Our Accomplishments
Jewish Family Services Makes a Difference in Silicon Valley
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Project N.O.A.H. (No One Abandoned Here):
- 497 people received food assistance, toys, blankets, clothing, and other support
- Project N.O.A.H. Food Connection services: holiday and year round food packages, Shabbat meals, supermarket scrip
- Basic Needs: Household goods including toys, blankets, clothing and department store gift cards
- Emergency Assistance: assistance with paying medical, dental, utility, and moving expenses; also gasoline cards
- Case Management: counseling, support and assistance during times of transition Free tax preparation assistance for very low income people
INFO & REFERRAL:
- More than 4,225 people received information and referrals to community partner services including Santa Clara County 211; and additional housing, food banks, Jewish resources, health providers, living shelters, domestic violence agencies, legal assistance and more.
SENIORS:
- 651 isolated elderly received one or more of the following: home visits, Project N.O.A.H. food assistance, and case management services.
- 115 Chai House residents received one or more of the following: home visits, food packages wellness workshops, assistance with daily living, and case management services.
- 73 caregivers of elderly parents and other relatives received support, encouragement, and information regarding care options.
- 170 Holocaust survivors received one or more of the following: home visits, emergency assistance, important Claims Conference information, updates on survivors events, homemaker assistance, wellness workshops and greater access to medical services.
COUNSELING AND PARENTING SERVICES:
- 137 parents and children received parenting support services, including Raising Parents workshops, and counseling for parents and children.
- 20 individuals received counseling, including 8 clients who participated in weekly life coaching.
- JFS SV provided counseling and consultation at Yavneh Day School, APJCC Preschool, South Peninsula Hebrew Day School Preschool, and Kinderland Preschool.
- JFS SV staff promoted the PJ Library among the Israeli and general community.
EMPLOYMENT:
- 177 underemployed adults received career assessments, resumé assistance, coaching, vocational language training and job referrals.
EMIGRES:
- 113 newly arrived refugees, 45 recently-arrived elder refugees, and 123 sponsors received extensive resettlement, case management and social adjustment services. This included assistance with food, housing, schools, medical referrals, employment, household and computer donations, and family reunification.
- 1800 Russian émigrés received our monthly Russian newsletter. Of these, 307 did one or more of the following:
- Participated in ESL (English as a 2nd Language) classes and wellness workshops
- Participated in JFS-sponsored social/cultural events including Russian World War II Veterans Association activities
- Volunteered as Friendly Visitors, Shabbat and holiday package delivers, office assistants, and ESL instructors.
VOLUNTEERS:
- over 729 people (including adults, teens, children, seniors, and families) touched thousands of lives as generations connected with each other:
- Project N.O.A.H. Food Connection: holiday and year round package preparers and deliverers, bakers, Shabbat Meal deliverers, food drive organizers and sorters
- Holiday helpers: toy, clothing and gift drive organizers and wrappers; card makers
- Mitzvah Day participants: planted gardens, baked goodies, created gifts
- One on one volunteers: Chaplain Aides, ESL tutors, Friendly Visitors, job search mensches, tax preparers
- JFS SV Media: hard copy and email newsletter editors and volunteers, webmasters
- Fundraising: 25 Small Plates committee members and event workers; and over 200 Silicon Valley Duck Race committee members and festival volunteers
- 150 Knitzvah members (and affiliated groups) created over 1500 hats, blankets, scarves, sweaters, stuffed animals, purses, mittens and more for isolated seniors, needy families, newborns including preemies, cancer patients, children in the shelter, Israeli soldiers and others needing cozy warmth.
SILICON VALLEY DUCK RACE!
- over 3500 children, teens, adults had a glorious day in Vasona Park watching 15,000 rubber ducks race and enjoying a fun-filled festival.
- The race netted thousands of dollars for JFS and our “Duck Buddy” charities.
All in all, last year Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley enhanced the lives of over 9,800 people!
With your support, we will continue to make a difference.