Introducing our Next Century Home!
After years of discussion, planning and eventually packing, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) reached its long-awaited goal at the end of February – moving into its first “forever home” – just a few weeks after its 108th birthday! Amid the moving trucks, boxes, and other excitement, staff members got their first look at the finished building and their new offices. It was an exciting moment for all involved.
Led by the building’s founding sponsor, the Stillman Family Foundation, JFCS has renovated an existing office and warehouse building in Golden Valley to create a welcoming home – its Next Century Home – for 120 employees and clients in its 30-plus programs and services. The newly renovated building will provide JFCS with a permanent home for the first time in its history.
Minnesota-based Pope Architects designed the building and the general contractor, Michael Ryan Company, Inc., has had a strong relationship with the Stillman family for 50 years.
Joining JFCS in this new space will be non-profit partner PRISM, which serves more than 6,000 people each year through its food shelf, housing programs, children’s programs, and thrift shop.
The building’s innovative design encourages collaboration and connection and fosters staff and community engagement, while also providing privacy for clients. It is a welcoming, community-building home for volunteers, staff and other community members and is equipped with more efficient and innovative technology.
The design offers a collaborative, flexible work space, with informal and formal meeting spaces, a community event room, meditation/prayer rooms, updated technology, adjustable-height desks and more. In addition, the portion of the building leased by PRISM includes a grocery-store-like food shelf and a large retail space for PRISM’s Shop for Change Thrift Shop. The two-level space is strategically organized to facilitate collaboration and shared resources.
“Our new building provides a great opportunity for staff, volunteers and donors to better serve the local community with the very best in professional, compassionate and caring service,” said Judy Halper, JFCS Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout life, each person experiences a time when he or she can benefit from help and support – and we are here to serve everyone.” For a collage of images of our Next Century Home, click here: New Building Collage
Save the date for our Ribbon Cutting open house, which will be held 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, and will be open to the entire community!