Scolnic Dobin and Randell Recognized as CCFSA Family Champions

JFS Board Member Linda Randell; JFS Acting Executive Director Amy Rashba, LCSW, and JFS Staff Member, Rachel Scolnic Dobin, LMSW

Congratulations to JFS staff member Rachel Scolnic Dobin, LMSW, and board member, Linda Randell, on receiving the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) Family Champions award on Tuesday evening, June 5, 2018 at the New Haven Lawn Club.  Each year the CCFSA recognizes a staff member and a board member from each of their participating family service agencies.  Both Rachel and Linda are well-deserving of this honor and below are the reasons they received this award.

Rachel Scolnic Dobin, LMSW, Community Outreach Coordinator, is a pivotal member of the Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven, joining the agency in August 2010.   She consistently steps up to help in any and all ways to further JFS’ mission of helping make a difference in our client’s lives.  She passionately cares about her clients and is an excellent advocate for them.  Rachel’s work touches so many of JFS’s Programs and Services, however in particular the SOS Program and the Shalom Group.  Through SOS, Rachel helps people who are experiencing tough times get back on their feet through employment and career resources, case management or community resources.  In addition, she provides a friendly, educational and social environment for Jewish adults with developmental disabilities to find a community to connect with their heritage and each other through our Shalom Group.

Linda Randell began her journey with JFS in 2007 when she joined the JFS Board of Directors.  Over the past 11 years, she has served on various committees, and as Vice President from 2011-2013 followed by President of the Board from 2013-2014.

Ms. Randell stands out for her unfailing willingness to go the extra mile for JFS whether it’s serving as a Board member, her kindness and generosity to both staff and board, or her keen sense in interpreting policies, procedures and issues with governance.  She is currently is Chair of the JFS Governance Committee and Co-Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Ms. Randell also currently serves on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, where she chairs the governance committee, and on the Boards of the Towers and the Gateway Community College Foundation.  She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with honors and high distinction, and received her J.D. from the Yale Law School.  Ms. Randell was the first woman partner at Wiggin and Dana, where she headed the regulated industries practice group, and was senior vice president and general counsel of a New York Stock Exchange-listed public utility holding company.  Ms. Randell currently speaks on governance, culture and ethics.

JFS Staff and Board and guests at the event: Front, Rabbi Benjamin Scolnic and Dorene Scolnic; JFS Board Members Cindy Papish Gerber and Sandy Friedman. Back row: Board Members Linda Randell, and Ros Sperling; JFS Staff Rachel Scolnic Dobin, LMSW; Amy Rashba, LCSW, Acting Executive Director;  and Mara Ginsberg, JFS Volunteer Coordinator.