The Reality Is..

This week, the world was shocked by news of two high profile suicides; yet the reality is there were many more lives that have been lost to suicide.

The reality is, in NJ, one person dies by suicide

every 11 hours.

The reality is, those who have been lost are fashion designers and young dreamers, awarding winning chefs and parents, isolated seniors, disconnected neighbors, your loved ones.

The reality is, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness BUT only 40% receive the help they need.

The reality is, there is a stigma that holds people back from speaking out when they are suffering. The reality is, there is a lack of general understanding of the signs, the symptoms and the most beneficial ways to help a loved one struggling with this disease.

The reality is, the conversation cannot stop today.

Together, we can keep the conversation going on mental illness, we can fight the stigma, we can reach out to those around us we see in crisis, we can recognize we are not alone. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact the Capital Health Crisis Center at 609-396-4357 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

 

If you are struggling to cope with anxiety or depression,

JFCS is here for you at 609-987-8100.

For More Facts and Information:

National Institute od Mental Health  –  National Alliance on Mental Illness  –  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  –  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

JFCS Celebrates Older Americans Month 2018

Across the country, older Americans are taking part in activities that promote wellness and social connection. They are sharing their wisdom and experience with future generations, and they are giving back to enrich their communities. They’re working and volunteering, mentoring and learning, leading and engaging.

For 55 years, Older Americans Month (OAM) has been observed to recognize older Americans and their contributions to out communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, every May offers opportunity to hear from, support, and celebrate our nation’s elders.

This year’s OAM theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes that importance of being active and involved, no matter where or when you are in life. You are never too old (or too young) to participate in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotion well-being. Since 1937, Jewish Family & Children’s Service has been dedicated to helping older adults.

And, join ACL and AoA in celebrating by participating in the Selfie Challenge! They want to see how you’re engaging. Simply take a selfie (or have someone take your photo) and tweet it with the hashtag #OAM18. Visit the official OAM website by clicking here.

 

 

 

What will the New Year bring?

What will the New Year bring…? 

As we reflect on the past year, we thank you for bringing your commitment and your compassion to JFCS allowing us to serve so many in need in our community.

 

In the year to come, JFCS will continue to bring hope for those working to overcome personal and mental health crises.

 

We will bring health to families struggling against difficult circumstances, fighting hunger and malnutrition.

 

And we will bring happiness to senior adults who wish to enjoy their golden years.

 

We invite you to join us in this mission once more in 2018.

 

Wishing you all hope, health, happiness in the coming year!

 

Michelle Napell, Executive Director

Hanukkah Message to All

To Margery…you are the light of the season.

Each year, we celebrate the festival of lights while the days around us turn darker and the nights grow long. Your year end gift will brighten the lives of an individuals who may be facing darkness, uncertainty and challenges that we cannot imagine.

Margery is a true matriarch. A mother of three adult children and grandmother to triplets, aged 7, she serves as the main caregiver to the entire family. While Margery is well into her 70s she is still working to support her family though she hopes to retire to dedicate more time to caring for her grandchildren.

Margery visits the pantry regularly to help keep her family fed, she welcomes the gifts she can provide the little ones through the LIGHTS toy & gift card donation program, she relies on donations of winter coats, hats & scarves to keep her family warm throughout the season.

Margery and many others count on you. Please help us help them.

Donate today to spread the light.

JFCS Takes Action to Fight Hunger!

September is Hunger Action Month and team JFCS continues our dedication to serving those in our community facing hunger and food insecurity.

Why do we need to act? 

Hunger affects our neighbors, right here in Mercer County. The food insecurity rate for Mercer ranks among the top 10 in our state with tens of thousands of residents facing this burden.  On average in New Jersey, 1 in 8 families live with the reality of hunger.

In Mercer County, our changing demographics see a growing aging population among our community.  Seniors are often more vulnerable to food insecurity and hunger due to limited income and restricted access to healthy foods. According to the National Council on Aging, nearly 9 million older adults feel they cannot afford nutritious food and 25% reduce meal sizes or skip meals to make their supplies last.

Hunger is here, in our backyard.

Who is hungry?

In the past year, JFCS has served over 300 individuals through the Yvette Sarah Clayman Kosher Food Pantry.  Our clients include individuals like…

Naomi, a single mother of two who was unexpectedly laid off, relies on the pantry to feed her young children.  With savings quickly going towards rent and everyday expenses, the pantry allows her to keep food on the table while searching for a new job.

Ed, who is 70 years old and lives alone with no family in the area, turns to the food pantry for nutritional options.  As a senior, Ed faces dietary restrictions due to regular medications he must take. Our pantry gives him the healthy options and nutritious foods he needs.

Mark & Lauren, a couple in their mid-40s, who have had to take in Lauren’s sister and nephews when her sister became too ill to care for the children alone, are struggling to feed everyone under their roof.  With three teenagers of their own, one who is gluten-intolerant, keeping nutritious meals on the table was already a challenge.  With three more individuals to feed and Lauren reducing her work hours to help care for her sister, the couple depends on the resources at our pantry to sustain their family.

How do we help?

JFCS continues to keep the shelves of our pantry stocked and develop innovative services & programs to serve our unique community best…

Such as the personalized case management with staff working with clients to develop budgeting skills and increase knowledge of available resources such as SNAP and other benefits.

Or the benefit of a registered dietitian on-site, working with each pantry patron to ensure individual nutritional needs are met.

And innovative programming including Healthy@Home, which coordinates the services of the pantry registered dietitian and senior care managers to combine nutrition education and delivery of healthy and nutritious foods to low-income, homebound older adults.

And with the help of YOU.

Dedicated volunteers and corporate groups shop for and stock our pantry monthly.

Generous donors contribute dollars & goods so our pantry can stay open.

We cannot fight hunger without you.

Make a contribution online: www.jfcsonline.org/donate or call us to find out how you can volunteer your time at the pantry: 609-987-8100.

References:

https://tabletotable.org/feeding-nj/

http://www.endhungernj.org/about-nj-hunger

http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/our-research/map-the-meal-gap/2014/NJ_AllCounties_CDs_MMG_2014.pdf

Don’t Let Back to School Be Back to Bullying

Don’t Let Back to School Be Back to Bullying.

For many children, the anxiety of a new school year is not of nervous excitement but severe concern of potential bullying.

We live in a society where bullying is prevalent among authority figures, adults in the workplace, and even at home.  Helping your child identify what bullying is, informing them of the best actions to take when facing a bully or witnessing the behavior, and acting as a role model can mitigate the impact of bullying.

What Does Bullying Look Like?

There are many different types of bullying; physical, verbal, psychological, cyberbullying, sexting, sexual, and/or targeting others based on their religion, ethnicity, race and/or sexual orientation.  Bullying is NOT the occasional teasing or name calling, bullies engage in frequent, ongoing attacks aimed at controlling, humiliating, and hurting others.  Any child can be bullied, and many children who have been victimized by others, become bullies in turn.

You’re No Bully, But Are You a Bystander?

Bullies and victims are the minority in comparison to the bystander.  A bystander watches bullying, both face-to-face incidents and cyberbullying, and does not intervene to deescalate the situation, help the victim or report the behavior.  Bystanders enable bullying by sending a message that they accept the behavior.

What Can I Do To Send The Right Message To My Children?

  • Be a role model. Be mindful of how you act towards others including peers, other parents, co-workers, family members and spouses. Children pick up on the behaviors of those around them.
  • Do not tolerate bullying in your family. Teach siblings positive ways to manage difficult emotions so they do not lash out at each other.
  • Do not minimize bullying. If your child reports an incident of bullying, do not brush it aside, whether they are the victim, the bystander, or the bully.  Teach children how bullying impacts the feelings and self-worth of victims.
  • Be anti-bully. Teach your children to discourage the bully. Educate your children in safe methods of supporting the victim without engaging the bully or giving into their attention.  Encourage your child to reach out to victims and have others do the same.
  • Be informed on resources. As a parent, understand what your child’s school is required to do in bullying situations and advocate for your child.

If you or your child is struggling with the effects of bullying or you are concerned your child is exhibiting bully behavior, JFCS can help.  JFCS offers confidential counseling for individuals and families for a range of concerns including anxiety, self-esteem, coping and more. Contact our offices at 609-987-8100.

Where Can You Learn More?

http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/

http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/ParentGuide.pdf

https://bullies2buddies.com/resources/the-new-jersey-bullies-to-buddies-training-center/

https://www.njea.org/issues/anti-bullying/

 

 

A Light in the Darkness

“Why?”

“How?”

“What now?”

In recent years, we have asked these questions all too often.

Intolerance claimed another life Saturday – that of a 32-year-old woman who was on a street in Charlottesville, Va. taking a stand against hate.

We cannot always reason the “why” or the “how” in the wake of tragedy, but we can always determine the “what now.”

Now, we stand up and show unity with those who protest racism.

Now, we deny hatred and fear and embrace kindness and understanding.

Now, we recognize that the differences amongst us do not need to divide.

Now, we re-affirm the beliefs, values & traditions that have always guided us.

We treat every individual with dignity and respect, no matter their creed, their background, or their beliefs.

We remind ourselves and our children of tikkun olam which is our obligation to repair the world.

We become the light in the darkness.

JFCS Earns a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County is proud to announce that we have received Charity Navigator’s top rating of 4 stars.

Charity Navigator is an online rating system that donors can use to intelligently decide where their money is best directed. The 4-Star rating means that JFCS has passed a stringent vetting and has come out fulfilling all of the necessary requirements for the award.

A 4-star rating from Charity Navigator proves that JFCS is an exceptional charity and that we exceed industry standards and outperform most charities in our category.

Of note, The New York Times quoted Sandra Miniutti, a spokeswoman for Charity Navigator, as saying “Generally, a good benchmark for a worthwhile charity is having at least 75 percent of income spent on programs, or the nonprofit’s mission.” You will be happy to know that JFCS spends 89.6% of every donated dollar on programs and services for the local, Mercer County community.

We thank our loyal donors and hope future donors will take this information and choose JFCS as their charity of choice.

November is National Caregivers Month and JFCS Has Answers!

November is National Family Caregivers Month. But for those of you who are caregivers, you know that EVERY DAY is a family caregiver day. Whether or not you live with your loved one, your responsibility for their care is 24/7, filling your heart, mind and time.

Caregiving can be a very isolating existence. You are so busy taking care of your loved one that you may not have time for yourself—to address your own health needs; to have some “down” time for relaxation, hobbies (hobby—what’s a hobby?) or visits with other family and friends; to talk about the difficulties that you encounter and the normal frustrations that you feel. But the stark reality is that, if you do not take care of yourself, you may not be around to care for your loved one!

Support groups can provide a critical shoulder to caregivers, diminishing the isolation and allowing the caregiver to know that he/she is not alone. At JFCS, we have extensive experience with caregiver support and facilitate a wide number of support groups throughout the year.

Many of our participants attest to the value they experience in being together as a group member:

“I am not alone, other people feel the same things I do. I actually have a lot to contribute.”

“Most helpful has been simply sharing stories, worries, concerns, laughter with each other. The caring community itself is a stress reducer.”

“Camaraderie!”

“One doesn’t have to go through ‘trauma’ alone.”

“We identified with each other and really came to care for each other.”

I learned to “honor my feelings.”

“Honesty, directions, aid in resources…people, caring, support.”

“Hugs.”

We also understand how difficult it can be for caregivers to leave their homes and loved ones to attend a group. JFCS is excited to announce the launching of a new program to create an online video support group, employing 21st century technology to address the time-old need for connection, support and validation. All you need is a laptop with video capability and you can interact with a group on your screen in your own home with complete confidentiality and privacy.

If you are interested in the online video group or any of our other support group programs, please contact Beverly Rubman at beverlyr@jfcsonline.org or call 609-987-8100.

JFCS pledges to be #stigmafree

talkinghandsToday concludes Mental Illness Awareness Week. At Jewish Family & Children’s Service, we want to carry this critical awareness beyond one week. JFCS fosters a safe, welcoming environment free of judgments not just for our counseling patients but for all those who interact with our agency including staff, volunteers and community members.

In the spirit of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) campaign, Pledge to be StigmaFree, JFCS challenges our supporters to become stigma free with us by following the steps:

1. Educate Yourself and Others
Through simple education you will develop a deeper understanding of what causes mental illness and what does not, helping you take the first step in rejecting stereotypes. Mental illness is often dramatized in the media yet in reality conditions can present through subtle symptoms and changes. Understanding mental illness can help you recognize the symptoms, identify a name for challenges that may be facing you, a loved one, a co-worker, or a stranger, and seek critical treatment.

2. See the Person and Not the Illness
It can be all too easy to see a number instead of a person behind statistics on mental illness. One in five Americans lives with a mental illness and each and every ONE is an individual with a personal story.

3. Take Action on Mental Health Issues
Join forces with the agencies across the country pushing for better legislation and policies to support those facing mental illness. The more we learn as a population about mental health, the more we all benefit.

JFCS challenges you to take the #stigmafree pledge with us and continue spreading the important messaging on Mental Illness Awareness.

Learn more about the StigmaFree Pledge and access information regarding mental illness conditions at: http://www.nami.org.

});