Board members, staff, volunteers, partners, friends and supporters settled into their couches across town, opened their computers and waited with bated breath for the JFCS Annual Meeting to begin.
In a historic virtual event chaired by Carol Robinson on May 21st, 2020, JFCS premiered an Annual Meeting video highlighting services and successes. Over 120 joined the premiere live and another 200 watched over the following 24 hours enjoying a trip through Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and reflecting on the strength we draw from one another as we walk together through the challenges ahead.
Hope & Healing
Jordan Golin, President & CEO kicked off the premiere expressing his gratitude for “the opportunity to help families overcome food insecurity, professionals find new jobs, immigrants become citizens, vulnerable adults live fulfilling lives, refugees settle in their new homes, seniors stay independent and community members find healing from trauma and bereavement.”
The video featured Stefanie Small, Director of JFCS Clinical Services; Matthew Bolton, Director of JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry; Sarah Welch, Director of JFCS Career Development Center; Jamie Englert, Director of JFCS Immigration Legal Services; Leslie Aizenman, Director of JFCS Refugee and Immigrant Services; and Nicole Iole, Director of JFCS Guardianship. Participants of the premiere chatted in real-time, cheering on the JFCS staff and the clients’ successes.
Program Highlights
JFCS department directors highlighted many of the program successes prior to the pandemic. Our Yad b’Yad school consultation service worked to help with behavioral and therapeutic issues that can cause barriers for students to be successful in school. The JFCS Career Development Center established a partnership with Argo AI to place clients of the EmployAble program, which works with adults who have mental health disorders or are on the autism spectrum. Jamie Englert shared that JFCS Immigration Legal Services has served over 2100 people, expanded to provide neighborhood-based services in six different locations, and increased services to unaccompanied minors by doubling the staff and serving an additional shelter in West Virginia. Leslie Aizenman shared that JFCS Refugee and Immigrant Services had 74 community-based support groups meet in the last year and helped to resettle seven new refugee families between January and mid-March of this year.
Many of the directors talked about the changes they’ve made to accommodate the stay-at-home guidelines during the COVID-19 crisis. Client-based services have moved to using phone and video chats. For AgeWell Pittsburgh, this change has actually allowed volunteers to reach even more seniors, ensuring they are receiving the support they need during this time. Caseworkers and service coordinators in the Refugee and Immigrant Services department have been working to make sure their clients have access to the technology they need to use phone and video-based services. The JFCS Career Development Center has seen an increase in workshop attendees since moving these to a video platform. And the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry has been able to continue to get food to community members in need through a no-contact food pickup at the pantry, as well as a new food delivery system that helps them reach even more people.
Client Successes
Directors also shared client success stories. Nicole Iole talked about a woman who was placed under JFCS guardianship after being found in a cage in her family’s home. While she had not walked for years, she was recently filmed dancing to her favorite song “Born in the USA.” Leslie Aizenman shared a story from a client in the Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC) program, whose child was not able to attend school or leave the home easily because of a disability. The service coordinator helped the family connect to service providers that got them wheelchair accessible housing, in-home education, and connections to medical specialists that could support their child’s needs.
This year’s Howard and Beverly Mermelstein Award was presented to Jillian Zacks by Margie Dubner, Jan Shaw and Bob Mermelstein for her leadership and commitment to the Pittsburgh community. Margie, Jan, and Bob have been giving this award since 1993 to honor their parents, who supported JFCS throughout their lives in a variety of ways. Jillian reminisced about her invitation to serve on the JFCS board and expressed her gratefulness for both the award and the opportunity to work alongside JFCS. Jillian reiterated the importance of JFCS’s commitment to serving the community through crises and challenges. She stated that she was proud to lead the board of an organization that serves the most vulnerable communities in our city and honored to receive the Howard and Beverly Mermelstein Award.
Celebrating Together
The evening closed with a message of gratitude and hope from Carol Robinson: And thank you; fellow board members, donors, community partners, supporters and friends; for your time, support and kindness that help us fulfill our mission… we look forward to celebrating with you in the year ahead.
The video is available to watch and enjoy anytime (see below). Thank you to everyone who joined us and for your continued support!
