Author: Sandy Hagen

JFSGNH Welcomes New Mental Health Director and Aging Adult Coordinator

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

Alissa Wurtzel, LCSW, joins Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven as the new Clinical Mental Health Director for both the Child and Adult Outpatient clinics.  She brings with her an eclectic skill set of evidence-based treatment modalities and experience with diverse populations.  Serving the mental health and behavioral needs of Connecticut residents for the past 20 years, Alissa is most looking forward to weaving together the past, current, and future needs of the JFS community.

Experienced with individual, family, and group therapy, Alissa has worked with clients as young as 4 and as old as 107.  Alissa feels her strength is in teaching people about the impact that stressors and stimuli have on us as human beings, and she encourages individuals and groups to use their intuition and uniqueness to identify solutions.

Before joining JFS, Alissa’s specialty areas were in trauma informed care, EMDR, medical social work, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), and co-occurring disorders.  Alissa is grateful for previous experiences with community health clinics, children and families using animal assisted therapy, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and hospice patients and their families.  She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Connecticut.  Alissa can be reached at 203-389-5599, ext. 117 or awirtzel@jfsnh.org. 

Elanit Kayne Linder, LMSW, recently joined JFS as the Aging Adult and Community Outreach Coordinator. “I’m invigorated to be joining JFS at a time when the geriatric program is expanding as are the geriatric needs of our community. I look forward to rolling out the JFS Care Navigators Care Management Program,” Linder expressed.   In her new position, Elanit will lead this comprehensive program, which provides needs and psychosocial assessments, care planning, advocacy, linkage to community resources, weekly check –in calls and collaboration with family members. 

Elanit earned her Bachelor’s degree at TISCH School of the Arts at New York University and her Master’s Degree at Columbia University School of Social Work. Elanit’s prior older adult career experience includes assisted living memory care director, director of recreation, and clinical community liaison in various facilities.

Elainit is committed to program development that empowers individuals and communities to their best quality of life in their own vision. She is dedicated to intergenerational programming, cultivating and developing long-term partnerships while supporting clients and families.  Elanit can be reached at 203-389-5599, ext. 114 or elinder@jfsnh.org.

Alissa Wurtzel. LCSW (left) and Elanit Linder, LMSW (right).

JFS Names Brian Prousky Interim CEO

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Prousky as Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Prousky will use his expertise to guide the agency through this transition of leadership and post pandemic renewal.

Most recently, Brian was the Executive Director of Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto. In this role, he was instrumental in developing programs and partnerships that improved the lives of vulnerable and at-risk individuals and families. Brian passionately represented the agency, its service users and the broader community on various local, national and international forums, including on the Board of Directors of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. He solidified the agency’s financial position while expanding programing to serve emerging needs. This included reimagining and rebuilding the agency’s poverty reduction program so that it contained a constellation of holistic supports built around the Social Determinants of Health, achieving quality outcomes for those who, quite sadly, experienced all the deleterious impacts of poverty.

In 2020, the agency was recognized internationally with a best practice award for its service delivery in this area. Most notably, Brian built an organizational culture that was transparent and collaborative – one that was open to renewal, re-imagination, agility, adaptability, all of which served the agency well during a time of great uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

Prior to leading Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto, Brian was the Director of Services at the Durham Children’s Aid Society and York Region Children’s Aid Society, two large child welfare agencies.

Brian was a founding member of the Durham Region Intimate-Partner Violence Empowerment Network (DRIVEN), a collaborative, collocated program (involving seven on-site partner agencies) serving women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

Brian was also a founding member of the Regional Adoption Program for the Children’s Aid Societies of Durham, Kawartha Haliburton and Highland Shores. From 1999-2015, Brian delivered province-wide training to child protection managers in the areas of Risk Assessment, Differential Response, Performance Management and Transfer of Learning. Brian has a particular interest in organizational change management, both from a strategic and cultural perspective.

Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in leading change management processes where staffing and financial resources have been redeployed to increase sustainability and enhance service delivery. 

Brian may be reached at bprousky@jfsnh.org.

Hadassah Magazine – Living on the edge of food insecurity

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

The November/December 2021 Issue of Hadassah Magazine features an article that mentions the Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven Food Pantry. Reporter Cathryn J. Prince’s “I Never Thought I’d be Needing This” – Living on the Edge of Food Insecurity explores food insecurity nationwide and visited the Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven Food Pantry to talk about its food assistance program.

Living on the Edge of Food Insecurity

BLOOMIN’ 4 GOOD BOUQUETS TO BENEFIT JFS DURING NOVEMBER!

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

Throughout the entire month of November, 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. It’s a great month to purchase a bouquet to show “Thanks” to family or friends, or as pick me up, 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.

Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquets Benefit JFS During August!

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

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.

School Supply Drive For Families in Need

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

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!

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

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

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

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

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

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

Posted on by Sandy Hagen

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!