Jewish Family Service Programs
Aging & Adult Programs
Assist older adults challenged by disability, illness and/or declining health maintain independent, dignified lifestyles. Includes comprehensive in-home assessments, case management, family consultation, advocacy, counseling, companion services and referrals. Social services for Nazi victims are supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Alternatives to Addiction
Designed specifically to increase awareness and further understanding about alcohol and drug dependency within the Jewish community; and provide culturally relevant clinical support to individuals and families struggling with abuse/addiction.
Counseling Services
Utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities, individual, couple, family and group counseling is provided by professional therapists who understand the dynamics of life transitions and crises within a cultural context.
Emergency Services & Food Bank
A network of services for those in crisis and financial distress. Includes case management, subsidy assistance for rent and utilities, emergency housing vouchers, year-round food banks in two locations and home delivery food program.
Family Life Education
A wide variety of culturally sensitive educational workshops and groups that cover the lifespan of changes and challenges — all intended to strengthen individuals and families. Endless Opportunities facilitates meaningful connections to community for active, healthy adults age 60+.
HomeCare Associates
The state licensed in-home care division of JFS. Responds to the evolving needs of our loved ones and peace-of-mind requirements of families by providing personal care, homemaker and companion services that allow older adults to live independently for as long as possible.
Project DVORA
Domestic Violence Outreach, Response & Advocacy provides advocacy-based counseling and support to intimate partner abuse victims and their families, specialized classes for children and educational trainings for professionals and community members.
Refugee & Immigrant Service Centers
Services for refugees and immigrants from all cultures world-wide who are resettling in the Puget Sound area. Includes financial assistance, case management, employment services, vocational assistance and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
SAJD
Seattle Association for Jews with Disabilities provides skilled, compassionate, supported living services for people with developmental disabilities, persistent mental illness and brain injuries -- assisting clients of all backgrounds realize their highest potential while living richer, more satisfying lives.
Volunteer Services
Volunteers serve seniors, work in the Polack Food Bank, deliver to homebound individuals, teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to resettled refugees, mentor Jewish children, enrich the lives of people challenged by cognitive disabilities and support the Agency through committee work, clerical assistance and more.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
With a $500,000 stimulus grant from the federal government via the City of Seattle, we completed the renovation/expansion of our JFS Polack Food Bank on Capitol Hill in March, 2010. This renovation has enabled JFS to
- implement industry best practices food distribution, adopting a “customer choice” model (shopping) rather than a “distribution” model (based on pre-selection) to enhance the dignity of the experience for users;
- have more storage on-site in order to reduce transportation and off-site storage costs;
- facilitate ease of physical labor for staff and volunteers through strategic logistical design;
- increase safety and security for volunteers and staff; and
- enhance communication among volunteers, users and staff.
In early 2012, Jewish Family Service completed construction of a new facility to better meet the escalating needs of the community as the Agency has been challenged by a lack of space with many programs off-site. Renovating the JFS Polack Food Bank (2009-2010) provided the foundation for going forward, as JFS has created a facility and environment designed specifically to meet the needs of clients, volunteers, staff and the greater community -- holistically, comfortably and reliably.
The 19,000 square foot new facility was built on the parking lot next to the current 13,000 square foot Jessie Danz Building (already owned by JFS)...creating a Capitol Hill Campus where most programs have been consolidated, maximizing cost efficiencies while facilitating coordinated client care.
A major challenge is compensating for decreased State funding for several programs while coping with increased demands for services. In order to maintain existing levels of service in all ten program departments, general operating support is always needed to ensure adequate staffing and direct assistance for clients.