Statement from Jewish Family Services on the Aggression Against the State of Israel

October 8th, 2023 | Jenny Heyden

A statement from Adam E. Witkov, Board Chair and John A. Yopps, President and CEO Over our 156-year history, Jewish Family Services, Inc. (JFS) has witnessed the growth of Milwaukee as a supporter, defender, and caregiver of not only the Jewish community, but of our greater community and beyond.  We have seen the birth of […]

Jewish Family Services Awarded $2 Million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant to support Economic Mobility to Milwaukee County Suburbs from Milwaukee County and the Community Development Alliance (CDA)

December 5th, 2022 | Jenny Heyden

Jewish Family Services will address affordable housing needs in Milwaukee County with the development of affordable apartment homes in the Village of Brown Deer Milwaukee, December 5, 2022 – Jewish Family Services (JFS) has been awarded a $2 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant from Milwaukee County and the Community Development Alliance. A total […]

Statement from Jewish Family Services, Inc. Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health.

June 29th, 2022 | Jenny Heyden

A message from the Advocacy Committee of Jewish Family Services We know the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade is weighing heavily on many of our minds no matter how each of us may personally feel about abortion. Making abortion illegal will most certainly exacerbate the growing mental health crisis, as girls […]

Jewish Family Services (JFS)Awarded $113,966 Advancing Healthier Wisconsin (AHW) Grant to Address Mental Health Workforce Shortages

June 27th, 2022 | Jenny Heyden

Jewish Family Services and Sojourner Family Peace Center (FPC) will address critical workforce shortages through a Mental Health Workforce Development Pilot Project Milwaukee, June 27, 2022 –Jewish Family Services Awarded $113,966 grant from the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment to support a Mental Health Workforce Development Pilot Project over the next 18 months starting July […]

Advocacy+Action = Social Change

November 4th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

A special event for Past Presidents/Board Members, Friends and Supporters We invite you to join us on Thursday, November 4th at 5:00pm to learn more about Jewish Family Services and the advocacy support we provide for our community as a whole. Hear from members of the Jewish Family Services leadership team and staff who will […]

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Roundtable Discussion

October 29th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we hope you can join us on October 28th at 4:00pm for our Domestic Violence Awareness Special Event. We invite you to attend this event to learn more about the warning signs for domestic violence and our trauma-informed approach to healing for those impacted by violence. Jewish Family […]

Podcast: Mental Health Services for Children

October 21st, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

It’s important for young children and teenagers to give voice to the worries and traumatic experiences that impact their mental health and well-being. Issues that parents, teachers and others may not be aware of and circumstances that children may not be able to easily articulate. This podcast, hosted by The 411Live, features mental health professionals, […]

2021 Annual Meeting

October 12th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

Jewish Family Services held our 2021 Annual Meeting, a virtual event on Tuesday, October 12th at 5:30pm. View the event recording to learn more about Jewish Family Services and our mission to nearly 2,500 individuals in the greater Milwaukee area. Use the links below to view the 45 minute program on our Facebook page and […]

Weekly Grief Support Group Resumes

August 11th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

Are you or someone that you know experiencing sadness, depression or grief from a personal loss? Jewish Family Services’ Grief Support Group helps participants learn how to accept the reality of their loss and are supported through the process of experiencing and acknowledging the physical, emotional and behavioral pain. Participants will find a way to […]

When the pandemic hit, Jewish Family Services geared up

August 11th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

Anne David, LCAW, MSW, Director, Clinical Services describes Jewish Family Services’ response to the increased need for mental health services in this article featured in the August 2021 issue of the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. Use this link to view the complete post.

Back to school: How to Help Kids Through Uncertainty

August 11th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

Jewish family Services is committed to increasing access to mental health services for children. We provide personalized services at our Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and in select school settings. To learn more, read this article by Aaron Heffernan, MA, LCSW, Psychotherapist on “5 Tips for Empathic Listening”, a special feature in the August 2021 issue […]

Hope, Help and Healing Gala

July 19th, 2021 | Jenny Heyden

Our Hope, Help and Healing Gala was a great success! The virtual event raised nearly $150,000 to support social services, mental health counseling, and affordable, supportive housing individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, substance use disorders and families with low household incomes in the greater Milwaukee area. In addition to raising awareness of the services […]

JFS Lends Support to Event Hosted by JCC

November 18th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

Jewish Family Services Outpatient Mental Health Clinic will lend support to “Tapestry: Arts & Ideas from the JCC” featuring Jason Brian Rosenthal author of “My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me” on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 7:30 PM via Zoom. An inspiring memoir of life, love, loss and new beginnings by the […]

New Program: Domestic Violence Survivors Support Group

November 6th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

A Virtual Meeting Every Thursday from 9:00-10:30 am Starting November 19th Jewish Family Services has been helping individuals who are experiencing intimate partner violence in our community for 5 years through our collaboration with Sojourner Family Peace Center. We are now offering a virtual educational/support group for women within the Jewish community who want to […]

Grief Support Group Resumes Nov. 11th

November 6th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

Hosted Virtually Every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 pm Offering light and hope to those experiencing grief. Grief is a unique experience for everyone in the face of a significant personal loss. Someone can grieve the loss of family, friends, pets, relationships, marriages, jobs, health and independence. Having support during grief is critical to a renewed sense […]

2020 Annual Meeting Highlights

October 21st, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

Watch Our Annual Meeting Here! (38 Minutes in length) Jewish Family Services held its 2020 Annual Meeting as virtual event broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. Here are some highlights from the event… Jane Matenaer acted as Master of Ceremonies. John Yopps, President and CEO offered a warm welcome and described the agency’s transitions due to […]

Domestic Violence: Hidden In Plain Sight

October 20th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional abuse. Jewish Family Services (JFS) provides mental health […]

Statement in response to the heartbreaking death of Alvin Cole

October 9th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

A message from Olga Vaynshtok, JFS Board Chair and John A. Yopps, President & CEO As a Human Service agency with a legacy born of oppression, discrimination, persecution, and hopefulness, we are profoundly disturbed by the death of yet another Black citizen. The continued disproportionate violence, threat of loss of life, and death that afflicts […]

Black Lives Matter

June 4th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

We unequivocally condemn entrenched, institutional discrimination and oppression, and are committed to working for equality, fairness and justice. Over our 152 year history, Jewish Family Services (JFS) has witnessed the growth of Milwaukee as a supporter, defender and caregiver of not only the Jewish community, but of our greater community. We are compelled to care […]

Stay at Home Order – No Change to Jewish Family Services’ COVID-19 Precautions

May 21st, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

A message from Jennifer Ciralsky, Board Chair and John A. Yopps, President & CEO   In early March, Jewish Family Services implemented a COVID-19 emergency response plan that included transitioning all but essential staff to work from home and converting the vast majority of in-person client contacts to phone calls or video conference formats and when […]

Hope, Help and Healing Gala Cancelled

April 27th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

The event scheduled for June 4, 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19 safety precautions. As friends and supporters of Jewish Family Services, we hope you are well and staying safe at this time.  The onset of COVID-19 has changed so much in our community since we first announced our Hope, Help and Healing Gala […]

COVID-19 Response – JFS is offering Friendly Callers for Seniors

April 1st, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

Understandably, many older adults are dealing with loneliness and fear related to the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, many older adults are self-isolating in order to reduce risk of exposure and illness, causing intense feelings of anxiety and depression and further exacerbating prior experiences of loneliness and isolation. “Friendly calls” are being offered to older adults in […]

JFS Response to COVID-19: Building Update

March 27th, 2020 | Jenny Heyden

Jewish Family Services, Inc. (JFS) has long been part of the fabric of our community, a distinguished and multi-faceted legacy committed to Chesed, Tzedekah and Tikkun Olam.  JFS remains dedicated to these values and believes the health of our community, families and colleagues is paramount at this time.  With the presence and threat of COVID-19 […]

Resources for Domestic Violence

October 30th, 2019 | Jenny Heyden

Local Resources Offer Healing for Domestic Violence Survivors and Kids Jewish Family Services specializes in Mental Health and Counseling Services for survivors of Domestic Violence. Services are offered in partnerships with Sojourner. Watch this special from WTMJ-4 Milwaukee local television news to learn more.

Jewish Family Services Awarded $1.6 Million Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) competitive grant

October 9th, 2019 | Jenny Heyden

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Crime Victim Services (OCVS) received funding requests totaling over $95 million with only $40 million in available funds to award in this competitive process. Jewish Family Services has been approved for an award of $333,180.00 a year for five years to expand mental health and counseling services […]

Free Dental Services for Holocaust Survivors

October 9th, 2019 | Jenny Heyden

The Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program is accepting applications for free dental work to Holocaust survivors in the greater Milwaukee area. Since 2015, the program has provided hundreds of Holocaust survivors across the United States with free oral care. Applicants must be recognized by Claims Conference as being a Holocaust survivor […]

Mental Health Clinic and Counseling Services: Accepting new clients!

October 9th, 2019 | Jenny Heyden

! Jewish Family Services’ Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is accepting new clients at our downtown Milwaukee location at 1300 N. Jackson Street. Our clinic is staffed by psychotherapists, a psychologist and a consulting psychiatrist who are prepared to meet the needs of those with mental illness, depression, anxiety and other personal problems. To schedule an […]

Comprehensive Community Case Management: Accepting new clients!

October 9th, 2019 | Jenny Heyden

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is a support program for adults living with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or both, who have Medicaid/T19 coverage and reside in in Milwaukee County. CCS offers access to a wide array of unique services to help clients manage mental health conditions, recover from substance use, improve health, build life […]