Newsletter
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Our most current TASK Newsletter is also available to obtain information related to people with disabilities.
Spring 2008
 From the Executive Director
Dear Family and Friends,
It is an honor for me to be writing this letter to you as the new Executive Director of Jewish Family & Child Service. After eleven years with this agency, I consider it my family. This is what many others feel about Jewish Family & Child Service and is what sets us apart from other social service agencies.
This year our Board of Directors embarked on the development of a three-year strategic plan. We solicited input form the community by holding a focus group of community leaders and by conducting a web-based survey of community members and agencies. What we found was overwhelming support for our core programs and services; counseling and our services to elders. Many community members recalled how important it was that we offered counseling and home care services to them on a sliding scale, thus making these vital services available. Other community agencies stated how important it was to have our Emergency Aid, Counseling, Home Care and TASK programs available to their constituents when they needed them.
On Sunday, June 22nd, Jewish Family & Child Service will celebrate 60 years of service to the residents of our community. The highlights of our celebration will include a video created by Ron Appelbaum describing our services and their impact on our clients and musical entertainment provided by recording artist Michael Allen Harrison. We are grateful for the talent of these artists for their contribution to our event and hope to see you there!
Throughout our history, Jewish Family & Child Service has served those who fall through the cracks of safety net government and community programs by providing various services designed to meet a vital need:
· Counseling to people who are ineligible for the Oregon Health Plan, cannot find a provider who will accept Medicare, or who seek the assistance of a Jewish counselor who will understand their experience more than others
· Seniors needing the support of a home care assistant who will help them age independently at home
· People with disabilities and their families who seek the comfort and inclusion in the Jewish community
· Survivors of the Holocaust who need assistance with senior services, financial assistance and social enrichment
· A family in crisis who needs help paying the rent to avoid eviction
· Russian speaking seniors who need help with translation to navigate a complex system of government and community resources
These are the faces of the people whose lives we touch at Jewish Family Child Service and whose stories will be highlighted at our 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration. We look forward to seeing you there!
Marian Fenimore
Executive Director
Jewish Community Comes Together to Provide Passover Boxes
Volunteers help pack Passover food boxes at the Robison Home with all the ingredients necessary for a proper Passover meal. Boxes were delivered to over 50 families by other JFCS volunteers.
Congregation Kesser Israel members and Robison Home residents joined forces to pack supplies for the synagogue’s annual “Maot Chittim” project, which provides Passover food boxes to 55 needy local families identified by Jewish Family & Child Service. Organizer, Michael Rosenberg, began the project some 15 years ago with a Jewish Boy Scout Troop, and since the troop disbanded has been working with Kesser Israel to raise the $2,600 annual cost. This project received $500 from Congregation Temple Beth Israel Social Action Council and close to $100 from University of Oregon students. The mitzvah of Maot Chittim, or “Money for Wheat,” is a central community obligation in observing the laws of Passover – ensuring that “all who are hungry” may have the necessary requirements to create a Passover Seder. This year’s boxes included ample supplies of matzah, chicken, wine, horseradish and other Passover items. The boxes were delivered to each family by a group of volunteers.
A Heartfelt “Thank You”
JFCS would like to thank the following foundations their generous grants over the last quarter:
- Providence Health Plans for a $25,000 matching fund grant for Integrated Senior Access Project for Russian speaking seniors
- The Holzman Foundation for a $15,000 grant for our for Side-by-Side Parent Coaching Program
- The NCJW for a $500 grant to support our Direct Emergency Aid program.
- The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Care Foundation for a $2,500 grant to support our Lifeline Senior Program.
- The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland for a $5,000 from the Innovation Impact Allocation Fund to support respite care for families with disabled children and young adults in the Jewish Community.
JFCS Volunteers - Thank You
As our programs have grown in volume and diversity, so has our volunteer work. Our friendly visitors brighten up the lives of elderly, who have little to no social interaction. Our Russian immigrants are glad to show their progress with acquired English when they call and visit; and when they express their gratitude for the time, patience and skills of their ESL teacher! Over 50 families were thankful for our volunteers, who made it possible for them to have a proper Seder with the delivery of our Passover food baskets. So are all the families who were able to celebrate a special Seder on Tuesday, April 22nd. Many of our volunteers help assemble and deliver boxes to client homes. Others help drive some of our Holocaust survivors to Café Europa, a particular joy they look forward to every month. To all who give their time, talent and heart - we thank you. May you know how valuable you are to us and to those whose lives you touch.
Please check our website regularly for new opportunities; we always have something going on at JFCS, or give us a call at 503-226-7079, extension 17.
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