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solving problems. uplifting lives.

A community leader empowering people to achieve fulfilling lives.

Help our New American Program resettle refugees in Western Massachusetts!

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Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts provides exceptional social services, grounded in Jewish values, to support individuals and families from diverse religious, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Our programs strengthen our community by strengthening the individual–from resettling refugee families, to supporting New Americans to become self-sufficient, counseling young adults through life’s transitions, equipping older adults to age well, protecting elders from abuse, leading caregiver support groups, and helping individuals enhance their Jewish connections.

Jewish Life

Enriching the quality of life for individuals in the Jewish community of Western Massachusetts.

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Older Adults

Serving the unique needs of older adults, their families, and/or caregivers. 

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Behavioral Health

Supporting individual and family resilience.

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New Americans

Helping refugees resettle and thrive in our community.  

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Citizenship & Immigration

Assisting immigrants and refugees to become US Citizens. 

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Volunteer

Engaging community members, offering internships, and placement for AmeriCorps staff, to help our newest neighbors succeed.

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Latest Updates

Announcing Our New Welcome Center

JFS is pleased to announce the opening of our new Welcome Center in Springfield! We completed an office renovation to double our office space and create two new classroom spaces. With the additional space, we can host two simultaneous ESL classes, host orientation classes for new arrivals without leaving the building, and serve our clients in a safe environment.

On March 8th, we kicked off classes in the new Welcome Center by holding our first in-person Afghan Women’s ESL and Support Group on International Women’s Day! Classes are held three times a week, followed by a social support group to help alleviate social isolation and encourage conversations. The group covers topics like parenting, health and transportation. Participants are very excited to be in person in group settings where they can learn, share and engage with one another. Our volunteers and staff are helping transport the women and provide activities for the children during group – see below if you’re interested in helping!

Update on Afghan and Refugee Resettlement!

JFS is proud to have completed the first wave of Afghan evacuee resettlement from US bases in March. In partnership with so many of you, we resettled 158 evacuees – more than double the number of refugees we resettled all of last year, in half the time. We expect up to 30 more evacuees to arrive this spring and summer.

Refugee resettlement is also picking up, with a Congolese family including an elderly grandmother and a Syrian family of 6 arriving in February and March. JFS has also assisted several Haitian Humanitarian Parolees this winter to resettle in the Springfield area. We stand ready to help with any Ukrainian resettlement efforts that make it possible for Ukrainian families to seek safety in our communities. 

YOU Make What We Do Possible!

We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of our volunteers, HOSTs, donors, and partners as we continue through this busy year. Thank you to everyone playing a part! We are seeing the results of everyone’s hard work and generosity – evacuees and refugees getting jobs, learning English, kids starting school, parents learning public transportation, and families having fun and adapting to life in Western Mass. THANK YOU!

If you are looking to give items or spread the word about what’s needed, you can always check out our Amazon Wishlist for our latest needs. If you’re looking to donate In Kind items, you can simply submit a request online and our team will get back to you about your donation!

JFS is urgently seeking volunteers to help with:

  • Soccer volunteers to assist Soccer without Border Coaches from 9am-1pm, June 25-28. There will be a couple of mandatory trainings before Camp begins. College kids home for the summer welcome to apply!
  • Client transportation each day during Soccer without Borders Summer Camp, at 8am and 1pm.
  • Drivers in Springfield to our Afghan Women’s Group and child minder’s for the group from 10am-1pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
    Contact Evan Bixby if you can help!

Are You Caring for a Parent, Spouse or Loved One? Join One of our Caregiver Support Groups!

Are you feeling overwhelmed as you try to balance your needs along with the needs of your loved ones? The JFS Caregiver Support Group provides a place to reduce caregiver isolation, receive support, explore relevant topics, discover resources, and share coping strategies.
Join us to network, support and learn from other caregivers! Currently all Caregiver Support Groups are being held remotely. Groups are free of charge. Pre-registration is required. Click here for our flyer.
To register and for more information, contact Cathy Chandler, LICSW, at c.chandler@jfswm.org or call (413) 737-2601.
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Upcoming Events

New Afghan Neighbors Program: A Series of Afghan Cultural Orientations for Providers

JFS is pleased to present a series of seven online Afghan Cultural Orientation sessions for community providers, May 5 – June 16. Join us as we learn together the best practices to use with our new Afghan neighbors. Each session will be targeted to specific providers, including Mental & Behavioral Health, General Physical Health, Maternal & Early Childhood Health, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Social Services & Emergency Response, and Community Engagement.*Note: Community Engagement date has been moved to Tuesday, May 30th. 

The goal of these programs is to provide expanded understanding of Afghan cultures, motivations and family structures to practitioners working with new Afghan neighbors. A nuanced understanding of the Afghans’ experiences, cultures and beliefs will equip practitioners with tools to assist their successful resettlement and integration.

Click here for more information.  Registration is required.

Building Resilience from Within for Self-Care and Caregivers, Session 2 (ALL ARE WELCOME!)

Back by popular demand, join us Tuesday, June 7th, 11:45am-12:45pm, for an second hour long experiential presentation by Mindfulness Educator and Trauma Informed Coach, Reina Goldberg. You will learn simple and enjoyable ways to shift habituated patterns of holding stress in one’s body while also practicing tuning into your innate body’s wisdom. Prior participation is not required.
Registration is required. Click here for more details.

How You Can Help

Help Welcome New Refugees

  • Help us fill our storerooms by purchasing items from our WISHLIST. Please designate delivery to JFS, 15 Lenox Street, Springfield, MA 01108, and add a gift receipt so that we can thank you! If you have any questions, contact Evan Bixby at e.bixby@jfswm.org, or call (413) 737-2601.
  • Volunteer to help refugees successfully acclimate to their new community. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out an application here.
  • Welcome refugees as a Faith-Based Group or Team. Host Organization Support Teams (HOSTs) organize to welcome and support newly arrived refugees. To learn more, click here.
  • We are seeking pro bono legal assistance to help our new clients become asylees.

See how a family like yours is welcoming refugees.

Volunteer

Volunteer support is crucial to our work and the long-term success and wellness of our community.
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About Us

We provide exceptional social services, grounded in Jewish values, to support individuals and families from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
Our Mission

Donate

Your donation can change someone’s life and strengthen our community.
Ways to Give

In response to COVID-19, our offices are closed to the public. You can reach our staff by phone at 413-737-2601 or email info@jfswm.org.

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