For over sixty years JCFS has taken a leadership role in providing services which enhance quality of life, promote independence, ensure stability, and improve capacity of adjustment to ongoing life changes and to support social connections to the Jewish community.

In the past year, JCFS impacted over 5,000 individuals including financial assistance to over 800 Jewish families, support of over 20 children in foster care including attendance at Jewish day school, summer camp and life cycle events such as B’nai Mitzvah. These vital services among many others including settlement services to 130 brand new immigrant families to our community, 375 people in all  as well as support services to a growing number of seniors, represents a 10% overall increase since last year! 

Here are just a few examples of how the agency has taken the lead in the past few months in developing meaningful initiatives:

To help strengthen families, the agency took the lead on an event through the “Can we talk about…” speaker series. This event, a Challah Bake with kosher cookbook author, Norene Gilletz, addressed the theme of “Tradition and the Dinner Table”. JCFS partners Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, Gray Academy of Jewish Learning and Rady JCC joined forces to address how mealtime and especially the Shabbat meal can connect family members with each other at this inspirational evening which drew more than 400 participants.

To continue its work in supporting seniors, JCFS received a grant from the government’s New Horizons to finance a program on elder abuse awareness: “Not in my Family”. The production of a short awareness film and tool kit will enable professionals and lay leaders to address and develop protocol to protect vulnerable seniors in our community.

To support and provide addictions awareness and prevention in the community, JCFS forged partnerships with a number of community organizations.

Along with Women’s Philanthropy and the Manitoba Multifaith Council, the agency hosted Harriet Rossetto and Rabbi Mark Borovitz of Beit T’Shuvah for a series of inspirational addictions awareness and prevention programs.

During the course of Addictions Awareness Week (Nov 2-6) JCFS partnered with Gray Academy to provide an informational evening for parents called “Not my Kid: What do I need to know?” addressing the tough questions about drugs and alcohol with the support of the addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

We continue to provide essential assistance and supports to the frail elderly, Holocaust survivors, individuals and families affected by addiction, clients challenged by mental health issues, and through counseling services that are available to the community at large.

To enable our JCFS to continue to be that place where individuals and families are made stronger and needs are met, Your Support is needed! Please Donate Generously to our Annual Supporters Campaign by calling today (204) 477-7430.