E-Connect
October 1, 2021--Shabbat Shalom!
|
|
|
An Overview of Social Services Case Management at JSS
by Sarah Friedman
(photo of Maya Garbuz)
This past year, Maya Garbuz, MSW (pictured to the left), a Case Manager at Jewish Social Services, started working with a client with dyslexia and other physical and emotional challenges, who became homeless after his wife’s death. When he came to JSS, shelters were completely full due to COVID-19. Further, the list for subsidized housing was extremely long, and his disability made it difficult for him to begin the application process. With Maya’s help, he has started this process and is on his way to accessing safe and stable housing. In addition, Maya is helping him apply for Social Security Disability Insurance. She also provided him with a voucher to get clothing from St. Vincent de Paul and helped him locate free veterinary care for his emotional support animal. While this client’s situation is not resolved, JSS’ support has prevented him from spiraling into further financial and medical crises, and he is on his way to self-sufficiency.
This real person is an example of the clients that JSS’ Case Management team works with; they are vulnerable individuals living in Madison who you might see on your daily walk to the grocery store, or while waiting at the bus stop.
Our dedicated social workers and case managers work hard to prevent such individuals from falling into further crises that would make it almost impossible for them to regain stability. Further, while the goal for some clients is obtaining independence, some need long-term support due to aging, disability, and/or illness. JSS is able to provide this type of support for such individuals so that they can live stable, fulfilled lives in spite of the challenges that they might face.
Your help makes a huge difference. Your financial contributions allow us to provide support to our vulnerable neighbors. Click here to donate, and be sure to choose “use donation as needed” when you give. Thank you so much for your support!
|
|
Obituary for JSS Case Manager, Joni Pico
We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Joni Pico, who worked as a Case Manager at JSS since 2019. See Joni's obituary and memorial service details below. May her memory be a blessing.
Joni Gill Pico was born in Chicago, IL on August 21, 1957 and died in Madison, WI on October 13, 2021. Joni spent most of her adult life in Alaska, primarily in Juneau. Joni earned her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986. She also earned her Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. Joni used her education and skills at many Juneau agencies, including Juneau Alliance for Mental Health, Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, University of Alaska Southeast, and the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (Indian Health Services), to the benefit of many clients and coworkers, where Joni made friends for life. At the time of her death, she was employed at Jewish Social Services of Madison. At the heart of Joni’s being was deep love and respect for two compelling cultures/peoples- Jewish and Alaska Native. Joni had a prominent presence in Jewish communities, wherever she lived.
Although cancer took her life, it did not take Joni’s kindness and compassion, or the wisdom and sense of humor that were so integral to her being. Joni was pre-deceased by her husband, Mickey Pico, and by Dr. Fred Chu. Joni is survived by her greatest love- her daughter Sasha, and numerous friends and acquaintances who love Joni dearly. To Joni, acquaintances were people she shared stories, support, and encouragement with. She interacted with depth and meaning, and her friendships were rich with love, humor, and connection. As Joni was a blessing in our lives, may her memory also be a blessing. We are thinking about Joni's daughter Sasha at this time.
Gatherings to honor Joni’s life will take place in Madison and Juneau
-
Wednesday, October 20 at 4:30 PM at UW Madison Hillel- 611 Langdon Street in Madison or on Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting
- Details will be forthcoming In the coming weeks for a gathering in Juneau.
Donations in honor of Joni’s life well lived may be made to:
|
|
AWARE, Inc.
PO Box 20809
Juneau, AK 99802
|
|
Jewish Social Services of Madison
6434 Enterprise Lane
Madison, WI 53719
|
|
|
JSS is hiring a new full-time Social Services Case Manager AND a full-time Refugee Resettlement Case Manager
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES!
Social Services Case Manager
See the full job posting here
Job Title: Social Services Case Manager
Reports To: Director of Social Services Case Management
Status: Full time, Non-Exempt
Location: Madison, WI
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to the Associate Director Chris Shanahan at shany@jssmadison.org. Please include CM-SS in the subject line. Position open until filled.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at office@jssmadison.org or you may call us at (608) 442-4081.
Refugee Resettlement Case Manager
See full job posting here
Job Title: Resettlement Case Manager
Reports To: Resettlement Director
Status: Full time, Non-Exempt
Location: Madison, WI
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to shany@jssmadison.org. Please include RR-CMSEP in the subject line. Position open until filled.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at office@jssmadison.org or you may call us at (608) 442-4081.
|
|
Take Action: Join Week of Action (October 11-17) in Support of Black Migrants
Join The Church World Service this week to uplift the voices of Haitian and black migrants facing ongoing deportations and expulsions under the Title 42 policy - a racist, Trump-era policy that Biden has extended to turn people seeking safety in the U.S. away under the guise of public health. Black asylum seekers deserved to be welcomed with dignity, not an endless cycle of inhumane and violent treatment. The only way forward is to restore asylum and halt deportations.
Here are specific things you can do:
-
Contact your Members of Congress: Click here to call or email your Members of Congress.
-
Amplify on Social Media: Use and share the Haitian Bridge Alliance social media toolkit, Welcome with Dignity Background Memo, and talking points here.
-
Show Up to an Event: Participate in local rallies listed here on the National Day of Action on October 14th and share solidarity rallies using the HBA Toolkit for rallies and share the hub for events here.
|
|
Donations Item Wish List
We are looking for the following items for our current clients:
New regular socks – size 11 for male
Small cooler
Large blanket
Sleeping bag
Loofa
Hair brush
Please contact Maya Garbuz at maya@jssmadison.org or (608) 442-4085 if you have any of these items. Thank you!
|
|
An update on JSS' role in resettling Afghan refugees
Jewish Social Services (JSS) is now starting to resettle families and individuals in Madison who have recently fled Afghanistan. These folks need clothing, food, and other basics. Your cash donations or gift cards to Woodman’s, TJ Maxx/Marshalls, or Burlington Coat Factory, would help out a lot. Please donate cash or gift cards; we are not seeking donations of items.
Donate online here or send/deliver gift cards to JSS at 6434 Enterprise Lane Madison, Wisconsin 53719
Thank you!
|
|
We are running low on funds for this NECESSARY program.
Watch for our next E-Connect to hear more about some of the people that YOUR gifts have helped.
|
|
Join us for Shabbat – All are welcome!
Capitol Lakes in the Grand Hall
333 West Main St (first Fridays)
Friday, November 5: 3 – 4 pm
Oakwood Village West in the Chapel Annex
333 West Main St (third Fridays)
Friday, October 15: 3:30 – 4:30 pm (TODAY)
Friday, November 19: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Masks are required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for keeping our community safe!
|
|
TO JOIN ZOOM PROGRAMS: Watch out for an email, or go to www.jssmadison.org/calendar and choose a program by date. Click on the event title to open up a new window that will have details and a Zoom link for that program. On Monday mornings, we send out an email notice with the link for Yoga From A Chair. If you are not on that email list, but wish to be – please let us know.
Recordings of past Zoom programs are available on JSS’ YouTube channel. There is also a link to the channel on www.jssmadison.org under the Communications menu.
|
|
Join JSS on Mondays for Schmoozing at 11am and
Yoga From A Chair at 11:30am
With Betsy Haimson
Meeting ID: 406 575 567
Join by phone: (312) 626-6799, 406 575 567#
For questions about Zoom programs, call Paul Borowsky at (608) 442-4083.
|
|
Upcoming Public Talks
Marijuana on an Altar: A Year of Zooming Biblical Archaeologically
Thursday, October 21, 3:00- 4:00 PM
An exploration into women’s lives in ancient Israel, inscriptions external to the Bible that verify named people, and technological methodologies that are enhancing archaeology.
Presented by Phyllis Holman Weisbard
Women's Studies Librarian Emerita - University of Wisconsin System
|
|
University of Wisconsin-Madison Public Talk
Professor Marcus Milwright (University of Victoria), “Words, Landscape, and the Viewer: Perspectives on the Inscriptions of Early Islamic Jerusalem.”
Thursday, November 4th, at 6:00pm
Public Lecture sponsored by the Anonymous Fund, Medieval Studies Program, History Department, Art History Department, Institute for Research in Humanities, Middle East Studies Program, and Center for Religion and Global Citizenry.
Arboretum Public Talks: Exploring the Future of Ecosystem Restoration
For the 2021 fall lecture series, we explore the global movement to restore ecosystems. We will learn about international and local efforts and how environmental health and social justice intersect with restoration projects and community well-being.
Tuesday, October 19, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Virtual talk: Lindsay Heights: An Urban Restoration Story
Francesca Dawson, community advocate and mentor. Poverty, predatory lending, food deserts, and low unemployment created community challenges in this Milwaukee neighborhood. Learn how people of all ages organized to reclaim and redevelop their community and address the most pressing economic, environmental, and health issues. Free. Register by October 15 (TODAY). Register for October 19 talk
|
|
Upcoming Jewish Federation of Madison Events
Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch
October 17, 24, 31
Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus
$10 per individual, $25 per family of 3 or more
See information and registration details here
Cafe Ivrit: Adult Hebrew Conversation Group
Tuesday, Starting October 12 at 7:00 pm (register for location)
Join Hanna and Oz, our Community Shlichim, for a drink and Hebrew conversation at this fun and interactive group for adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s taking place every other week.
See information and registration details here
Habitat For Humanity Frame Up
October 24th, 8:00am-1:30pm
Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus
See information and registration details here
|
|
As more of us are vaccinated and COVID restrictions ease and protocols evolve, we want to thank our volunteers that could do so for staying active, often via telephone, internet and expanded holiday gift giving and deliveries.
Now that there are expanded ways to safely interact, requests for volunteers as friendly visitors, shopping partners, and other tasks are coming in quickly. We will be having volunteers help with Shabbats and hopefully more in-person events beginning this summer.
Also, we are receiving more families for refugee resettlement. JSS has a van that can be used for larger families. If you are comfortable picking up and driving the van or have a larger vehicle yourself, we are always looking to have a good size pool of drivers. Some of you are already engaged in some of these roles – thank you again.
For those of you who would like get more specifics about these and other emerging volunteer opportunities, or know someone who may be a good fit for our programs – please contact me via email or phone number below.
We understand that as we move forward volunteers and those we help will have varying degrees of comfort level and needs regarding any in-person visiting or transportation help. We will work together with you and clients to respect that and keep us all safe. Look forward to hearing from you.
|
|
Adult learners need your help with English language and literacy
Thanks to Jewish Federation of Madison through the Cheryl Rosen Weston Fund – Jewish Social Services is partnering with the Literacy Network to offer training and volunteer opportunities this fall working with adult learners in English as a Second Language, GED preparation and/or general literacy skills.
It will involve an initial training session, gaining familiarity with lesson plans and materials prepared by Literacy Network staff, and weekly meetings with an adult learner. The fall session begins in September and runs through mid-December. Until further notice, all meetings will continue to be online.
Thanks for those of you who responded already – we still are recruiting. To get further info about this opportunity, please contact JSS volunteer coordinator, Paul Borowsky, 608-442-4083 or paul@jssmadison.org. Check for further descriptions, specific training dates, applications, and other details on the Literacy Network website: https://www.litnetwork.org/
For further information on programs or volunteering contact me anytime: Paul Borowsky, paul@jssmadison.org, 608-442-4083
|
|
PROGRAM EXTENDED!!! Thank You Bader Philanthropies.
Transportation Program for Older Adults:
Significantly subsidized private rides
JSS is excited to have received a grant from Bader Philanthropies of Milwaukee to allow JSS to provide additional transportation support to ALL older adults throughout Dane County, specifically focusing on those with fewer resources. When JSS cannot find a volunteer driver, trips to and from medical appointments, grocery stores, and similar necessities will be made available for a maximum of $8.00, round trip, with fee waivers available.
If you know anyone who may benefit from this program, please let us know. We have it for our community. For transportation assistance, please contact us at (608) 442-4081 or office@jssmadison.org. We will connect you with one of our social workers who will be happy to help you access this service. We thank Bader Philanthropies for their interest in our community.
|
|
Download or read online our paper Connections newsletter. It has different stories and photos than you see in our electronic newsletter.
To reach our office, call (608) 442-4081*
*Please leave a message. We check the voicemail frequently, even when the building is closed.
|
|
Recordings of our Zoom presentations and programs are available to view on JSS' YouTube channel.
|
|
Do you have a vehicle that you no longer need???
Donate your car to JSS! The proceeds go directly to our programs.
|
|
JSS is proud to be a beneficiary agency of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
