JFS was proud to stand with JCFR and RJF to close out the celebration of our 175th anniversary year, recognize our programs and partnerships that are making a difference today, and look forward to some of the new programs and JFS leaders that will serve our community for the future.

An important focus for JFS is our work with Older Adults.  The senior population in the Richmond area is rapidly growing and will increase by 50,000 by 2040.  We have continued to increase our capacity to serve this growing number of seniors by focusing on expanding our Care Aide workforce and investing in them.  

We continue to increase Care Aide compensation, which has grown by over 25% in the last 2 years.  We have also worked to elevate the careers of our Care Aides by offering high level topic training in fields that enhance their skills and excellence in caregiving.  63 Aides took 10+ hours of Advanced level courses and earned Certified Specialist Designations in Dementia Care or End of Life Care and Aide Self Care--that represents almost half of JFS Care Aides.  

This year we have served 31% more clients, increased our number of Care Aides by 30%, and increased our retention so we have more Aides to care for our clients.  

We also continue to offer extensive counseling services. Recently, JFNA partnered with JFS to support older adults through our new, free, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support program, FAMILIES, and our Memory Assessment program. 

One caregiver who has completed the FAMILIES program said, “I know I am not alone, and I can survive and thrive.  FAMILIES is a place for me to find encouragement.” 

In addition, our telephone reassurance and friendly visitor programs are made possible by thousands of hours of volunteers calls and visits for seniors all around Richmond.  Thank you to our JFS volunteers!

One of the ways we help children and youth is through our Connecting Hearts programs. Approximately 500 children are in foster care in the Richmond area. Many urgently need permanent or nurturing placements through kinship care or adoption.  JFS partners with local DSS’ to find family members or friends to welcome children into their family with training and individualized support throughout the process as they navigate the path to adoption.  This is important work, especially as youth reach the age of 21, reducing homelessness and increasing continued education by offering the support and connection they need to move forward into adulthood with stability.

Knowing that the Jewish Community cares and will help in a crisis has always been the thought behind the Jewish Care Line, now in its 7th year in collaboration with our longtime partners, Mark and Susan Sisisky, the Federation and RJF.  

The Care Line has served over 400 clients in 7 years.  In the last two years about 90% of Care Line requests have come from employed families with limited income and budgets. It is JFS’ honor to confidentially work with these individuals, and we know we represent the Jewish Community every time we talk to a Care Line Caller. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Care Line or referred someone who needed help!

 JFS is also proud to collaborate with Beth Sholom.  We’re excited to say that we have just begun a new, free program called CAPABLE, supported by Beth Sholom, that helps lower income seniors stay in their homes by working with a team including an Occupational Therapist, Nurse and Home Repair Specialist.  The collaborative team has just begun to work with our first CAPABLE clients.

The collaborative Annual Meeting also served as the installation for JFS’s new Board Officers for 2025-2027.  Welcome to our new President: Martin Miller; new Vice President: David Galpern; New Treasurer: Dan Jackson; and New Secretary Rachel Safren.  

We thank them for the leadership and look forward to the future!