JFS is an active partner with community organizations in the Jewish and interfaith community. During this summer, we are again partnering with the Springfield Jewish Community Center to help send New American children to Camp! The JCC generously saved ten camp spots for us. This partnership, dating back to 2018, has long supported New American children as they integrate into their new home community.

The Youth Program at JFS has also been supporting refugee youth with summer school enrollment, summer camp enrollment, sports and extracurricular activities, and will run our soccer program from July 8th – August 8th as part of the Emergence Academy summer school and partnership with the Springfield Public Schools.

 Additionally, JFS works with the Pioneer Valley Interfaith Refugee Advocacy Group (PVIRAG) to educate local community members about the benefits of immigration into our region and to support the needs of newcomers. This year, VIRAG ran a gift card drive to provide much-needed direct support for newcomers. We are so grateful to say that their gift card drive raised over $4,000 for our clients!

 JFS strives to be a community leader, and is grateful to work alongside such amazing partners to cultivate resilience and welcome people to Western Massachusetts!

June 20th was World Refugee Day. This year’s theme “Solidarity with Refugees” emphasizes the importance of building inclusive support systems and ensuring equitable assistance for refugees worldwide. 

 World Refugee Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the stories of displaced people who are thriving in their new communities. Many of our dedicated staff members arrived in the United States as refugees and are now giving back, using their experiences to help others navigate the challenges of resettlement. Click here to read some of their stories, and join us in acknowledging Sadadine Adam, JFS Health Case Aide, pictured here in a HIAS publication, and kicking off our new Sudanese Health group

 Learn more about how you can help by visiting our website at https://www.jfswm.org/get-involved/.

We recently wrapped up a successful fire safety class with members from our Arabic, Swahili, Haitian Creole and Dari and Pashto speaking communities. In partnership with the Springfield Fire Department (SFD), clients in our New American Program learn all about the “dos” and “don’ts of fire safety, including how to prevent cooking and electrical fires, and how to respond in the event of a fire. 

Professional Development has been front and center for our staff the past several months. We sent several staff members to the NJHSA annual conference, to the Points of Light Conference, and to several other local and regional conferences. Our team returned inspired and equipped with new strategies to enhance our programs and support services. 

We are also excited to announce the launch of our new in-house management training program. Led by our CEO, Rabbi James Greene, and our COO, Sara Bedford, this initiative is designed to empower our managers with advanced leadership skills, effective communication techniques and strategic planning capabilities. By investing in our leadership team, and continually enhancing our skills and knowledge, we strive to provide the most effective and compassionate support to those we serve.