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We live in an
environment of extremes. As I write this, it's 97 degrees outside in
mid-May following a long, hard winter that saw snow showers as recently
as a couple of weeks ago! Not only is this a reminder of the strength
and unpredictability of Mother Nature, but it also serves as a reminder
to look beyond ourselves and our specific circumstances in order to
find meaning and provide impact.
Two weeks ago a
youth group in our community had planned to spend the night outdoors to
bring attention to the plight of people who for a variety of reasons
are homeless. The event was cancelled due to severely inclement
weather; a hard decision for the planners and participants to make.
Those teens were fortunate enough that spending the night on the street
was optional for them. But, of course, there are many who have no
choice but to brave the elements. Here at JFCS we support those people
whose options are limited.
The JFCS
Membership campaign, launched last month, is a great way to help. Your
contributions will serve people in crisis or those in more chronic
states of need. If you haven't yet made your annual gift, please do so
today. Together we strengthen our community one person at a time.
So, while we
worried about the extreme cold two weeks ago, we now turn our attention
to how older people, those individuals weak from illness or disability,
and of course those in impermanent living situations, will fare in this
extreme heat. That's why JFCS is here-to help in all kinds of ways
through all kinds of weather.
Click here
to make your membership contribution now.
Judy Halper
Chief Executive
Officer
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6:30 p.m.-
Dessert Reception, 7:30 p.m.- Meeting
Thursday, June
13
Beth El
Synagogue, 5224 W 26th St, St. Louis Park 55416
Please join us at the JFCS Annual Meeting Celebration.
Annette Sandler, JFCS Aging & Disability Services Director, will
speak on "Strengthening Community Through Partnerships," a
celebration of JFCS and the City of St. Louis Park.
The evening will also honor long-term Board and staff members, along with
celebrating outgoing Board President Robin Landy and installing president
Howard Zack. Jeff Mirviss will receive the 2013 JFCS Spirit Award.
Please RSVP! Click the link to the left or call 952-417-2157.
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NextGen Branding Seminar: How to
Build Your Personal Brand in a Competitive Environment
6-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 5
Rojo Mexican
Grill, 1602 West End Blvd, St Louis Park 55416
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In today's
hyper-competitive job market, whether you have a job or want a job, you
need to understand your personal strengths and develop your
personal brand. Use the fundamental ideas of product branding and
positioning as explained by product and career development industry
experts. This fun, collaborative evening will offer new perspectives and
tangible takeaways. Allison Kaplan, Senior Editor of Shopping + Style for
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine will moderate. Guest speakers are Mark Sullivan,
Integrated Marketing Communications Director for Yoplait Division of
General Mills, Jordan Smith, Art Director at Colle + McVoy, and Amy
Langer, Co-Founder of Salo LLC.
Free for NextGen members. $10 for all others. Heavy appetizers included
and drinks for purchase! RSVP on Facebook.
Upcoming! NextGen Summer Party
Brit's Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall,
Mpls 55403
More information to come!
NextGen is a Fund, Club and Board that encourages philanthropy and
community involvement among adults ages 21 to 36. NextGen offers hands-on
giving opportunities, professional experiences and a vibrant social
network to build a more cohesive community. The mission is to actively
involve and connect young philanthropists with JFCS.
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Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social
6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19
Ben & Jerry's Calhoun Commons, 3070 Excelsior Blvd,
Mpls 55416
 JFCS
Volunteers! Here's the scoop! Join us for an ice cream social to
celebrate YOU and all you do for our community. Stop by anytime from
6:30-8:30 p.m. for a double scoop cup or cone.
Please RSVP by Friday, June 14, to Stacey Spencer, Client and Volunteer
Events Coordinator, at stacey.spencer@jfcsmpls.org
or 952-542-4879.
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Even workers who've had
long, productive careers may come to a point when they need to reinvent
themselves.
Individuals can work
one-on-one with a JFCS Career Counselor to discover new ways to apply
their interests, strengths and skills to creating an actionable
employment plan. With a plan in place, individuals can work towards
finding a job that is personally and financially rewarding.
To learn more contact
Leah Temkin, M. Ed., Career Development Program Manager, at 952-417-2108
or ltemkin@jfcsmpls.org.
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Life
Lessons from the JFCS Therapists:
Change is in the Air
 Change is a funny
thing. Some people loathe change. And some love it. For those who seek
change, it can be difficult to accomplish. Most of us are familiar with
the frustrating experience of committing to changing a habit or unhealthy
behavior, yet only sustaining change for a short time.
Take Linda, for example. She was fed-up with her friend, Amanda. They had
become close friends years ago, but the relationship had changed
recently. Linda found herself being taken for granted by Amanda.
To read the full story on how Linda worked through the problems in her
friendship and attained long-lasting change, click here.
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May is Older Americans Month
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LCSS
Case Manager Lauren Ribnick
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Meet Roslyn. She
lives alone and appreciates that she can spend her senior years in her
home, as opposed to an assisted living facility. She is able to do this
thanks to the services JFCS provides. Roslyn originally came to JFCS for
counseling services almost a decade ago and has been a client of the
agency's L'Chaim Senior Services (LCSS) since 2009. She receives grocery
shopping assistance through JFCS and also has an outreach visitor,
Randee, who spends time with her.
Click here
to read the rest of Roslyn's story, from the 2012 Annual Report.
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L'Chaim Senior
Services offers:
* Case Management * Transportation * Kosher Meals on
Wheels * Homemaking/Respite * Heavy-Duty Cleaning
* Shopping/Bathing Assistance * Foot Care
* Family Consultation
Call 952-546-0616
to learn more.
Click below to donate
and designate your gift to L'Chaim Senior Services.
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Employer Breakfast Helps Client Bring Home the Bacon
After Jodi lost her job
she turned to JFCS Career Services. Through JFCS, Jodi participated in
networking sessions and attended trainings on topics such as resume
drafting, interviewing techniques, social media strategies and more.
One of the services Jodi
found most useful was the JFCS Employer Breakfast Series. At a breakfast
featuring a Park Nicollet representative, Jodi made the contact that led
to her new job. She gave the Park Nicollet recruiter her resume and soon
interviewed for a position as a medical receptionist. Several weeks into
her new job, Jodi is happy and loves the people she works with.
"JFCS Career
Services was fabulous support," she said. "I met a lot of great
people and it helped me get through a rough time."
If you would like to
learn more about JFCS Career Services and the Employer Breakfast Series,
call 952-546-0616.
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Thank You to Our Generous Funders
JFCS received a $20,000 grant from the General Mills Foundation for our Parent-Child
Home Program (PCHP). PCHP's proven innovative childhood literacy and
school readiness program strengthens families and prepares children for
academic success through intensive home visits.
Your generous support strengthens our community. Thank
You.
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When Adult Children Come Home to Roost
 Dear
AskBarbara,
My husband and I are so proud of our son who recently
graduated from college. However, he does not have a job yet so he has
moved back home. My husband and I are trying to help him get on his feet,
but it's not going well. I really need some advice. I never expected to
be in this situation.
Thank you, Un-empty
Nester
Dear Un-empty
Nester,
You are not alone!
You may be surprised to learn that an estimated 85% of new college
graduates, and anywhere between 13% and 53% of all adult children between
the ages of 18 and 29, are returning home to live.
To read the rest of
AskBarbara's answer click here.
If you need a free, quick, confidential answer or insight
into parenting or family relationships, just AskBarbara! Her expertise
includes parenting, interfaith programs, workplace issues, grief, loss
and the challenges of caregiving. To have your question privately
answered, email
askbarbara@jfcsmpls.org.
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Brittany at Your Beck & Call
Brittany Beck, Healthy Youth-Healthy Communities (HY-HC) specialist,
provides a safe, confidential forum for kids and their parents to ask
questions about the challenges in their lives. You can email Brittany
privately at bbeck@jfcsmpls.org.
To read previous columns by Brittany, click here.
Visit the HY-HC Facebook page.
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