Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis

Career services - see schedule ocareer servicescareer services helped 1,172 individuals overcome barriers to employment and find meaningful work with wages that meet their needs and goals. In the programs described below, professional employment counselors provide complete career assistance including resume development, social media strategies, interviewing skills, networking opportunities and more. Our programs empower people to explore and identify their visions of career success, including access to or support for career training.career counseling helps people who have lost their jobs, who are entering the workforce, or who want to seek a better job. This Service includes career assessments with professional interpretation, individual job-search coaching sessions, resume and cover letter critique, and goal-setting sessions to create an individual action plan. Career counseling includes project em, an initiative of the network for Jewish human Service agencies, though which jfcs provides services to participants who are unemployed or underemployed and who do not qualify for our standard government-funded programs. We served 34 people.the dislocated worker program provides career counseling to workers who are laid off or have received notice of permanent layoff or termination. This program provides career counseling to help people make strategic decisions about their professional futures. Those who qualify receive training funds to develop new skills, update existing skills, or obtain required certifications or credentials. We served 167 people.it pathways helps ensure that twin cities workers have the skills they need to secure high-wage, in-demand jobs in the information technology (it) industry. The program focuses on skill & career assessments, job skills training, & job placement. It pathways supports people traditionally underrepresented in the it field, including women, veterans, people of color, and people who have low incomes. It pathways also supports local employers to fill it jobs. Jfcs's training partners include comptia tech career academy, it career labs, prime digital academy, york solutions and ed2go, an online training site. The it pathways program served 98 people. The jfcs Minnesota Family investment program (mfip) career services program serves people with low incomes who are parents of minor children to move toward self-sufficiency through employment. All participants receive an assessment and an employment plan, which outlines personalized steps necessary to reach their employment goal. Mfip staff worked with 520 people.the vocational rehabilitation program provides personalized services for individuals with disabilities, including mental illness and other physical and cognitive disabilities, who are seeking to improve their work lives or find employment. The program offers vocational evaluation, job placement, work adjustment training and extended employment. We served 87 people in vocational rehabilitation.we distributed 883 emergency financial assistance grants to 266 career services clients, totaling $189,965. Recipients used these funds to help with rent, utility bills, car repairs, medical bills, transportation costs, and food.

Children and Family services - see schedule ochildren and Family servicesour programs for children and families strive to provide the tools and support needed to live stable and engaged lives. This includes counseling, case management, early childhood education, mentorship, financial assistance, and other programs that aid stability and, self-sufficiency, and food security. 3,760 people participated in children and Family programs in 2023.jfcs camp scholarships are awarded with funding from dedicated endowments, providing the opportunity to attend camp to build new life skills, become more independent and connect with peers on a deeper level. 176 scholarships were awarded to children, totaling $95,000.professional and community education (formerly Family life education) takes jfcs out into the community and brings the community into jfcs through presentations, trainings, workshops, classes, support groups, individual meetings, and consultations. The foundations of professional and community education are collaboration, prevention, and education with the goal of promoting individual, Family and community well-being. Customized programming includes topics such as parenting workshops, teacher trainings, addressing interfaith challenges, bullying, grief, and loss, supporting caregivers, addressing challenging current events in meaningful ways, communication skills and building healthy relationships. Parent coaching provides tailored and evidence-based supports for parents who are dealing with a specific issue or concern with their children or Family. 1,154 people participated in professional and community education programs.addiction and recovery services support families and individuals who are impacted by substance use disorder and other addictions. Addiction is a Family disease, and our programs support the Family as a whole. Programming includes education about addiction for diverse audiences, confidential consultations with Family members, and referrals to a variety of resources in the twin cities and beyond. We work closely with the professional education and learning program at jfcs and focus on education, prevention, and collaboration to support families and reduce stigma around addiction in all forms. Our work is informed by the principles of harm reduction. Addiction and recovery services supported 150 people.our Jewish youth mentoring program is a community-based mentoring program for jewish-identified youth that is designed to promote positive social-emotional-spiritual development and increase engagement in the Jewish community. Match activities are tailored to individual needs, interests, and abilities. Matches are monitored and supported by professional staff and provide positive role modeling, access to Jewish holidays and events, and the chance to have some fun with a friend. 39 people participated in the program, including youth, mentors, and Family members.parentchild+, an evidence-informed early literacy, parenting, and school readiness program, is committed to closing the opportunity gap by providing families with low-incomes the skills and resources they need to prepare their children for school and life success. Early learning specialists work with families in their homes two times each week for two years starting when the child is 18 months to 2 years old. Participating families receive educational books and toys at no cost to the Family, learn creative ways to learn and play together, and receive support to help young children grow, learn, and be ready for preschool and kindergarten. Parentchild+ provides instruction in english, spanish, and somali. Jfcs is a replication site for the international parentchild+ program. Jfcs serves families in the minneapolis/st. Paul metropolitan area, and we partner with community organizations to provide parentchild+ in four greater Minnesota locations: cass county, rochester, rice county, and st. Cloud. In the 2023-24 program year, parentchild+ served 334 children and 356 parents/caregivers.pj library is an international award-winning program designed to strengthen Jewish identity by sending jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to children from birth through 8 years. Pj our way, a kid-driven program for kids ages 8 -12 allows kids to choose their own book based on their own and interests. Pj library also hosts regular community events for families. Any Family raising Jewish children is invited to enroll and receive age-appropriate books. Shalom baby welcomes families of newborns and babies, up to age two, to the Jewish community. Families with newborns are invited to our annual community baby shower to meet other families and receive free goodie bags with community resources and a subscription to pj library. Shalom baby circle time is an activity group with music, story time, and parachute play. 1,495 families subscribed to pj library; 817 families participated in 62 events

Counseling and mental health services - see schedule ocounseling and mental health servicesjfcs counseling and mental health services' highly skilled, licensed therapists, social workers, and case managers work with care and compassion to address the challenges people face throughout their lives. 2,967 people participated in counseling and mental health services.counseling is a collaborative effort between the therapist and client. Our licensed therapists help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems that cause emotional turmoil, improve communication and coping skills and symptom management, strengthen self-esteem, promote behavior change, feel better and function at their best. Our counseling services include individual psychotherapy for adults, adolescents & children, couples therapy, Family therapy, play therapy, parenting coaching, grief support and more. In 2023 jfcs therapists added new counseling modalities including space, focusing on children with anxiety, discernment therapy and walk & talk therapy. Clients are referred from other programs within the agency, from other agencies, or are self-referred. Our services are confidential. We accept most insurance including medicare. 348 people received counseling.we distributed 155 emergency financial assistance (efa) grants totaling $168,527. Recipients used these funds to help with rent, utility bills, car repairs, medical bills, transportation costs and food. These grants are separate from, and in addition to, career services efa grants described above.our intake and resource connection (irc) worked with 2,155 callers, providing them with referrals, resources, and emergency financial assistance. Depending on the callers' needs, clinically trained professional staff refer them to the appropriate program at jfcs or another community organization.the Jewish free loan program (jflp) lends up to $7,500 to residents of the Jewish community of the greater twin cities Minnesota area with a specific need, who are able to provide a co-signer. The loan, together with other resources and programs, enables recipients to bridge an often-unexpected financial challenge. In 2023, jflp provided 6 loans.jfcs provides licensing supervision for msw graduates who are working toward taking the social work licensure exam. We served 3 people in this program.our mental health support services (mhss) program serves adults with serious and persistent mental illness to help promote and maintain independence, stability, and health. Professional case managers assist adults living with mental health challenges by coordinating and obtaining a wide range of services for them, individually tailored to help promote and maintain independence, stability, and health. Case managers assist with housing, employment, medication management, emergency financial assistance, support, and encouragement. Mhss served 303 people.

Community services and engagement - see schedule ocommunity services and engagementthrough our community services and engagement programs, jfcs offers numerous opportunities to get involved and connect with others in the community. Jfcs looks for opportunities that help build and sustain well-being and meaningful connections, creating a stronger community. Children, young adults, parents, and seniors participate. 7,622 people participated in community services and engagement activities and events.jfcs administers several post-secondary academic scholarship funds. Selection criteria include financial need and merit requirements unique to each fund. We awarded 62 scholarships totaling $127,650.caring connections provides opportunities for Jewish adults with developmental disabilities to take part in social and educational events and learn about and participate in Jewish holidays and traditions. The caring connections program collaborates with synagogues and community organizations to provide opportunities for members to participate fully in Jewish life and create social engagement. 453 individuals with disabilities, their Family members and caregivers received home visits or participated in events. The Jewish community inclusion program for people with disabilities coordinates community-wide efforts to raise awareness, provide consultation, and help Jewish organizations understand how to eliminate barriers to facilitate meaningful participation and involvement for all people. 35 people attended events for Jewish disability awareness, acceptance, and inclusion month.the food security program is built around our partnership with prism, a social Service agency that houses a food shelf and thrift store, and which is co-located in one building with jfcs. Jfcs partners with prism to extend the capacities of both our agencies to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Together we are expanding and re-envisioning a food shelf as a place that not only provides free groceries in times of crisis, but also offers comprehensive services and supports that are essential to ensuring long-term stability, self-sufficiency, and food security. Our food security coordinator provides outreach in the community, helping connect individuals, especially seniors, with needed food benefits. We also engage in advocacy through education and working to influence public policy. We engaged with approximately 4,189 individuals about food resources, helped 156 households with snap (food stamp) applications, and distributed 120 emergency food boxes containing shelf-stable food. Our hag sameach (happy holidays) program provides holiday gifts for chanukah and christmas, and kosher-for-passover food bags for passover. The program expanded in 2022 and now offers the beyond the holidays program, to help clients receive urgent essentials throughout the year. Volunteers purchase, organize, sort, and assemble gift bags, wrap gifts, and deliver them to individuals and families. Hag sameach served 1,076 individuals and families.j-pride creates community through queer-focused Jewish programming by and for lgbtq+ jews and their allies throughout the twin cities. 453 people participated in j-pride activities.jfcs staff and volunteers plan and present two community conferences. The mental health education conference raises awareness about mental health issues, provides support for individuals and families, and offers education through an annual conference on mental health. The conference draws professionals, people with mental illness, and Family members. The conference includes a keynote speaker and breakout workshops. 324 people registered for this year's annual conference, and session recordings were available for viewing online. The bi-annual keeping the spirit alive caregivers conference is focused on caregivers who support a loved one with alzheimer's or dementia. This free conference for caregivers, Family members, lay leaders, clergy and professionals provides practical approaches for caregiving, tactics to take care of the caregiver, plus educational and research updates about dementia, through a Jewish lens. The conference also provides information about community resources that are available. 234 people attended the caregiver conference in 2023.nextgen provides opportunities for young adults ages 21-36 to develop leadership skills and deepen connections to jfcs and its mission through social and volunteer experiences and philanthropy. The nextgen board, an advisory group of 12 young adult leaders, provides essential feedback, planning, and outreach for the program. 168 people participated in nextgen.the volunteer engagement program recruits, assesses, matches, trains, and supports volunteers who work in many agency programs and activities. Some of the largest volunteer roles include obtaining, wrapping, and delivering gifts for our hag sameach program; driving clients to activities and appointments; serving as youth mentors; visiting people who are ill or isolated; helping to plan and execute special events; and serving on the agency's board of directors and committees. 880 volunteers helped us deliver services and achieve our mission in 2023.

Senior services - see schedule o senior servicessenior services support the dignity and independence of older adults. We provide numerous services for seniors including transportation, grocery shopping, and kosher meals on wheels, as well as highly personalized senior care services, including case management, care planning consultation and caregiver coaching. Our professional staff works closely with adults 60 years of age and older and their families to ensure safe, supported, and independent living at home, and provides resources, education, and respite for caregivers. 624 people participated in senior services programs.case management is at the heart of helping seniors age in place. Jfcs case managers help seniors stay safe, healthy, engaged within the community and in their own homes for as long as possible. Within a respectful, person-centered planning approach, clients actively participate in their goal setting and decision-making process. Case managers provide culturally sensitive services, including provision of services in russian for many clients. 133 people received case management. Care planning consultation helps when families notice changes in parents and/or spouses, including increased forgetfulness; withdrawal from social activities; decreased confidence or ability in driving; becoming overwhelmed by normal tasks; or other changes. Before a crisis arises, care planning consultation helps families articulate issues and challenges, learn about available resources, create a plan for maximizing independence and more. We served 14 people in care planning consultations.caregiver supports include powerful tools for caregivers, which is a six-week class designed to provide participants with a wealth of self-care tools that will help them take care of themselves while taking care of an adult with chronic illness. Participants learn to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, bring more balance to their lives, better communicate their feelings, and increase their ability to make tough decisions. 55 people received powerful tools training. Jfcs' memory caf is a gathering for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Caf members meet twice per month at the jfcs office in golden valley for activities and conversations in a comfortable, supportive environment. 37 people participated in the memory caf. Holocaust survivor support services include housecleaning, transportation, kosher meals on wheels, shopping, bathing assistance, care coordination and more. This program is available to Jewish survivors of nazi persecution as they encounter the challenges of aging, thanks to funding from the conference on Jewish material claims against germany. Jfcs served 40 holocaust survivors.jacob garber transportation services provides rides for clients who reside within a defined Service area in hennepin county. It is a convenient, reliable way for ambulatory adults to get to a doctor's appointment, friend's house, grocery store and more. Most riders are seniors with low incomes ranging in age from 60-98. Many are over age 80 and are living with mild cognitive, physical, or other limitations. Rides can be curb-to-curb or with the driver accompanying the client while at medical appointments, shopping, or participating in social activities. Jfcs provided 6,233 rides.jfcs provides kosher meals on wheels to clients within our Service area. Drivers deliver kosher nutritious meals directly to clients' homes, helping them maintain their independent living situation. Many clients are from the former soviet union and enjoy deliveries by and social interactions with jfcs's russian-speaking drivers. Jfcs staff and volunteer drivers delivered 9,025 meals to 55 participants.our senior companions develop friendships with and support older adults to help them maintain their independence. Senior companions establish an ongoing relationship with clients and provide transportation for activities such as shopping, running errands, sightseeing, going for a walk and other social activities. Senior companions supported 72 clients.shopping services provide clients with a personal escort for shopping and other errands. The shopper provides transportation, and clients have the opportunity to make three stops in each two-hour session, such as the grocery store, bank, and post office. 15 people participated in the shopping services program receiving 286 dates of Service.