In our continuing series on the many chesed organizations in our community, we are happy to highlight Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
How and when did the organization get started?
JFCS’s history began in 1952 when the agency was created to meet emerging social and mental health needs. Jewish Family and Children’s Services continues to provide social and mental health services to the greater Bergen County community.
Please describe in detail what services your organization provides.
JFCS has four pillars for support that it offers its clients:
- Mental Health Services: JFCS provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and children. JFCS also runs several support groups for both children and adults who are experiencing difficult life circumstances. JFCS does not have a waitlist for treatment, and they do not turn anyone away for an inability to pay.
- Older Adult Services: JFCS provides a wide variety of in-home services to homebound seniors and disabled individuals looking to remain safely at home.
- Food Insecurity Services: JFCS operates the Corner Market Kosher Food Pantry. The pantry offers a wide variety of food and toiletry items that clients get to choose from online. Pick up is confidential.
Basic Needs Assistance:
- JFCS’s Re-Launch Career Services assists individuals in building the right skills to compete in the modern workforce. From resume building to negotiating skills, JFCS provides career counseling so clients are in the optimal position to secure their next job.
- JFCS provides case management services to help people access the services and benefits they are eligible for.
- JFCS offers emergency financial assistance to help provide relief.
Who is eligible for your programs?
JFCS is available to the entire New Jersey community (Bergen, Passaic and Hudson Counties).
Are any services anonymous?
JFCS provides the utmost privacy to its clients.
Please share an anecdote or two highlighting the work that you do.
One of the worst things in life is for a parent to lose a child. When a similar tragedy befell a family in our community JFCS was there to provide caring support. Through psychotherapy for the whole family, JFCS was able to guide them through this trauma. To this day, the family still receives treatment because as one family member told us, “JFCS has been a beacon of hope for us.” JFCS has created a welcoming culture where all are welcome and all are poised to help.
By Nina Glick
