Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County

Thank you, Senator Sean M. Ryan, for your continued support of Refugee Resettlement in Western New York! #JFSWNY #BuffaloWelcomesRefugees #RefugeesWelcome

We stand with our colleagues at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs in condemning the violence that unfolded at our nation's capitol yesterday afternoon. Additionally, we acknowledge the emotional distress that many are feeling today, as a result. We encourage everyone to prioritize their mental health today, whether that means seeking therapy, talking to a friend, or simply doing something you enjoy. Together, we will see this through.

JFS is proud to stand with The New York Immigration Coalition in support of the National Office of New Americans Act. NONAA would establish a National Office of New Americans in the Executive Office of the President to promote and support immigrant and refugee integration into, and inclusion in, the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the United States. The bill will be introduced by U.S. Representative, Grace Meng, on Monday, 1/25/2021; followed by U.S. Senator Edw...ard J. Markey. Over 50 organizations have endorsed the act to-date including but not limited to the National Partnership for New Americans, the New York Immigration Coalition, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Learn more and endorse NONAA here:

Sending a big JFS THANK YOU to Phyllis Steinberg and Kehillat Ohr Tzion - KOT for collecting winter supplies for our next arriving refugee families! #JFSWNY #ItTakesAVillage #ThankYou

UPDATE: We are all set on home set-up volunteers for the family of 3, but we still need donations of cleaning supplies and personal care items for the other two families. If you would like to donate, or if you're interested in leading a team through a future home set up, please contact Sierra Johnston at [email protected] for more information. THANK YOU to all of our wonderful community members who have reached out to help our families!!! ------------------------------...-------------------------------------------- EXCITING NEWS: Within the next few weeks, a family of four from Somalia, an individual from Pakistan, and a family of three from the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be making Buffalo their new home! We are looking for a team of five volunteers to take on a home set-up project for the Congolese family of three. (Home set-up projects consist of collecting furniture and household items needed to set up an apartment for a newly arrived family, and setting up the apartment to create a warm and welcoming environment). For the others, we are still in need of new or gently used kitchen utensils, plates, and cookware; new cleaning supplies, and personal care items. Can you help? Please contact Sierra Johnston at [email protected] to learn more! #JFSWNY #BuffaloWelcomesRefugees #RefugeesWelcome #RefugeeHomeSetUp

When systems don't work, we work to change them. We are so proud of all of the leaders featured in this article, who are taking a stand to improve refugee health care in Buffalo, including JFS's CEO, Molly Carr and our friends and colleagues from Catholic Charities of Buffalo, NY, Journey's End, International Institute of Buffalo, and Jericho Road Community Health Center! #JFSWNY #BuffaloWelcomesRefugees #RefugeeHealth

Sending well wishes to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on this Inauguration Day. We look forward to continuing to stand behind the policies that benefit the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program, and all of the clients we serve at JFS! #inauguration2021 #JFSWNY #BuffaloWelcomesRefugees #RefugeesWelcome #Welcome95k

The JFS Parenting Support Program is currently enrolling new participants in our upcoming series, Supporting Your Child’s School Success, scheduled to begin on January 18th! This series will consist of six two-hour sessions held in English, Arabic, Kirundi/Kinyarwanda, Somali, and Tigrinya; and will take place once a week. Times will vary. All sessions are FREE and will take place via Zoom. For more information, please contact our Parenting Coordinator, Jill Gavin, at 716-...883-1914 x346 or [email protected]. #JFSWNY #ParentingSupport

Our office will be closed today, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Today, we honor the legacy of a man whose life work of advocating for human rights has paved the way for so many missions like ours. Thank you, Dr. King. #JFSWNY #MLKDAY2021

It’s never too late to ask for help. Each day is a new chance to prioritize our mental health needs! Our mental health clinicians are accepting new clients via Telehealth. In person appointments are available upon request. Give us a call today at 716-883-1914, or visit our website at jfsbuffalo.org, and learn how JFS can help.... Don’t do this alone. #JFSBuffalo #MENTALHEALTHMONDAYS #NotAlone

Since the pandemic’s descent, they have generally been viewed as among those at higher risk older Americans, some of them medically vulnerable, figuring out how to navigate life in a COVID-saturated, increasingly isolated world...When it comes to mental and emotional health, older adults in the United States are showing resilience and persevering despite struggles with loneliness and isolation... Did you know that there are many ways in which you can help our older adult ...clients throughout this pandemic? From grocery delivery to check-in phone calls and letter writing, JFS volunteers are ensuring that our clients feel connected and supported each and every day. Interested in volunteering with older adults? Do you know an older adult who could benefit from these services? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sierra at [email protected]. #JFSWNY #olderadults #volunteer

"As 2020 becomes 2021, we’ll be applying the concepts of survival, healing and rebuilding to our own lives. And so, too, will the people who will be joining us in the coming years. Dr. LaVonne Ansari, the CEO of the Community Health Center of Buffalo, hopes that we can broaden our thinking to recognize the worldview of people from other places, rather than expecting them to force-fit themselves into our own." #JFSWNY #MENTALHEALTHMONDAYS #RefugeeHealth

Just a friendly reminder that therapy is for anyone who wants it! Give us a call at 716-883-1914, and schedule an Teletherapy appointment with one of our highly skilled mental health clinicians today. In-person appointments are also available upon request. #MENTALHEALTHMONDAYS #JFSWNY

Stay tuned in to the JFS Nguvu Pamoja page for demonstrations of fun activities for the kids to do while on a break from their distance learning schedules, given by our wonderful Service Learning students from Daemen College! Today, learn how to make a sock bunny with Sarah! #JFSBuffalo #DaemenCollege #servicelearning #communitybasedlearning #distancelearning #virtualvolunteering

The JFS Center for Survivors of Torture is in desperate need of suitcases for our clients who are currently staying in shelters, waiting to be granted asylum. Limited space in shelters makes it challenging to keep personal belongings and important documents safe and confidential. Our clients deserve a space to call their own, even as small as a suitcase. ... Can you help us? New or gently used suitcases can be dropped off at JFS (70 Barker Street, Buffalo, NY 14209) and left in the hallway through the Barker Street Entrance, or purchased on our Amazon Wishlist, here: https://a.co/7rhCfHS When dropping off donated suitcases, please label with the following Attn: Danielle, CST. For questions about donating, contact Sierra Johnston at [email protected]. #JFSBuffalo #JFS #asylees #donate

At JFS, we recognize the need for frontline workers to prioritize their own mental health above all. If you are a frontline worker, you may qualify for free tele-mental health services at JFS. Give us a call today at 716-883-1914, or visit our website at jfsbuffalo.org to learn more!... #JFSBuffalo #JFS #MENTALHEALTHMONDAYS

Our Winter Clothing Drive is in full swing! Donations of hats, gloves, scarves, coats and boots of all sizes can be dropped off at JFS (70 Barker Street, Buffalo, NY, 14209) in the green bins located through the Barker Street entrance. You can also donate through our Amazon wishlist, here: https://a.co/9fTpwHo... #JFSBuffalo #ShareTheWarmth

At JFS, we know that healing looks a little bit different for everyone. No matter where you are in your healing journey, we are here for you. Our empathetic and highly trained mental health clinicians are accepting new teletherapy and in-person clients now. If you are an essential worker, you may qualify for free teletherapy services. Give us a call at 716-883-1914 and make your appointment today, or visit our website at jfsbuffalo.org to learn more.... #JFSBuffalo #MENTALHEALTHMONDAYS #Healing @frizzkid IG

Sending a big THANK YOU to Brittany Blizzard and her amazing team of volunteers who donated their time, energy and resources to create a warm, welcoming apartment for a Burmese refugee who will make Buffalo his home this week! #JFSBuffalo #RefugeeHomeSetUp #BuffaloWelcomesRefugees #ittakesavillage

At JFS, we understand that many people are seeking mental health services for the first time, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our trained clinicians are here to walk you through this process. We are offering counseling services via Telehealth and in person. Give us a call at 716-883-1914 and make your appointment today. Don’t do this alone. Let us help.... #JFSBuffalo #MENTALHEALTHMONDAYS

We are kicking off our annual JFS Winter Clothing Drive! From now through November 17th, we will be graciously accepting donations of the following, new or gently used, in all sizes: -hats... -gloves -scarves -coats -boots Donations can be brought to JFS (70 Barker Street, Buffalo, NY 14209) and left in the green bins through the Barker Street entrance. We are also accepting donations via our Amazon wishlist: https://a.co/9fTpwHo Our families thank you for your generosity! For questions about donations, contact Sierra Johnston at [email protected]. If you would like to make a monetary donation, contact Juliana Teibel at [email protected]. #JFSBuffalo #winterclothingdrive #ittakesavillage

Did you know that JFS is currently providing free Tele-Mental Health services for essential workers? Give us a call today at 716-883-1914, or visit our website at jfsbuffalo.org to learn more! #JFSBuffalo #mentalhealth #EssentialWorkers

Sending wishes for a blessed Yom Kippur to all friends and family of JFS #JFSBuffalo #yomkippur2020

Check out the latest episode of "Pandemix," a podcast created by Buffalo Jewish Federation intern Leah Kramer! In this episode, college student Abby Block reflects on what it's been like to experience the High Holidays while in college during this time.

Did you know that JFS offers virtual mental health support groups for older adults? Topics include Grief and Loss, Self Care and Coping Strategies, Managing Emotions, and Stress Management! Give us a call at 716-883-1914, or e-mail [email protected] to learn more. #JFSBuffalo #MentalHealth

Today is National Voter Registration Day! Did you know that JFS has a crew of volunteers standing by to help you with voter registration, voting by mail, and completion of the 2020 Census? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sierra Johnston at [email protected] or 716-883-1941 x331 to be linked with someone who can help you!... #JFSBuffalo #NationalVoterRegistrationDay