Visit Our New Blog!

JFS Perspectives has moved! Check out our new blog at http://jewishfamilyservice.org/_blog/JFS_perspectives.

Thank you!
Alaina Green and Kari Alpen

Speed Racers and Football Fans!

This month, some of our clients with disabilities attended special sporting events through the generosity of some of our donors and volunteers! Below are some highlights from a trip to Bandimere Speedway and a Broncos game.

The Guys Enjoying Their Night at Bandimere Speedway

On August 11th, SHALOM Denver director, Arnie Kover and delivery driver, Anthony Montoya, took several clients with disabilities, who are “real car guys” to the drag races at Bandimere. Thanks to the generosity of Paul Lombardi, food and beverage manager at Bandimere raceway, they were able to have a “guys night at the races."  Admission, hot dogs and burgers were provided by Paul and the guys got souvenier T-shirts to take home. In addition, Tim Hall, former Laradon Hall Director, turned race car driver let the guys sit in a real Corvette race car. Thanks to Paul and Tim for a great night!

Laurie, Denise, and Lee at the Broncos Game

On August 21st, Duke Kaminsky, a long-time donor, gave the JFS Group Home four tickets to a Broncos exhibition game. Laurie and Lee were the lucky residents who got to go to the game. Denise, a member of the Group Home staff, and Phil Rose, a volunteer, were the chaperones for the evening.

Phil has been volunteering at the Group Home for a couple of months, hanging out with the guys and watching sports at the house. He had expressed an interest in taking them on an outing and when this opportunity arose, he jumped on it! Everyone had a great time and upon Laurie's insistence, stayed until the end of the game.

Thanks to everyone who made these fun events happen for all the guys!

SHALOM Denver Hosts Colorado and U.S. Policy Makers

(L to R) Senator Linda Newell, Arnie Kover, Senator Joyce Foster, and Sara Leeper

This post was written by Arnie Kover, director of Disability and Employment Services.

On Tuesday, August 17th, SHALOM Denver provided guided tours to important U.S. and Colorado state dignitaries. The event was planned in conjunction with 30 other similar agencies around the country through our membership in IAJVS, the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services. On hand were Bennie Milliner and Eva Serenil, both community liaisons from Senator Michael Bennet’s office, Colorado Senator Linda Newell, and our longtime friend and champion, Senator Joyce Foster.

Bennie Milliner and Eva Serenil, community liaisons from Senator Michael Bennet’s office, tour the workshop with Arnie Kover to meet clients

Sara Leeper, SHALOM Denver coordinator of client services, and I discussed the rich history of SHALOM Denver, the various populations served, and the numerous services and supports offered. The Senators and Senate staffers spent almost 2 hours learning about SHALOM and its many benefits to those with employment challenges, all the while mingling with SHALOM clients, shaking hands, and offering words of encouragement.

Sara and I shared information about all the great employment outcomes that SHALOM clients receive and also discussed important funding challenges that these difficult economic times have created. “This is a great passion of mine and I will do all I can to support the work done at SHALOM,” stated Senator Newell. Bennie Milliner and Eva Serenil both appreciated learning about SHALOM Denver and said that “they see SHALOM as a great resource for the Denver metro area.”

It was a great day of sharing and collaborating with very important people who now know the importance of the services we deliver and who are committed to helping us continue our work far into the future. For this, we are truly appreciative.

Our Volunteers Go Above and Beyond!

Renee Singer, Rae Negreann, and Sandy Weiner
(Not pictured: Diana Sher and Diane Rubinstein)

Earlier this week, JFS Senior Solutions and JFS at Home honored some of their exemplary volunteers at a breakfast hosted at our office. While the senior department has many wonderful volunteers, these five go above and beyond. The staff members who work closely with these volunteers presented each of them with a certificate of appreciation and a gift card for their hard work and commitment to the agency.

Three of the volunteers, Diana Sher, Diane Rubinstein, and Rae Negreann, are Friendly Visitors who provide companionship to elderly adults on a regular basis. These volunteers have been dedicated to the senior clients they visit for several years and have helped them through many of life's transitions including moving and losing friends and family. All three women have forged strong bonds with the seniors and get as much out of the relationships as they put in!

The other two volunteers that were honored, Renee Singer and Sandy Weiner, help Doreen Osborne, JFS at Home staffing coordinator. These ladies volunteer a total of nine hours per week doing a variety of administrative tasks such as billing, timesheets, reference checks, and putting introduction packets together.

Thank you to all these volunteers for all that they do! They all felt very appreicated as well, and Sandy and Renee both commented that they've "never witnessed an organization that is so appreciative of their volunteers."

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services, at (303) 597.5000 x369.

Moving on Up...To the Eastside (Tennessee, that is)!

Celia Gruzalski, Cathy Grimm, and Alison Joucovsky

This week we were sad to say goodbye to one of our dear friends and colleagues who is moving back home to Tennessee (she is traveling there as we speak). Celia Gruzalski worked for JFS as the Colorado Senior Connections (CSC) volunteer and activities coordinator at Berkshires at Lowry for nearly six years. Through CSC, seniors continue to grow and learn, remain independent, and enhance their quality of life by making new friends and creating a sense of community.

On Tuesday, CSC hosted a goodbye party where the senior residents got to say their goodbyes to Celia while enjoying ice cream sundaes. While everyone is sad to see Celia go, the timing of her move worked out well because JFS is no longer running CSC at Berkshires at Lowry. The program was always meant to be resident-driven. Since creating the program in 2004, we have helped them form a strong resident council that will continue to run the program successfully without our help.

Cathy Grimm, JFS Senior Solutions director, told the residents at the party, "You are our success story! You are not alone; I will continue to come to your resident council meetings and you can always call us with questions or concerns." Cathy also introduced all the residents to the JFS care managers and other Senior Solutions staff that are available to provide in-home support and counseling services. And due to the success of the program at Berkshires, we recently set up a similar program, run by Alison Joucovsky, program coordinator, using the same model to provide services to seniors in the city of Edgewater.

Watch a video clip of Celia's tearful goodbye!

Volunteers Become a Part of the (Paid) JFS Team!

Michael Titus and Chad Livermore

We recently hired two of our volunteers to work in the Weinberg Food Pantry! Chad Livermore, who began volunteering at the front desk last September and helped out in the Pantry for a few months, is now the Pantry Operations Coordinator. Chad is replacing Robert Roth doing food recovery (picking up food donations from stores) and maintaining the warehouse, which includes keeping it orderly, receiving donations, setting up the sorting area, and more.

David Rabb, Food Pantry Manager, says, "Robert worked here for more than five years and he will be dearly missed. As sorry as we are to see Robert go, we are excited to work with our new staff members and move forward as we start the Jewish New Year."

Another volunteer that just started this week as half-time Pantry Assistant is Michael Titus. If you read the July/August Family Matters newsletter, you may remember the Volunteer Spotlight article about Michael teaching citizenship classes and volunteering in the Pantry. In his new position, he is responsible for running the Pantry while it's open, working with the volunteers, and making sure the clients get what they need.

The Pantry is now "Total Client Choice," allowing clients to "shop" for their own food and choose the items they want and will consume. Not only does this new system cut down on waste, but gives clients more dignity by allowing them to select the items they know they will use. Chad is the behind-the-scenes guy making sure everything is set up for when clients come in, while Michael is more hands-on with clients and volunteers, ensuring all is running smoothly.

Since we just lost (OK, hired) two of our good Pantry volunteers, we need a few more people to replace them! The Pantry is looking for volunteers in many capacities both in the Pantry and to deliver food to homebound people. If you are interested, please contact Nancy Benyamin, Director of Volunteer Services, at (303) 597.5000 x369.

Attitude of Gratitude!

Have you been meaning to make a donation to JFS, but don't have a "traditional" reason such as a birthday, anniversary, or Bar/Bat Mitzvah to commemorate through a tribute gift?

Jari Thymian, JFS database manager recently added a new way for donors to creatively give to JFS. Now you can make tribute gifts to express your gratitude for anything you want such as the beautiful weather, an upcoming trip you're taking, you finished a project or met a deadline at work. Be creative and celebrate anything in your life you are grateful for!

The Hebrew term for gratitude is hikarat hatov, which means "recognizing the good." Share your gratitude and recognize the good things in your life today with a tribute gift to JFS by contacting Jari Thymian at (303) 597.5000 x386.

Also, when you make a donation - of any amount - you will receive a personal phone call from Jari.  "It is so fun and energizing for me to call our donors!" says Jari enthusiastically. "I really get a rush out of finding out why people give and hearing how grateful they are to JFS for help we provided to them or a loved one."
 
She adds, "I actually get to see how infinite gratitute and goodness are when I make the calls. People are so happy to know that we received their money and we're using it for the program for which they intended." As an avid biker and poet, Jari shares an apt analogy: "Gratitude is like catching a tailwind on a bicycle!"

Now how is that for customer service?!?!
 

Meet Our Reel Hope-Take 15 Honorees!

While it's hard to think about a winter event during these hot summer days, we are busy planning Reel Hope-Take 15, our annual movie-themed fundraiser. We are pleased to announce this year's honorees:

Dean Prina, M.D., Jack Shapiro Community Service Award Recipient
The term "community service" is synonymous with this well-known Denver pediatrician's name. Dean Prina, M.D. joined the JFS board in July 2005 and wasted no time becoming an active member. He has served as chair of the Development Committee and co-chair of the JFS Executive Luncheon, and is also a member of the Board Development/Nominating Committee. This year he is an at-large member of the Executive Committee as well. Not only is Dean a passionate advocate for JFS, but he serves on numerous nonprofit boards and can be spotted at charity events around town many nights of the week!

Charlie Gwirtsman, Kal Zeff Business Leader of the Year
Charlie Gwirtsman, co-founder and managing director of KRG Capital Partners, is a long-time JFS supporter and member of the JFS Advisory Board. He is actively involved in many charitable, community, and political causes in the Jewish and secular communities. With the downturn in the economy, Charlie recognizes that the need for the services JFS provides is up while resources are down, and he feels strongly about supporting the agency financially and through volunteerism.

The tentative date for Reel Hope is Thursday, December 9th. More information will follow soon. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lynn Cooper, development associate, at (303) 597.5000 x365.

2010 Annual Meeting Honored Volunteers and Board Members

Gail Pennington presents the Max Frankel Volunteer of the Year Award to Mark Krivel

Earlier this week, JFS hosted a luncheon for its Annual Meeting at the Hebrew Educational Alliance (HEA). At this meeting, we shared the past year's highlights with the community, installed new board members, bid farewell to outgoing members, and presented the 2010 Max Frankel Volunteer of the Year Award.

Incoming Board Chair Alan Mayer served as the emcee and added his humor and charm to the event. Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald of HEA, who is also a JFS board member, gave the D’var Torah to kick off the event. Mark Krivel, the recipient of the 2010 Max Frankel Volunteer of the Year Award, is an active board member of HEA, so it was quite fitting that the event was held at his synagogue. We appreciate all of HEA's support to host and publicize the event and Mark's award!

Board Chair Steve Kris installed the new board members, Leslie Ginsburg, Rocky Miller, and Lary Weintraub. Steve also thanked outgoing members Dan Seff and Lisa Taussig for their 15 years of dedicated service to JFS.

President & CEO Yana Vishnitsky thanked all board members, volunteers, and staff members in attendance for their continued support during the past year despite incredibly difficult economic times when the needs are growing and resources are shrinking. She said, "Fears and uncertainty about the agency kept me up at night, but being an optimist, I believed that we, despite all difficulties, will find a way to help our clients reclaim their happiness and independence, and restore their hope. And I was right."

However, she reminded people that the crisis is not over. "There are still many challenges ahead of us. The government grants are either shrinking or disappearing. There is compassion fatigue. People are still faced with the tough decision to either put food on the table, pay rent, or buy medications they desperately need. Today, more than ever before, our community needs JFS’s services; our clients need us."

In addition, community member and Herzl parent, Tracey Douglas, along with her daughter, Kezia, told the audience a bit about the fulfilling experience the 4th grade class had volunteering with, and learning about, JFS this past school year.

To end the meeting, we honored an outstanding individual, Mark Krivel, with the Max Frankel Volunteer of the Year Award. Mark is an incredibly dedicated volunteer who has given his time and skills to JFS two to three days per week since 2006. He has contributed more than 1,350 hours to the agency by volunteering in accounting, administration, the Weinberg Food Pantry, marketing, and development. Gail Pennington, director of finance and accounting, eloquently introduced Mark, sharing wonderful examples of Mark's dedication (like driving through snowstorms to volunteer!) and how much the accounting department values his help.

Thank you to Lisa Taussig and Sheryl Goodman for providing leadership for the event and assisting with logistics and decorations! The fresh flowers from Lisa's garden were beautiful and added to the ambience of the event. Thank you to Howard Lutz for taking wonderful photos!

Thanks to everyone who attended the event. We welcome your comments and feedback!

View more photos...
 

A Match Made at JFS!

Last weekend, JFS staff members helped orchestrate a marriage proposal for one of our volunteers! The romantic tale began on a Sunday morning in November 2007 when Mark Schwartz came to JFS to sort food at the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry through the Jewish Hikes and Fun Stuff Meetup Group. While he had participated in activities with this group before, he had never met Tracy Levy until this day. They became friends and ran into each other a few times at various events over the next couple years. Then, Mark and Tracy both attended a hiking group potluck this past October and began dating.

During their whirlwind romance, Mark also started volunteering with JFS on a regular basis as a Friendly Visitor to a man living with AIDS. "Mark was so dedicated to this client right up until the man passed away in November," says Nancy Benyamin, JFS director of volunteer resources. "The two became very close and Mark even wrote a very touching eulogy for the client."

"It was such a rewarding experience and I look forward to volunteering more in the future with JFS," says Mark. Tracy also plans to be a Friendly Visitor volunteer in the near future.

"Because I am sentimental, I decided to propose to Tracy at the location where we met - in the JFS lobby!" says Mark. "I called Nancy Benyamin last Thursday and asked her to help me set up the proposal." So Nancy sent an email to Mark and Tracy with an urgent plea for volunteers to come sort a large (and fictitious) shipment of food on Sunday morning. Mark promised to get Tracy there at 9 a.m. on Sunday and we would help with the rest of the plan. He also had a beautiful bouquet of roses sent to our office on Friday to present to Tracy after the proposal.

Jari Thymian, our database manager, jumped at the chance to help with the proposal on Sunday morning. She unlocked the door for Mark and Tracy when they arrived and then acted very perplexed when no one else showed up to volunteer. She told them she was going to her desk to see if any of the other volunteers left messages for her. Her exit was Mark's cue to do his thing! He got down on one knee, Tracy happily accepted his proposal, and Jari emerged from around the corner with the bouquet of flowers.

"It was so fun to play a role in their engagement!" says Jari. "I was honored to help and it was fun to 'ham it up!'" Mark adds, "Jari was awesome! Thanks to her and Nancy, the surprise went off without a hitch."

Congratulations to Mark and Tracy! Hmmmm....maybe a JFS wedding is in their future? The upstairs atrium is pretty big! :)

Youth Corp Volunteer Gives Tour of Weinberg Food Pantry

Enjoy this video of one of our Youth Corp volunteers, Emma Theis, giving a tour of the Weinberg Food Pantry and sharing some of her volunteer responsibilities!

Two Cities Across the Globe Working Together for the Same Cause: Disability and Employment Services

On Wednesday, June 2nd, SHALOM Denver enjoyed a visit from Alejandra Goldschmidt, CEO of IDEL in Buenos Aires, Argentina. IDEL is a fellow member of the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS). IDEL provides employment and training services to Jewish people with developmental disabilities in Buenos Aires and is supported by Israel Elwyn programs, based in Philadelphia and Israel.

While in Denver with her son, Juan, to visit family, Alejandra spent a few hours at SHALOM Denver learning about its Disability and Employment Services. Arnie Kover, Director of Disability and Employment Services for JFS, proudly showed Alejandra around the facility so she could see clients working on mailing, packaging, and assembly projects. He also described the agency's long and rich history of serving people with disabilities in Denver. Alejandra met many of SHALOM’s clients and staff and was very impressed with our services and our facility, saying that "she hoped that her small program in Argentina could someday serve so many people in so many ways."

Arnie says, "We are always proud to show people what we do here at SHALOM Denver and to have an 'international' colleague tour our facility was extra special for all of us." We look forward to trading information with Alejandra and helping each other in the future.

Spring Has Sprung at the JFS Group Home!

This spring, the JFS Group Home had several visits from elementary student groups. In April, Risa Aqua brought kids from her 6th grade religious school class at B'nai Havurah to hang out with the residents. They brought snacks, played Bingo, and chatted with the residents. "I enjoyed the field trip!" says Risa. "It was my first time to the Group Home. It was a delightful experience and I would take other classes back in a heartbeat."

Later that month, Samantha Baumgarten brought her 5th grade religous school class (also from B'nai Havurah) to do yard and patio clean-up and get the flower beds ready for planting. Herzl 4th graders took over where they left off by going to the Group Home to plant flowers in early May.

You may remember our blog post in April about Herzl 4th graders choosing JFS as their mitzvah project for the year. Planting flowers at the Group Home was the culmination of this year-long project. Rayna Halzel, a parent who went on the field trip, says, "I found this to be one of the more useful and meaningful field trips to date. It was informative for both students and parents and the kids enjoyed planting the flowers to make the yard look pretty."

Last Friday, Dawn Richard, JFS development director, attended a Kabbalat Shabbat service where all the Herzl classes presented checks to the organizations for whom they raised money during the school year. The 4th graders gave Jewish Family Service a beautiful poster (shown below) and a check for $113, which was the remaining money after they bought the rice they bagged for the Weinberg Food Pantry.

As a way to thank and recognize the Herzl 4th graders, we invited them to come to our Annual Meeting on June 28th to share their experiences with our supporters. If you haven't already RSVP'd for this event, please do so now so you don't miss out!

Thank You to Our Colorado Senior Connections Volunteers!

Approximately 40 residents attended the Colorado Senior Connections (CSC) Volunteer Lunch at Edgewater Plaza on Wednesday, May 26th. The volunteers were honored with a volunteer pin, a certificate, and a flower. The volunteer program is primarily run by residents at Edgewater Plaza, guided by JFS staff member Claire Gordon. The volunteers have created and manage wonderful programs including bingo, chair yoga, healthier living classes, bus trips, and birthday dinners. They are essential to the success of the program because they are passionate about making the events run smoothly and they give excellent feedback to CSC staff.

Thank you to Noodles and Company for sponsoring the luncheon. Karen of Noodles and Company attended and helped serve the delicious salads, pasta, and chicken dishes. Also thank you to Allan for creating a beautiful ambience for the luncheon by singing and playing the guitar.

-Submitted by Claire Gordon, Colorado Senior Connections Activity and Volunteer Coordinator

Farewell to Donna, our Nursing Home Outreach Coordinator!

Donna Lutz, Nursing Home Outreach coordinator, retired earlier this week from her position after 18 1/2 years with JFS! We spoke to her about how much things have changed at the agency since she started in 1991. While there have obviously been many changes over the past two decades, here are the most notable according to Donna:

• When I started, only a few staff members had computers and my supervisor gave me a handwritten list of my 150 clients with arrows pointing to other pages with edits to their contact information. Now of course everyone has a computer and the agency is doing lots of social networking! And the software we use has changed a lot as technology changes, like going from using Word Perfect to Word and adding MS Health and Excel.
• Our office was on one floor in Empire Park on Colorado Blvd. until we moved to the current office in Tamarac Square in 2003 to accommodate the growth in our staff, programs, and services.
• SHALOM Denver moved from 12th and Delaware to its current facility at 2nd and Bryant and we opened a satellite office in Boulder.
• There have been three CEOs since I've worked at JFS: Art Weidman, Sue Russell, and Yana Vishnitsky (for the past 10 years).
• When I started, the seniors' department only had 3 1/2 staff members and offered limited services. That department now has about 70 employees plus an internship program and offers many more programs and services. I helped start the volunteer para-chaplain program in 1995.
• In 1991, I hosted holiday services (Passover, Hanukkah, and High Holy Days) at seven nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The program has grown so much that this year we (my team of para-chaplains and I) conducted holiday services at 29 locations! That doesn't even count the 25 Shabbat services we host each month!
• I decided that music would add meaning to the holiday services, so I taught myself to play guitar seven years ago.

I've worked since I was 13 years old and JFS has been the best place by far! The people are extraodinary! Just like the name of the agency implies, it's like working with a family. We make our clients feel so important and I am proud to see what a difference we make in people's lives. I'm going to miss the staff, the mission of JFS, and my 125 clients and the staff at all the facilities I work in!

This week, we had a party to celebrate Donna's retirement and wish her well. Cathy Grimm, Donna's supervisor, said this about her: "Donna is a legend in her own time. The Jewish community has been well served by Donna's professionalism and compassion. She embodies all that is special and unique about our department and the agency. And the woman is organized!!!!! I had no idea the attention to detail that Donna has put into this job, my admiration continues to grow. She will be missed but certainly not forgotten."

We will miss you, Donna!
 

One Year Later: An Update on Evan Silverman

MHAC board member, Dyana Z. Furmansky, Evan Silverman, and Alaina Green at the MHAC Volunteer Appreciation Event in April

Last month, I (Alaina) attended the Mental Health America of Colorado (MHAC) volunteer appreciation event because I served on a committee for the organization and I wanted to support my friend, Evan Silverman, who was getting an award. Evan serves on the MHAC board and won an award at the volunteer appreciation event. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I asked him to update our readers since last year's (very popular) blog post!

The last year has been a good one. I have continued to do some volunteer work with Jewish Family Service. I spent one morning with JFS canning potatoes at the canning facility attached to the Church of Latter Day Saints in Aurora. I was also on the committee to help with the Jewish Disabilities Network Awareness day as well. I hope to continue participating with JFS.

My work at the Tattered Cover has continued. I am still at 34 hours per week and I believe that every item that is purchased at the Tattered Cover is a positive event in the world. I am very happy that the Tattered Cover had a presence at JFS's Executive Luncheon.

My time on the board of Mental Health America of Colorado (MHAC) has been positive as well. I am on the education committee. More specifically I have been working on improving and changing the Speaker's Bureau. I led 2 “work groups” where I brought together people from different parts of my life to offer their perspectives and insights about the Speaker's Bureau. One person in attendance was Alaina Green from JFS. Partly as a result of my work on the board I was just honored with the Education Volunteer of 2009 award from MHAC. I was also nominated for a “Heroes in the Fight” award put out by Eli Lilly and The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

One highlight of my year was going on a meditation retreat at the Shambala Mountain Center. The staff and volunteers at the center are expected to regularly do work rotations. It was unclear to me whether people who paid for programming like myself should participate in this way as well. I asked if I might help out and they decided I could do the dishes for a bit. The next day I was a tad low on gasoline and asked if I could buy some. One staff member said that since I helped out with the dishes the night before they would be happy to sell me some gasoline. It felt to me like karma. Since I have returned from the retreat I have been meditating pretty much every day. I usually spend 5 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes on Shabbat.

I must say I remain very hopeful and excited about the future! I plan on remaining active in my communities and want to continue making a difference. I also am still hoping to be as happy as possible, which I believe I will achieve by continuing to live by my philosophies about God. I believe God exists and is powerful; everything is connected, but we don't know how everything connects; it is hard to predict the future; and I rely on God.
-Evan Silverman

Thank you, Evan for writing this post to update us on your life! We appreciate all you do for JFS and the mental health community.

Seniors Celebrate Mother's Day

Colorado Senior Connections at Berkshires at Lowry hosts a monthly lunch club for the senior residents to help them socialize and stay connected. A few months ago, Heritage Club Denver began sponsoring these events and providing delicious box lunches. Yesterday, the theme of the lunch club was Mother's Day and the guests were asked to bring photos and stories about their moms. Each guest also received fresh flowers and homemade lavender-scented sachets. The lunch drew a crowd of nearly 30 residents who all had a wonderful time socializing and hearing stories about each other's families!

Great job to Celia Gruzalski and Alison Joucovsky for organizing this event and thank you again to Julie, Denise, and Ben from Heritage Club Denver for providing the lunches!

Thank You to Our Senior Solutions Interns!

This past school year we had three social work interns in our JFS Senior Solutions department. Amy Dummer, Jessica Huffer, and Sharon Pauley just completed their internships and we recently sat down with these ladies to find out more about their experiences working with our senior clients.

Q: What did you do during your internship at JFS?

Amy: Most of my time was spent visiting with the clients on my caseload and providing case management or counseling. I also assisted Mirella with helping people apply for a pension for working in the ghettos during the Holocaust. Jessica and I held a support group for people facing mental health issues at Edgewater Plaza. I helped Donna with a few holiday services at various nursing homes and assisted livings. As part of my internship I also took classes from the Alzheimer’s Association to count towards my Dementia Care certificate for professionals.

Jessica: I worked with 6 amazing clients and helped them with a variety of things including providing companionship, helping around the house, offering support, and doing some case management.

Sharon: I visited seniors and did client assessments at Sheridan Glen and Berkshires at Lowry through JFS's Colorado Senior Connections program, which helps seniors remain healthy and independent in their own homes. I also conducted a research project about anxiety with one senior, helping him find ways to reduce his anxiety. In addition, I provided companionship to a resident of the JFS Group Home.

Q: What did you like best about your internship experience?

Amy:  By far it was the people I’ve worked with here, both employees and clients of the agency. My clients have taught me so much—that’s what I love about working with older adults. And the people who work here couldn’t have been more kind and generous, and I will truly miss working with them.

Jessica: I enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, the people working at JFS, and learning more about older adults.

Sharon: JFS is a wonderful agency - I loved being here! I enjoyed the seniors I worked with and the people in my department were a great group of people who are all supportive of each other. A highlight of my internship was working with Audrey Reich at the JFS Group Home, who recently passed away at the age of 81. I had the pleasure of taking her on outings and she was adorable! She loved fashion and getting all dressed up to go shopping.

Q: What did you learn from your internship?

Amy: I learned so much! My supervisor, Jennie Creasey, was great at teaching me how different theories applied to the work I was doing, and showed me how different therapy techniques could be used in different situations. I learned a lot about the challenges older adults in the community face, and what social workers and care managers can do to help them work through those challenges. I learned how to run a support group. I learned how to end my work with long-term clients, which is something I’ve never done before. And I learned a lot about myself along the way and what I need to do to be successful as a social worker.

Jessica: I learned mostly from the clients about strength, acceptance, and the ability to make the best out of any situation. I also enjoyed learning about the variety of services offered to clients, learning about different populations, and learning about other resources in the community.

Sharon: In my work at the different Colorado Senior Connections locations, I learned how different the senior populations are and how their needs change based on their income and services available to them. I also learned how to work with clients from all different backgrounds and with different life circumstances such as people with chronic illnesses, Holocaust survivors, and people with disabilities.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Amy: I grew up on a farm in South Dakota, and went to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where I got my B.A. in Psychology. I’m about to graduate from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work with my Master of Social Work (MSW), and I’ve been focusing on clinical work with older adults. I’m planning on staying in Denver after I graduate. I also teach for Kaplan Test Preparation, and enjoy teaching and tutoring my students who are preparing to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and the GRE, the general test often required to get into graduate school. I’m still looking for a job, but am hoping to find a position that allows me to continue working with older adults, and that will give me the supervision and experience I need to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I’ve been enjoying Colorado immensely, and in my free time I like to go to Rockies games, go camping, cook, and spend time with my boyfriend.

Jessica: I grew up in a small town in New Mexico. I graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Psychology. I am getting my master's of Social Work at the University of Denver. After graduation, I plan to work in a setting that offers services to older adults. I enjoyed my time at JFS and I thank everyone for being so supportive and welcoming.

Sharon: I used to work in geology and engineering and left the field to stay at home and raise my two children. Now that they are in college, I decided to go back to work, but I wanted to change careers to social work. I just graduated from Metro State University with a bachelor's degree in social work and will begin a master's program at DU this summer.

Thank you to Amy, Jessica, and Sharon for all your hard work and we wish you luck in all your future endeavors!

On a side note, Cathy Grimm and Jennie Creasey from JFS Senior Solutions recently received an email from one of last year's interns, Amanda Bowers. She also had wonderful things to say about her internship:

"You both have been such powerful positive influences on me that I just want to let you know how much it means to me to know that you saw the value in me, and you are the standard at which I measure other professionals by. Your compassion, management skills, and focus are things that I really admire and only hope that I can continue to make you both proud in the future. Thank you for all that you do and know that I will continue to pay forward all of the support you have given me in the past."

Time to Toot Our Own Horns Again!

Last night at the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Colorado Chapter Gold Pick Awards, we were honored with an award for our 2009 annual report. The Gold Pick Awards recognize successful campaigns created by public relations professionals who meet the highest standards for performance in the profession. We are proud to be counted among this group of esteemed professionals at this outstanding event!

If you haven't seen our annual report, A Day in the Life of JFS, check it out!

Women: It's Your Time!

National Women's Health Week begins this Sunday, May 9th and runs through Saturday, May 15th. How fitting that this celebration begins on Mother's Day and is part of National Mental Health Awareness Month! National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH).

According to womenshealth.gov, National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. With the theme “It’s Your Time,” the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Important steps include:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children, and parents and forget to focus on their own health. But research shows that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves.  After all, when women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant and everyone can benefit.

We help women be the best they can be through our mental health services at the JFS Counseling Center. If you or someone you know is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or family challenges, we encourage you to call us at (303) 597-7777. Our services are offered on a sliding-fee scale.

Have You Got Your Tickets Yet?

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Jewish Family Service will be hosting the the sixth annual JFS Executive Luncheon featuring guest speaker Christopher Buckley.

Who is Christopher Buckley?
Hailed as “the quintessential political novelist of his time” by Fortune Magazine, Christopher Buckley is the winner of the distinguished ninth annual Thurber Prize for American Humor. His latest book, Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir, documents the eleven months between 2007 and 2008 that he coped with the passing of his father, William F. Buckley, the father of the modern conservative movement, and his mother, Patricia Taylor Buckley, one of New York’s most glamorous and colorful socialites. In the book, he offers consolation, wit, and warmth to those coping with the death of a parent, while telling a unique personal story of life with legends.

As with his writing, Buckley’s talks and lectures provide a uniquely humorous perspective on current events and culture that will amuse, enlighten, and stimulate every audience. Marked by a savvy understanding of the truth behind the headlines and a perceptive wit that holds no target sacred, Buckley delivers a comedic look at national politics and world affairs.

Buckley was born in New York in 1952. He graduated with honors from Yale University, shipped out with the Merchant Marine and was managing editor of Esquire Magazine at the age of 24. At age 29, he became chief speechwriter to the Vice President of the United States, George H.W. Bush. His experiences during his two years at the White House make up part of his hilarious commentary.

Buckley was editor in chief of Forbes FYI and has written for most national newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, TIME, The Atlantic Monthly, Smithsonian, US News and World Report, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Condé Nast Traveler. In addition, he has published over 50 comic essays in The New Yorker and received the Washington Irving Medal for Literary Excellence in 2002.

The Details
CBS4 News Anchor Jim Benemann will serve as the emcee for the luncheon, which will be held at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom, 1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. All proceeds from the JFS Executive Luncheon support the programs and services of Jewish Family Service.

Tickets are still available! Contact Lynn Cooper at (303) 597.5000 x365.

Composition of Color: Abstracts by Zachary Inkeles

Recently, Zachary Inkeles, one of the Jewish Disabilities Network's clients, had an art show at Koelbel Library in Centennial. About 60 people, including Zach’s friends, professionals, and autism awareness supporters, attended the event. We would like to share his story and more about the art show, "Composition of Color" with you.

Composition of Color
Although Zachary Inkeles has been creating art since childhood, he has only recently begun to explore abstract expression. His paintings are created with acrylic, acrylic mediums, premium latex paint, and hand-cut collage on hardboard or canvas. He applies these mediums via paintbrush, rags, and palette knife, and uses a complex glaze technique with some sanding between layers.

Zachary has Asperger Sydrome, a form of autism, which makes working with abstract ideas a real challenge. This is because he tends to think and process in very concrete and literal ways.

Using music as inspiration, shapes and colors mingle with each other to create highly personal interpretations of sound and rhythm. His hope is that the colors and movements enable viewers to hear music, yet the music will not be the same for everyone.

If you would like more information about Zachary Inkeles and his artwork, contact him at Studio Zink, (303) 916.7415.