JFCS News | June 2022
Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
Caring for our Bay Area Community, Always.
With Anxiety Rising, Community Members Turn to JFCS for Help
“How do I keep my family safe?” Lately, JFCS’ clinical team has heard from countless community members calling for help with this question. It echoes in the thoughts of both parents and children at the school drop-off—a recent poll showed that 57% of students worry about gun violence in school.
Terri, an elementary school teacher and mother of a teenage daughter, did not recognize the emotional toll that the news had taken on her mental health. Then one day, she suffered a panic attack at work.
A colleague recommended that Terri contact JFCS for help. When Terri called, she was practically pleading, "I need to talk to someone!" JFCS quickly matched Terri with an experienced therapist, who is helping Terri calm her fears and manage her anxiety. Terri has also received guidance from JFCS' Center for Children and Youth on how to navigate her daughter’s fears around school safety.
“I didn’t know where to turn or how I’d pay for it,” Terri shared. "I'm so grateful to JFCS for being there for me.”
Thanks to the incredible financial support of our community, JFCS provides counseling and guidance to thousands of people of all ages. Support our mental health services.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call us at 415-449-1212.
California Legislature Budgets Record-Setting Funding for Holocaust Education and Survivor Assistance in 2022-23
The California Assembly and Senate have released their joint budget agreement, a critical step in the State’s annual budget approval process. It includes two of our Jewish community’s most important priorities—Holocaust and genocide education and caring for vulnerable survivors.
These critical funds include:
Anita Friedman, JFCS’ Executive Director, says, “The voice of California’s Jewish Community has been heard. Now our survivors can continue to age with dignity and every child in our State will learn about antisemitism, about the Holocaust, and about how—and why—to stand up against hate.”
Thank you to all in our community who took part in advocating for these important initiatives! Stay informed by signing up for JFCS’ Advocacy Alerts.
Longtime JFCS Volunteer Leaves a Legacy of Caring
Hilda Richards, a true gem of our community, passed away this April at the age of 104. A resident of San Francisco for more than 84 years, Hilda was a survivor of the Holocaust.
JFCS is privileged to perpetuate Hilda’s legacy through her oral history at the JFCS Holocaust Center. With a bequest to JFCS, Hilda continued her lifelong commitment to ensuring those most in need receive help. May her memory be a blessing.
You Are Not Alone
JFCS provides comprehensive services to those in need of food, home health care, or mental, physical, financial, and spiritual support. If you or someone you care about needs help, please call us at 415‑449‑3700.
Celebrate Someone Special with a Gift in Their Honor
Looking for ways to celebrate a birthday, graduation, or special event for someone in your life? When you make a donation to JFCS in their honor, we'll send a tribute card on your behalf! Give the gift of improving lives and strengthening the community.
With questions, call the JFCS Development Department at 415‑449‑1283. We are happy to help!