Jewish Family Services’ (JFS) recently released 2022 Impact Report shows the 120-year-old organization continues to fulfill its mission of caring for the needs of people and working toward tikkun olam.
The report, titled “Stronger Together,” shows that JFS served over 10,000 individuals in 2022 through its various programs and community events (JFS is on track to serve at least that many people in the current year). In the report, JFS outlined the five guiding principles under which it operates – b'yachad (stronger together), human centered, collaboration, innovation, and communication.
Under the leadership of Executive Director and CEO Don Goldman and a dedicated management team, JFS aids the community through four major service areas: KesherKC, Jewish Life, Mental Health, and Older Adults. JFS received 3,071 calls for assistance through its Navigator phone line and was able to provide financial help to 395 people.
KesherKC (Kesher means connection) provides a low barrier path for people to access JFS services usually coming through the food pantry and expanding to additional services. With two food pantry locations (Overland Park and Brookside), 352,658 pounds of food were distributed to 2,745 individuals during 2022. Of those served, 450 families also received food for their pets. Social work services were provided for 456 clients, and 275 clients were referred to additional community services to help them.
JFS provides a number of services through its Jewish Life service category, including 1,844 spiritual care visits, 239 families receiving Hanukkah packages and 408 people attending Family Life Education events. The Priya program that supports Jewish couples confronting fertility challenges welcomed seven babies into the community.
Regarding mental health, JFS provided 3,188 counseling sessions to help people navigate the ups and downs of life. The mental health team participated in 132 community events supporting wellness. JFS’s YouBeYou, a youth mental health and wellness program providing education, resources, and support in schools, was available to 21,399 students enrolled in participating schools.
JFS’s services for older adults resulted in more than 517 clients served through its care management services. Through the JET Express program, 325 individuals received rides to doctors' appointments, the grocery store and other places through the kindness of volunteer drivers. In 2022, Jet Express provided 9,378 rides – up 50% over the previous year. The Help@Home community handyman program provided 199 households with help, including 70 safety modifications.
JFS couldn’t accomplish its work without its compassionate staff of more than 60 people as well as its 313 dedicated volunteers.
Among its volunteer corps is Lori Barnett, who, along with her husband, Paul, have served as spiritual care volunteers, visiting people in both hospital and long-term care facilities.
“Sometimes you walk in and cheer them up, but the beauty of doing this with JFS is they may have other needs, and we can connect them to other JFS services to help them on their path," she said.
Now well into 2023, JFS remains focused on providing the best services for its clients and community regardless of faith, age, culture, or identity. More information about JFS and its services and programs is available at jfskc.org. The full JFS 2022 Impact Report is available at jfskc.org/2022_impact_report.
