Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, The Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties

Founded in 1850, JFCS offers over 40 programs for individuals of all faiths and ages including at-risk children, immigrants, adults in transition, families in crisis and frail seniors.

Why do we exist?

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties has offered a helping hand that people can rely on in times of need - cradle to rocking chair.

Founded in 1850 by Gold Rush pioneers, JFCS is the oldest social service agency west of the Mississippi. Since its inception, JFCS has been a catalyst for change. With more than 40 programs serving more than 53,000 people annually in the Greater West Bay Area of Northern California, JFCS reaches out with comprehensive, integrated social services, helping people in the most effective, compassionate way possible, and providing people of all ages, faiths and ethnic backgrounds with the encouragement and tools they need to become productive and self-reliant.

JFCS turns values into actions that save lives. Our programs provide for a wide range of social service needs including, but not limited to:

• Responding in crisis
• Early intervention
• Sustaining independence and autonomy
• Welcoming the stranger
• Offering spiritual and practical support
• Creating community

JFCS can also assess the need for an extended network of services and coordinate those services to ensure people in need of diverse or multiple services are well-taken care of in a timely and appropriate way.

To learn more about JFCS and our services, please visit us on the Web at www.jfcs.org

What have you accomplished?

JFCS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds. We are like an extended family for so many in our community:

• Seniors
• Children and families
• Individuals and couples
• Refugees and emigres
• People with chronic diseases and/or disabilities

There are many others. Whether you need help caring for an elderly relative, want to brush up your parenting skills or are resettling in America from another country, JFCS is here for you.  Just like JFCS was there for these JFCS clients:

Feeding the Hungry

Until he found out about JFCS, 78 year-old Isaac was eating pet food in order to survive.  Now he has grocery store vouchers and hot meals delivered regularly-as well as a JFCS Seniors-At-Home care manager to watch over him and ensure he never goes hungry again.

Protecting the Vulnerable

When Ruth saw her husband hit her daughter, she realized they had to leave.

At JFCS' Dream House, Ruth and her daughter Melanie found emotional healing, life skills coaching and a safe haven. Now, with a new job and an apartment of their own on the horizon, they are ready to start a happier, healthier life.

Caring for the Sick

Virtually immobilized by advanced Parkinson's Disease, 84 year-old Holocaust Survivor Miriam is able to maintain her cherished independence with the help of a Seniors?At?Home home care aide who assists her with dressing, bathing, cleaning, cooking and shopping, and two JFCS Senior Companion volunteers who provide ongoing friendship and support.

Lifting up the Fallen

After an unexpected job layoff compounded by a back injury from an auto accident, Rick Simon turned to JFCS for help when he couldn't pay their mortgage and feed his family of five on his wife Karen's salary. An emergency assistance loan from JFCS-along with supplies from the JFCS Food Pantry-enabled the Simon family to make it until Rick was back on his feet and able to find a new job.

Nurturing the Young

By the time he was four, Tommy had already been expelled from three preschools.  Fortunately the JFCS Early Childhood Mental Health consultant at his current school was able to work with his teacher and parents to set positive limits and curb Tommy's aggressiveness toward other children.  As a result, he is making steady progress and on track for kindergarten.

Honoring the Elderly

At age 76, Sydney was diagnosed with end-stage leukemia.  Because Sidney had no family and no financial reserves, JFCS became his family, providing him with hospice care, spiritual counseling from the JFCS chaplain, nursing attendants, and pain control, enabling him to spend his final days as comfortably and as cared for as possible.

	How do you help people in my community?		Why do you need my support?
	How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?		Can I Volunteer? How?