JFS Expands its Own Heart in the Heart of L.A.  Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles is in the midst of what leadership is describing as a "new era," a $36 million capital campaign that will result in the renovation of its Freda Mohr Multipurpose Center and the relocation of its headquarters there. JFS plans to take the senior-focused site just north of the bustling intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard and more than double the facility's size to 28,000 square feet, transforming it into the state-of-the-art JFS Lois and Richard Gunther Center deep in the heart of Jewish Los Angeles.  The lead gift for the campaign came from the local philanthropic couple after whom the new facility will be named. Lois Gunther previously served as JFS board president and is a longtime supporter; her husband is a board member of Americans for Peace Now and New Israel Fund. Learn more here.
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On Forgiveness 
Eva Kor, Holocaust Survivor, forgiveness advocate, and revered public speaker, told her story of survival and forgiveness, at AJFCA's 2015 Annual Conference Sunday Opening Plenary Lunch on May 3rd. Powered by a never-give-up attitude, Eva emerged from a trauma-filled childhood as a brilliant example of the human spirit's power to overcome. Stu Jaffe, LCSW at Collat Jewish Family Service of Birmingham recently read a great book co-authored by the father-daughter team of Desmond and Mpho Tutu. The Book of Forgiving describes forgiving as a process for which we have to prepare and through which we have to move, in order to emotionally reach a new place. Read his blog, Our Forgiveness in Collat JFS's May 2015 Counselor Corner.
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Webinar:
SafeLink - A Benefit For Your Clients & You
June 3rd, 3pm ET
Have you heard about SafeLink, but aren't sure how to go about providing your low-income clients access to it? Learn more about the program including how you can enroll your clients. Along with providing background information this webinar will be an opportunity to ask questions.
SafeLink Wireless provides your eligible clients the opportunity to apply for a free cell phone with free monthly minutes through the Federal Lifeline program. SafeLink is currently available in 39 states as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. Some of the many benefits of SafeLink for your clients include use in an emergency and assistance in seeking and retaining employment by having the ability to communicate with employers. Additionally, SafeLink provides you with a mechanism to reach your clients should you need. Phone: 1-888-453-4221 Passcode: 2022632971#
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Senior Resource Connect - AJFCA's New Older Adult Services Website  AJFCA recently launched our new older adult services website, Senior Resource Connect. The website aims to leverage the expertise of Jewish family services agencies assisting older adults in the community, increase referrals to member agency programs, streamline referrals between agencies, and act as an information hub on all matters of senior services. Has your agency gotten involved? Don't miss the chance to be listed as a member on this new platform. Make sure we have your information and contribute your resources for older adults and their caregivers to the site by emailing Liz.
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Please add and/or update AJFCA's logo on your agency website.
Contact Megan with questions.
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be privileged to attend the International Conference on Welfare for Holocaust Survivors and Other Victims of Nazi Persecution. The conference is being coordinated by the European Shoah Legacy Institute with the support of the Claims Conference, and is being hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in Prague. Representatives of governments and nonprofit organizations from Europe, Israel, and North America, will be convening to share information about services to Holocaust survivors across the globe. Shelley Rood and I look forward to learning and sharing in this forum, which is an important statement that we have not forgotten, and we will not forget, those who are the living victims of Nazi terror.
This week we begin the reading of the fourth book of Torah, B'midbar. Commonly, we refer to this as the Book of Numbers, primarily due to the census counts of the Tribes of Israel in this week's parashah. While numbers are important, it is critical to note that many names are specifically mentioned. Names are not possible to list for all of the hundreds of thousands who are counted, but the fact that so many names are mentioned signifies the importance of each individual, not just the total group.
We often refer to the Six Million who were murdered in the Holocaust. As our colleagues at Yad Vashem have demonstrated though their Shoah Victims' Names Recovery Project, more than the enormity of that number is each individual who perished and they deserve and demand to be remembered by their personal stories. Similarly, each Holocaust survivor who is still with us today deserves all the support and recognition we can give them for as long as they remain with us. That is what we hope to contribute to next week in Prague.
Have a peaceful Shabbat.
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Week of Action for Older Americans Act 
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has designated the theme for May's Older Americans Month as "Get Into the Act." NCOA and other LCAO members have set aside the week of May 18-22 as a Week of Action for OAA. Pick a day and an activity, and join our efforts! Learn more here. What are you doing to highlight Older Americans Month? Email Liz for a chance to be featured through Senior Resource Connect. |
May is Mental Health Month 
This year's May is Mental Health Month Campaign and Toolkit will use the theme B4Stage4 and will focus on how people can address their mental health early, rather than at "Stage 4" - when symptoms are more severe, and recovery a longer process. Learn more about Mental Health Month here..
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Jewish Abilities Alliance is Here for You 
A community is a place where people of similar background come together, a place where you don't have to go at life alone, a place where you're supported by those around you. The Jewish Abilities Alliance (JAA) is that community for individuals with disabilities and their families. No matter what stage of life you're in, the JAA connects people to resources and services within their community. Explore JAA here.To learn how to bring JAA to your community, contact Liz. |
In New York, Many Holocaust Survivors Struggle to Get By 
A coalition of groups seeks $1.5 million from the city to help aging survivors
Watch an excerpt from a 2002 interview with José Urbach, a New York City-based artist who lived in a concentration camp in Poland as a young child, in a clip from the film "A Question of Sunlight." Read the entire article here. |
Celebrating WITH Pride: Using LGBT Pride Month to Strengthen Your Allyhood 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people, and their Allies, all across the country celebrate LGBTQ Pride in June. Pride events can be a great way for Jewish family and children's services agencies to show their solidarity with LGBTQ individuals within their communities! Using our shared Jewish values as a framework, Keshet will start the conversation by highlighting the importance of LGBTQ inclusion within a Jewish context.
Celebrating WITH Pride
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AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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Are Nonprofits Getting in the Way of Social Change?
Nonprofit organizations are competing with corporations and other social enterprises to be the primary vehicle for driving social change. Nonprofits can accomplish their goals more quickly by offering pay-for-performance compensation, reviewing all programs annually and having an exit strategy in place for major backers as social change is successful. Continue reading here. |
Reframing Human Services: Phase 2 Research and Findings 
In this webinar, senior FrameWorks Institute researchers will present results from new research just completed in the second phase of Reframing Human Services National Initiative. The National Assembly is working with our members to enhance public understanding of the value and scope of human services work.
Reframing Human Services: Phase 2 Research and Findings
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Getting Beyond Nonprofit Performance Assessment with Data 
Most of the nonprofits that work to repair our world have yet to take full advantage of the data revolution, leading to frustration on all sides. Read the entire article here. |
Domestic Violence Professionals Fly In  Member Agency Domestic Violence Professionals are invited to attend AJFCA's Domestic Violence Professionals Fly In on Sunday, August 9th & Monday, August 10th at Jewish Child & Family Services of Chicago. Member agency domestic violence professionals will discuss engaging Jewish Institutions in education and policy development, reaching out to the Orthodox community, long term outcomes and clinical and community work. There will be time for networking and facilitated discussions on key topics. We hope you will join your colleagues for this informative and energizing day. Learn more here.
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JFNA Health & Long-Term Care Summit  Representatives from AJFCA member agencies and Lee Sherman attended JFNA's Health and Long-Term Care Summit, which explored building alliances between providers, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and innovations at the state and federal levels of government. The Summit took place at the Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland, Ohio. It provided an opportunity for Jewish family service agencies and Federations to network with healthcare providers and learn about ways they can partner and innovate to bring sustainable long-term care solutions to their communities.
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PEPS - Two More Cohorts Launching in 2015 
At the recent AJFCA Conference, we had lots of conversation with agencies that are interested in beginning to use PEPS to evaluate their programs' effectiveness. We have two more cohorts launching this year - one in June and one in September - and each cohort has room for a few more agencies to participate. If you are interested or would like further information, please email Lisa. As a reminder, AJFCA provides up to 5 PEPS user licenses to each participating agency as a benefit of membership in AJFCA (no additional cost). The cost of using the program is a minimal charge for hosting and software upgrades. |
2015 AJFCA Annual Conference 
The 2015 AJFCA Annual Conference was a success thanks to the hospitality of the host community, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, our talented speakers and presenters and enthusiastic attendees and supportive sponsors. Please complete the Conference Evaluation Survey. Y our feedback is valuable as we use the survey to help plan for next year. Click here to read Lee's conference message, access the attendee list, session presentations, and continuing education credit forms. Conference photos can be seen here. |
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COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
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2015 Complete Mobile Strategy for Fundraisers 
Smartphones have fundamentally changed the way your donors live, work and play. Understanding best practices, statistics and how mobile technology can strengthen fundraising is essential for nonprofit organizations. Download the eBook here. |
Join Sharsheret's Partners of Excellence Program for Jewish Agencies 
Become a Sharsheret Supports Partner or Partner of Excellence and expand or create new culturally-relevant breast cancer and ovarian cancer support and educational programs for women and families in your community. As a Partner of Excellence, your agency will receive:
- Financial Support for Programs
- Educational Program Development Guidance
- Clinical Supervision for Support Group Facilitators
- Local and National Partner Recognition
Click here to request an application and for more information. Applications are due June 29, 2015.
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Medicaid Managed Care Webinar 
Medicaid Managed Care is expanding, and now approximately 70% of Medicaid enrollees are currently served through managed care delivery models. And the Medicaid Funded Accountable Care Organization model is beginning to be adopted by many states across the nation. The days of fee for service are waning and what is coming our way are value based contracts where payers are reimbursing for positive outcomes and keeping people healthy while controlling costs.Can't join us at that time? Register anyway and receive the PowerPoint recording.
Tuesday, May 26th - 1pm CT
Speaker: Mary Givens, Product Manager, Healthcare Reform
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VOLUNTEERS & YOUNG ADULT ENGAGEMENT
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Peter Drucker Lends a Hand to Millennial Onboarding
As millennials begin to dominate the workforce, a series of five self-assessment questions can help organizations connect with them and keep them engaged, according to The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute. The questions relate to the organization's mission, plan and customers. Read the entire article here. |
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