Our efforts to strengthen our outreach throughout the Boulder community have expanded with the addition of Miche Bacher to the JFS Boulder team as development and community engagement manager. Miche will primarily focus on creating relationships with potential, current, and past donors and partners within the Jewish community. 

For 28 years, Abby built her business, raised her child as a single parent, and paid her debts. However, due to a series of missteps and challenges, she found herself unhoused, living in her car at night and spending her days trying to find work in the library. Our JFS Boulder team was ready to help Abby on her road back to self-sufficiency, and, in turn, Abby shared her story to pay it forward. 

Partnerships play a significant role in the work that we do and the success of the organization. Each day, we are excited and humbled to have the opportunity to help those who rely on our programs and services, and we recognize our work can only happen because of the support we receive.

This month, we’re excited to spotlight our JFS Boulder program. We sat down with Melissa Mascareñas, Director of JFS Boulder, to learn about this remarkable team and their work throughout JFS and our communities.

Our JFS Boulder team is committed to helping those in need throughout our community. Every day, Stuart Feinhor, MA, MAHL, MFA, Programs Coordinator, Care Manager fills an important gap in providing services to help our clients, like Mary Beth, become connected, self-sufficient, and thrive. 

Not a day goes by without our JFS volunteers making a difference throughout the Boulder area. Their impact is especially significant during times such as the High Holidays when our older adult neighbors may need a reminder that being a part of a community means that people come together to show they care. 

Do you have a plan for you and your family in case an emergency occurs? If not, learn what to do before a disaster strikes because things don’t always go as planned—and if you already do, it’s a great time to reevaluate. There’s no better time than National Preparedness Month to get ready for the unexpected.

We’re excited to announce Melissa Mascareñas has been promoted to the director of JFS Boulder. Since March 2023, Melissa has been the associate director, and she has continued to ensure that our Boulder clients receive exemplary services as they overcome difficult life challenges to reach their full potential and feel supported, connected, and engaged.

Repair the World strives to pursue a just world through meaningful service and learning, and together with JFS Boulder, community members are making a significant impact in the best possible ways. After receiving feedback that Boulder youth had difficulties finding community service opportunities, Repair the World Service Corps members and CU students Sophia Englezos and Eleanor Steele and JFS Boulder Community Engagement Liaison Tina Kantor decided to address the challenges and expand our capacity to make an impact throughout Boulder.