Passport: Mental Health On January 19, JFS, with the generous support of United Way of BC, hosted the inaugural Passport: Mental Health workshops—an inspiring day dedicated to well-being and self-care. In addition to JFS, 10 community non-profits and local mental health and wellness providers engaged attendees through experiential or seminar-type presentations. Throughout the day, […]
Coming Together for Mental Health Read More »
On December 19, 2024, the most recent Supper Club event, One Family’s Story: A Persian Jewish Journey, brought people together for an evening filled with rich traditions, stories, and flavors. Hosted by JFS staff Golriz Boroomand, the event offered guests an immersive experience into Persian Jewish culture and cuisine. Golriz told her family’s story of
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ASTEH Becomes Sara’s House Sara Ciacci z’l is, in many ways, an urban legend—a name synonymous with impact, compassion, and transformative change in our community. Sara dedicated her life to fighting food insecurity, most notably co-founding the Jewish Food Bank in 1984. She was also a passionate advocate against domestic violence, establishing ASTEH (Alternative Short
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This fall, Barbara Silber celebrated her 75th birthday in a way that truly reflects her generous spirit—by giving back to the community in the spirit of Tikkun Olam. Instead of receiving gifts, Barb and her husband Herb Silber invited family and friends to support a cause close to her heart: The Herb and Barbara Silber
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This year’s Annual General Meeting included an awards ceremony. The recipients selected have all made remarkable impacts through their dedication and honour the legacies of those who have made exceptional past contributions to JFS’ mission. This year, five awards were presented. Sara Ciacci Women Leadership Excellence Award celebrating a woman who embodies Sara’s spirit of
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This fall has brought an expansion of local partnerships for JFS Food Security Programs. These partnerships are enriching lives by increasing food security and advancing food justice. Donations from Locally Owned Farms Two locally owned farms have joined the group of farms providing local produce for JFS Grocery and Meals Programs. Heppell’s Potato Corp. has
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We are proud to share with you the exciting success of a new program model that JFS is currently piloting! Accessible mental health care is a core service provided by JFS. High-quality mental health services are essential for all people, yet they can often be out of reach for people experiencing poverty. In 2020, the
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We are excited to announce the appointment of Lauren Hardy as the new Director of Addictions and Mental Health Services at Jewish Family Services (JFS) and Jewish Addictions Community Services (JACS). With over 11 years of experience in the mental health and substance use sectors, Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge from her roles as
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October 7th, 2023 was just a regular day in the lives of many communities. October 7th was a day that changed everything in ours. With the arrival of new Israeli members, shifts in the political landscape, and the challenges faced by our low-income community, we continue to see rising fear and anxiety within our Jewish
The Living Room: Support Groups for Community Read More »
On September 4th, volunteers from all JFS programs were celebrated and thanked at a special Volunteer Appreciation event. JFS staff welcomed our wonderful volunteers to the Vancouver Jewish Community Garden for an evening of light refreshments, entertainment, and a chance to celebrate the many achievements that have been made possible by these dedicated individuals. Charlotte
Celebrating Volunteers Who Bring Compassion to Life Read More »
