IN THIS ISSUE

www.jfsdesert.org

The first time “Marianne” walked into the office of her JFS therapist, Gladys Becker, L.C.S.W., she wasn’t quite sure why she was there. She was skeptical of the benefits of therapy, but she was desperate to save her crumbling marriage of 27 years. After several sessions alone, she brought her husband, “Allen”, in for joint counseling. While there had been issues between them for some time, it wasn’t until their youngest child left for college that the gulf between them became glaringly apparent. Without the common bond of their three children in their home, their lives had drifted apart and their interests had diverged. There was little joy or intimacy between them.

After a number of sessions, Gladys began to draw them both out of their protective shells. Allen confided that he considered Marianne controlling, quick to anger and highly critical.

FALL 2011

JFS Counselors Help In Facing life’s Challenges

A PUBLICATION FROM JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE DESERT

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JFS

JFS MenTAl HeAlTH CoUnSelInG

2011 PATron PArTY

JFS VolUnTeer AlVAro BernAl

JFS HelPS HoMeleSS Men & WoMen

JFS PArTnerS WITH AnGel VIeW

HoloCAUST SPAnS GenerATIonS

Angel View Partners With JFS for Cutting edge Program to Improve Staff retentionWhen the management of Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation, Inc. wanted to improve morale and retention among their direct care staff, they needed a partner that they could trust to develop and implement a cutting edge program. They found the ideal partner in JFS.

To provide care for more than 100 developmentally disabled children and youth, Angel View employs a staff of 320. These dedicated workers provide 24 hour nursing and attendant care at 19 Coachella Valley homes. In recent years, Angel View has found that the emotional demands of working with the severely disabled and the overall economic downturn have taken a toll in terms of absenteeism and turnover.

“When the economy started its downturn, many of our employees’ spouses lost their jobs,” noted Dave Thornton, Angel View’s CEO. “Our direct care staff do such an amazing job supporting our clients, we wanted to create a program that would offer them support as well.”

“Angel View’s leadership recognized that caring for employees helped the organization provide quality care for the children in the homes,” according to JFS Executive Director Michelle Anstadt. “By partnering with Angel View, we are working together to deliver a program that addresses the needs of the staff.”

With a grant from Desert Healthcare District, Angel View is working with JFS to implement a two year pilot program that is unique in the Coachella Valley. Together, JFS and Angel View are identifying programs and services that can alleviate the pressures that staff experience on a daily basis. By reducing stress and addressing needs such as child care, transportation and high food costs, Angel View hopes to increase employee satisfaction, reduce absenteeism and staff turnover, and improve the level of care they can provide to the children they serve. “We believe this program can be a model to organizations and businesses throughout the Valley,” notes Michelle.

On Thursday, December 8, 2011, the JFS Patron Party will be hosted by Sally & Mort Kirshner at their lovely home in Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. The event will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and will feature cocktails and delicious food. now in its ninth year, the JFS Patron Party has developed a reputation as one of the desert’s most prestigious events. The ninth Annual Patron Party committee is chaired by Carol Fragen and Barbara Fromm.

“The Patron Party combines the camaraderie of the desert’s most gracious and generous community leaders with the ambience of the Valley’s most elegant homes in support of a great cause,” explains Barbara. “We have been fortunate to have had some of the desert’s leading humanitarians host the event in the past nine

years,” notes Carol. “JFS is delighted that Sally and Mort Kirshner are continuing this distinguished tradition.”

Last year, 85% of every dollar raised at the Patron Party went directly to support the critical services of JFS, including counseling for “at-risk” school children, advocacy and transportation for homebound seniors, treatment programs for teens confronting substance abuse, services for the homeless, and counseling for individuals and families facing life’s challenges.

Minimum family donation for attendance at the Patron Party is $1,000. Last year, more than 140 guests attended and attendance is limited. Please RSVP by november 28, 2011. For more information on the Patron Party, please call (760) 325-4088 ext. 121.

JFS Patron Party To Be Held on December 8th

Co-Chairs for the Patron Party Carol Fragen & Barbara Fromm

JFS Volunteer AlVAro BernAl

JFS Helps Homeless Men and Women reclaim Their lives“Melinda” was just 28 years old when she hit rock bottom. After losing too many years of her young life battling drugs, she was arrested for possession and faced the prospect of either a recovery program or jail. She had no job, no home and her family would have nothing to do with her.

As she began her recovery program, she was referred to Desert Horizon SOS, a Coachella Valley transitional housing program for which JFS provides case management services. Desert Horizon was established by our sister organization, Jewish Family Service of San Diego in 2008. The program has served more than 250 homeless men and women in the past three years.

The program provides single adult men and women with transitional housing in six apartments with a combined 32 beds. Clients share rooms and pay rent of 30% of their income while they are in the program. Approximately 85% of the men and women who transition from the program into homes of their own remain housed for at least six months.

Case managers work with the clients to secure or maintain employment; apply for any benefits for which they may be eligible; and teach life skills such as budgeting and plans for savings. The program provides up to two years of transitional housing, while case managers work with clients to secure a permanent home of their own.

After 18 months in Desert Horizon’s housing, Melinda has reclaimed her life. She’s graduated from her recovery program, begun working full time and moved into her own apartment. She’s also resumed her college education and reunited with her family. Desert Horizon also provided one unexpected benefit—she met her fiancé in the program and they will soon be married.

Melinda credits Desert Horizon for much of her new found success. “I would not have been able to get through recovery and live on my own without Desert Horizon,” she explains. “I can’t thank them enough.”

Alvaro Bernal has always had an affinity for seniors and recalls spending many happy hours as a child with his grandfather. He has completed his studies in gerontology and looks forward to a career that will enable him to help seniors improve the quality of their lives. Although a resident of Colombia, for the last eight years he has divided his time between South America and Palm Springs. Last year, Alvaro read an article about JFS that provoked his interest in the agency’s services. He soon began volunteering 15 to 20 hours each month as a driver with the JFS Express transportation program, which provides transportation services for homebound seniors to medical appointments. Alvaro has met many wonderful people volunteering for JFS and made many friends. One elderly woman in particular stands out. “She lives by herself, has a lot of physical problems, and can’t afford transportation to the doctor’s office,” says Alvaro. “She always asks me about Colombia and every time I bring her home she gives me a big hug. I’m glad I can be there for her.” Alvaro has recently begun to volunteer with the JFS “Friendly Visitor” program which provides companionship to homebound seniors. While he enjoys his work as a volunteer driver, he looks forward to the opportunity to spend more time getting to know people as a “Friendly Visitor”. What he finds most rewarding about volunteering at JFS is the impact that he is able to have on the seniors that he helps and how appreciative they are. “They say thank you with all of their heart,” he explains.

For more information on JFS volunteer opportunities, contact Coordinator of Volunteer Services Linda Zweig at (760) 325-4088.

SAVe

THe D

ATeS THUrSDAY, DeCeMBer 8, 2011

WeDneSDAY, APrIl 18, 2012

SUnDAY, MArCH 11, 2012

AnniversaryAdoptionBirth AnnouncementBirthdayBar/Bat MitzvahCongratulationsGet WellGraduationMemorialThank You

$15 EACH OR EIGHT FOR $100

you can support the vital work of JFS while honoring your family and friends with beautifully designed,

contemporary cards for all occasions.

ANNIVERSARYADOPTION

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTBIRTHDAY

BAR/BAT MITzVAHCONgRATULATIONS

gET WELLgRADUATION

MEMORIALTHANk YOU

you can donate your car, truck, boat, motorcycle or other vehicles through the JFS vehicle donation program. your donation benefits the services of JFS in our community and can provide tax benefits for you.

Our representative will schedule a convenient pick up and provide confirmation of your donation.

For more information, call

(877) 537-4227Or email donations@charitableautodonationresources.com

VeHICle DonATIonProGrAM

leTTer FroM JFS PreSIDenT Don leVY

JFS TrIBUTe CArDSThe Holocaust Impact Spans the Generations

The impact of the Holocaust does not end with those who survived. The emotional toll continues to reverberate for their children and succeeding generations in unexpected ways. For those who lost their entire families in the Holocaust, relationships with their children are especially complex. While most of us take our network of extended family for granted, imagine gathering for family reunions in which there were no grandparents, no aunts or uncles, and no cousins. For many children of Holocaust survivors, this was the reality. The concept of an extended family did not exist for many years. Many have sought out other survivors to create non-biological family networks.

Jeff Brandt is the founder of the desert’s Generations of Holocaust Survivors group. Of the many questions posed to him through the years, one particularly resonates: What can those who are members of the Generations of Holocaust Survivors do collectively to raise consciousness of the past and retain this consciousness going forward so that the atrocities that crippled past generations are not repeated? “We can join together and lead a life free of anger or animosity of the past,” responds Jeff. “To do anything else would only show the world that those who have hurt us continue to do so. Instead we need to live our lives with pride in our hearts knowing that not only have we survived, but that we are living proof of ‘that which does not kill you, only makes you stronger’.” Jeff adds that the motivations for continuing the Generations of the Holocaust Survivors group are “deeply seeded from past experiences and ready to bloom in today’s world.”

The Generations of Holocaust Survivors meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Tolerance Education Center from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. The Tolerance Education Center is located in Rancho Mirage at 35147 Landy Lane. For more information, please contact JFS at (760) 325-4088.

As we head into fall, JFS is beginning to make some significant changes that will enable us to broaden our services to the desert community. Key to augmenting services is expanding our relationships with other community service providers. By strengthening the Valley’s network of service providers, we can enhance all of our abilities to serve our clients, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services. In this issue, you’ll read about our new collaboration with Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation. We are also enhancing partnerships with senior service providers, such as the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert, to bring our successful “Friendly Visitor” volunteer program to a greater number of isolated, homebound seniors.

We are making long needed infrastructure improvements to advance our abilities to serve clients, including updated computers and telephone systems to streamline efficiencies. We welcome Debbie Stone, LCSW, as our new Director of Programs and Services. Gladys Becker, LCSW, has been appointed Director of Special Projects, charged with developing new programs to meet identified needs in our community.

As the continued economic uncertainty increases the vulnerability of so many of our neighbors to unacceptable hardships, the importance of these changes cannot be overstated. We look forward to expanding critically needed services to a greater number of individuals and families in the desert in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Don Levypresident�, board of direct�ors

Marianne felt that Allen was not there when she needed him, which intensified her anger. Gladys helped Marianne to realize that many of her issues of control stemmed from being raised by a mother who was domineering and emotionally abusive. Marianne was emulating what she was taught as a child. She compensated for the lack of control that she had felt growing up by asserting control over her husband. Over time, Marianne learned to temper her aggression and she and Allen grew closer.

Before coming to counseling, both Marianne and Allen believed that their only option might be divorce. Through their sessions at JFS they discovered that neither of them wanted to separate. They found they could work through their difficulties, value their shared time together, and strengthen their marriage. JFS provides a wide range of counseling services to individuals of all ages, including couples and families. Counselors deal with a diversity of issues and help people face life’s challenges through skills building, coping strategies and

other methods. These issues include mental illness, anxiety, depression, partner and marital conflict, divorce, death and grieving, domestic violence, alcohol and drug addiction, illness, job stress, child abuse, and senior abuse, among others.

JFS counselors include licensed social workers and marriage and family therapists. JFS also trains masters’ level interns and trainees working on their hours for licensing. A local psychiatrist volunteers his services several hours a week to ensure that uninsured clients may receive needed evaluations. Bi-lingual counseling is available for those who speak Spanish.

Counseling is available at the JFS Palm Springs office by appointment. Services are offered on a sliding fee scale. no one is refused service based on inability to pay. JFS takes Medicare, Medi-CAL, and many insurance plans. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call JFS at (760) 325-4088.

JFS Counselors Help In Facing life’s Challenges

leTTer FroM JFS PreSIDenT Don leVY

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801 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #202, Palm Springs, CA 92262Non Profit OrgPOSTAGE PAIDPERMIT #149Palm Desert CA

BoArD oF DIreCTorSofficersDon Levy, president�

Ed Gubman, president� - elect�

Deanna Pearl, vice president�

Marc Kashinsky, t�reasurer

Barry Kaufman, assist�ant� t�reasurer

Annabel Goldstein, secret�ary

Board MembersAudrey BernsteinBill FisherCarol FragenBarbara FrommMyra Gordon Keith HarwoodJoan KernsBertel Lewis

Cindy MuscatelJane SalloBabs SchragerSandy SeplowDaisy SpitzerRoyal TaxmanHoward VogelJoyce Wolff

Immediate Past PresidentJudy Wallis

Past PresidentsViolet FelixMurray FelsonMerv LemmermanSam ObermanBarbara Pitts

Dee Dee RaskovSam Rosenthal*Martin RussellJane SalloMolly Saltman*

SerVICeS & ProGrAMS

Honorary BoardEve ChaikenJoyce Freund Tom OstwaldMaurice Paperny

Bernice Posner*Joan RoseMarion Schaefer

executive DirectorMichelle Anstadt

ConTACT US 801 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #202 Palm Springs, CA 92262(760) 325-4088 Fax: (760) 778-3781 email: info@jfsdesert.org www.jfsdesert.org

SUPPorTeD BY

O u R M I S S I O n I S TO P R O V I D E F O R T H E S O C I A L S E R V I C E n E E D S O F T H EJ E W I S H A n D G E n E R A L CO M M u n I T yTHROuGHOuT THE GREATER COACHELLA VA L L E y W I T H A CO M M I T M E n T TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEInG OF PERSOnS OF ALL AGES, InCOMES AnD LIFESTyLES.

JFS is a beneficiary of the United Way of the Desert and a member of the Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies.

JFS iS a Caring reSourCe For people who are Seeking guidanCe, ComFort, Support and hope during diFFiCult timeS.

Count on JFS to be there For you when liFe ChangeS.

Solutions for Seniors

KidsFirst School Counseling

Mental Health Counseling

JFS Express Transportation

Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Program

Referrals

Financial Assistance

Career Guidance

Case Management for Homeless Individuals

Bereavement Services

Camp Scholarships

Trauma Counseling

Volunteer Programs

and many additional services

JFS

* Deceased