Special Feature: Seniors At Home Bereavement Support Group

Find comfort, support, and wisdom during Seniors At Home's eight-week support group, Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, which will meet for eight consecutive Mondays, beginning Apr. 8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at JFCS, 2150 Post Street. Preregistration and an interview are required. To learn more or to register: 415-449-3777 or Info@SeniorsAtHome.org. 

Holocaust Survivor Assistance

JFCS continues to provide assistance to survivors with Holocaust reparations claims. Click here for detailed information.

Seniors At Home Programs

Café by the Bay
Café by the Bay, a program for Holocaust survivors, offers them weekly opportunities to discuss Holocaust-related as well as to enjoy each other's company, live music, and cultural and educational programs. Café by the Bay takes place every Thursday, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, except the last week of every month, when Café Luncheon is hosted on Friday, 12:00 – 2:00 pm. To receive more information about Café by the Bay or to volunteer, please contact Bobbi Bornstein at 415-449-3843 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer and Provide Compassionate Service to Your Community
Seniors At Home is seeking individuals who wish to become palliative and end of life care volunteers. Palliative care aims to prevent and relieve suffering, providing comfort and support regardless of a person’s age or stage of illness or decline. Volunteers gain the skills and knowledge necessary to provide compassionate service to those who are ill or dying; obtain valuable insights about life and death; offer companionship and support to our clients; and provide respite for client’s family members. Our comprehensive 30-hour training starts on Oct. 16. No medical experience is necessary. To learn more, contact Rachel Kesselman at 415-449-1288 or RachelK@jfcs.org.

Safe At Home Telephone Reassurance Callers
Provide friendship and a sense of security by making regularly scheduled phone calls to our frail and isolated clients. Calls are made from our office in San Francisco on weekday mornings, 9:00 – 10:30 am. For more information, please contact Rachel Kesselman at 415-449-1288 or RachelK@jfcs.org.

Be the Wheels for JFCS Rides
For many seniors and adults with disabilities, getting around in their communities is a huge challenge. You can help! Seniors At Home is seeking volunteer drivers. In a few hours a month, you can make a big difference in seniors’ lives by driving them to medical appointments or helping with grocery shopping. Flexible hours are available. Training for new volunteers is held monthly. Mileage is reimbursed, if desired. For more information, please Bobbi Bornstein at 415-449-3843 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Senior Companion Volunteers
Bring a smile into a senior’s life. Seniors At Home is seeking volunteers to provide companionship and support to seniors through our weekly visiting program. Hours are flexible. In just four hours a month—an hour each week—you can brighten the day of a San Francisco senior, whether it’s taking a walk together, having coffee, or lending an ear. For more information, please contact Rachel Kesselman at 415-449-1288 or RachelK@jfcs.org.

Volunteer at Café Luncheon
Café Luncheon is an educational and entertaining lunch program sponsored by Café by the Bay, a program for Holocaust survivors. Volunteers are needed for setting up, greeting guests, serving a catered lunch, schmoozing, and cleaning up. Volunteers are asked to arrive an hour early for set-up and to help with clean-up after the event. Café Luncheon is held on the last Friday of every other month, 12:00 – 2:00 pm. For more information, contact Bobbi Bornstein at 415-449-3843 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Canine Corps
Are you a dog lover who wants to share your fabulous pet with others? Canine Corps matches human/canine teams to visit weekly with seniors in their homes. For dog-loving seniors who may not be able to have their own dog, Canine Corps provides a unique opportunity to enjoy a furry companion on a regular basis. Volunteers must have their own well-socialized dog and successfully complete a three-session training. To receive more information and to sign up for trainings, contact Masha Perelman at 415-359-2477 or MashaP@jfcs.org.

Holocaust Oral History Project
The JFCS Holocaust Center is looking for volunteers to view and summarize testimonies from our collection of more than 2,000 interviews with Bay Area survivors, liberators, and eyewitnesses. For more information, please contact Judy Janec at 415-449-3748 or JudyJ@jfcs.org.

Parents Place Programs

The following groups and workshop will take place at Parents Place in November and December 2011. Unless noted otherwise, all events take place at Parents Place, 1710 Scott Street, San Francisco.

For more detailed group and workshop descriptions, contact us at 415-359-2454 or at ParentsPlaceSF@jfcs.org, or visit us at www.parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco. A sliding scale is available. Please inquire when registering.To register, click the link next to the description of the group.

Parent/Child Activity Groups and Playgroups

Monday/Thursday Drop-in Play (up to 4 years)
Quality playtime in our playroom! Parents Place staff will be on-site to greet you and answer your questions. $10 per family per visit; purchase a card for five visits for $35 (Monday and Thursday cards are interchangeable.) Members of Golden Gate Mothers Group: Bring your GGMG membership card for free admission to our playroom on the first Monday of each month. Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am. $10 per family per visit; five-visit card available for $35.

Wednesday Drop-in Play (up to 4 years)
Meet with other parents while your children play. Singing and group activities led by Jeni Clancy. Wednesdays, 9:30 – 10:45 am. $12 per family per visit; five-visit card available for $48.

Tuesday Afternoon Drop-in Play (up to 4 years)
Need an post-naptime activity? Meet with other parents while your children play. Quality playtime in our playroom! $10 per family per visit: purchase a card for five visits for $35 (Monday and Thursday morning cards are interchangeable.) 

Boogie to the Beat (0 – 36 months)
Sure to delight every little singer/dancer. Instruments, dancing ribbons, parachutes, puppets, bubbles, and more. With Jeni Clancy. Thursdays, Jan. 17 – Feb. 7, 10:00 – 11:00 am. $80 for four sessions. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/boogie-2

Little Chefs – Cooking Fun for Children (2 – 4 years)
Chop, stir, spread, and measure! Little chefs learn the basics of food prep and create delicious masterpieces of their own. Jeni Clancy has an engaging style and a great knack for teaching children how cooking can be a fun, participatory experience for you and your child. Wednesdays, Jan. 23 – Feb. 13, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. $100 for four sessions, includes food and supplies. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/cook-0

Ready, Set, Go! Preparing for Preschool (2 – 3 years)
Playgroup/discussion for parents and children in a preschool-like setting. A must for parents planning on sending their children to preschool! Each week, parents and children start off together in one room and participate in a variety of activities, such as singing, art projects, and snack time. For the second part of the group, parents adjourn to a separate yet connected room for discussion while the children stay in the playroom and continue activities with the playroom coordinator. This is a first-time separation experience for many children, and it is always wonderful to see how well the children adjust to this separation during the run of this group. Come and join us! With Amy Weiss, MFT, and Jeni Clancy. Tuesdays, Jan. 29 – Mar. 19, 10:00 – 11:30 am. $240 for eight sessions (includes $80 for playcare for children). http://www.parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/ready-set-go-1

New Mother/New Baby Support Group (birth – 6 months)
Meet with other new mothers to discuss the joys and challenges of becoming a mom, make new friends, and form networks as we discuss both the practical and the emotional issues of parenting. Topics include helping your baby sleep through the night; breast and/or bottle-feeding; changing relationships with friends, family, and partner; traveling with babies; passing on values and traditions; and taking care of yourself. With Amy Weiss, MFT. Mondays, Jan. 28 – Mar. 11, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. $90 for six sessions – no class on Feb. 18. http://www.parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/new-mother-1

Workshops for Parents 

What to Do with the Mad You Feel (2 – 8 years)
Explore perspectives on anger and self-control for both yourself and your children. Learn the developmental process of self-regulation and impulse control and playful ways to support this development. Discover ways to manage anger when it arises, leaving everyone feeling better. With Bonnie Romanow, BA. Tues., Jan. 15, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. $35. http://www.parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/what-do-mad

Toddler Discipline (18 months – 3 years)
The toddler years are a critical and challenging juncture for parents. During this class, author and parent coach Tom Limbert will enhance your understanding of your children and of the developmental changes they are undergoing that have an impact on your relationship with them. He will also offer concrete tools and effective strategies for guiding young children through moments of drama and frustration. Get the guidance and support you need to help you build a lifelong relationship rooted in genuine trust, mutual respect, and honest communication. Wed., Jan. 16, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. $35. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/toddler-discipline

Was That Me Yelling? (all ages)
Most parents agree that yelling isn’t beneficial, but many report that they just don’t know what to do when their children misbehave. Learn how to develop a plan to avert yelling, including identifying triggers that set off yelling. With Rona Renner, RN, host of the Childhood Matters radio show. Wed., Jan. 23, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $35. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/yelling

Returning to Work After Having a Child – When is Best and Why (all ages)
One of the greatest challenges of our time is when to return to the workplace after having a baby. Everyone faces this dilemma with her own particular set of issues. There are no hard and fast rules about when to return to work, but thinking about ways this can work best for you and your baby can help you make a decision that you will feel good about. With Susan Finkel, PhD. Thurs., Jan. 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $35. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/returning-work

Choosing a Preschool (birth – 3 years)
Topics include readiness for preschool, techniques for evaluating schools, and application procedures. The right tips and tools for making informed decisions—and being non-stressed about the process! With Lee Ann Slaton, MS. Tues., Jan. 29, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. $35. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/choosing-preschool-2

Guiding Young Children with Confidence and Honesty (3 – 8 years)
Having trouble getting your little ones to listen? Want to build a lifelong relationship based on mutual respect, honest communication, and genuine trust? During this class, author and parent coach Tom Limbert helps you understand your child and provides solutions to common parenting pitfalls. You will learn concrete strategies for communicating effectively with young children and five proven methods for gaining your children's cooperation. Wed., Jan. 30, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. $35. http://parentsplaceonline.org/san-francisco/classes/guiding-young-children

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