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

Considerations when Choosing a Home Care Service

In this economy, many people worry about the cost of care and it can become a large factor in the decisions that are made. While price should be a consideration, we know the health and well-being of a family member is your top priority.

JFS at Home, Jewish Family Service’s home care division, is passionate about hiring great people who are committed to serving their clients’ needs. All of the caregivers are carefully screened and well credentialed. They pass rigorous background checks and are thoroughly trained so you’ll receive the kind of care you’d give to one of your own family members.

The caregivers are also bonded and insured JFS at Home employees—that means you don’t have to worry because JFS at Home is responsible and liable for all of its employees. Plus, the rates are competitive, so you receive quality care at an affordable price, thus giving you peace of mind.

Visit the Web site for more information or call (303) 750.4000 for a free in-home consultation to assess your family member’s needs. It does not obligate you to further service.

--Carla Weeks, RN, MSN, FNP, JFS at Home director

February is National Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month

Did you know February is National Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month? This is the first year that Jewish organizations, synagogues, and federations are banding together to help the Jewish community foster inclusion for people with disabilities.

Imagine the transformation that could occur if we all joined together in achieving the common goal of including people with disabilities in our Jewish organizations and communities. Imagine the opportunities that would arise if we simultaneously endeavored to raise awareness, increase educational and spiritual growth, and accept every individual in every aspect of the Jewish community. (Taken from the Jewish Community Website of Greater Philadelphia)

This Sunday, February 22, the Jewish Disabilities Network is hosting a Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day event from 2 to 5 p.m. at Herzl/RMHA at the Denver Campus for Jewish Education.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, director of the Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities, as well as entertaining and educational children’s activities for people of all ages. Kosher refreshments will be served.

We hope to see you there!

--Kari Alpen and Alaina Green, JFS Marketing Department

Be Your Own Valentine!

If you are alone this Valentine's Day, here are some tips from the JFS Counseling Center on how to deal with this holiday created by Hallmark.


· Be friendly and loving to yourself.
· Devote time each day for just you.
· Remind yourself that you are valuable.
· Practice self compassion.
· Be calm in your heart.
· Use your support system.

If you are having a hard time coping with the loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship, or are just having a difficult time in general, our licensed therapists are here to help. To find out if our services are right for you or to schedule a confidential appointment, call us at (303) 597.7777 and ask for the intake therapist or you can check out our support groups.

--Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

SHALOM Denver Director Celebrates 30th Anniversary

From Guest Blogger Arnie Kover, JFS Disability Services director and SHALOM Denver director...

Yesterday, I celebrated my 30th anniversary with Jewish Family Service and SHALOM Denver. Below is a speech I gave to colleagues and friends on February 4 at a party in my honor:

When I say thirty years at my job, the words “Why? How? That’s amazing and what’s the secret?” come to mind. Well, we all hear about codes lately, like Da Vinci code or bible code, etc. Numerology is a code and the Tarot is a code in itself, a path to enlightenment.

These are all “secret” codes to the secrets of life, paths to a knowing, spiritual, and meaningful life. While I have “dabbled” in some of these, the secret code I discovered is Jewish Family Service/ SHALOM Denver.

When I found JFS, I stumbled on my secret code to enlightenment and fulfillment. The code is in each word of our organization...

JEWISH...My Jewish heart and soul were wandering - and wondering - Where do I fit as a Jew? I am not intensely observant, but strong in my Jewish ethnicity and identity. Here I have found my Jewish roots in the Denver Jewish community through the work we do, through our benefit of time off to observe our holidays, through our D'Var Torahs at each meeting and through our commitment to our ancient value, Tikkun Olam, “to repair the world, one life at a time.” Here at JFS, my Jewish heart and soul have found a home and I thank you for that.

FAMILY... Just look at this family! You are truly a family of staff, clients, board members and peers, who I enjoy and love immensely. Family is so important to me... my own family, my children, grandchildren, and my devoted and loving wife. Add to them all of you, and who could ask for a more wonderful family? JFS is more than just a non- profit human service organization, it is indeed a family, and for this I thank you.

SERVICE...I need and want service in my life! I learned this in my 20s. I learned this on my journey, my quest for meaning, back in the ‘60s. I learned about it through my exploration of various religious paths to enlightenment. I found opportunities to serve and to find out that I could find happiness, satisfaction, and pride by serving others and not only myself. When my daughters came along, I learned that too - in a very big way, and here at SHALOM, I get to serve so many, and from this service I get so much in return. And for this I thank you!

SHALOM...meaning peace. Well, I am surely a peacenik from the ‘60s and still today. Working with our clients, staff, board, and peers, brings healing and joy to thousands of beautiful, appreciative people. One need only to contemplate the amount of goodness and RIGHT action that is done daily, to feel the sense of peace that we create in people and in the world and in ourselves. Again, thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this peace amidst such a tumultuous world.

DENVER....Well this part is still a mystery - how a beach bum like me landed in the Rockies. The answer must be that I was led here by a higher power to find my CODE, my very own path to enlightenment and to a fulfilled life.... to JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE/SHALOM Denver. And for this I thank God.

--Arnie Kover, JFS Disability Services director and SHALOM Denver director

A client at SHALOM Denver gave the following toast at the party:

"There is so called 365 days per year so for 30 years there is so called 10,950 days. Happy Anniversary, Arnie from Sam Gustav Keys."

To learn more about Arnie's career with SHALOM Denver, read the following stories:

http://shalomdenver.com/Home/Who-We-Are/Directors-25th-Anniversary

http://shalomdenver.com/Home/Who-We-Are/Directors-30th-Anniversary