When Sam arrived at JFS with nothing but a suitcase, he trusted in our capable staff and trained volunteers to show him the way to a better life.
We were proud to welcome Sam and hundreds of other clients through our doors in accordance with our vision for the Lehigh Valley:
We continued to provide a full range of counseling services to individuals, couples, families and groups of all religions and backgrounds throughout the community. Our staff of social workers and counselors is highly trained and skilled in working with children and adults of all ages. ADVISORY COMMITTEE: We brought together a group of local mental health professionals to help strengthen our counseling services. ADVOCACY: JFS was represented at Jewish Disability Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., and shared resources throughout Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month. EDUCATION: A pilot program of case management for clients showed we were able to help them improve their quality of life.
Approximately 1/4 of our counseling clients pay little or no fee for our services.
In addition to individual counseling, we facilitated support groups this year for people with chronic conditions and for parents of adults with disabilities.
"JFS provides me with a safe space where I can talk about my feelings." - Counseling Client
We continued to operate our Community Food Pantry to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families in the 18104 area, regardless of religion, and Jews across the Lehigh Valley. Stocked with food and personal items, the pantry is supported through generous contributions from our community and maintained by dedicated volunteers. PARTNERSHIPS: Support from our local Jewish organizations and the community at large kept the food pantry going strong. CLIENT SURVEY: We completed an assessment this year of client satisfaction with the pantry. The results showed an overwhelming satisfaction with access to and compassion from staff and volunteers. They also showed the continued needs. Sixty percent of clients said they cut the size of their meals or skip meals because there is not enough money for food.
130 families a month received fresh produce from our Community Food Pantry this summer through our Plant a Row program.
"Exceptional people doing an exceptional service and job to help people in dire need. God bless them all in Jewish Family Service – the best." - Food Pantry Client
We remained dedicated to ensuring our community’s older adults’ physical, financial, emotional and social needs were met. OUTREACH: We provided JFS Older Adult Services Coordinator Carol Wilson hosted a Passover monthly Shabbat services and seder at Kirkland Village in Allentown. holidays programs at local residential facilities, and delivered gifts at the holidays to all of our older adult clients. NEEDS ASSESSMENT: Our dedicated staff were there to answer the call – always. PAYING TRIBUTE: We honored sixteen community role models at our inaugural 8ish Over 80 event, which raised needed funds for older adult services.
GO Program volunteers spent 1,106 hours on the road to help older adults reach doctor appointments, the grocery store and more.
“I feel like I have lost so many things in my life. JFS has helped me cope with these losses.” - Older Adult Client
WITH A NEW TRAINING PROGRAM AND A PLETHORA OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP, OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FLOURISHED. Volunteers can find opportunities on our website’s new volunteer center or read about them in HAKOL.
Each volunteer is screened by our volunteer coordinator to assess suitability for a variety of tasks.
All volunteers receive agency support and training sessions in their chosen tasks.
We have gained a 70% increase in our volunteer base of people who donate their time to help our community.
"I really want to emphasize how wonderful the staff is to each other and to the clients. The amount of respect and dignity within Jewish Family Service is so exemplary. I’ve been around the block, this is not my first volunteer job, and I absolutely love being there." - Volunteer
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When you donate to JFS, you’re supporting more than an agency— you’re investing in individuals and families right here in our community working hard to improve their lives. MAKE A GIFT | www.jfslv.org/donate | (610) 821-8722
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Volunteers are the heart of JFS. With a wide varety of volunteer opportunities, we can help you find a meaningful, rewarding way to give back. www.jfslv.org/volunteer | (610) 821-8722
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Our shared value of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – compels us to work together to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient Lehigh Valley for all of us. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families across our community.
Jewish Family Service is a resource for the community, made possible by the community. ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
2004 W. Allen Street Allentown, PA 18104
Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Non-Profit Organization