Become a Best Buddy
At JFS, our volunteers’ efforts can be seen and felt throughout the organization and community every day, and we are so thankful for their commitment. If you’re a Jewish adult and interested in creating deeper friendships and connections with other Jewish adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we have opportunities for you!
Reflect and create connection and belonging during the High Holidays
Did you know a direct correlation exists between social connection and improved overall mental and physical health? During the upcoming High Holidays, we encourage everyone to consider our social connections and values. Can we enhance our relationships, especially with people with disabilities? What can we do to make new connections? JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates has created two new resources to share suggestions and help you get started.
Success is being more independent than before
The internet has become inherent to everything we do, from ordering groceries, communicating via email, finding community events, and so much more. Thanks to JFS’s new Computer and Internet Safety class, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to learn how to safely use a computer, the internet, and apps to increase their independent living skills and social opportunities, and decrease loneliness and isolation have the chance.
Start a Conversation About Inclusive Workplaces
Creating a culture where everyone feels valued, heard, respected, appreciated, comfortable, and welcomed is critical to building an inclusive workplace. Like most things, it starts with education, and our JFS employment specialists are ready to create opportunities for a conversation over lunch.
Make Connections and Find Support
If you live with a chronic health condition or illness and experience misunderstanding, isolation, or loneliness, the JFS Jewish Disabilities Advocates Chronic Health Conditions Support Group can help. In this monthly group, you’ll find emotional support, learn coping strategies, and much more.
Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month
Rabbi Lauren Tuchman, educator and the first blind woman to enter the rabbinate, will describe patterns of isolation among those with a variety of disabilities. Rabbi Julia Appel, Senior Director of Innovation at Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, will teach us key principles in designing for belonging.
Utility Boxes Become Works of Art
More than a year ago, a conversation between JFS Chief Advancement Officer Jessica Zeidman and Councilwoman Kendra Black about our Arts and Community Exploration program (ACE) clients painting electrical utility boxes around the JFS Tamarac office has come to fruition.
Jewish Disabilities Advocates promotes inclusion
JFS’s Jewish Disabilities Advocates began when Jewish parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities joined together to advocate for inclusion and connection. Over the years, the program has grown throughout the community.
Good thymes in our garden
JFS’s Arts and Community Exploration program (ACE) focuses on the whole person, community involvement, and integration, with activities tailored to each participant’s needs and unique personality and centers around healthy lifestyles and mindfulness through art, exercise, and nutrition. With our recent move to Calvary Baptist Church, we’re able to expand the programs and services we offer to our participants, including having an outdoor space for a garden, which is just about to sprout.
Jewish Disabilities Advocates Partners Celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month
The synagogues and community organizations that are part of Jewish Family Service’s Jewish Disabilities Advocates (JDA) will focus on chronic health conditions and pain during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) in February. Check out the variety of virtual and in-person Shabbat services and other programs open to anyone in the community.
The ACE Program Is on the Move
In early November, JFS sold its SHALOM Denver location, which is where we offered support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—like our Arts and Community Exploration program (ACE). The ACE program moved down the street from the JFS office and is now located at the Calvary Baptist Church.
JFS is Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Happy National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! JFS Employment Services staff are honored to get to know you and help connect you with a role that aligns with your interests, passion, skillset, and preferences. Watch a video to see how we helped Gloria, Eric, and Lisa use their talents and skills to find jobs they love!
JFS Launches Best Buddies Citizens Chapter
Jewish Family Service is one of the newest organizations to launch a Best Buddies Citizens chapter for adults in their one-to-one friendship. In this program, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) become buddies and are matched with neurotypical adults who become their peer buddies.
Growing Goals Garden Project Cultivates More Than Just Plants
After the past difficult year and a half, participants in the ACE (Arts and Community Exploration) program needed something positive to focus on. Inspired by ACE activities specialist Sara’s love for gardening and the desire to encourage others to get involved in the art, the idea for the “Growing Goals Garden Project” sprouted.
Spotlight on Disability Services: Interview with Gerald (Jerry) Lemaster
Gerald (Jerry) Lemaster, who has been a JFS Disability Services client since 1977, shares about his 44-year journey with the program.
JFS Helped Clients Get Out the Vote
Last month, JFS led a nonpartisan voter initiative to provide clients with the information and resources they needed to vote.
Job Candidate of the Month: Wayne
JFS offers job placement and employment services for individuals with disabilities. Each month, we will feature a Job Candidate of the Month and our first candidate is Wayne.
Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week
Thank you to all our Direct Support Providers at all SHALOM Denver sites who work hard every day to keep individuals with disabilities healthy and safe.
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic Started, JFS Has…
View an infographic that shows how JFS has helped the community since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
A Successful Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month
More than 1,000 people participated in 11 events at synagogues and other local Jewish organizations in Denver and Boulder.