Throughout the entire month of August, Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven’s Food Pantry will receive a $1 donation for every $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker purchased at the Stop & Shop located at 112 Amity Road in New Haven. Purchase a bouquet as a pick me up, a thank you, or just because. Flowers can make someone’s day, spread smiles and brighten up a room. Now they can feed the hungry, too! It’s as simple as that! The Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquets with the red circle sticker are located in the floral section of the store or you may ask the Amity Stop &Shop Florist for assistance.
Author: Sandy Hagen
School Supply Drive For Families in Need
JFSGNH is collecting new school supplies for children and teens (between the ages of 4-17) whose families use our agency services. Items currently needed include: one-subject, wide ruled notebooks; Multi-subject notebooks (both wide rule and college rule): two-pocket folders; No. 2 pencils; pens blue or black; child safe scissors; colored pencils; child safe pencil sharpeners; water based markers; white glue sticks, erasers; loose-leaf notebook paper; construction paper; highlighters, etc. Donations may be dropped off at the JFS Food Pantry, 1440 Whalley Avenue on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. If you are an organization, business or school and you would like to conduct a collection to assist us, please contact shagan@jfsnh.org or call the Pantry at 203-397-0796. Please note that in September we have days off for the high Holidays. We highly recommend calling the Pantry to make sure someone will be there or to schedule a drop off day and time. Thanks in advance for helping our kids to get ready for a great school year ahead!
Journey Through Grief Virtual Support Group – New Day and Time!
If you are an older adult who is grieving the loss of a spouse or significant other and would like support and guidance at this time, the Aging Adult Program at Jewish Family Service would like to help. Our virtual support group will meet on Zoom the second and fourth Monday of every month at 1:30 p.m. Come talk about what you are experiencing in a supportive and safe environment. If interested, please reach out to Andrea Joseph, LCSW at ajoseph@jfsnh.org or 860-800-9494. Upcoming dates are – August 9thand 23rd; September 13th and 27th; October 11th and 25th
Mental Health Post COVID – We’re Here for You
As restrictions are lifted, we are hearing more about the effects of the past year due to social isolation, unemployment/economic losses, working from home while caring for children/other family members and personal health issues. According to Psychiatric Times these stressors contributed to the fact that 40.9 % of adults surveyed reported at least 1 adverse mental or behavioral health issue related to the past year. Of these adults, more than 30% reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. These symptoms won’t just go away when restrictions lift. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression can have lingering effects – especially without intervention. JFSGNH can help you emerge from the past year of fear, anxiety, panic and isolation. Currently, JFSGNH has openings in both our Children’s and our Adult Outpatient Mental Health Clinic We have a sliding fee scale and can even work with those who are unable to meet their deductible. Give us a call today at 203-389-5599, ext. 115 to start your journey toward wellness.
SOS Program Helps the Vulnerable
Through the Social Work Outreach Services Program, JFSGNH offers a lifeline to individuals/families in crisis who find themselves struggling to provide for their own basic needs. JFS offers assistance to vulnerable and at-risk community members in the areas of food, housing, utility, transportation and medical needs, to name a few.
Through a combination of social services and financial assistance, JFSGNH provides short-term stability to families to stem their immediate crises, and then works with them to ensure long-term well-being and self-sustainability. Our goal is to help people in economic crisis to help themselves. We do so while respecting the dignity and confidentiality of clients.
Services Available
One-time Emergency Financial Assistance
Basic Needs Assistance (utility, transportation, and/or food)
Help individuals navigate community, state and federal resources
Referral to JFS Mental Health/Counseling Services
Resources and Referrals
Find out if the Social Work Outreach Services Program (SOS) is the solution you or someone you love might need.
CALL Jessica Maselli 203-916-1680 or jmaselli@jfsnh.org
Caring, Compassionate Counseling for Adults, Adolescents and Children
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven is now accepting new clients into its Mental Health/Counseling Programs. If you or someone you know has concerns or is struggling with any of the issues below, give us a call today.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Child Rearing or Parenting Concerns
- Divorce or Separation
- Trauma Related Issues
- Couples Counseling
- Post Adoption Counseling
- Loss and Grief
There is no wait list. JFS accepts most insurances and offers a sliding scale for those without insurance. All ages, religions, ethnicities, LGBTQ and backgrounds welcome.
Call 203-389-5599, ext. 115 and begin your journey toward wellness today!
JFS – A long history of Post Adoption Services
Did you know that Post Adoption Services to families is one of JFS’s specialties? JFS has a long history in helping adoptive families and has experience in helping families navigate through adoption related concerns and issues. JFS professionals offer families a real understanding of what adoptive parents and their children are struggling with. They will work with children between the ages of 1 to 18 who have been adopted internationally, domestically or through DCF. They also work with young adults and even birth parents who completed an adoption plan for their child. Individuals or families who are interested in learning more should contact Hannah Leiterman at hleiterman@jfsnh.org.
Learn New Skills to Manage Emotions – Group for Girls and Young Woman/Gender Non-Binary People
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven is launching a new 10-week therapy group in March for girls, women and gender non-binary people ages 16 to 20 starting March 10th at 2 p.m. The group will provide an opportunity to connect with other young people while learning to manage emotions and stay healthy in quarantine. A different Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skill will be taught in each weekly group. The free group will be facilitated remotely and a link will be provided prior to the sessions.
The group will meet on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. beginning on March 10, 2021. Here is the outline of the upcoming sessions.
3/10 Introduction of group members and purpose of group
3/17 & 3/24 Mindfulness skills
3/31 & 4/7 Emotion regulation skills
4/14 & 4/21 Distress tolerance skills
4/28 & 5/5 Social skills
5/12 Wrap-up
For additional information please contact Hannah Leiterman at hleiterman@jfsnh.org or 203-389-5599, ext. 114.
Need Assistance with the COVID Vaccine?
If you are over 75 and need assistance with scheduling a vaccination appointment or in need of transportation to the appointment, please reach out to the Aging Adult Services Coordinator, Andrea Joseph, LCSW at ajoseph@jfsnh.org or call 860-800-9494.
STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ACTS OF INSURRECTION AT US CAPITOL
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies and its member agencies join together in horror and shock over the riots and loss of life that took place yesterday at the US Capitol. Despite the efforts of the Capitol Police, the National Guard and the DC police, the demonstrations resulted in bloodshed, loss of life, and horrific violence. The protests challenged the very basic principles of democracy and questioned the process of this nation’s long standing tradition of ensuring a peaceful transition of elected officials.
Indeed, the acts of violence brought to light the suffering of this nation and its desperate cries for unity and healing.
As a network of agencies that work each day to support individuals, families and communities with paths toward self-sufficiency, wholeness and peace, the trauma and anguish of these demonstrations make our efforts that much more challenging. May we all find the strength to move on from these horrific events, grounded in the values of the democratic process and the many safeguards of the US Constitution that protect the freedom to vote and ensure a functioning electorate. And may the Jewish imperative of repairing the world strengthen us all each day as we work together to restore this nation to its place of respect among the world of nations.
Judy Halper, Board Chair
Reuben D. Rotman, President & CEO January 7, 2021