AJFCA sees each Member Agency as a Thought Leader. You are the informed opinion leaders and the go-to people in our fields of expertise. You are trusted sources who move and inspire people with innovative ideas. You turn ideas into reality, and know and show how to replicate your success.
During the month of October AJFCA will share pieces pertaining to Domestic Violence Awareness
Month. Click here to read the what our agencies are sharing with their communities as they raise awareness surrounding Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
was launched in 1993 to address an increasing issue of hunger in the Jewish community. In the first year we provided kosher food, Jewish holiday items, and a caring Jewish connection to 35 families. Fast f
orward 22 years and we are now helping more than 400 families each month access the nutritious food they need to live healthy, productive lives.
Family Table is connected to an incredible network of 70 synagogues, day schools, and Jewish community centers across Eastern Massachusetts. Those communities support Family Table with monthly food donations, monetary support, and most importantly the energy of hundreds of devoted volunteers each month. Learn more here.
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Click here to access Senior Resource Connect and stay current on the latest trends in older adult services.
AJFCA launched our new older adult services website, Senior Resource Connect this summer. 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.
Share this great news with your community.
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AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
Dear Ally: A New Program of JFCS Philadelphia
Dear Ally, a program of Jewish Family & Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia, is an anonymous online question and answer forum for Jewish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, parents and family members of LGBTQ individuals, professionals, and anyone else in need of support or with questions surrounding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We can learn from others' questions. Submit your letter anonymously and a response will be sent privately as well as posted on the Dear Ally page without identifiable information for others who may be in need of support.
In addition, JFCS has free postcard holders with Dear Ally postcards that they are offering to partners, to display in an office or resource/community space. Learn more here.
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Rales Family Donates $2.4 Million to JFS
Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services - the Boca Raton-based Jewish social-services agency - announced that the Norman & Ruth Rales Foundation has extended its commitment to the agency with a second $2.4 million gift.
The latest gift will be used to enhance the programs and services of the Center for Families & Children at Jewish Family Services - which was established in 2014 through a grant from the foundation - as well as to create a new program at the center for children with special needs.
Danielle Hartman, JFS president and CEO, stated: "We are extremely grateful to the Norman & Ruth Rales Foundation for renewing its commitment to fund the Center for Families and Children - which was originally created to address unmet needs of families and children living in South Palm Beach County. Continue reading here.
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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The Voice and Vision for Stronger Communities
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 May you be blessed with lots of happiness, good health, and prosperity on Sukkot and always. Chag Sameach
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U.S. Department of HHS Awards Grant for Support of Services to Holocaust Survivors  It is with great excitement that we are announcing the award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of the grant for support of services to Holocaust survivors. This almost $2.5 million grant also requires almost $1.6 million in matching funds, bringing the total value of the grant to $4M. The grant is renewable for four more years, pending availability of funds. The grant has been awarded to the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) in partnership with AJFCA and other Jewish communal organizations. Ninety per cent of these funds will be available in sub-grants for local communities and agencies to provide person-center, trauma-informed services to Holocaust survivors. Learn more here.
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Yankees, Vikings Help Holocaust Survivors Receive  Hearing Aids
More than 20 Holocaust survivors from the New York City area were among a group of nearly 100 people in need receiving hearing aids Wednesday at an event at Yankee Stadium. The Starkey Hearing Foundation is providing the customized, digital hearing devices with backing from the New York Yankees, the Minnesota Vikings, the Wilf Family Foundations and the Jewish Federations of North America. Read the entire article here.
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Funding Opportunities 
The National Human Services Assembly on behalf of the National Council on Aging, AARP Foundation and The Annie E. Casey Foundation have announced three funding opportunities you don't want to miss:
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential, Deadline: November 6, 2015
- National Council on Aging: Benefits Center Enrollment, Deadline: November 13, 2015
- AARP Foundation Experience Corps: Scaling Reading Success, Deadline: November 17, 2015
Learn more about these opportunities here.
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AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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Strategic Directions for Jewish Life: A Call to Action 
Marking the 2nd anniversary of the release of the 2013 Pew Research Center's Portrait of Jewish Americans, a highly diverse group of thought leaders from all around the United States has framed a "Statement on Jewish Vitality," advocating strategic responses to respond to the challenges to the Jewish future. American Jewry now stands at a crossroads. Our choices are stark: we either accept as inevitable the declining numbers of engaged Jews, or we work to expand the community and improve the quality of Jewish life going forward. Learn more here. |
Advocacy Day -
LAST DAY TO BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM  The 2015 AJFCA Advocacy Day will take place on Tuesday, October 27th in Washington, DC. Learn about public policies affecting your work, and advocate for your priorities at meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill (lunch included). REGISTER HEREHOTEL
Reserve your room at the Renaissance Washington, DC Dupont Circle Hotel (via the link) by calling 888-803-1298. Please identify yourself as part of the AJFCA group when making your reservation. The group rate is $219.00 per night, plus tax. Reservations must be made by TODAY - Friday, October 2nd. Please contact Zahava at 410-843-7487 with questions.
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Holocaust Survivor Professionals to Discuss Polish Pension Program with Claims Conference 
We appreciate your efforts to assist survivors with applications to the Polish pension program, known as the Legislation on War Veterans and Victims of War and Post-War Oppression, which offers monthly payments to those who were detained by the Nazis in ghettos, camps, and prisons, and to others considered veterans or victims of oppression. This call will update you on how the Claims Conference has been helping to ease the process with the Polish government and offer an opportunity to seek clarification on issues with which the Claims Conference might be able to assist. If you have a specific question you would like addressed on this call, please email Shelley Rood your questions by Friday, October 9th.
Holocaust Survivors Professionals Call: Polish Pension
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Aging Life Care Webinar: Why You? Why Now?
AJFCA is excited to partner with The Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) to offer a special opportunity for AJFCA member agencies serving aging adults and their families. Learn more about the profession  and how membership with ALCA can strengthen your agency's offerings. This live, one-hour conversation will include AJFCA's President/ CEO Lee Sherman and Liz Woodward, Director of Older Adult and Disabilities Services, as well as key ALCA staff and current members.
Aging Life Care: Why You? Why Now?
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Webinar Series: The Changing Landscape of Community and Residential Supports for Persons with Disabilities
Professionals, self-advocates, and family members are invited to this 4-part webinar series hosted by AJFCA and presented by the Task Force on Jewish Residential Alternatives for Adults with Disabilities outlining the changing landscape of community and residential supports for persons with disabilities. The series is offered free of charge to all AJFCA network professionals and available to clients of AJFCA members and professionals and clients at non-member organizations for a fee. Learn more here. 
Join this discussion with Steven Eidelman, H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Human Services, Policy and Leadership at the University of Delaware and former Executive Director of The Arc of the United States, to learn about best practices for residential programming and the philosophy of funding residential programs in the future.
Residential Programming
Wednesday, October 21st, 1pm EST - REGISTER HERE
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An Intentional Look at Fundraising with Alina Spaulding
Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, an accomplished speaker and consultant on development strategy presented to small agency development and marketing professionals in mid-September. You may remember reading about Alina and/or hearing her speak at AJFCA's 2015 Annual Conference closing plenary.  During the call Alina assisted listeners in taking an intentional look at fundraising efforts by sharing ideas about creating a stewardship plan for the year ahead. Please find the notes from the call, a donor pyramid and additional resources in the Marketing Bank located in the Member Resources section of the AJFCA website. Please contact Megan for assistance accessing resources.
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Create a Fundraising Plan: Setting Your Course 
Putting together a development plan is a lot like training for a race. It's composed of equal parts realism and aspiration. Just as I prepare for a race by setting a speed goal based on my previous fastest pace, the realism in a development plan comes from building next year's projections off current and past giving trends. What's your starting point? How much have you been able to raise in the past? How has that revenue typically broken down among Individuals (annual fund and major gifts), foundations, corporations, events, and online and direct mail appeals? Once you put numbers next to each donor category, do they add up to the organizational budget goal you need to raise next year? If not, you will need to identify where to focus on growing revenue. Continue reading here.
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K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers Offers In-Kind Donations 
K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers offers donations of new products from a plethora of companies to nonprofit organizations to help their clients who are impacted by poverty or tragedy. Products include clothing, accessories, shoes, home furnishings, toys, books, school supplies and other items that deliver hope and dignity. We encourage AJFCA members to become a Community Partner and apply for items to help improve the lives of the families you support. Additionally, becoming part of this network can prepare your agency for natural disasters by promoting easier access to new merchandise in times of crisis. If you have questions, or if you choose to become a Community Partner, please kindly notify Shelley Rood.
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Webinar: SafeLink - A Lifeline for Your Clients  Join the SafeLink team for a webinar during which you will 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.
Webinar: SafeLink - A Lifeline for Your Clients
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Insurance Needs Webinar 
AJFCA has partnered with Brown & Brown Insurance Agency. Brown & Brown understands the diverse insurance needs of family and social service organizations and offers one of the most comprehensive product selections available in the marketplace. Join Shari Pataky for a webinar discussing your insurance needs as family service agency including your own property insurance, errors & omissions, abuse and molestation, workers compensation to your own employee benefits / health insurance needs.
Insurance Needs
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