JDAIM community learning evening
February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), and the hope is to spark awareness and bring change into our everyday lives for those with disabilities in our Jewish community. JDAIM is a time for the Jewish community nationwide to learn, connect, and create programming that expands understanding and inclusion for those with disabilities and their families.
Celebrating light and hope
We continued our partnership with 11 older adult facilities to provide Hanukkah celebrations to residents and their families. Bringing happiness, light, and hope to these communities is such an impactful way to show we care for our Jewish friends. We truly appreciate our supporters’ efforts in making these celebrations meaningful!
Inspiration abounds at Faces of JFS
The Faces of JFS event was the place to be on December 4! Guests celebrated how JFS has been helping individuals and families in need for more than 152 years. We also recognized two incredible individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to JFS and our community: Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award recipient, Dr. Richard Sanders, and Joyce and Kal Zeff Humanitarian Award recipient, Dr. Nancy Reichman.
Support refugees on their journey to a new life
We're looking for compassionate volunteers to assist refugees as they settle into their new lives in our community. Learn more about these opportunities and apply.
We appreciate you!
Whether you gave to our end of year campaign, supported Colorado Gives Day, participated in our Adopt a Family Bright Holidays gift program, or were a Secret Shopper and provided gifts to local individuals and families, we thank you. Your generosity brought joy and light to our community. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your support and willingness to help those who need us most.
10 tips for coping with grief
For those dealing with grief, whether it’s recent or not, the holidays can stir up many emotions. Maybe a loss seems heavier, or sadness or loneliness feels overwhelming. Paula Stephens, Abby's Impact: Realizing Resilience Program Coordinator, shares essential advice to help individuals navigate this time of year when they are dealing with grief.
December Volunteer of the Month
We are excited to introduce our December Volunteer of the Month, Alan Y., who volunteers with our adaptive bike program during the summer months, helping people with disabilities increase mobility, enjoy the benefits of improved physical and mental health, build social connections, work on bike and safety skills and have fun in their community. When not volunteering as an adaptive bike companion, Alan volunteers at JFS Altius Farms and with our Arts and Community Exploration program, helping with honey bottling.
A Gift For You, From You: Closing the Year with Self Kindness
The end of the year can be difficult, from holiday stress and mixed emotions, to dwindling daylight and cold nights. Many of us struggle to be kind to ourselves in the best of times, let alone when we’re facing extra stressors, but learning to be kind to ourselves is one of the best tools for building our resilience and overall wellbeing.
Program spotlight: JFS Boulder
This month, we’re excited to spotlight our JFS Boulder program. We sat down with Melissa Mascareñas, Director of JFS Boulder, to learn about this remarkable team and their work throughout JFS and our communities.
We are thankful for you!
Together, we made a difference in the communities we serve this Thanksgiving! Thanks to our partners, volunteers, donors, and staff, we shared the warmth of the holiday with our neighbors who might otherwise not enjoy a traditional meal, including homebound older adults.
Building bridges to support our Boulder clients
Our JFS Boulder team is committed to helping those in need throughout our community. Every day, Stuart Feinhor, MA, MAHL, MFA, Programs Coordinator, Care Manager fills an important gap in providing services to help our clients, like Mary Beth, become connected, self-sufficient, and thrive.
Q&A with a JFS disability benefits counseling client
The JFS disability benefits counseling services offers a personalized approach to helping individuals with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance navigate government-funded programs. The process can be tricky, but this service provides relief for clients like Mark who need assistance.
JFS partners with Ridwell to help newly settled families
We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Ridwell to access gently used items such as pots and pans, dishes, winter jackets and more for our resettlement clients.
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.