See the story of your impact unfolding here.
We shared our stories with a volunteer illustrator to include you in the emotional, heartfelt experience we strive to have with every person.
Our promise to you – at JFS we welcome anyone who comes to us, and strive to provide the best in clinical therapies, case management services and caring homes. Since 1867, JFS has been helping people regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, lifestyle or ability to pay.
“How do you know it’s working?”
Amber and Stephanie – Signs the Work is Working – from our Outpatient Mental Health Clinic on Jackson Street:
1. Basic needs are cared for.
-Sleep gets better; reduction in insomnia, night terrors, building sleep routines, actually enjoying sleep or feeling more rest. Not avoiding sleep.
-Being able to tell when they are hungry without it turning into fear.
-Learning that taking care of core needs does not mean “I’m selfish.”
-Hygiene usually increases, like showering more often or getting hair cared for.
-Regular health appointments are scheduled and attended to.
-Weight comes to a healthy spot.
-Home feels more organized or tidy, pride in their space and values increases.
-Coping strategies become more aligned with care an dvalues, so instead of drinking, binging on social media, self-harm, etc., we see things like cooking a warm meal, art, connecting to nature, connecting to spirituality.
2. Feeling lonely! It often signals, “I’m ready to connect to others again.”
3. When psycho-education around trauma kicks in. When I hear people be able to say, “It makes sense I’m triggered by this, it reminds me of my ex!”
4. Triggers are managed with care and slowing down instead of shame or punishment.
5. Shame Lessens.
6. Fun and joy comes back. Laughter and tears flow in the same session.
7. Values lead over fear.
8. They don’t define themselves by the trauma.
9. Using their voice to advocate for themselves and finding a balance with over-communication or fawning.
10. Wanting to use what they have learned to heal other relationships in their life or other survivors.
Amber Hibben, LCSW, and Stephanie Birr, LPC, JFS Clinic and Sojourner Peace Center
Dahlia’s Story – Domestic Violence – Sojourner Peace Center and Jackson St. Clinic
Amber Hibben, LCSW, started seeing “Dahlia” at the shelter at Sojourner. As she began to regulate and moved out of the shelter, she kept seeing Amber, just at the JFS Clinic. Now a regular client, Dahlia has re-establised connection in her family, and is leaving her home more often for errands and basic necessities. Amber shared, “One day, in a session, she just uttered the most telling words of all. That she had gone a full day without worrying about her personal safety. It helped both of us realize how much energy she exhausts every day to stay vigilant and concerned. It was a breakthrough!”
Chris’s Story – School Based Mental Health – Therapy Chess
At the start of the year, “Chris,” a high school student, was referred for impulsive behavior and police contact. School was the only place he could access therapy, because his parents lived out of state and couldn’t get him to appointments. Slowly, one game of chess at a time, he began to talk. Family losses, financial stress, trying to protect his younger siblings, feeling like he had to be “the strong one.” Week by week, the table in my office became his safe place.
Indicators of his progress:
Consistent school-based sessions prevented further crisis.
Latest suicide risk assessment: No current suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
He identifies healthy friendships and protective factors.
He specifically requests to continue therapy and said, “This is the only place I can talk.”
-Aaron Heffernan, MS, LCSW, JFS Children and Family Therapist; Clinical Supervisor
About School Based Mental Health
JFS offers individual psychotherapy and social-emotional learning opportunities to children in a school environment. By integrating these services directly into the school environment during regular school hours, JFS effectively mitigates the barriers that often impede vulnerable children from accessing essential care. These classroom interventions help kids identify and regulate intense emotions, find focus and build relationships using interactive and expressive activities with the goal to decrease trauma symptoms and increase pro-social behaviors in the home and classroom.
Chelsea’s Story – Here is what I see happening when therapy is really working.
As a therapist working with survivors of interpersonal trauma (sexual abuse, domestic violence), I often remember this quote: “Shame dies when stories are told in safe places.” (Ann Voskamp) When shame is no longer running the show and softens during the course of therapy, we get to see the beauty of a client’s inner wisdom begin to shine through. A clear sign that therapy is working is when a client can begin noticing what brings them joy, pleasure, and genuine enjoyment when they were in a protective space for months, years, or decades.
At the JFS Outpatient Mental Health Clinic on Jackson Street, our therapists use trauma-informed care (TIC) as a framework of provider-client interaction that acknowledges the widespread nature of trauma and aims to provide an environment that promotes safety, trust, empowerment and collaboration. Clinicians use the DSM V to create a Treatment Plan to reduce clients’ psychological symptoms and improve their daily functioning so that they may achieve their personal goals.
Clients have said, “I love my therapist and this program and will continue with it. I’m finally starting to get my power back and feel like a real human being again.” – Survivor
“This office is the only place I feel completely safe in the entire world.” – Sex trafficking survivor
“Learning about what trauma does to the brain really helps me feel less crazy.” – Complex PTSD survivor
“I used to think of myself as an ‘it’ not a ‘who'” – Sex trafficking survivor
Indications therapy is helping:
-Clients can finally approach memories that once were unbearable – memories they couldn’t think or talk about without shutting down – and those memories no longer bring them distress. When they tell their therapist how a memory feels neutral now, and they naturally focus on positive beliefs about themselves.
-Clients’ basic needs are cared for, sleep gets better; reduction in insomnia, not avoiding sleep. Coping strategies become more aligned with care and values, so instead of drinking, binging on social media, self-harm, etc., we see things like cooking a warm meal, art, connecting to nature, connecting to spirituality.
-Chelsea Gilbertson, LCSW, JFS Interim Clinic Director
Late Life Counseling (LLC) at Jackson Street Clinic and In Client Homes
Tanya and Liz – Tales from Late Life Counseling, on what works with older adults, often home-bound who are visited by JFS.
-Slowing things down with them – breaking tasks down, helping to rebuild daily routines after health changes/hospital or rehab stay
-Supporting identity and autonomy – reconnect to strengths and roles
-Helping to build support systems and use them more effectively
After a few sessions, they celebrate when they start to see:
-Clients reconnecting to old hobbies
-Decreasing isolation by reaching out to family and friends
-Positive Self-talk
-Feeling more connected with identity and sense of self
Tanya Czarnecki, LCSW; Liz Popowski, LPC
From our Case Management Team – Comprehensive Community Services
In Wisconsin social services, CCS stands for Comprehensive Community Services, a voluntary program for individuals with mental health and substance use needs. It provides a coordinated array of services and support to help individuals achieve their personal recovery goals, including skill development, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation. The program is designed to be person-centered and can help prevent crises that might otherwise lead to hospitalization.
Tracey’s Story: Care Coordinators accompany people in the program where they need us, which is usually at home but often at appointments. For our youth, sometimes we are all they have. Recently I helped Jonah as his person he trusts to advocate for himself at school. By helping just regulate his breathing and pushing pause on an otherwise potentially heated situation, he was able to discuss his case around an otherwise very intimidating table.
JFS runs a four-person Community Resource Program at our Affordable Housing residences in Brown Deer, home to over 425 residents. Sharon Jackson coordinates residents at Bradley Crossing. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Residences at Bradley Crossing Supportive Housing Community is a model integrated residential setting located at the intersection of Sherman Boulevard and Bradley Road in the village of Brown Deer, WI.
Sharon’s Story: Practical advice for everyday people:
-Never stop learning, and growing personally, professionally and socially.
-Be willing to try new opportunities and experiences.
-Take time and listen to people share their life stories.
-Be caring, kind and encouraging to people.
-Encourage and empower people to improve their quality of life and live their best life – whatever that looks like for them.
Sharon Jackson, Community Resource Coordinator at Bradley Crossing, JFS Housing
Tanya and Liz – Tales from Late Life Counseling, on what works with older adults, often home-bound who are visited by JFS.
-Slowing things down with them – breaking tasks down, helping to rebuild daily routines after health changes/hospital or rehab stay
-Supporting identity and autonomy – reconnect to strengths and roles
-Helping to build support systems and use them more effectively
After a few sessions, they celebrate when they start to see:
-Clients reconnecting to old hobbies
-Decreasing isolation by reaching out to family and friends
-Positive Self-talk
-Feeling more connected with identity and sense of self
Tanya Czarnecki, LCSW, Psychotherapist
Elizabeth (Liz) Popowski, LPC, LLC Psychotherapist
David’s 45-minute call
At the end of a long call, after I thought I was being a little harsh with reminders about all the things we needed to get done, he said, “Thank you so much, David.” That was a breakthrough, to recognize about himself that there are things that have to happen in order to make life better.
David Prodoehl, Disabilities Case Management
Hayley’s In-School Assist for Lisa:
Last week there was an unplanned lock down (a teacher accidentally set off the alarms) in the school. Many of my younger clients were unphased. However, my middle schoolers were truly thrown off by this because they were afraid there was actually a threat in the school. This is especially scary for students who are aware with the world’s current problems, such as the rise of antisemitism and school shootings. Two middle school girls came to me outside of their sessions. For one student, I was able to help her re-regulate by being a listening ear and helping her identify her emotions. This student also has a phobia of loud sounds, so it was especially scary for her and we are gearing up to work on exposure therapy.
Another girl, Lisa, was having trouble re-regulating because she couldn’t shake the feeling that her younger sister Amalia might not be safe. I helped her identify her core fear, and went to go get Amalia so that she could officially know her sister was safe and doing well. It was honestly a sweet moment between sisters because they shared hugs and feelings with each other. Later, multiple staff members expressed gratitude that I was there and able to help.
Hayley Lindly, APSW
Tracey’s Client Success: I’ve been working with a young person who initially struggled with anger and emotional dysregulation. After a year in the program, she has successfully earned several job training certifications and shared her goal of becoming an entrepreneur once she finishes her classes. Her personal relationships have improved significantly, and she is truly thriving.
Reminders for all:
1. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
2. It’s OK to seek help.
3. Mental health struggles are common and treatable.
Tracey Stanislawski, Ed.D., Administrator of CCS for Youth
Tatiana’s Success: Connecting Families to Resources in the Russian Speaking and Holocaust Survivor population
The Social Services for Russian Speakers Program is dedicated to help clients in need. Among all current Programs for senior clients and Holocaust Survivors, we are providing help for Ukrainian refugees.
Tatiana Forrest, Case Manager for SSRS and Material Claims Conference, Holocaust Survivors
Where is JFS in the community? Here’s a map!
Watch this space – our experiences of connection are happening every day.
We are grateful for your support.
Donate Today