Happy Holidays from JFS!

Last week, JFS had its staff holiday party. The festivities included a potluck lunch, Hanukkah menorah lighting, and a gift exchange game. The game is always fun and brings out the worst in people because it involves plotting, schemeing, and stealing other people's gifts! In all seriousness, it was a great lunch where co-workers from different departments got to socialize and catch up with one another's lives. We're one big, happy JFS family!


And to get the most out of our holiday decorations (and to stretch the budget), Ron Crowell, home-based services coordinator, hosted a potluck dinner for the home care providers and personal care assistants in the JFS Senior Solutions department. These employees work in clients' homes, so they also got a chance to socialize since they rarely get to see each other. Ron handed out holiday cards to his staff and thanked them all for a great year.

From our family to yours, have a happy holiday season and a fabulous start to your New Year! May 2010 be a healthy, prosperous, and joyous year for us all!

Join JFS at Heebonism 2009!

JFS is a sponsor of Heebonism, a Christmas Eve bash for Jews!

When: Dec. 24, 8:30 PM until the wee hours of Xmas morning

Where: The JET Hotel - 1612 Wazee St, Denver

Tix: $18 in advance; $25 cash or check at the door (or $20 with three non-perishable food items for JFS)

Click here to find out more and buy tickets.

JDN Hanukkah Party

Last weekend, Adina Krausz, Jewish Disabilities Network (JDN) coordinator, hosted a Hanukkah party for participants of the group and their families. About 30 people attended and enjoyed traditional Hanukkah foods including latkes with applesauce and traditional jelly donuts, sufganiot.

Adina's husband, Daniel lit the menorah and led everyone in singing the blessings and Hanukkah songs. Participants also iced Hanukkah cookies, decorated cards for residents at Shalom Park, and enjoyed socializing with each other. Barb Goldstein, a JDN and Shalom Park volunteer, said, "Last year, I witnessed how much joy it gives the residents to receive a card, and I wanted to make sure that they had the chance to get them again this year. "

Adina adds, "Since Hanukkah is a holiday that is celebrated in the home, I enjoyed opening up my home for the party and sharing it with all my JDN friends and clients."

Annual Movie Fundraiser Provides “Reel Hope” for JFS Clients

Jewish Family Service recently honored community leaders Brent and Julie Morse, and David Friedman at Reel Hope-Take 14, our annual movie-themed fundraiser at Regal Cinemas Continental Theatre in Denver. Despite difficult economic times, the event grossed $370,000! Our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful community-minded individuals and organizations that support the agency through this event!

Now in its 14th year, Reel Hope benefits the programs of Jewish Family Service and is held in partnership with Variety of Colorado, the children’s charity with its roots in the entertainment industry. Variety helped secure the venue and the special benefit screening of Summit Entertainment’s New Moon, the second installment of Stephenie Meyer’s successful Twilight romance series. We thank Variety, Regal Cinemas, and the filmmakers for making this event possible.

Complete with Hollywood-style lighting effects, the festivities featured the movie screening, the presentation of a touching JFS agency video, a brief awards ceremony, a box dinner, and dessert reception. Gary Shapiro, 9News morning news anchor, made his debut as a JFS event Master of Ceremonies. Heartfelt and entertaining videos introducing the honorees were generously produced by JFS Board Member Lindsey Gutterman with the assistance of Steve Pettit of Starwest Productions.

Ernie Johnson, president and “chief barker” of Variety of Colorado and Steve Kris, JFS board chair, spoke briefly and thanked the evening’s sponsors and attendees. After a video introduction of Brent and Julie Morse, Event Co-Chairs Rocky and Suzi Miller spoke about the Morses and presented the Jack Shapiro Community Service Award. Brent and Julie then spoke eloquently, speaking of their volunteer experiences with JFS and on accepting the award.

Sheryl Goodman, event co-chair and longtime friend of David Friedman, along with David’s father, Shel, introduced David and presented the Kal Zeff Business Leader of the Year Award to him. Shel added humor to the ceremony by saying, “David, I am proud of you for following in my footsteps. JFS, as other nonprofits, has had a difficult financial year; therefore we decided David should get my award from seven years ago.” As anyone who knows David would expect, he accepted the award with humor and grace.

Yana Vishnitsky, JFS president and CEO, spoke from the heart about the help JFS provides for those in need and how much we need the community’s generous support. She shared that JFS provided Thanksgiving meals to 180 families this year. “There were many children running around waiting in line with their parents. I looked into their eyes. There was joy and hope. The parents’ eyes expressed fear and pain. People come to us when their lives are broken, when their hope is lost, when their strength is challenged.”

Our deepest and sincere thanks go out to Dean Prina, M.D., JFS development chair; Rocky and Suzi Miller and Sheryl Goodman, event chairs; and the extraordinary Reel Hope committee who made the event such a success: Douglas Antonoff, Carla Bartell, Shell and Lisa Cook, Cami Cooper, Steven and Faye Demby, Lisa Eller Davis, Sanford Feld, David Fried, Ellen Friedman, Michelle Friedman, Elaine Gampel, Brett Goldberg, Carol Karsh, Donald Kortz, Jeff and Jocelyn Kraus, Gary and Connie Levine, Alan and Peggy Mayer, Rick and Mindy Miller, Larry A. and Carol Mizel, Anita Niebrugge, Devra Ochs, Jay and Lisa Perlmutter, Michael and Shereen Pollak, Dean Prina, M.D., Andrew Raabe, Jane E. Rosenbaum, Linda Schatz, Michael Schatz, Chet Schwartz, Michelle Toltz, Marci Waldman, and Leslie Williams-Heins.

Check out this year's agency video that was shown at Reel Hope!

View more photos from the event! Thank you to Howard Lutz for donating his time and photography skills again this year!

Westword Holds Holiday Drive for JFS!

Thank you to Westword and its readers for helping our clients have a brighter holiday season!

A Sigh of Relief...Reel Hope is Over!

Thanks to everyone who attended Reel Hope-Take 14, our annual movie fundraiser, last night! We hope you all enjoyed the event and learned more about JFS and our honorees, Brent and Julie Morse and David Friedman.

Since we're exhausted from working the event until late last night, we're going to keep this blog post brief! We'll provide a full event re-cap with photos next week.

We'd love your feedback on the event, so if you attended, please leave a comment on the blog!

Enjoy this photo of Kari cleaning up at the end of the night and celebrating that the event is over after many months of hard work! Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who helped the evening run smoothly!

JFS Staff is Thankful for...

With Thanksgiving and the holiday season upon us, we wanted to share what some of our staff members are thankful for:

"That I have woken up every morning for the past 32 years loving my job! I'm also thankful for my children, my family, and friends."
-Yana Vishnitsky, President & CEO

"For my health, family, and freedom!"
-Marlene Adam, Payroll Accountant

"I am thankful for all the daily blessings my four-year-old daughter brings me every day...from hearing her cheerful laugh, to watching her discover something for the first time, to listening to her preschool tales!"
-Alaina Green, Marketing & PR Associate

"For my friends and co-workers who have been so supportive through the difficult times I've had the past year."
-Pat Stein, Senior Solutions Care Manager

"For my friends - including my new friends at JFS, my husband, and people with a sense of humor!"
-Jari Thymian, Development Database Manager

"I am thankful for the gift of JFS and all its staff and people that have been in my life for the last 19 years!"
-Annie Reilly, Care Manager, Hearts and Hands Homemaker Program

"My back is not hurting anymore and that I exercise in the beautiful Colorado outdoors!"
-Janet Chamberlain, Office Manager

"To have a job that I love!"
-Cathy Grimm, Senior Solutions, JFS at Home, and Boulder JFS Director

"That I don't have to cook Thanksgiving dinner!"
-Allison Miller, Data Collection and Research Coordinator

"That I'm retired and am able to do the things I want to do like volunteer at JFS!"
-Mark Krivel, JFS Volunteer

"Not only that I have a job, but 10 years at a job where there is a great sense of community."
-Jennie Creasey, Senior Solutions Care Manager

"All the help from staff and volunteers for Reel Hope (which is next Thursday, December 3rd)!
-Dawn Richard, Development Director

"I am thankful for my family and friends!"
-Talia Richard-Lande, 6 year-old daughter of Dawn Richard

"That I am able to be in the graduate program at DU and for my family."
-Jessica Huffer, Senior Solutions Intern

"That my wonderful 17-year-old son, James has grown up to be such a great guy."
-Doreen Osborne, JFS at Home Schedule Coordinator

"My job!"
-Ann Veenstra, Director of Administration

"For my husband's family who will be feeding me on Thanksgiving, being able to run to work off that big meal, and for my new flatscreen TV that I plan to buy on Black Friday!"
-Kari Alpen, Graphic Designer

"My new job at JFS, the Colorado sunshine, and that am able to volunteer at the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot tomorrow morning."
-Lynn Cooper, Development Associate

Please leave comments to tell us what you're thankful for this year! We wish everyone a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Brighten the Holidays for Those in Need!

Each year, Jewish Family Service is astounded by the generosity of individuals and organizations who provide food and gifts for people we serve during the holiday season. Your care and thoughtfulness makes a significant impact on those who receive them. One way you can help out this holiday season is through our Bright Holidays program.

The Bright Holidays program allows donors to provide Christmas or Hanukkah gifts for individuals and families in need. This program is completely anonymous. Our care managers refer clients with specific wish lists, donors like you provide the gifts and drop them off at our office, and then our staff delivers the gifts to their clients.

To participate in this program, contact Shelly Hines at (303) 597.5000 x319.

And the Weinberg Food Pantry can always use food and monetary donations to provide complete holiday meals to low-income clients during this much celebrated season. Some items we need for holiday meals include frozen turkeys, stuffing mix, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, instant mashed potatoes, and boxed desserts.

Please make a cash donation now or drop off food donations at JFS, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr. between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We appreciate every donor for making the holidays bright for so many of our clients!

Alive and Well!

Representing JFS at Home as sponsors of the Young@Heart Chorus, we had the opportunity to attend the "Alive and Well" performance at the Wells Fargo Theater at the Convention Center last weekend. The Young@Heart is a rowdy bunch of 70 and 80-year-olds singing music "your mother wouldn't like." In fact, they are positively attracted to the bad boys and naughty girls of the last 50 years, covering Jimi Hendrix to OutKast with a good measure of The Flaming Lips and Radiohead. As its name suggests, age is integral to this company. The Young@Heart has crafted surprising and hilarious work that is not about old people performing, but rather a performance that happens to feature older people.

We didn't know what to expect from this concert, but were pleasantly surprised and entertained! From the opening Rolling Stones song, "You Don't Always Get What You Want," we were jazzed and eager to hear more! Not only were they excellent singers, but also very energetic performers. Being part of a performance like that was inspirational to us, being in our 30s, to see an example of healthy aging and that you can have fun at any age!

It was important for JFS at Home to sponsor this event as it not only targeted a senior audience, but it provided an educational outlet for people to see that seniors make a positive contribution to our community. The concert program says it best, "It is possible to age gracefully. It is possible to grow old without growing boring." We agree!

-Kim Finnestead and Alaina Green, JFS at Home

And the Reel Hope Movie is...

All the movie buzz lately is about the highly anticipated New Moon, the second installment of Stephenie Meyer's successful Twilight romance series. Everywhere you look lately, someone is talking about this movie! Our local Fox affiliate, KDVR has a dedicated section on its Web site!

Guess what? You can be among the first to see New Moon at JFS's fundraiser, Reel Hope-Take 14 on December 3rd!

Join us as we honor Brent and Julie Morse, and David Friedman at Reel Hope-Take 14, on Thursday, December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Regal Cinemas Continental Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. and early arrival is advised for best seating. In addition to the movie screening, the festivities will feature the awards presentation, a JFS agency video, dinner, and dessert reception.

Learn more and buy tickets today!

Become a JFS Facebook Fan by November 23rd and be entered to win 2 tickets to Reel Hope!

November is Family Caregiver Appreciation Month

Governor Ritter has proclaimed November to be Colorado Family Caregiver Appreciation Month to honor the contributions that family caregivers make to help their loved ones who are not able to care for themselves.

It is a reality today, more than ever, that many of us are caring for a spouse, an older parent, or other family member while also taking care of our own children, working full time, and holding down other responsibilities. According to the American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging, as many as 44 million Americans care for older parents, in-laws, grandparents, and other older loved ones.

Some older adults need only a little assistance from family caregivers such as help with shoveling snow, or rides to and from the grocery store. Others need a lot of help with daily activities like eating, bathing, dressing, taking medications, and managing money. Over time, an older adult often needs increasing help from caregivers.

While caring for an older family member can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime, it can also be stressful and frustrating. This is especially likely if the older adult has dementia or needs around-the-clock care. Sometimes, providing care for an older relative can be extremely distressing and lead to “caregiver burnout.”

JFS at Home, the 24/7 homecare division of Jewish Family Service, can provide a needed respite for family caregivers and help avoid fatigue and burnout. Whether a caregiver needs a break for just a few hours per week or ongoing care is required, JFS at Home can step in and take on a variety of tasks from personal care assistance to companionship. All JFS at Home caregivers are carefully screened, well credentialed, bonded and insured employees, providing peace of mind for everyone involved.

JFS at Home has had many success stories involving family caregivers. For example, the homecare service is currently providing care for a woman with dementia and makes it possible for her husband of more than 55 years to get out of the house a bit. He says, “I didn’t know where to turn for help, and because of JFS at Home, I can leave my wife with the caregiver and have some time for myself.” He has been doing the cooking, cleaning, and personal care by himself for years and as he has aged, it has become more difficult for him to keep up with all that is needed to do. JFS at Home has helped lighten his caregiver responsibilities and improve the couple’s quality of life.

For more information about JFS at Home, please call Cathy Grimm at (303) 750-4000.

Friends, Family, Food, and Laughter...a Great Prescription for a Wonderful Evening!

Earlier this week, Colorado Senior Connections (CSC) held a Friends and Family party at Berkshires at Lowry. CSC enhances the physical and emotional well-being of elderly apartment residents by providing wellness, recreational, social, physical, and mental health services, as well as resources to outside community agencies. Through this program, seniors continue to grow and learn, remain independent, and enhance their quality of life by making new friends and creating a sense of community.

The goal of this party was to educate the residents' friends and family members about how CSC benefits the seniors. The party also raised money for the program's wellness clinics run by a nurse from Dominican Sisters Home Health Agency.

Nearly 70 people attended this party where they enjoyed socializing with their neighbors, noshing on scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, and sipping wine generously donated by Springbrooke Retirement.

Dr. Brad Nieder, "the Healthy Humorist," provided comical entertainment and had the crowd rolling with laughter! He even provided some clever "prescriptions" for the guests. Thank you to Dr. Nieder for donating his time at this event.

Thank you to Celia Gruzalski, CSC activities and volunteer coordinator, for securing the entertainment, planning the party, and beautifully decorating the room!

View more photos from the party...

Here's a clip of the Healthy Humorist from the party

Provide Hope for Those in Need!

Our community counts on us to help those among us who have fallen on hard times. This year, your support is especially important to help people going hungry, living with a disability, seeking mental health guidance, and combating loneliness but not wanting to give up independence.

See how your support changes lives...

Sarah Sankey, Weinberg Food Pantry
"A friend told me about the Weinberg Food Pantry at Jewish Family Service. She said, 'You are pinching pennies - you need help.' And there was JFS with open arms. JFS helps me make it through the month and gives me more nutritional food like fruits and vegetables. I've been raising my 10-year-old granddaughter since she was three months old. God donated me to help her. Thank God to people who donate to Jewish Family Service - they help me and others!"

Laurie Greene, JFS Group Home

"I moved into the JFS Group Home when I was 38 years old - that was 25 years ago! I've lived there longer than any of the other residents. I also do mailing work at SHALOM Denver. I've been there for 10 years now! And I volunteer in the JFS office every Friday doing shredding and I pick up the Group Home mail while I'm there. I like that I finally have my own room after the Group Home remodel a couple years ago, and that we're all like a big family. We eat together every night, do lots of fun activities, and have surprise outings. Last night we got to go out to dinner!"

Mary Preston, JFS Counseling Center

"My daughter passed away in February at the age of 46 from a medical complication after surgery. I was so distraught and didn't know where to turn for help. One night I got out the phone book and left messages at about 10 different counseling places. Jewish Family Service was one of the only ones that called me back - and the only one that didn't simply ask questions about my insurance and how I would pay for counseling. I was very impressed with JFS, but since I'm Catholic, I asked if I needed to be Jewish to get services. I was relieved when they said, 'no.' JFS truly has changed my life. I never went to therapy before and Elena Glekas, my counselor, works miracles! After weekly sessions for three to four months, I feel like a different person. One of my other daughters died in 1977 at the age of 12 and I never grieved for her. Elena helped me heal from both deaths and improve my relationships with my remaining six children. Elena is one of the greatest gifts God ever gave me!"

"Sam Fisher," JFS Senior Solutions
"I recently moved from West Palm Beach, Florida to Allied Jewish Apartments in Denver. My son and family live in Boulder. We learned about Jewish Family Service through a cousin in California and made an appointment with Mirella in the JFS Senior Solutions department. Jewish Family Service assists me in many ways. They have made me feel comfortable as I adjust to my home in Denver and help me socially, as well. It's been great having a qualified social worker to come and review my problems with me and they have recently assigned a Friendly Visitor volunteer to come keep me company one day a week. JFS is a wonderful organization that is only interested in helping people. Thank you for the help that you have given me."

These are just four of the 22,000 lives JFS touched last year. We have comforted people in the Denver area for 137 years - through economic, personal, and family crises. Please help us continue this tradition of improving lives and rebuilding hope by making a contribution today!

Colorado Nonprofit Association Fall Conference is the Place to Be!

This morning we braved the snowy roads to make an appearance at this year's Colorado Nonprofit Association Fall Conference at the Sheraton in downtown Denver. Hundreds of people are here for the numerous breakout sessions about marketing, fundraising, public policy, board and volunteers, human resources, and other focus areas. In addition, there are 60 exhibit booths for attendees to visit to learn more about nonprofit and business resources.

While attendance seems to be a bit lower this year due to the weather, the exhibit hall is buzzing with conversation and excitement! JFS and SHALOM Denver are sharing a booth and informing people about our services. And, as you may have noticed from the picture, we are wearing our infamous "you don't have to be Jewish to access our services" shirts as a reminder that JFS provides help to all, regardless of race, religious affiliation, gender, age, income, or sexual orientation.

We're happy to be at this annual event and look forward to coming back again next year!

Contribute to the JFS Thanksgiving Food Drive

Jewish Family Service desperately needs your help to provide a Thanksgiving meal for our Weinberg Food Pantry clients who might otherwise not be able to celebrate the holiday. Please contribute any of the items on the list below or provide a complete holiday meal for one family (the average cost is approximately $43.08).

• Frozen turkeys
• Disposable aluminum foil roasting pans
• Canned yams or sweet potatoes
• Canned cranberry sauce
• Stuffing mix
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Canned peas or beans
• Gravy mix
• Corn bread mix
• Boxed dessert mix (cakes, cookies, brownies)
• Canned pumpkin pie filling
• Shelf-stable pie crust
• Evaporated milk
• Grocery gift cards

Because we can stretch your dollar by purchasing items directly from Food Bank of the Rockies at a reduced cost, we prefer cash donations. Please donate money now or bring food donations to Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231, by Wednesday, November 18th. JFS is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you in advance for your support to brighten another family's Thanksgiving!

We Hate to Toot Our Own Horns, But Today We're Going To!

Last year, JFS and the Denver web design firm, Xylem-CCI, created a new, user-friendly Web site that has helped clients, donors, media, and the general public access information about our agency. The Web site spotlights the agency’s new brand, provides ease of navigation, and integrates with the agency’s blog and social media presence. The content-rich Web site features a video library, press room, event calendars, and photo galleries. The project also included JFS at Home and SHALOM Denver Web sites.

We attended the Colorado Healthcare Communicators' Gold Leaf Awards dinner last night where we were proud to accept a Bronze Leaf Award for our Web sites. Colorado Healthcare Communicators provides healthcare professionals in the public relations, marketing, and communication fields with opportunities to effectively network with peers, the media, and the healthcare community.

We are especially proud to receive this award because the marketing team worked extremely hard for six months to launch the Web site and blog. Over the past several months, we've received many phone calls from other Jewish Family Service agencies around the country, giving compliments and seeking advice on how to replicate our site. While these compliments have been wonderful, it's nice to be formally recognized with this award!

Thank you to our entire staff for all their contributions to the project and patience for putting up with us while we worked on this challenging, but worthwhile endeavor!

Save 15% on SHALOM Denver Orders in October!

Because SHALOM Denver employs and trains people with disabilities, we are offering a 15% discount on all digital printing, mailing, packaging, and assembly orders placed during the month of October for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. All work is performed quickly, accurately and affordably. In addition, you have the satisfaction of knowing that when you do business with us, you are also giving back to your community. To take advantage of this special, please contact Linda Perez at 303.623.0251.

From all of us at SHALOM Denver, thank you for your support during National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Offer Expires: October 30, 2009 - valid on printing, mailing, packaging, or assembly orders of at least $200.

JFS Clients Helped by Temple Emanuel's Mitzvah Day

Recently, Temple Emanuel hosted Mitzvah Day, the congregation's annual social action event. This day provides a concerted congregational effort to help those in need, when families go out into the Denver community to do all types of volunteer work. Members give their time, their energy, and their talent as they participate in a variety of mitzvot. Some of the projects included yard clean up and planting, painting rooms, entertaining at hospitals and nursing homes, animal care, preparing office mailings, and meal preparation. Three of the projects helped JFS clients: yard work for one elderly couple, cleaning for a person with a chronic illness, and games at the JFS Group Home.

The morning of Mitzvah Day, one group headed out early to cut trees at an elderly couple's home in Park Hill. The woman is homebound and likes to sit out in her backyard and relax. However, the overgrown trees made her feel anxious, but she knew that physically she couldn't take care of it. Once the volunteers cut the trees, she could relax and be at peace. She was very touched that people came to make her yard pleasant and neat. Two of the volunteers, Jim and Ruth Sharon, said of the experience, "We felt delighted to serve and be useful to people in need! It was a good feeling to see the gratitude in her eyes."

Another family was struggling to keep up with household chores due to the father's illness. While it took the group of Temple Emanuel volunteers only a few hours to spruce up the house, it would have taken this family much longer. It just goes to show that a few hours of work can make a big difference in someone's life! Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services at JFS, was first hesitant to offer up a housecleaning project for Mitzvah Day,"I didn't think anyone would want to clean someone else's house (when people have enough of their own cleaning to do), but I was pleasantly surprised what others will do to help another family experiencing a hardship. It taught me not to assume what volunteers will and will not do to help out a neighbor in need."

Simultaneously, another group of volunteers drove south from Temple to the JFS Group Home. The eight adult residents with developmental disabilities spent the morning laughing and playing board games with the volunteers. The residents love having guests to their home and appreciate spending time with new friends.

Thank you to Temple Emanuel and its members for spending the morning helping several of our clients during Mitzvah Day. JFS looks forward to participating in Temple's Mitzvah Year, an ongoing opportunity to help people in the community.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with JFS, please contact Nancy Benyamin at (303) 597.5000 x369.