan Silverman, JFS Volunteer

Finding Ability in Disability at Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day February 12!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:39:00 GMT

We hope you have been reading The Story of Beautiful Girl that we told you about last month as part of Jewish Disability Awareness Month and are getting excited for Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day next Sunday, February 12 from 2 to 5 at the JCC! This day promises to be fun, informative, and inspirational. We can't wait to see you there!

Learn more about this event from the flyer below and check out the full schedule.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

The Challenges Refugees Face in High School

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:32:00 GMT

High school is hard enough when you’re an American student, but what is it like when you are a refugee? Not only do refugee students have all the same challenges that Americans have – making friends, fitting in, keeping up in school, peer pressure, etc., but they have a whole other set of challenges to deal with as newcomers to this country.

The JFS Counseling Center has a program called International KidSuccess, which helps refugee and immigrant students adjust to life in their new land by providing mental health services in the school. Services include adjustment groups, consultation services, and psychological education. Our therapists also provide teacher training, parent education, and information and referral. The main goal of this program is to facilitate cultural adjustment and address social-emotional needs.

Our International KidSuccess therapists conduct quarterly cultural trainings for teachers and other school staff members to educate them about some of the specific challenges that students from certain countries experience and how best to work with these students. Recently, several students came to one of the trainings to share their stories, which was very enlightening for the educators. Below are a few excerpts from these stories that we hope will shed a little light to the variety of challenges these students are experiencing. The International KidSuccess program is working hard to help the kids and educators understand each other and make the transition to school in this country easier for everyone!

“Jules” came to America in 2008 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo via a refugee camp in the Central African Republic. His family fled the Congo because Junior’s father was assassinated for his political beliefs and government position. Jules and his family moved from the Congo when he was just seven years old and they spent the next seven years in a refugee camp. He is very happy to be in America because life is so different from where he grew up.

He wants to encourage his American teachers to learn more about the different cultures of foreign students and respect the differences, which will lessen some of the misunderstandings he has experienced. Teachers need to know that students learn in groups in different countries. Jules doesn’t like being segregated because of his English, which makes it difficult for him to get to know students in other classes. He wishes he could continue his English studies, but be integrated into other mainstream classes. He wants to graduate and go to college to pursue a career helping others.

“Aminah” was able to come to America from war-torn Iraq because her father worked with an American company and her family was able to escape. She is a Sunni Muslim and was persecuted because of her family’s religion. Because her father worked with Americans, the family was further ostracized as traitors. They were under the constant threat of being kidnapped or killed.

The Sunni and Shia Muslims are in constant conflict. You can tell if a person is Sunni or Shia based on their name. When she was in school, Aminah’s teacher didn’t give her full credit for her work simply because of her name. When her mother came to school to ask why, the teacher encouraged her to change her daughter’s name.

Aminah is very happy in the U.S. and likes her school, but there are some significant differences that have required some getting used to. For example, in Iraq, teachers came to her class while in the U.S., students rotate to various classes. She feels that tests and class work was much harder in Iraq. Another big difference is that after 6th grade, boys and girls are separated in Iraq and she is adjusting to the co-ed environment. She studied English in Iraq for five years, which has helped her immensely. Her biggest challenge has been making friends in America.

Aminah feels that teachers in America should not compare students as much as they do. She also feels that it would be helpful if teachers could learn a little bit about her culture. She hopes to go to college and study dentistry.

“Kiya” came to America from Ethiopia in 2006, after spending two years in a Kenyan refugee camp. Her father was active in politics because he wanted to bring new freedom for Ethiopians and ended up in prison. She is one of 18 children in her family. Kiya is Oromo, an Ethiopian ethnic group—the largest in the country—that constitutes more than 30% of the population. According to Kiya, if you are Oromo, you don’t get to go to school or have opportunities in life. Only the Amharic language is used in schools, and many Oromo can’t speak it.

Kiya was surprised and happy when they came to America and had the opportunity to attend school for the first time in her life. It has been especially difficult and confusing for her to learn the culture. She remains very thankful for her family because they were always there for her through very difficult times.

Attending American schools has been both rewarding and challenging for Kiya. She is impressed with how her teachers motivate and advise students. The hardest thing for her has been learning English. She has also had difficulty starting in the 7th grade when she has never attended school before. She likes the diversity of people at her school and likes that she can talk to her teachers and choose her own classes.

Kiya wishes her teachers would be more sensitive to her culture. For example, when she first arrived, she always looked down and her teachers thought she was not listening, but in her culture this is a sign of respect. She hopes to go to college and study business and one day return to Ethiopia to help her people.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department