Jewish Family And Childrens Service Of Minneapolis

TO SUPPORT PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

CAREER SERVICES - SEE SCHEDULE OCAREER SERVICESCAREER SERVICES HELPED 1,172 INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND FIND MEANINGFUL WORK WITH WAGES THAT MEET THEIR NEEDS AND GOALS. IN THE PROGRAMS DESCRIBED BELOW, PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT COUNSELORS PROVIDE COMPLETE CAREER ASSISTANCE INCLUDING RESUME DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES, INTERVIEWING SKILLS, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE. OUR PROGRAMS EMPOWER PEOPLE TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY THEIR VISIONS OF CAREER SUCCESS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO OR SUPPORT FOR CAREER TRAINING.CAREER COUNSELING HELPS PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, WHO ARE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE, OR WHO WANT TO SEEK A BETTER JOB. THIS SERVICE INCLUDES CAREER ASSESSMENTS WITH PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION, INDIVIDUAL JOB-SEARCH COACHING SESSIONS, RESUME AND COVER LETTER CRITIQUE, AND GOAL-SETTING SESSIONS TO CREATE AN INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN. CAREER COUNSELING INCLUDES PROJECT EM, AN INITIATIVE OF THE NETWORK FOR JEWISH HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES, THOUGH WHICH JFCS PROVIDES SERVICES TO PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED AND WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR OUR STANDARD GOVERNMENT-FUNDED PROGRAMS. WE SERVED 34 PEOPLE.THE DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER COUNSELING TO WORKERS WHO ARE LAID OFF OR HAVE RECEIVED NOTICE OF PERMANENT LAYOFF OR TERMINATION. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER COUNSELING TO HELP PEOPLE MAKE STRATEGIC DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL FUTURES. THOSE WHO QUALIFY RECEIVE TRAINING FUNDS TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS, UPDATE EXISTING SKILLS, OR OBTAIN REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS OR CREDENTIALS. WE SERVED 167 PEOPLE.IT PATHWAYS HELPS ENSURE THAT TWIN CITIES WORKERS HAVE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SECURE HIGH-WAGE, IN-DEMAND JOBS IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) INDUSTRY. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON SKILL & CAREER ASSESSMENTS, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, & JOB PLACEMENT. IT PATHWAYS SUPPORTS PEOPLE TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE IT FIELD, INCLUDING WOMEN, VETERANS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOW INCOMES. IT PATHWAYS ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO FILL IT JOBS. JFCS'S TRAINING PARTNERS INCLUDE COMPTIA TECH CAREER ACADEMY, IT CAREER LABS, PRIME DIGITAL ACADEMY, YORK SOLUTIONS AND ED2GO, AN ONLINE TRAINING SITE. THE IT PATHWAYS PROGRAM SERVED 98 PEOPLE. THE JFCS MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (MFIP) CAREER SERVICES PROGRAM SERVES PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES WHO ARE PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN TO MOVE TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT. ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE AN ASSESSMENT AND AN EMPLOYMENT PLAN, WHICH OUTLINES PERSONALIZED STEPS NECESSARY TO REACH THEIR EMPLOYMENT GOAL. MFIP STAFF WORKED WITH 520 PEOPLE.THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROVIDES PERSONALIZED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, WHO ARE SEEKING TO IMPROVE THEIR WORK LIVES OR FIND EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM OFFERS VOCATIONAL EVALUATION, JOB PLACEMENT, WORK ADJUSTMENT TRAINING AND EXTENDED EMPLOYMENT. WE SERVED 87 PEOPLE IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.WE DISTRIBUTED 883 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS TO 266 CAREER SERVICES CLIENTS, TOTALING $189,965. RECIPIENTS USED THESE FUNDS TO HELP WITH RENT, UTILITY BILLS, CAR REPAIRS, MEDICAL BILLS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND FOOD.

COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - SEE SCHEDULE OCOUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESJFCS COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES' HIGHLY SKILLED, LICENSED THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND CASE MANAGERS WORK WITH CARE AND COMPASSION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES PEOPLE FACE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. 2,967 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.COUNSELING IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE THERAPIST AND CLIENT. OUR LICENSED THERAPISTS HELP CLIENTS IDENTIFY GOALS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE EMOTIONAL TURMOIL, IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COPING SKILLS AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT, STRENGTHEN SELF-ESTEEM, PROMOTE BEHAVIOR CHANGE, FEEL BETTER AND FUNCTION AT THEIR BEST. OUR COUNSELING SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS & CHILDREN, COUPLES THERAPY, FAMILY THERAPY, PLAY THERAPY, PARENTING COACHING, GRIEF SUPPORT AND MORE. IN 2023 JFCS THERAPISTS ADDED NEW COUNSELING MODALITIES INCLUDING SPACE, FOCUSING ON CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY, DISCERNMENT THERAPY AND WALK & TALK THERAPY. CLIENTS ARE REFERRED FROM OTHER PROGRAMS WITHIN THE AGENCY, FROM OTHER AGENCIES, OR ARE SELF-REFERRED. OUR SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL. WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE INCLUDING MEDICARE. 348 PEOPLE RECEIVED COUNSELING.WE DISTRIBUTED 155 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (EFA) GRANTS TOTALING $168,527. RECIPIENTS USED THESE FUNDS TO HELP WITH RENT, UTILITY BILLS, CAR REPAIRS, MEDICAL BILLS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND FOOD. THESE GRANTS ARE SEPARATE FROM, AND IN ADDITION TO, CAREER SERVICES EFA GRANTS DESCRIBED ABOVE.OUR INTAKE AND RESOURCE CONNECTION (IRC) WORKED WITH 2,155 CALLERS, PROVIDING THEM WITH REFERRALS, RESOURCES, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. DEPENDING ON THE CALLERS' NEEDS, CLINICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL STAFF REFER THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAM AT JFCS OR ANOTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.THE JEWISH FREE LOAN PROGRAM (JFLP) LENDS UP TO $7,500 TO RESIDENTS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES MINNESOTA AREA WITH A SPECIFIC NEED, WHO ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A CO-SIGNER. THE LOAN, TOGETHER WITH OTHER RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS, ENABLES RECIPIENTS TO BRIDGE AN OFTEN-UNEXPECTED FINANCIAL CHALLENGE. IN 2023, JFLP PROVIDED 6 LOANS.JFCS PROVIDES LICENSING SUPERVISION FOR MSW GRADUATES WHO ARE WORKING TOWARD TAKING THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE EXAM. WE SERVED 3 PEOPLE IN THIS PROGRAM.OUR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES (MHSS) PROGRAM SERVES ADULTS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS TO HELP PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE, STABILITY, AND HEALTH. PROFESSIONAL CASE MANAGERS ASSIST ADULTS LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES BY COORDINATING AND OBTAINING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR THEM, INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED TO HELP PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE, STABILITY, AND HEALTH. CASE MANAGERS ASSIST WITH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT. MHSS SERVED 303 PEOPLE.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES - SEE SCHEDULE OCHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICESOUR PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO LIVE STABLE AND ENGAGED LIVES. THIS INCLUDES COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT AID STABILITY AND, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND FOOD SECURITY. 3,760 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN CHILDREN AND FAMILY PROGRAMS IN 2023.JFCS CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED WITH FUNDING FROM DEDICATED ENDOWMENTS, PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND CAMP TO BUILD NEW LIFE SKILLS, BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND CONNECT WITH PEERS ON A DEEPER LEVEL. 176 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO CHILDREN, TOTALING $95,000.PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION (FORMERLY FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION) TAKES JFCS OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BRINGS THE COMMUNITY INTO JFCS THROUGH PRESENTATIONS, TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, SUPPORT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS, AND CONSULTATIONS. THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION ARE COLLABORATION, PREVENTION, AND EDUCATION WITH THE GOAL OF PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMMING INCLUDES TOPICS SUCH AS PARENTING WORKSHOPS, TEACHER TRAININGS, ADDRESSING INTERFAITH CHALLENGES, BULLYING, GRIEF, AND LOSS, SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS, ADDRESSING CHALLENGING CURRENT EVENTS IN MEANINGFUL WAYS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. PARENT COACHING PROVIDES TAILORED AND EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH A SPECIFIC ISSUE OR CONCERN WITH THEIR CHILDREN OR FAMILY. 1,154 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES SUPPORT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND OTHER ADDICTIONS. ADDICTION IS A FAMILY DISEASE, AND OUR PROGRAMS SUPPORT THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES EDUCATION ABOUT ADDICTION FOR DIVERSE AUDIENCES, CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATIONS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, AND REFERRALS TO A VARIETY OF RESOURCES IN THE TWIN CITIES AND BEYOND. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND LEARNING PROGRAM AT JFCS AND FOCUS ON EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND COLLABORATION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND REDUCE STIGMA AROUND ADDICTION IN ALL FORMS. OUR WORK IS INFORMED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF HARM REDUCTION. ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES SUPPORTED 150 PEOPLE.OUR JEWISH YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING PROGRAM FOR JEWISH-IDENTIFIED YOUTH THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE POSITIVE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL-SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE ENGAGEMENT IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. MATCH ACTIVITIES ARE TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, INTERESTS, AND ABILITIES. MATCHES ARE MONITORED AND SUPPORTED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELING, ACCESS TO JEWISH HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS, AND THE CHANCE TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH A FRIEND. 39 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING YOUTH, MENTORS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS.PARENTCHILD+, AN EVIDENCE-INFORMED EARLY LITERACY, PARENTING, AND SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM, IS COMMITTED TO CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP BY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH LOW-INCOMES THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE SUCCESS. EARLY LEARNING SPECIALISTS WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES TWO TIMES EACH WEEK FOR TWO YEARS STARTING WHEN THE CHILD IS 18 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS OLD. PARTICIPATING FAMILIES RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL BOOKS AND TOYS AT NO COST TO THE FAMILY, LEARN CREATIVE WAYS TO LEARN AND PLAY TOGETHER, AND RECEIVE SUPPORT TO HELP YOUNG CHILDREN GROW, LEARN, AND BE READY FOR PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN. PARENTCHILD+ PROVIDES INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND SOMALI. JFCS IS A REPLICATION SITE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PARENTCHILD+ PROGRAM. JFCS SERVES FAMILIES IN THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL METROPOLITAN AREA, AND WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PARENTCHILD+ IN FOUR GREATER MINNESOTA LOCATIONS: CASS COUNTY, ROCHESTER, RICE COUNTY, AND ST. CLOUD. IN THE 2023-24 PROGRAM YEAR, PARENTCHILD+ SERVED 334 CHILDREN AND 356 PARENTS/CAREGIVERS.PJ LIBRARY IS AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN JEWISH IDENTITY BY SENDING JEWISH-CONTENT BOOKS AND MUSIC ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH 8 YEARS. PJ OUR WAY, A KID-DRIVEN PROGRAM FOR KIDS AGES 8 -12 ALLOWS KIDS TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN BOOK BASED ON THEIR OWN AND INTERESTS. PJ LIBRARY ALSO HOSTS REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR FAMILIES. ANY FAMILY RAISING JEWISH CHILDREN IS INVITED TO ENROLL AND RECEIVE AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS. SHALOM BABY WELCOMES FAMILIES OF NEWBORNS AND BABIES, UP TO AGE TWO, TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. FAMILIES WITH NEWBORNS ARE INVITED TO OUR ANNUAL COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER TO MEET OTHER FAMILIES AND RECEIVE FREE GOODIE BAGS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND A SUBSCRIPTION TO PJ LIBRARY. SHALOM BABY CIRCLE TIME IS AN ACTIVITY GROUP WITH MUSIC, STORY TIME, AND PARACHUTE PLAY. 1,495 FAMILIES SUBSCRIBED TO PJ LIBRARY; 817 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN 62 EVENTS