May 2012

At our Eleanor Haas Koshland Center, located at 2001 Winward Way, Suite 200, San Mateo, we offer many services and programs throughout the year serving the Mid/North Peninsula community. A brief overview of our major service areas is below, followed by more detailed information about current and upcoming activities.

Services and Activities Overview

Parents Place
Parents Place provides parent/child activity groups, workshop series, and individual classes throughout the year. All the classes listed as a “series” run once a week, from two to 10 weeks, often rotating throughout the year. If a class is listed as “closed,” please contact us at 650-931-1801 to be put on our waiting list.

In addition to activity groups and classes, Parents Place offers individual parent and family coaching and consultation services. Our expert staff will spend quality time with you to assess, plan, and recommend the best options for your particular situation. We can also observe your child at his/her preschool.

Learn more about Parents Place’s many services here, call 650-688-3030, or simply drop by to tour our offices Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Seniors•At•Home
Seniors•At•Home helps older adults live safe, healthy, independent lives in their own homes. We offer a comprehensive range of services, includiing award-winning home care and care management, palliative care, senior care consultations, money management, conversatorships, Holocaust survivor services, and more. To learn more about these and other programs, contact Seniors•At•Home at 650-931-1860 or Info@SeniorsAtHome.org, or click here.

Counseling
JFCS offers nonsectarian mental health services. Our licensed professional therapists and psychologists assist individuals and families through life's transitions and difficulties, help people overcome fears or stumbling blocks, and provide expert listening. We offer sessions for individuals, couples, families, and children. We accept some Medi-Cal, as well as most other insurance plans. Call our confidential intake line at 650-688-3034 to schedule an appointment and learn more here.

Information, Referral, and Support
For individuals and families in need, JFCS provides direct assistance or makes referrals to our partner agencies. Our services include an onsite Food Pantry with canned and dried goods and assistance with other emergency needs. To learn more, contact John Bisenius, Adult Clinical Services, at JohnB@jfcs.org or 650-688-3097.

Food Pantry
More than 1,000 families have benefited this past year from the generous donations to our Food Pantry in our Palo Alto and San Mateo locations. We are currently seeking volunteers to help maintain the pantry and ensure that the food is not expired and is readily accessible for families in need. Contact Pauline Shulman at PaulineS@jfcs.org or 650-931-1858 to volunteer.
Current and Upcoming Events

Free! Jewish Single Parents Support Group
Open to single fathers and mothers seeking support during and after their separation or divorce, the group will include open discussions, presentations, and social opportunities. This group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, in our JFCS San Mateo office – Eleanor Hass Koshland Center, 2001 Winward Way, Suite 200, San Mateo. Contact Diana Blank, LCSW, at 650-931-1855 or DianaB@jfcs.org to sign up or to receive more information.

Free! Support Group for Families Dealing with Serious Mental Illness
In partnership with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, JFCS offers a support group the fourth Tuesday of every month. Contact Laurel Woodard at 650-688-3073 to sign up or to receive more information

Free! Meal Delivery Program for Adults and Children with Disabilities
“Chicken Soupers” is a program primarily for members of the Jewish community with disabilities or a chronic illness who would benefit from home delivered meals and healthful snacks that nourish the body and uplift the spirit. Family members caring for an adult or child with an illness or disability are eligible. Contact John Bisenius, Adult Clinical Services, at johnb@jfcs.org or 650-688-3097 for more information.

Featured Event

Magic, Science, and Wizardry Camp (entering 4th and 5th graders)
Join “Professor Kirk” and other Harry Potter fans this summer. Learn to perform magic for an audience with poise and skill, demonstrate an understanding of the science behind the magic, and––as a grand finale––perform a magic show for friends and family. This camp is designed for those youngsters who need to develop their social skills, self-confidence, and friendships. With Kirk Stuepfer, MSW, PPSC. July 30 –Aug. 3, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. $350. To register or receive more information, call 650-688-3040 or email SandraSt@jfcs.org. 

Free! Maintain Job Search Momentum
Do you get overwhelmed by the job search tasks and find it hard to stay motivated? Join this interactive workshop, co-sponsored by Jewish Vocational Services and JFCS, and explore ways to take care of yourself and, ultimately, get the job you want. Tues., May 22, 6:30 am – 8:30 pm. At Palo Alto JFCS, 200 Channing Ave. Reservations are required. To register, call 415-782-6225 or go to www.JVS.org.

Free! Financial Options in Tough Times
We will help you navigate community resources and more effectively deal with the current economic crisis. Learn the guidelines for unemployment extensions, ways to handle your debt, options for keeping your home, and the processes for loan applications. This roundtable is co-hosted by John Bisenius, LCSW, and Agnes Williams, CRE, Alain Pinel Realty. Tues., June 12, 5:30 am – 7:00 pm. At Palo Alto JFCS, 200 Channing Ave. Reservations are required. To register, call John at 650-688-3097 or email him at JohnB@jfcs.org.

Looking for Volunteers

To volunteer for one or more of our many programs or services, contact Pauline Shulman at PaulineS@jfcs.org or 650-931-1858 or Bobbie Bornstein at BobbiB@jfcs.org or 650-688-3090. Following are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities for you:

Volunteer for 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 weekly visits. In just four hours a month—taking a walk together, having coffee, or listening during difficult times— volunteers can brighten a Peninsula senior’s day. We provide training and support.

Volunteer for the JFCS RIDES Program
For many isolated seniors and adults with disabilities, getting around in their communities is a huge challenge. You can help! Seniors•At•Home, a division of JFCS, is seeking volunteer drivers for our JFCS RIDES program. You can make a big difference in seniors’ lives by driving them to medical appointments or helping with grocery shopping—it only takes a few hours a month! We offer a flexible schedule, monthly training, and, if desired, reimbursement for mileage. For more information, contact Bobbi Bornstein at 650-688-3090.

Volunteer at Café Luncheon
Café Luncheon is an educational and entertaining lunch program sponsored by Café by the Bay, a program at which Holocaust survivors gather not only to discuss Holocaust issues, but also to enjoy each other's company, live music, and social and educational activities. Volunteers are needed for setting up, greeting guests, schmoozing, and cleaning up.

Volunteer for Canine Corps
Are you a dog lover who wants to share your fabulous pet with others? Canine Corps matches human/canine teams to visit with seniors in their homes on a weekly basis. For seniors who are dog lovers but may not be able to have their own dog, this program provides them with an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful furry companion on a regular basis. Volunteers must have their own well-socialized dog. We will soon begin five-week training sessions for new volunteers in our San Francisco and San Mateo offices. For more information, contact Masha Perelman-Tikhman at 415-359-2477 or MashaP@jfcs.org.

Volunteer for Parents Place
Join our parent educators, parents, and children in our state-of-the-art playroom. Interact with children and families in a variety of activities offered throughout the week. With a minimum of a two-hour commitment per week, our volunteers gain valuable work experience and essential skills in child/family and parent education.

Volunteer for Administrative Office Unpaid Internships
Throughout the year, office administrative interns or volunteers provide invaluable support to our various programs. Your schedule is based on your availability and areas of expertise. Join us in a fun and stimulating environment.

Holocaust Survivor Programs

Café by the Bay
Café by the Bay offers monthly programs of interest for Holocaust survivors. To receive more information about the next program or to arrange for a ride, contact Bobbi Bornstein at 650-688-3090 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Reparations Claims Assistance
Jewish Family and Children’s Services continues to provide assistance to survivors with Holocaust reparations claims. Click here for details.

Other Parents Place Services

Parent Education and Professional Development at Your Location
Parents Place presents more than 150 workshops annually for parents at local libraries, schools, PTAs, synagogues, churches, and other public organizations. We also offer professional development seminars for educators. Our presenters and consultants are professional parenting educators and child and adolescent development experts who have extensive experience in working with parents, children, teachers, and school administrators.To schedule a workshop at your location, contact Sandra Stein at SandraSt@jfcs.org, call 650-330-3021, or go to www.parentsplaceonline.org.

Bullying Prevention Program
Drawing upon the latest research on bullying prevention and the development of social and emotional skills in school-age children, from preschool through high school, our Bullying Prevention Program provides in-services and training throughout the Bay Area to administrators, teachers, parents, and other concerned community members. For more information, contact Holly Pedersen, MFT, PhD, Community Education Director/Family Violence Coordinator, at 415-359-2442 or HollyP@jfcs.org.

Center for Special Needs
Parents Place on the Peninsula has a Center for Special Needs in Palo Alto and San Mateo that provides comprehensive care for children with learning, behavioral, physical, developmental, neurological, and emotional disabilities. We offer assessment and diagnosis, planning and coordination of services, mental health counseling, advocacy with schools and health professionals, and speech/language and occupational therapy. FFor more information about the Center for Special Needs, contact Mimi Ezray at 650-688-3028 or MimiE@jfcs.org.

Preschool Social Skills Group
This 10-session group is for preschool/pre-k children who are experiencing difficulties in social settings. The group will incorporate preschool-like activities such as interactive play, games, books, music, and movement. Children will learn how to interact with peers in a group setting and practice these skills. The group also includes a parent component. Group leaders are Kirk Stuepfert, MSW, and Cindy Berenstein-Sibly. Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:00 pm. $900 for 10 sessions. To obtain more information and to learn when the next session begins, contact Kirk at 650-688-3049 or KirkS@jfcs.org.

Social Skills Group for Children in Kindergarten – 1st Grade
This 10-session social skills group is for children in kindergarten – 1st grade who are experiencing difficulties is social settings. Children will learn how to interact with peers in a group setting and practice skills such as joining a group, making eye contact, sharing and cooperating, listening, and resolving conflicts. The group also includes a parent component. Group leaders are Kirk Stuepfert, MSW, and Cindy Bernestein-Sibly. Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:00 pm. $900 for 10 sessions. Preregistration is required. To obtain more information and to learn when the next session begins, contact Kirk at 650-688-3049 or KirkS@jfcs.org.

Youth Programs

Kavod Crew
YouthFirst's Kavod Crew is a volunteer program for teens who would like to become more active in the Jewish community. Monthly service learning events address the needs of diverse communities in San Francisco and Marin County and on the Peninsula. Activities include holiday outreach, visiting seniors, delivering meals to JFCS clients, and much more! To receive a calendar of all Kavod Crew volunteer events, contact Pauline Shulman at PaulineS@jfcs.org or 650-931-1858.

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