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e-directions newsletter | February 2015
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Did you know that 1 in every 5 people in Hennepin County have times each month when they don't have consistent or reliable sources of food? The majority of those who go hungry every day are children. Older people often have to choose between adequate food and sufficient medicine. Even then, they are sometimes reluctant to access food shelves because they don't want to take resources from people they feel may need it more than them, especially children. Hunger is not so much about a lack of food as it is about a lack of access. If communities could make it easy for institutions with excess food to link up with individuals and families who need it, many fewer people would go to bed hungry or unsure of where their next meal was coming from. Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis proudly announces our new partnership with PRISM, a Golden Valley-based social service agency providing a food shelf and thrift store. Together, JFCS and PRISM will serve more families in need, and provide greater and more comprehensive services to alleviate the roots of hunger - poverty and access to resources. If you'd like to learn more about this partnership and how you can help by volunteering and contributing, please click here. Help us, help our community to be healthier and stronger, one person at a time! Judy HalperChief Executive Officer
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To share your story, contact Angie Podvin, Annual Campaign Manager, at [email protected] or 952-542-4832.
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Current Volunteer Opportunities
Puppy Parade
1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1
Jones Harrison, 3700 Cedar Lake Parkway
Older adults love visiting with puppies! Please bring your pooch. Space is limited to first 10 dogs. Must have up-to-date vaccination record. Email Deb at [email protected].
Healthy Youth-Healthy Communities Conference Volunteers
12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15
Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Set up, greeters and take down
volunteers needed. You will be able to attend conference breakout sessions. Email Danielle at [email protected].
Families and individuals needed to deliver Passover Hag Sameach bags to clients on March 22 in the morning to early afternoon. Email Patti at [email protected]
Questions? Contact Deb Savitt, Community Involvement Manager, at
[email protected] or 952-542-4859.
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Give us an afternoon and we'll explain kids!
Parents and professionals, join us for a fascinating look inside the world of young people, from grade school to high school and beyond. We'll explore relationships with family, friends and dating partners. We'll also discuss how teens see themselves, including their sexual orientation. Plus, learn insights into mentally and physically healthy lifestyles and learn about the challenges teens face with drugs, alcohol and sex.
The Healthy Youth-Healthy Communities Annual Conference is for anyone - parents and professionals - interested in the health and well-being of youth and families.
It's free. It's illuminating and it's open to EVERYONE.
Click here for conference information.
HY-HC's Lead Sponsor | The Toodie and Frank Trestman Special Needs and Collaborative Education Endowment Fund, a designated fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
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JFCS client interviewed regarding her career success
 Recently, Lee Truer, a JFCS Career Counselor, and her client, Bri, appeared on local radio station KMOJ to share Bri's career success story.
Bri was an unemployed graphic artist. Unable to find work in the art field, she found a job as a Personal Care Attendant, but that position did not pay a livable wage. Bri, working with Lee, was able to locate funds for school, where she trained and then secured a job as a full-time certified nurse assistant in oncology at Park Nicollet. Bri is continuing her studies to further advance and wants to eventually work as a nurse.
Bri used funds from Career Training Assistance (CTA) to finance her school. CTA funds can also be used for construction, high-tech manufacturing, finance and other in-demand fields.
To qualify for these funds, you must be a Minneapolis resident and meet other criteria. To see if you or someone you know may qualify, contact Lee at [email protected] or 952-417-2175.
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JFCS and PRISM announce partnership addressing food and basic needs
 More people today rely on food shelves than ever before. Many people who use food shelves do so not on a regular basis, but only during a financial crisis.
Food insecurity typically is not the only challenge these people face. Many could possibly benefit from other services JFCS provides, such as job seeker programs and mental health counseling.
Now JFCS can help meet these needs more comprehensively through a new partnership with PRISM in Golden Valley. PRISM offers a Marketplace Food Shelf. This grocery-store style food shelf allows low-income individuals and families to independently choose their own 5-7 day supply of fresh and packaged food, as well as personal hygiene items. To learn more, read the full story here.
Additionally, this partnership will lead to increased volunteer opportunities. Click here to learn more about volunteering with PRISM.
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Judaism in a Bubbie/Zayda Tote Bag
6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25
At JFCS, 13100 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka
 Judaism in a Bubbie/Zayda Tote Bag is a program for Jewish grandparents with interfaith grandchildren.
This workshop will focus on how to share your Jewish beliefs, traditions and rituals with your interfaith grandchildren in a fun, respectful and non-threatening way.
Let us know you're coming. RSVP by Wednesday, March 18, to [email protected] or
952-542-4825.
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Freedom from Addiction Seder
Registration: 5:30 p.m., Seder 6-9 p.m., Monday, April 6 Beth El Synagogue, 5225 Barry Street West, St. Louis Park
 The Jewish Recovery Network (JRN) is holding its annual Freedom From Addiction Seder. Members and friends in the recovering community gather together to celebrate freedom from addictions as well as freedom from slavery.
This special alcohol-free Seder and recovery experience is wonderful, warm and nourishing for the spirit, as well as the body. The Seder will be led by Cantor Audrey Abrams using a special recovery haggadah with singing and stories told. Families can bring their friends for a memorable evening. There will be a full Seder meal, catered by Spirit of Asia.
For reservations or questions, contact Stan at [email protected] or 763-544-4446. Scholarships available.
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Pathways Renewing Life™ Support Group
Pathways, Health Crisis Resource Center will lead an educational, emotional support group to be held at JFCS beginning in April.
Thanks to a generous donor, the group will be offered at no cost.
Participants who may benefit the most are those with:
- Chronic or life-threatening illness
- Life transition (e.g. divorce, job loss, retirement, bereavement)
- Mild depression, sense of feeling stuck
- Addiction recovery
- Someone serving as a support person or caregiver
To learn more, click here, or to register contact Jan Hamilton, Renewing Life Group Facilitator, at [email protected] or 612-716-6309.
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Darchei Noam
Jewish Learning Series
9-10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 15
2950 Joppa Ave S, St. Louis Park
Domestic Violence: What happens when the dream goes sour?
Come learn during a Jewish Life presentation by Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski and Barbara Rudnick, coordinator of the JFCS Jewish Domestic Abuse Collaboration.
This program is free and open to everyone.
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Wells Fargo CMES Charitable Giving provided $2,500 for a technology project aligning data across the agency's new financial systems. Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging provided $54,450 in support of Senior Transportation Programs. Otto Bremer Foundation awarded $75,000 in general operating support.
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AskBarbara
 I have been working with interfaith families for over 20 years. Below are some important things that they have taught me and I would like to share with you. - Interfaith families raising Jewish children want opportunities to participate in the Jewish community and feel included. They want to be seen as active contributors to the community, not as a problem.
- Every non-Jewish parent who agrees to raise Jewish children gives a gift to their family and community that has no equal. They give up a lot in order to do this. We need to honor and appreciate them and acknowledge the sacrifices they are making.
To read the rest of the column, click here.
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#daniellesbuzz
By Danielle Livon-Bemel, JFCS Community Youth Specialist
HY-HC's Lead Sponsor | The Toodie and Frank Trestman Special Needs and Collaborative Education Endowment Fund, a designated fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.
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Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis
13100 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 400
Minnetonka, MN 55305
   
www.jfcsmpls.org | 952-546-0616
Mission Statement
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis provides essential services
to people of all ages and backgrounds to sustain healthy relationships, ease suffering
and offer support in times of need.
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