|
|
On Behalf of the JSS Team
Shabbat Shalom and Happy July 4th!
|
Please note that JSS will be open on Monday, July 5th.
Flowers courtesy of Chris Shanahan.
|
|
|
|
Do I Need Help?
by Joni Pico, MSW, Case Manager
As an experienced social worker, I’ve listened to people of various backgrounds share their reluctance to seek help with many things. For instance, some wanted support with practical issues such as adjusting to a fixed income, whereas others needed empathy for matters affecting the heart such as grief over a love lost. Across the life cycle, abundant examples of people wondering if they should accept help from others or not came to my attention.
“Where is your hesitancy coming from?” I asked. Responses to my question revealed themes around self-sufficiency and fears of becoming a burden. “I’ve always taken care of myself. I’m not going to start asking for help now.” “I’m embarrassed by my mistake. Why would anyone want to help me?” No doubt there are more impediments to asking for assistance than these.
|
|
We are running low on funds.
|
|
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.
|
|
Photos from last Friday's Arboretum Tour with Susan Carpenter |
|
Volunteer Opportunities
As more of us are vaccinated and COVID restrictions ease and protocols evolve, we want to thank all our volunteers for staying involved, 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 also 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 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 Paul Borowsky 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. We 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.
Research shows that adult learners with basic skills need individualized support. Through a unique model in which interns plan individual lessons delivered one-on-one by volunteer tutors, Literacy Network provides effective and efficient direct support to hundreds of adult learners each year. Staff creates personal education plans thru a flexible curriculum, and provides opportunities for follow-up and feedback between staff, clients and volunteers.
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 Paul Borowsky at paul@jssmadison.org or 608-442-4083.
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Opportunity: The JSS Refugee Resettlement Team is Looking for Volunteers for the Aljirani Madison Refugee Mentorship Program
Volunteers will meet weekly with their refugee partners to help them feel welcome in Madison and assist in reaching their goals. Please contact sam@jssmadison.org for more information.
|
|
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.
|
|
New! Healthy Living with Diabetes
Evidence-based workshop for people who have diabetes. Developed at Stanford University, the workshop meets for 2-1/2 hours, once a week, for six weeks. This community-based program offers tools and resources to enhance your understanding of what it means to have diabetes. Group support helps you build the confidence to manage your diabetes and maintain an active and fulfilling life. It is sponsored by Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, facilitated by two trained leaders in a small group setting. Each week has various topics related to mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Gain knowledge, share your experience, practice new skills, and help others. Sponsored by Jewish Social Services
Location: Max Weinstein Jewish Community Building, 6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI (where JSS main office is located)
Course dates & times: Monday afternoons from 1-3:30 pm, Sept 13, 20, 27 & Oct 4, 11, 18
Course cost: $20 includes workbook
Office phone: 608-261-5678
|
|
 |
Allstate Insurance – Cybersecurity for Older Adults
The one-hour virtual session is highly interactive and delivered by one or two presenters from Allstate and includes conversation, interactive elements and video.
One hour online session – several options including July 27. Here is a link to view the upcoming sessions, which older adults can use to register for a session
|
|
|
|
Surfside, Florida Tragedy -- We are thinking about those affected.
JSS joins the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, Jewish Community Services, and the greater Miami community in expressing shock and sadness for the families impacted by the devastating collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Florida. We invite you to support those affected by this disaster by making donations through our trusted partners:
-
Gift cards, in any denomination, are needed to assist survivors with the ability to easily purchase clothing and other needed personal items. Please consider establishing a drive in your community and send cards (VISA, AMEX, Large Chain Box Stores, etc.) to JCS South Florida.
-
There is a growing need for emergency financial assistance, including funds to support temporary housing and relocation expenses, as well as to support burial services. Toward this end, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is working closely with JCS South Florida to support these needs and a dedicated mailbox for contributions has been established. Thank you for your help in circulating this appeal within your communities. 100% of all donations received will go directly to address the needs of the victims, with no administrative costs taken from the fund. The link to access the fund can be found here.
|
|
Take Action for Immigrants
This week religious organizations across the country are collectively lifting our voices to declare that it is past time that we, as a nation, recognize the full humanity of our immigrant neighbors and create a pathway to citizenship for all of our 11 million undocumented neighbors. As Immigrant Heritage Month comes to a close, JSS invites you to join Faith Week of Action to urge Congress and the White House to include a pathway to citizenship for essential immigrant workers and their families, Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and farm workers in the “budget reconciliation” negotiations. Congress is considering “budget reconciliation” as a congressional mechanism to advance the administration’s jobs and infrastructure proposal -- and it is critical that our undocumented community members are included.
|
|
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: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
