Raleigh Kent, pictured here, has volunteered for JFCS for many years and in many ways!

I first connected with JFCS in about 1968 when we were licensed to be a foster home, and welcomed children through JFCS and Hennepin County for several years. My next involvement with JFCS was around 1981, when my mother was widowed and I suggested JFCS form a support group for widows. JFCS used to have Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick) volunteers through the Twin Cities Jewish Healing Program and I was involved in that program for many years, visiting with community members. I was involved with JFCS’ former Healthy Youth/Healthy Communities program. Many years ago, I joined the Annual Conference on Mental Health planning committee when it first started, and I continue to be an active volunteer with that and the Caregivers Conference.

We are seeking volunteers who can help us get out the vote for the upcoming election. As a volunteer, you will be stationed in PRISM’s lobby and provide their clients with information and assistance with voter registration, early/absentee voting, voting locations, and procedures. JFCS will be tabling on upcoming Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and volunteers will provide a reference manual of fact sheets, so you don’t need to be concerned about being an expert on all of the questions that come up on voting procedures. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dana Shapiro at dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org.

We are in need of event volunteers who can help with various duties on the day of the conference on Sunday, Oct. 23, at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. Many thanks in advance for your support in this endeavor to bring education and support, and reduce the stigma around mental health.

If you have questions about the conference, please contact Tabitha Benci DeRango at tderango@jfcsmpls.org.

We are looking for more volunteers to help solicit gifts for the Online Auction to support the 34th Annual Benefit. If you are interested in volunteering or have ideas of places or gifts to recommend, please contact Peggy Mandel at pmandel@jfcsmpls.org.

Contact Dana Shapiro, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager, at dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org or 952-417-2112 with any questions about volunteering at JFCS. Stay informed through our quarterly volunteer e-newsletter and let Dana know if you want to be added to the list to receive future editions.

By Jill Kozberg • JFCS Mental Health and Senior Services Director

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a critical topic for all of us to know about, think about, and talk about. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide affects people of all ages and is considered a leading cause of death in the U.S. It estimates that in 2020, someone in this country died of suicide every 11 minutes. The CDC reports that over 12 million adults seriously considered suicide, with over 3 million planning an attempt and over 1 million attempting suicide. No one is immune to suicide risks.

By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE • Manager of Family Life Education & Addiction and Recovery Services

For many parents and caregivers, the past few weeks have been filled with the business of getting ready for another school year to begin. The excitement of school supplies, haircuts, finding out which teacher or classes you have, squeezing in the last bits of summer fun, and transitioning into the new season ahead always fills me with anticipation and hope for the coming year. There is so much excitement and emotion during this time of transition.

We are thrilled that PJ Library’s Get Together grant program is back and being offered in Minneapolis again! All PJ Parents are encouraged to host a get together in which you will receive up to a $100 reimbursement. Get Togethers can be anything families want to do with two or more other families (other than their own own) who are raising Jewish children. In the past, families have held Get Together events to celebrate Jewish holidays or Shabbat/Havdalah, volunteer as a group, complete service projects, or do something else that’s Jewish-related. It’s easy to apply and you can host up to three times between now and June 2023.

By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE • Manager of Family Life Education & Addiction and Recovery Services

JFCS is excited to announce two classes for caregivers. The Powerful Tools program is a six-week, evidence-based program, which focuses on teaching self-care practices to caregivers of adults. The Powerful Tools program is the winner of numerous accolades, including the 2007 National Family Caregiving Award.

Register now for our Powerful Tools for Caregivers class for caregivers of adults with chronic illness. This class is intended for individuals providing care for a parent, partner, friend or relative. The class begins on Oct. 4 and meets Tuesdays.

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) began in 1910. Then known as the Associated Jewish Charities of Minneapolis, the agency assisted the rising tide of Eastern European Jewish émigrés resettling in the Minneapolis area. Through the efforts of the Board of Directors and other volunteers, pioneering new Americans received financial and employment assistance, along with medical care.

More than 110 years later, JFCS continues to support efforts to resettle refugees from Ukraine who have been displaced by war. Alight, an organization based in northeast Minneapolis, is currently assisting approximately 1,500 people from Ukraine who are in need of resettlement. Alight is seeking local teams, families, neighborhoods, friend and civic groups, etc. to consider sponsoring these new arrivals coming to Minnesota from Ukraine.

Leave the sweat pants in the closet and money for parking in your pocket! Join us as we gather to support the critical work of JFCS, serving over 13,000 people each year in our community, our neighborhoods and our families. The Harry Lerner Family will be presented with the Friends of the Family Award.

Watch for more details on this exciting, reimagined 34th Annual Benefit. There will be a livestreaming option for those who are not able to attend in person.

At JFCS, our mission is to provide essential services to people of all ages and

backgrounds to sustain healthy relationships, ease suffering and offer support in times

of need. We serve and employ people of all cultures and faith traditions and highly

value inclusion and diversity. Employment opportunities are available to all without

regard for race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, gender, gender

identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability.

We are an equal opportunity employer.