Our kids once asked my father if he had electric lights when he was a boy. He said ‘no,’ that when he was a boy there were still dinosaurs roaming the Minnesota farmlands by his home. When I was a boy, he had told me this as well – which is why I spent a…
The Future We Create
2016 Community of Caring Luncheon Today, an incredible spirit of generosity once again filled the room at the 2016 Community of Caring Luncheon. Co-Chair Jessica Shapiro aptly summarized the goal of all involved in making the event a success: “We want to ensure that our children inherit a community where people’s basic needs are met…
A Fond Farewell
Geriatric Case Manager Sarah Barash is retiring from JFS after 31 years of service. We sat down with her to reminisce about her early years at the agency and learn about what’s next for her. How did you end up working at JFS? After my children reached junior high, I decided to return to school…
We Must Not Lock Our Doors on Refugees out of Blind Fear
I was at Disneyland when Paris was attacked. My daughter was waiting to take her picture with Mickey Mouse when the number of dead started being reported. By the time we got to the “It’s a Small World” ride, I received an email asking why the Jewish social-services agency I lead would resettle Muslim refugees….
Refugee Children Become American Students
The Al-Shammari family was welcomed to the U.S. by the JFS resettlement team on January 26, 2016. Shortly after arriving,14-year-old Ali and 15-year-old Maryam, enrolled in the Kent School District. These refugee children were beginning their careers as American students. The Al-Shammaris, a family of five, were forced to flee Iraq in 2014. As a…
Care Kits for People Who Are Homeless
Throughout our region, one can’t help but notice the scale of need on city streets, at exit ramps, in make-shift shelters and along highway underpasses. Each and every day, thousands of vulnerable people are struggling without permanent safe shelter. People experience homelessness for varied reasons. It may be the result of untreated mental illness or…
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