Strengthen Jewish life in Colorado
Now is your opportunity to practice Tzedakah and have a positive impact on Jewish life right here in our community! Join the statewide movement from May 19 – 21 and participate in the 2nd annual Jewish Days of Giving and help JFS make the greatest impact for the greater good!
Thriving in a changing world: JFS and the NJHSA PowerNET conference
JFS was excited to welcome human service professionals, agency leaders, and partner organizations during the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) PowerNET conference in Denver last month. The event drives impactful change across the Jewish human service sectors, and we were thrilled to host several site visits and presentations.
In the garden with JFS Altius Farms
So much is happening at JFS Altius Farms, and we’re excited to share more about how (and what) we’re growing. From lettuces, arugula, and basil to blue oyster, enoki, black pearl, and lion’s mane mushrooms, our team is busy this spring!
KidSuccess: Making healthy changes for 30 years
The JFS KidSuccess program places trained JFS therapists in schools, providing youth with access to free, quality mental health counseling services so they can succeed academically and emotionally. One of the team members who plays an instrumental role in supporting students is Lead Bilingual School-based Case Manager Ruby Chavez. Ruby works in all of our KidSuccess schools and is on the front lines, making a difference helping youth cope and heal.
Paying it forward
For 28 years, Abby built her business, raised her child as a single parent, and paid her debts. However, due to a series of missteps and challenges, she found herself unhoused, living in her car at night and spending her days trying to find work in the library. Our JFS Boulder team was ready to help Abby on her road back to self-sufficiency, and, in turn, Abby shared her story to pay it forward.
Adaptive cycling spins into action
Bicycle riding is a shared experience, and we’re excited to begin our second season of offering an adaptive bike program for Douglas, Arapahoe, and Elbert County residents in the intellectual/developmental disability community over the age of 18. The program helps break barriers to explore local recreation spots, get exercise, and discover new things on bicycles.
JFS Boulder is accepting mental health clients
JFS Boulder provides ongoing, high-quality outpatient support to adults, children, and families who need therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, grief, or trauma, we can help. Our skilled, compassionate, and professional therapists are ready to work with you to find solutions to whatever you are experiencing.
Learn to manage life with a focused and calm mind
Abby’s Impact is a learner-centered resilience and mental health education program offered at no cost to participants. Join us for two upcoming workshops to help build your resilience toolbox with evidence-based, practical skills for managing stress and responding to negative emotions.
JFS KidSuccess: Enhancing mental health support in schools
The KidSuccess program places trained JFS therapists in schools, providing youth with access to free, quality mental health counseling services so they can succeed academically and emotionally. The program has expanded to 22 schools this year, compared to 15 last year, and the need continues to increase. Learn more about how KidSuccess is making a difference at College View Elementary School.
JFS KidSuccess: Celebrating 30 Years of Promoting Well-being in Schools
For the past 30 years, JFS’s school-based mental health program, KidSuccess, has been on the front lines, making a difference, welcoming children, and providing the necessary resources for them to heal. KidSuccess’ unique hands-on approach promotes a supportive school environment for students that fosters achievement, high self-esteem, resiliency, and personal responsibility.
A Journey to a New Life
Far too many people living in places with political unrest are faced with the unimaginable decision to flee their homes and country in search of a better life. Thanks to our generous supporters, JFS provides long-term solutions to help refugees transition, rebuild, and become self-sufficient in their new lives—newly arrived neighbors like Balusani.
JFS Executive Luncheon with Anderson Cooper
Join us as we bring together the Denver philanthropic community to learn more about JFS, enjoy lunch, present the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Community Leadership Award to the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation, and listen to what’s sure to be a fascinating moderated conversation between journalist and 9NEWS anchor Kyle Clark and Anderson Cooper.
March Volunteer of the Month
We are excited to introduce Terry L., our March Volunteer of the Month. Terry volunteers to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
JFS Rapid Re-housing program: helping to end homelessness
For more than 25 years, JFS has provided services for homelessness prevention and housing assistance for our unhoused neighbors in the seven-county Denver metro area, including Boulder County. We view housing as the foundation for improving a client’s life, along with wraparound services, and that once stable housing is achieved, individuals and families can focus on finding employment, taking care of their mental health, and working toward self-sufficiency.
February Volunteer of the Month
We are excited to introduce our February Volunteer of the Month, Pat H., who volunteers in the Weinberg Food Pantry and at the Reception Desk. In these roles, Pat helps ensure members of our community have access to nurtirious food and hygiene items and helps greet individuals, answering questions and helping them find the services they need.
What’s on the Boulder horizon
Partnerships play a significant role in the work that we do and the success of the organization. Each day, we are excited and humbled to have the opportunity to help those who rely on our programs and services, and we recognize our work can only happen because of the support we receive.
Wrapping up our Boulder County Crisis Counseling program
Since the Marshall Fire roared through the Boulder area, JFS has responded to the community’s needs, including providing mental health support thanks to a partnership between the Community Foundation Boulder County and additional funding from the Red Cross and Boulder County Health and Human Services. Our administration of the Boulder County Crisis Counseling mental health program ended at the end of December 2024, and we’re excited to share our wrap-up.
60,000 diapers and counting
Sophie is a 7th-grade student in middle school, and she loves to dance, play the bass in orchestra, and go to Camp Sabra in Lake of the Ozarks, MO. And, for the past six years, her compassion and commitment to making the world a better place has been felt throughout JFS and our community with her diaper drive.
JFS is bridging the gap in the mental health crisis
JFS’s mental health services were strengthened with the receipt of a two-year Caring for Denver Nurse Practitioner grant. Now, we can help even more people who can benefit from mental health treatment with a focus on connecting individuals who need psychiatric medication and related therapy with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. We’re excited to introduce James Camp, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, to our community.
Jewish Chaplaincy Services: Compassionate support in difficult times with Rabbi Rick Brody
When a family member reached out during their parent's end-of-life journey, JFS Community Chaplain Rabbi Rick Brody offered essential Jewish crisis support. Through compassionate listening and pastoral care, Rabbi Brody helped ease the individual's anxiety while facilitating crucial spiritual connections.
