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…
Integrating Refugees: Partnership That Works
Integrating refugees who have resettled in the U.S. can take years. Language barriers, cultural differences, coping after extreme trauma – these are just some of the factors that can make the acculturation time intensive and complex. But Classic Accessories (CA), a Kent-based manufacturer and distributor of protective covers for outdoor and recreational gear, has found…
Helping My Clients Achieve the Highest Quality of Life
A day in the life of Bryan Fabert, Instruction and Support Specialist 10:00 a.m. I start my day with a quick trip to the office to read email and get my checklist. That checklist is key. It tells me everything I need to know about my day, including which clients I’m seeing, where to…
Food Bank Update
One aspect I love about the Polack Food Bank is our commitment to feeding our neighbors in a way that strengthens the local economy and community. I believe that serving vulnerable individuals should not come at the expense of other vulnerable parties. I am proud of all the work JFS has done to achieve this…
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