Jewish Family Services Receives Grant for Exceptional Needs Youth from Helen Bader Foundation

November 20, 2006

Jewish Family Services received a two-year grant totaling $40,000 from the Helen Bader Foundation for their new Keshet High School Vocational and Life Skills Educational Program for Jewish teenagers with exceptional needs.  This program strives to help Jewish youth ages 14 to 18 with developmental disabilities, physical challenges or mental illness attain greater self-reliance and self-esteem.

The Keshet High School program will provide a curriculum that is modified to enhance needed life skills for the purpose of making the students independent in their current and future living situations, as well as and to help them meet their life goals.  This opportunity for personal growth and an enriched life will be accomplished by providing a Jewish education alongside an academic/vocational program.  At the foundation of this new high school program is building self esteem and independence.  These characteristics are vital to both the short term and long term success of the students.

"Thanks to the generous support of the Helen Bader Foundation, JFS will continue to provide comprehensive social services to enhance the quality of life for people with exceptional needs through all stages of life,” said Sylvan Leabman, President and CEO for the agency.  The Helen Bader Foundation  helps fund such projects and programs that advance the well-being of people and promote successful relationships with their families and communities.

For almost 140 years, Jewish Family Services has provided comprehensive social services to the Milwaukee area Jewish and general community.  Its primary objective is to enable clients to reach their maximum potential and lead fulfilled and rewarding lives.