J
OUR COMMUNITY
A New Name After merging last year, JVS + Kadima rebrands as Gesher.
GESHER
KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Maddie, left, and Hern enjoy an outing to an arcade.
16
|
JUNE 23 • 2022
VS Human Services + Kadima Mental Health Services unveiled the new name for their joint entity at the Strictly Business 25th anniversary luncheon this week. They will now operate as a combined entity under the name Gesher, which means “bridge” in Hebrew. Their merger, which was announced in August of last year, reduces operational and administrative costs and allows the organization to maximize its use of funds for programming to help its combined client base of thousands access vocational, residential and clinical services. Janny Milton of Southfield has been involved with JVS since 2006. It’s been a place where her son Brian, 42, who is autistic, has been able to learn job skills and find work. He now holds a job cleaning in an apartment building with JVS’ support. “To me, it’s a big deal,” she says. “JVS is very dear to my heart because of that; they got him a job and people there are very nice to him — I feel that Brian is safe when he is at JVS.” She says she appreciates the organization and hopes the merger only enhances the seamless experience she’s known at JVS. “They might have more programs. I’m hoping that’s what will happen,” she says. “I hope they continue doing the good work they’re doing.” Paul Blatt, CEO of Gesher, says that’s indeed the plan, and the new name is designed to let people know the essence of the new organization. “We are still the place for our community, whether it’s work-related, residential services for Paul Blatt people with mental health issues — however we can help support the community,” he says. The new name came as the result of the combination of
