Thank you for your continued support of our mission. More than ever, we rely on your friendship and partnership to continue to assist individuals and families from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. We are pleased to offer ways for you to stay engaged in our work either as a volunteer, donor, program participant or advocate of our work. 
JFS Volunteer Cathy Dorison reads to refugee children
Experience the joy of helping us resettle refugees

We have the most dedicated volunteers! After meeting this family of seven at the airport, a few day later, Cathy and Joe Dorison, JFS volunteers visited the family in their apartment. Here, Cathy is sitting on the floor reading to the five kids who look on eagerly as they begin learning English and adapting to their new lives in America.

Interested in volunteering? Visit our website or contact Daisy Kabochi, Volunteer Coordinator to learn more.
Atty. Todd Ratner
Popular "Legal & Financial Planning" educational talk is back!
 
Join JFS for "Legal & Financial Planning: What Older Adults & Caregivers need to know" with Atty. Todd Ratner.

Mon, February 6 @1PM
JFS Community Room 
1160 Dickson St., Springfield

Free and open to the public.

Click here to register online or call 413.737.2601.
JFS office at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires in Pittsfield
JFS hires Susan Dawdy, new social worker in the Berkshires

We are pleased to be able to partner with the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires to provide counseling and case management services in the greater Pittsfield area. Susan Dawdy, LICSW will be primarily working with older adults to support them through life's challenges and transitions. 

Click here for more information about how Susan might help. She can be reached at [email protected] or call 413.442.4360 x17.
JFS approved to expand refugee resettlement work to Pittsfield
 
This month, t he U.S. State Department approved JFS's proposed refugee resettlement plan in Pittsfield. The exact date when resettlement in Pittsfield will begin is still being determined. Since our first meeting with local stakeholders last July, "the community has largely responded with overwhelming support for the program", Maxine Stein said. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier also expressed support for the project. "I'm pleased to see that this process is moving forward. The people of Pittsfield have made it clear that they eager to open their hearts and welcome new neighbors to our community. I'm particularly pleased that we are partnering with Jewish Family Service of Western Mass who has many years of professional experience in refugee resettlement."

Click here to read the full press release and the local story in the Berkshire Eagle. 
Rosalind Torrey, MPH
Jewish Life Enrichment Coordinator at JFS
Area parents share post-election worries and how to talk to children
 
JFS in partnership with the PJ Library of WM held two parent talks with Dr. Margaret Miller, Licensed Clinical Pyschologist earlier this month. Parents of elementary school-age children came together to talk about their children's concerns and how to best address them in developmentally appropriate ways. Dr. Miller addressed the need to meet children where they are, answer their questions and to find out what they are worried about. JFS was pleased to partner with PJ library to support area families and will continue to develop programs for parents. 

We encourage families who may be looking for more programming or support to please reach out to Rosalind Torrey, at [email protected]. 

Jewish Family Service of Western MA

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