Jewish Family and Children's Services

JFCS of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma counties serves 60,000 people annually with social services designed to strengthen individuals, families and the community.

How do you help people in my community?

Last year, JFCS provided high-quality social services to over 53,000 West Bay Area residents of all ages, nationalities, and faiths.  In 2004-2005 alone, JFCS was able to:

• Help 78 teens from low-income families to go to college.
• Provide 125 disadvantaged workers with jobs, training and health insurance through Utility Workshop.
• Help 300 couples become families by adopting infants,internationally and in the US.
• Counsel 730 families in crisis.
• Secure US Citizenship for 1,000 elderly and disabled refugees.
• Help over 1,000 people learn to cope with grief and begin to heal.
• Provide counseling, parenting support and senior care for 2,300 lesbian and gay individuals and families.
• Assist 2,400 children and adults with disabilities to live independently.
• Provide 12,550 children, teens and parents with critical support and guidance.
• Deliver 50,000 delicious and nutritious meals to homebound elderly.
• Provide 90,000 hours of nursing and home care to frail and isolated elderly.

Why do you need my support?

Many people still believe JFCS receives most of its financial resources from the United Way, the Jewish Community Federation (JCF) or from the government. In fact, less than .5% of JFCS' current operating budget comes from the United Way, less than 2% from the JCF annual campaign, and approximately 3% from local, state and federal government, while the costs of providing care to so many individuals and families of all ages have risen dramatically.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

JFCS has a strong 3-star rating from charity watchdog Charity Navigator, and our cost of adminsitration and fundraising combined is only 18%------below the national "gold" standard of $.20/per $1. At JFCS, $.82 of every dollar goes directly to help people in need. Our longetivity (over 155 years!) is also a good indicator of our stability, strength and sound financial management.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Thousands of acts of lovingkindness - visits to elderly and disabled community members, tutoring youngsters, delivering food and love during the holidays - are performed by the more than 2,000 dedicated JFCS volunteers each year who give of themselves to create a more caring community.

You can make a real difference right here in the Bay Area. Whether you have an hour a week or an hour a month, JFCS has the perfect volunteer opportunity to fit your interests, your schedule, and your desire to reach out and help those in need.  To find the perfect opportunity for you, just go to www.jfcs.org/volunteer