Department spotlight: Jay and Rose Phillips Aging Care & Connections
This month, we’re excited to spotlight our Jay and Rose Phillips Aging Care & Connection (ACC) department. We sat down with JFS Director of Aging Care & Connections Rachel Rotach to learn about this remarkable team and their work throughout JFS and our communities.
Celebrating the holidays throughout the Boulder community
Not a day goes by without our JFS volunteers making a difference throughout the Boulder area. Their impact is especially significant during times such as the High Holidays when our older adult neighbors may need a reminder that being a part of a community means that people come together to show they care.
Expanding our digital literacy reach
We’re excited to share our partnership with Centro de Los Trajabadores, whereby Spanish-speaking participants can take our Foundations of Digital Literacy course and gain valuable skills, confidence, and workforce readiness as they learn the foundation skills necessary to be competitive job candidates.
It’s not too late to make an impact this year
Choose a donation opportunity that speaks to you and help JFS make the greatest impact for the greater good before the end of 2024. Whether you decide to donate a Thanksgiving meal, attend our Faces of JFS event, or give to our year-end appeal, you will make a difference throughout our community.
JFS’s disability benefits counseling helps navigate government-funded programs
After the JFS Employment Services department team noticed several clients often chose not to take a job or to increase their hours at work due to fear of losing benefits, they applied for and received a grant to begin offering disability benefits counseling services to help navigate government-funded programs.
JFS Boulder volunteer retires after 52 years of service
Jerry Sloat has been sounding the shofar for JFS Boulder High Holiday celebrations at older adult facilities since 1971. In fact, Jerry has volunteered to sound the shofar at so many places over the years that he has lost count. After sounding the shofar for more than 50 years, Jerry is happy to let someone take over the mitzvah.
Program Spotlight: Baskin Jewish Community Chaplaincy
This month, we're excited to spotlight our Baskin Jewish Community Chaplaincy program. We sat down with Rabbi Rick Brody, Jewish Community Chaplain, and Lisa Soicher, Jewish Community Liaison, to learn about this remarkable team and their work throughout JFS and our communities.
Volunteer and become part of our JFS Altius Farms crew
At JFS Altius Farms, we grow more than 35,000 pounds of fresh produce yearly in our 7,300 sq. ft. rooftop greenhouse, which houses 345 Tower Gardens™. Now, you can volunteer and help us provide healthy, locally and sustainably grown chemical pesticide-free produce for restaurants, local grocers, the community, and the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry for our clients.
Abby’s Impact: Building your mental health toolbox
JFS’s Abby’s Impact: Realizing Resilience program is a virtual learner-centered mental health education program that provides a framework for dealing with daily stress and life’s struggles. It offers participants resources and tools to facilitate resilience so they can build their own mental health toolboxes. Learning coping and problem-solving skills is life-changing and critical for well-being.
September 2024 Volunteer of the Month
We are excited to introduce our September Volunteer of the Month, Ellen S., who volunteers as a Community Table Lunch Companion, helping provide nutritious lunches to older adults who benefit from sharing a community meal with their peers.
Don’t wait for a disaster to make a plan
Do you have a plan for you and your family in case an emergency occurs? If not, learn what to do before a disaster strikes because things don’t always go as planned—and if you already do, it’s a great time to reevaluate. There’s no better time than National Preparedness Month to get ready for the unexpected.
Denver Candidate Forum on Aging sessions
JFS, AARP Colorado, Alliance for Retired Americans, Bell Policy Center, Changing the Narrative, the Colorado Center on Aging, the Colorado Commission on Aging, Next50, and others are hosting a series of forums for candidates running for state legislature. These candidate forums will focus solely on aging in Colorado.
Program spotlight: JFS Mental Health Programs
This month, we’re excited to spotlight our Mental Health department. We sat down with Elena Pernitz, LCSW, Operations Manager Mental Health Department to learn about this remarkable team and their work throughout JFS and our communities.
Six back to school tips to set your kids up for success
The long and not necessarily lazy days of summer break are coming to an end. While the start of the school year ushers in new beginnings that can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming. JFS KidSuccess Program Manager Amanda Carter offers suggestions about preparing for the academic year and easing into a new routine.
August 2024 Volunteer of the Month
We are excited to introduce our August Volunteer of the Month, Danni L., who volunteers in the Weinberg Food Pantry, helping provide nutritious and culturally relevant food to individuals and families in need.
School-based therapy: JFS KidSuccess expands
Across the country, including in Colorado, the mental health crisis continues to surge—and youth are not exempted from this dire situation. It’s alarming how many children are struggling desperately and need mental health support to help them cope with depression, peer relationships, anxiety, and so much more.
When unexpected things happen, JFS is here to help
“At the end of the day, there are people out there who care and want to help those in need. The JFS staff are very kind, and I appreciate their efforts.” These are Abraham’s sentiments after receiving financial assistance from our JFS Boulder office. Abraham’s story isn’t unusual, and you or someone you know may be in a similar situation.
Introducing our new JFS Boulder director
We’re excited to announce Melissa Mascareñas has been promoted to the director of JFS Boulder. Since March 2023, Melissa has been the associate director, and she has continued to ensure that our Boulder clients receive exemplary services as they overcome difficult life challenges to reach their full potential and feel supported, connected, and engaged.
Calling all participants for our Adaptive Cycling program
The first session of our Adaptive Cycling program is wrapping up, and we’re excited to welcome Douglas, Arapahoe, and Elbert County residents in the intellectual and developmental disability community over the age of 18 to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise, and discover new things on their bicycles! Participants increase mobility, enjoy the benefits of improved health, build social connections, work on bike and safety skills, and have fun!