Jewish Family Services: The Small but Mighty Force Behind Community Support

The Charlotte Jewish News, March 2025

By Julie Loftis, JFS Marketing Specialist

Jewish Family Services (JFS) is often recognized for its food pantry, a vital resource in the community. However, behind the scenes, JFS provides a much broader range of services that touch lives in profound ways. From children struggling with anxiety to older adults facing the challenges of aging, JFS effectively transforms lives, demonstrating its deep commitment to the well-being of the Charlotte community. Through its four core competencies — Emotional Health & Well-Being, Senior Engagement, Crisis Response & Assistance, and Community Education & Awareness — JFS serves as a beacon of support, guidance, and connection for people at all stages of life.

Emotional health and well-being are at the heart of JFS’s work. The organization provides counseling utilizing science-based therapeutic interventions. Therapists have completed specialized training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), and FACES (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale) for premarital counseling. JFS works with clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, domestic violence, grief, and major life transitions, offering compassionate care grounded in data-driven, proven practices. One local mother, Rachel, shared how JFS helped her family: “My daughter’s anxiety was ruling our household. I didn’t know how to help her, and I felt like I was failing as a parent. JFS gave us the tools we needed — not just for my daughter, but for me. Now our home is calmer, and she’s thriving.”

For older adults, JFS offers a wide range of senior engagement programs that combat loneliness and enhance quality of life. Social isolation can have significant negative effects on well-being, and JFS ensures that seniors remain connected to the community. Friendly volunteer visits, holiday programs such as the Senior Chanukah Party, and additional programs such as wellness workshops provide opportunities for engagement and joy. The organization delivers gift bags for birthdays and Jewish holidays, reminding these individuals that they are cherished members of the community. JFS also supports caregivers struggling with the complexities of looking after aging parents, providing guidance and resources to those in this often-overlooked role. Within this pillar, JFS provides crucial services to Holocaust survivors, ensuring they receive the dignity, care, and attention they deserve. Case management, financial assistance, and individual outreach help survivors maintain their independence while receiving the support they need. JFS plans regular social programming for the Holocaust survivor community. One survivor, David, expressed the impact JFS has had on his life: “At this stage in life, you can feel invisible. But my caseworker at JFS makes sure I’m not forgotten. She helps connect me with resources to make sure I have what I need, and, most importantly, listens to my stories. It means everything to me.”

JFS is also a critical source of crisis response and assistance, providing emergency support to individuals and families facing sudden hardship. The JFS Food Pantry, a satellite pantry of Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes), ensures that those struggling with food insecurity have access to nutritious meals. Financial aid and other emergency resources may be available through case management to help people regain stability after unexpected crises. For Jason, a single father who lost his job, JFS became a lifeline: “I was always the one helping others—I never thought I’d be the one in need. When I lost my job, I had nowhere to turn. JFS helped with groceries, rent, and even emotional support. But what really made a difference was how they treated me—with dignity. They helped me get back on my feet and find a way forward to regain independence.”

Beyond direct services, JFS plays a vital role in community education and awareness. Workshops and educational programs for the community provide valuable information on mental health, aging, parenting, and crisis intervention. Awareness campaigns, such as those for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, shed light on critical social issues and provide resources for those in need. By hosting training sessions for other agency staff members, such as summer camp counselors or preschool teachers, JFS helps the community understand and address pressing challenges while equipping individuals with the tools they need to support one another.

JFS’s executive director, Howard Olshansky often hears the same response from those who learn about the agency’s full range of services: “People often are surprised at how much we do; we are small but mighty.” The impact JFS has on the community goes far beyond what most people see, creating meaningful change in the lives of those they serve. Whether providing emotional support, crisis intervention, financial assistance, or simply a compassionate presence in times of need, JFS is there. JFS strives to not just provide immediate relief- but also empower people to move forward with strength and stability. In a world that can feel uncertain, JFS remains a steady, guiding force—helping individuals and families heal, connect, and build a brighter future. For more information about Jewish Family Services and how they can help, visit jfscharlotte. org.