A Childhood Filled with Joy!
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A childhood filled with joy! JFCS’ Children and Youth Services strive to provide young people in our community the opportunity to live rich, full and happy lives (Page 2) Also Inside: Annual Meeting Photos JFCS Friends of the Family Award Annual Conference on Mental Health “Girl Roaring with Laughter” Lia Harel, 14, “Big” in JFCS’ Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program Inside this Issue 5 6 15 Photos from the Nadlers to receive JFCS Legacy Society established to honor 105th Annual Meeting JFCS Friends of the Family Award those who include JFCS in their estate plans A childhood filled with joy! ince its beginning, Jewish As children grow, attending Family and Children’s Service of summer camp provides lasting Minneapolis (JFCS) has supported memories, as well as critical Sthe belief that the ability to succeed and steps on a child’s path to a thrive in life is inherent in every child. healthy and productive life. Our goal is for all young people in our The JFCS Camp Scholarship community to have the opportunities, Program makes it possible for tools and help they need to live rich, full many youth who otherwise and happy lives. We want to see each wouldn’t be able to experience young person we work with feel confident those opportunities to learn to grow and discover themselves in new to work together, make and challenging ways. Of JFCS’ more choices, take responsibility, than 40 critically-needed, life-enriching develop creative skills, build programs and services, many are independence and gain dedicated to the needs of children confidence. and youth. Haylee Davis was one of At the very beginning, JFCS those youth who benefited from celebrates new life and welcomes babies a JFCS Camp Scholarship and young families with a Shalom Baby several years ago. She is now A typical morning in “the bowl” at Camp Teko welcome bag. The PJ Library program serving as the Assistant Director of enriches young Jewish lives with free Camp Teko. monthly Jewish-themed books for “Growing up at a Jewish summer “Growing up at a Jewish babies and toddlers, and hosts family- camp shaped me into the person I am friendly events designed to make all today and it would not have been possible summer camp shaped me into feel connected and engaged in the without the various camp scholarships I the person I am today.” community. – Haylee Davis, former JFCS Camp Scholarship recipient is published by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, a beneficiary of the directions Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Board President Chief Executive Officer Communications Director Writer/Editor Graphic Designer Danny Zouber Judy Halper Lori Leavitt Marc Ingber Kristin Bohley 2 Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis received from JFCS,” Haylee said. “The Lia, a high school friendships I made and the memories that freshman, admitted were created will never be forgotten.” there was a little bit of As Teko’s Assistant Director, she a barrier when she first hopes to make it possible for more met her 10-year-old Jewish youth to attend summer camp “Little,” but that they’ve and become involved with the Jewish strengthened their bond community. in the months and years JFCS’ Children and Youth Services since that first meeting. align with our mission to sustain healthy “We’ve made progress relationships, ease suffering and offer and strengthened our support in times of need. Research shows relationship, and now that Big Brother/Big Sister mentoring we’re great friends,” has a long-lasting, profoundly positive Lia said. JFCS Legacy Society established to honor effect on children’s confidence, grades Lia has learned a lot those who include JFCS in their estate plans and social skills. Relationships with about Orthodox Judaism parents and peers become stronger, from her “Little.” The 2013 Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Chanukah Party decision-making improves and overall life two regularly go on fun ambitions become higher. outings or sometimes just dedicated to children. About 1,000 Our Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister hang out at Lia’s house, where they play individuals receive Chanukah gifts each (BB/BS) Program, which is celebrating games and work on art projects. Being a year thanks to JFCS’ Hag Sameach its 40th anniversary in 2015, empowers “Big” has had a big effect on Lia. “I really Program, ensuring that the holiday Jewish children in need of a special enjoy seeing how I’ve changed,” she said. season for their children will be a friendship and their families by providing “I’ve definitely become my own person happy one. unconditional, personally matched, and grown a lot.” Children also benefit when their Jewish mentoring friendships. families are able to remain financially ther Children and Youth Services And most often the “Bigs” get as much stable thanks to JFCS’ Career Services/ at JFCS include the Parent-Child out of the relationship as the “Littles”! Emergency Financial Assistance OHome Program (PCHP), Healthy Youth- Lia Harel, who created the cover programs and/or emotionally stable Healthy Communities, Family Life artwork, has been a “Big” in the program thanks to our Counseling Services. Education, Counseling, Play Therapy since 2013 – her mom encouraged her to Each year, JFCS serves over 16,000 and more. become a mentor as a great opportunity people of all ages and all backgrounds In addition to the programs for to gain leadership and grow as a person. who are in need. At its heart is a deep children and youth, many more benefit Lia is grateful she followed her advice, as commitment to help provide a bright from other JFCS services not specifically the experience has been life-changing. future for all the youth it serves. Nothing childish about youth artwork About the cover art Artist Lia Harel, 14, said she has grown and matured a lot since Below is “Little,” Esther’s, art piece, which becoming a “Big” with JFCS’ Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister (BB/BS) also represents the joy of childhood. Program. Below is her artist’s statement regarding the piece she designed for the cover of “Directions,” which conveys the joy of childhood. “When I was asked “To me, finding a creative way to portray to draw a picture a joyful child meant using vibrant of a happy child, colors, striking patterns and animated I saw this picture movements. Using a combination of and I thought it was construction paper and water colors, my exactly what I was picture shows a girl roaring with laughter looking for!” as her multicolored braids swoosh all – Esther, 17 around her. She reminds me of the youthful innocence we all have within us Thank you to both our – the kind that can give us the giggles at even the smallest pleasures in life. That is “Big” and “Little” artists! true happiness.” –Lia Harel directions • Fall 2015 3 S a v e D a t e Join us as we at the 27th Annual Benefit Saturday, December 5, 2015 Each year, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis serves over 16,000 people in our community, our neighborhoods and our families. Join us for a special evening of fun, food and comedy as together we laugh on their behalf to support the work of JFCS. Watch for your Tickets invitation in October! start at Shop our online auction $ from November 2-11 at www.biddingforgood.com/jfcs 952-542-487850 jfcsmpls.org 4 JewishWith M Familyichael and Ian Children’sBlack Service of Minneapolis Annual Meeting 1 2 3 105th Annual Meeting JFCS held its 105th Annual Meeting in June at Beth El Synagogue. Kerry Bader was honored with the Spirit of JFCS Award. Otto Bremer Foundation also received a special recognition at the event, which was co-chaired by Marcia Cohodes and Nan Greenfield. 4 5 6 7 8 9 1. Annual Meeting Co-Chairs Marcia Cohodes and Nan Greenfield (from left); 2. JFCS Board President Danny Zouber; 3. JFCS Spirit Award Winner Kerry Bader; 4. JFCS Staff 30-year honoree Mina Manville; 5. Staff 25-year honorees Bobbie Goldfarb, Carole Cera and Margie Earhart; 6. Staff 20-year honorees Stuart Martin, Mari Forbush and Jill Kozberg; 7. Staff 15-year honorees Cindy Uran, Deb Winkelman, Ben Galperin, Ruth Paley, Alvin Odermann, Cheryl Obinger and Debra Savitt; 8. Staff 10-year honorees Gloria Murman, Joy Gordon, Julia Carpenter and Joanne Savitt; 9. Staff 5-year honorees Robert Cruse, Brooke Greenwell, Helen Fogg, Sandra Baron and Justin Elvebak Eden (baby), Emma, Avi, Charles and Candice Nadler (from left) ‘Whenever a need arises, they step forward’ Candice and Charles Nadler Family to receive Friends of the Family Award at JFCS’ 27th Annual Benefit any parents work to instill the instilled in Geoffrey and Emma, who more to the organization. Candice has value of giving back to the have continued a long family tradition of been a staff member and both have been community in their children, serving the community. dedicated volunteers. Daughter Emma Mbut few put this desire in writing. The For many years, JFCS has been serves on the JFCS staff today. Whenever fact Charles (Chuck) and Candice a fortunate recipient of the Nadlers’ a need arises, they have not waited to be Nadler included this value in an official generosity, time and wisdom. It is for this asked, but rather stepped forward and family “mission statement” they drafted reason they will be presented with the offered to do what they can.” more than 20 years ago along with their 2015 JFCS Friends of the Family Award Chuck said one of the reasons the children, Geoffrey and Emma – who at the 27th Annual Benefit on Dec.