OUR MISSION
JFCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service agency that strengthens individuals and families by empowering people to care for themselves and others. This is accomplished through a wide range of high quality social services and programs including therapy, information and referral, support, education and advocacy. By combining contemporary clinical skills with values of charity, righteousness and compassion, Jewish Family & Children’s Service seeks to assist families with many of life’s toughest challenges. Since 1937, our agency has served those in need in Greater Mercer County.
OUR COMMITMENT
In a world of stress, health challenges, and disconnected families, Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) of Greater Mercer County offers the most comprehensive social services in central New Jersey for people of all ages and backgrounds. The agency provides help, hope, and healing with high-quality programs and clinical services.
Our Statement to the Community
We at Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County are resolved to stand with the most vulnerable people in our community.
Our agency is founded in the mission of empowering individuals and families to care for themselves and others through the combination of professional social services with charity, righteousness and compassion.
These principles are deeply rooted in Jewish values which guide us in our service of the broader community; we proudly deliver our services to individuals of all races, faiths, ages, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
We reaffirm our commitment to helping the vulnerable, to restoring hope for the lost, and healing the world where we can.
We are committed to providing services that honor the dignity of all human beings who turn to us.
We will continue our work with people facing food insecurity and financial crises to achieve lives of greater well-being, health and stability.
We are steadfast in our service to people of any sexual orientation and any gender identity.
We are committed to supporting people of all abilities to live as fully and independently as possible.
We affirm that people affected by mental illness and/or addiction deserve support in achieving and maintaining a positive quality of life.
We will be here for people affected by domestic violence and abuse.
We believe the path to a just society begins when each of us values and honors the dignity of the other as highly as our own. Our Jewish values demand this.
So we are resolved — to serve, to ally and to participate in building a just society.
“Let justice run down as water and righteousness as a mighty stream.”–Amos 5:24
2023 – 2028 STRATEGIC PLAN
JFCS is committed to being the community’s most accessible, inclusive, and reliable social service resource for people of all backgrounds who need help, hope, and healing.
Mobilize For Broader Impact
Building upon the success of the Mobile Food Pantry, JFCS will deliver more services in accessible community settings so that support is readily available to people in need.
As part of this effort, JFCS will address two long-term consequences of the pandemic:
- Responding to increased mental health challenges among children and adolescents with accessible counseling, group support, and community mental health awareness programs.
- Addressing increased isolation among older adults with opportunities to connect with others and receive support as they navigate the challenges of aging.
Strategic Goals
Make JFCS services more readily accessible throughout the community.
Increase community participation and support.
Strengthen agency infrastructure to support strategic goals.
LEARN MORE
OUR TEAM
Michelle (Napell) Schwalbe
Executive Director
Michelle's Bio
Michelle Napell stepped into the role of Executive Director of Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) in June 2016 after previously serving as Executive Director of One Family Fund.
Beverly Mishkin, LCSW
Director of Case Management & Senior Services
Beverly's Bio
Beverly oversees the Case Management and Senior Services departments which provide valuable programs for older adults as well as referrals and information for those needing to connect with community resources. After receiving her MSW from the University of Maryland, Beverly worked with a diverse clientele at JFCS of the Suncoast in Sarasota, FL for twenty years as a Senior Clinician and Director of Jewish Programs. She was also involved in a research protocol, conducted through New York University’s Memory Clinic, involving dementia patients and their caregivers.
Shirley Bellardo, LCSW, LCADC
Director of Clinical Services
Shirley's Bio
Shirley Bellardo, LCSW, LCADC joined JFCS in 2018 in the role of Director of Clinical Services. Prior to that she worked for a community social service agency for more than 20 years. When Shirley was offered employment at JFCS she did not hesitate to accept as she knew the mission and values of the Agency aligned with her own. Shirley has over 25 years of experience helping individuals and families struggling with anxiety, depression, relationships, life transitions and addictions. She shares this experience with the clinical staff through supervision and clinical case conferences. Shirley is a member of the Mercer County Traumatic Loss Coalition and Professional Advisory Meeting.
Administrative Support
Beth Dempsey-Rule Director of Operations
Helaine Isaacs Director of Development
Belinda Lomi Administrative Assistant
Barbara Reiff Director of Finance and Human Resources
Joyce Weinstein Manager of Administration
Clinical (Mental Health Counseling)
Julie Bond, LMFT Marriage and Family Therapist
Jessica Engelhart, LSW Social Worker
Nicole Maccarone, LCSW, LCADC Social Worker
Arlene Munoz, LSW Bilingual Social Worker
Mara Myerson, LCSW, LCADC Social Worker
Sarah Valerio, LSW Social Worker
Salome Ugwu, APN, Psychiatric Consult Services
Nicole Shah, MSW Social Work Intern
Community & Teen Programs
Eden Aaronson Coordinator of Volunteers and Community Programming
Celeste Albert, LCSW Coordinator of Teen Programs
Danna Livstone Program Assistant
Leslie Schwartz Tzedakah Basket Program
Matt Lichtenstein Admin Assistant, Community Programs & Services
Hunger Prevention Programs
Debi Henritzy Kosher Cafe Coordinator
Amanda McGinnis, Food Pantry Coordinator
Leslie Schwartz, Brick & Mortar Pantry Assistant
Katie Slater, Food Program Outreach Coordinator
Val Wilson Kosher Cafe Assistant
Senior Services
Andrea Gaynor, LCSW Geriatric Care Manager
Shari Sabath Holocaust Case Manager
Lena Steinhorn, MSW Geriatric Care Manager
JOIN OUR TEAM – CURRENT JOB/INTERNSHIP POSTINGS
Per Diem Advanced Practice Nurse
Responsibilities:
- Evaluate, diagnose and treat patients appropriately within the standard of care
- Prescribe psycho-therapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders
- Complete clinical documentation in an accurate and timely manner in the Electronic Health Records program
- Ability to maintain confidential information within HIPAA guidelines and Agency policies
Qualifications
- Current APN License in New Jersey (required)
- Master’s Degree in Nursing (required)
- DEA (required)
- Board certification by the ANCC in a psychiatric field (required)
- Ability to communicate and effectively work with culturally diverse clients
Part Time Position with flexible schedule
Please submit cover letter and resume to: ShirleyB@jfcsonline.org.
BILINGUAL-SPANISH Per Diem Therapist (with Supervision Hours)
Responsibilities:
• Collect, assess and evaluate information about the client’s situation and presenting symptoms
• Provide therapeutic interventions that are evidenced based; crisis intervention and stabilization
• Make appropriate referrals and assist with linkage to services
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the treatment plan, comprehensive assessments, discharge plans within established time frames.
• Monitor progress towards treatment goals by evaluating and adjusting services provided
• Experience with the DSM5 and ICD10 for psychiatric diagnosis
• Facilitate individual, family and group counseling sessions
• Educate family members by advising on the most appropriate and helpful roles they can fulfill in the treatment process
• Complete clinical documentation in an accurate, timely manner
• Participate in weekly case conferences and scheduled clinical and staff meetings
• Ability to maintain confidential information within HIPAA guidelines and Agency policies
Qualifications:
• Fluent in English and Spanish / mastery of language in professional, health care setting
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Must have a current active clinical license to practice; LCSW or LPC
• Must have the ability to obtain clearances as defined by Agency policies
• Ability to communicate and effectively work with culturally diverse clients, stakeholders, referral sources, and community partners including school administration, teachers, parents, students, care management organization (CMO), hospitals, Mobile Response, DCP&P, FSO and other community organizations.
Part Time Position with flexible schedule
Please submit cover letter and resume to: ShirleyB@jfcsonline.org.
