This week many of us are preparing for upcoming holidays, which can feel like a bittersweet process during this uncertain time. Yet, the comfort of traditions and spirituality can also be seen as a positive outlet during this crisis. Last Thursday, we hosted a community webinar "Honoring the Holidays While Apart" which ended with the meditation...
May I be safe; may I be happy; may I be at peace.
May you be safe; may you be happy; may you be at peace.
May all people be safe; may all people be happy; may all people be at peace.

What are we doing right now?
Food programs have seen increased demand with more calls coming from our senior clients as well as those in the community facing job losses and reduced income.
  • Partnerships with new suppliers, contributions by individual donors, and a generous donation by the Orthodox Union enabled us to prepare over 40 bags of Kosher for Passover food to be distributed to Holocaust Survivors and members of our senior programs.
  • Received multiple emergency calls for food from local families and we were able to provide pre-packed bags of groceries on demand.
  • The Mobile Food Pantry delivered 100 packages of chicken and additional food supplies to Homefront for their clients.
Expanded mental health support services continue...
  • We are offering Phone "Drop-in" Hours where you can connect one-on-one with a JFCS counselor who can provide personalized tips and support. Drop-In hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 AM - 12 PM, Tuesday & Thursdays 5 - 7 PM.
  • Join us for the next Community Webinar Tuesday, April 7 at 3:00 PM FOR TEENS Managing Anxiety & Stress during the "New Normal" Julie Bond, LAMFT will present for youth and teens who are dealing with the heightened stress and anxiety as a result of a "new normal" - homeschooling, social distancing from friends, and other related factors during COVID-19. The presentation will be geared for teens but parents welcome to join. Join on Tuesday by following the link or call in at 1-312-626-6799 and enter Webinar ID: 788 691 044
  • Our first two webinars - Addressing Anxiety During COVID-19 and Honoring the Holidays While Apart are available on our JFCS Mercer Youtube page.
  • If you are seeking ongoing counseling, we are taking new intake calls. Connect with our Intake Coordinator at 609-987-8100 Ext 102.
We thank the Princeton Area Community Foundation for their emergency grant to support these expanded mental health services.

Our Caregiver Support Group returned to a biweekly schedule via Zoom.

Our Resource Page is updated regularly with blog posts from our team and new links to resources.

What is in the works?
  • Transitioning to Zoom for counseling clients where it would serve to benefit more of our younger clients and give valuable face-to-face time.
  • Making connections with front line workers including those in healthcare, delivery and more, to provide virtual support groups and needed mental health care.

What can you do?
If you or someone you know needs emergency food - call us.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our counseling support - call us.
JFCS remains here for you.

If you are celebrating a holiday in the coming weeks, seek comfort in the traditions. Connect with family and friends however possible to share in the holiday. See our list of virtual religious services for Passover, Easter and Ramadan.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:
JFCS is here for our entire community while remaining rooted in our Jewish values. As such, we observe all Jewish holidays as an agency. We will be closed for the following days during Passover:
Wednesday April 8 (Close at 1 PM)
Thursday April 9 Closed
Friday April 10 Closed
Tuesday April 14 (Close at 4 PM)
Wednesday April 15 Closed
Thursday April 16 Closed

Secure@Home on-call staff will remain available 24/7 to our members during this time.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 9-1-1.
The upcoming spring holidays focus on redemption; stories of elevating to the next level through prayer, through rebirth, through reflection. Even springtime itself is a time of renewal. Across the world and in our community, this is a dark time for many who are ill or whose well-being is impacted physically or emotionally. Consider a gift that can help those most in need in Mercer County be renewed and emerge from this crisis in a more stable place.