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YouthFirst - Youth Development Programs

JFCS offers many programs for preteens and teens interested in learning about  leadership, Jewish identity, and service to the community. YouthFirst's goal is to help teens develop the necessary life skills to move into young adulthood smoothly, successfully, and responsibly.

See our menu of pages under this topic to find the right program for you:

JFCS YouthFirst programs are funded through program fees, the generous gifts of individuals, and foundation and corporate grants. Special thanks to the Koret Foundation, Fran and Bobby Lent / Levine-Lent Family Foundation, the Marcled Foundation, and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund for their leadership support on behalf of our community’s young people.


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"My greatest achievement as an intern this summer was not a type of physical aspect, but a mental one. Knowing that I completed this program and gave it my best effort is the greatest achievement I could ask for." — 16-year-old female student

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High School Student Gives Back
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Even during her mother’s terminal illness, high school student Sophie Mack remained an active contributor to teen leadership programs at JFCS, winning a 2012 Fammy Award for her courage and caring for others.

See Video

Contact: 

San Francisco: Taylor Epstein, Director of YouthFirst Programs;
TaylorE@jfcs.org; 415-359-2463

Masha Perelman Tikhman, YouthFirst Program Coordinator; MashaP@jfcs.org; 415-359-2477

The Peninsula: Pauline Shulman, YouthFirst Program Coordinator; PaulineS@jfcs.org; 650-931-1858

Marin County:Alli Darrow, YouthFirst Program Coordinator; 415-491-3641; AlliD@jfcs.org

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