Our vision is a caring community where all people have the opportunity to reach their potential. Guided by this vision, we are dedicated to empowering families and individuals in our community to achieve self-sufficiency and independence.
By providing case management, resources, and tailored support, our staff strive to ensure that the people we serve are equipped to navigate challenges and work towards a brighter future.
JFCS’s impact shines through in the stories of those we serve. Take, for example, this family of seven who, with the support of JFCS Refugee and Immigrant Services and community sponsors, achieved their biggest goal. When they were welcomed to Pittsburgh they could settle into a furnished home, healthcare access, jobs, a car along with driving lessons, and their children were set up for school and summer camp. JFCS set them up for success. They shared with us, “Only two years after arriving in America, we achieved our dream of purchasing our own home.”
Community sponsor volunteers set up furniture in the home of an immigrant family moving into permanent housing.
JFCS continues to support and transform lives, giving the people we serve the opportunity to reach their potential and a brighter future. Not only is JFCS is great community resource, but it’s also a safety net for Pittsburgh families navigating life’s changes and challenges.
Some families are grateful to have JFCS as a safety net when they are met with hard times. One family shared how the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry helped them continue to put food on the table while they cared for their children, found a job, and more. The pantry’s compassionate staff and nutritious food gave them the stability to focus on other aspects of their life. “We are hoping that soon, we won’t have to depend on the food pantry,” they said with optimism.
Pantry staff and volunteers put together pre-packed bags of groceries that are available to anyone in need, regardless of residency.
Other families are grateful they have JFCS to rely on, so they don’t have to do it all alone. A daughter who grew increasingly concerned about her mom who was relying on her help more every week. She was determined to support her mom without compromising her independence, so she turned to JFCS’s AgeWell Pittsburgh hotline, a one-stop resource that links older adults, family members, and caregivers to solutions for issues related to aging. Guided by a social worker, she implemented suggestions to support her mom safely at home. Shortly after, her mom was attending senior exercise classes with her caregiver, making plans with new friends in the community and, most importantly, retaining her sense of independence. “I felt relieved that this resource was available to me, and confident that Mom’s needs were being met,” she shared.
From helping individuals gain stability to supporting families through difficult times, JFCS plays a pivotal role in fostering growth and resilience within the community.
