Catch Frank Abagnale in Denver on May 12th!

Jewish Family Service is proud to announce Frank Abagnale as the speaker for the fifth annual Executive Luncheon on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Tickets on sale now!

Frank Abagnale is one of the world’s most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlement, and secure documents. For over 30 years he has worked with, advised, and consulted with hundreds of financial institutions, corporations, and government agencies around the world. Mr. Abagnale’s rare blend of knowledge and expertise began more than 40 years ago when he was known as one of the world’s most famous confidence men. This was depicted most graphically in his best-selling book, Catch Me If You Can, a film of which was also made, directed by Steven Spielberg with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Mr. Abagnale has now been associated with the FBI for over 30 years. More than 14,000 financial institutions, corporations and law enforcement agencies use his fraud prevention programs. In 1998 he was selected as a distinguished member of “Pinnacle 400” by CNN Financial News – a select group of 400 people chosen on the basis of great accomplishment and success in their fields.

The luncheon will be held at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom, 1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., program begins at noon. Tickets are $150, sponsorship packages start at $1500. For information, tickets, or sponsorships, please contact (303) 597.5000 x365.

--Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Together We Can Make a Difference!

Together we can make a difference helping those in need…

A little help goes a long way. Did you know that...

• In addition to food that is donated, JFS spends an extra $86 a month to feed a family of four facing hunger?


• The average amount of money that JFS pays for one month’s rent and utilities to help a family of four is $950?


• The average cost for four counseling sessions at the JFS Counseling Center is $440?

You may not be able to help these individuals or families on your own, but as a group, we can erase hunger, poverty, homelessness, and other challenges faced by many.

Think about it…if 10 people donate $10 each, we could feed a family of four for a month. If 100 people donate $10 each, we could provide rent and utilities for a family of four for a month.

Please contribute through our Facebook Cause and spread the word to your friends to help us meet our goal of raising $1,000 by June 30, 2009. If you cannot give financially, please consider giving of your time. JFS has numerous fulfilling volunteer opportunities. Please contact Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer resources. For more information, please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org.

Whoa, It's Magic!

Recently, Brad Montgomery performed a private magic show for JFS Group Home residents, volunteers, and community members with a vested interest in disability advocacy. Thank you to Scott Friedman for organizing this fun event and the Merage & Allon Hillel Center at DU for hosting the show.

Check out some photos of some of the Group Home residents helping Brad with some of his magic tricks!

--Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

And The Award Goes To...

Join us in congratulating Marilyn Lande, a great friend, volunteer, and supporter of JFS. She is the 2009 Jewish Women in the Arts honoree at the 5th Annual Jewish Women in the Arts Brunch & Program, Art Exhibition & Sale on April 19th. In addition to be honored, Marilyn's artwork will be for sale along with artwork from many other members of the Mizel Museum Artist Alliance.

Marilyn recently held an art exhibit featuring “MECHITZAH – HER Story Metamorphosed, A Magazine” at the Rafael Spiritual Healing Center located at JFS. A Denver conceptual artist, photographer, videographer, and independent researcher, Marilyn has spent many years exploring the history of Jewish women, and the way that history and Jewish heritage and faith has influenced the art and lives of Jewish women.

For tickets, please contact Deanne at (303) 394.9993 x104 by April 10th. Tickets are $45 per person. For more information, visit http://mizelmuseum.org/cjag_brunch.html.

--Kari Alpen and Alaina Green, JFS Marketing Department

GLBT Caregiver Group Provides Much Needed Support

Caring for someone is challenging in the best of situations, let alone in difficult situations. Support from people who know what you are going through and want to help might be what you need. Jewish Family Service (JFS) and The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) formed a new caregiver education and support group for members of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) community.

The ongoing group is held on the first and third Thursday of every month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sixth Avenue United Church, 3250 East Sixth Avenue in Denver. The group is open to members of the GLBT community who are in a caregiver role. The support group is free of charge and donations are welcome. The caregiver group is facilitated by Jennie Creasey, LCSW and Dee Trasen, LCSW from JFS, and Shari Wilkins, a caregiver and member of the GLBT community.

"Thus far, the people who have attended the group are getting great support from one another because caregiving is a very stressful, all-consuming, 24/7 role," says Dee Trasen, LCSW, one of the group's facilitators. "Each participant is in a different type of caregiving situation and each brings his/her unique perspective and experience to the group."

For more information about this group, please contact Jennie Creasey at (303) 597-5199, ext. 328.

Read an article about this group in the Denver Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

--Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Colorado Nonprofits Hurt by Economy

In tough economic times, people often turn to nonprofit organizations for support in meeting basic needs. But the increased demands for help and the steady decline in donations have many struggling to provide the same level of assistance they have in the past. And Colorado appears to be one of the hardest hit states in the US.

According to an article by the Associated Press, "In a survey released Monday by the Colorado Nonprofit Association, 762 charities in 57 Colorado counties cited economic worries similar to those faced by businesses. Declining income. Difficulty borrowing money. Staff cuts and reduced services. A few of them, 4.2 percent, said they didn't know if they'd survive 2009."

More findings from the survey on Colorado nonprofits suggest:

• More than half of the nonprofits (51.8 percent) said the recession hurt fundraising efforts.
• More than a third (38.5 percent) said the economic downturn has had a negative effect on their ability to serve clients.
• More than one in five (20.5 percent) described themselves as very unprepared or somewhat unprepared for the recession.
• More than a fourth (27.9 percent) have frozen staff wages, with 8.6 percent reporting layoffs.
• Most nonprofits reported declines in donations, from corporate sponsors and deep-pocket patrons cutting off funds to fewer people buying tickets to charity fundraisers.

Jewish Family Service is not exempt from these hardships; our donations are down, but our client needs have skyrocketed. A lot of people who have never needed help are lining up at our food pantry and seeking guidance from our counseling center. It's scary out there for a lot of people right now, but you can help us make a difference in others' lives.

One fun way to support our programs and the people we serve is by attending the fifth annual JFS Executive Luncheon on May 12th. Visit our Web site to find out more about this year's exciting guest speaker.

--Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department