News & Impact

After a lifetime of independence, struggling with day-to-day tasks can feel demoralizing. For Jeanne Halpern, 90, having a little help at home has brought relief and newfound joy. For the past five years, Jeanne has called Rhoda Goldman Plaza—JFCS’ vibrant assisted living community—home. She prizes her independence, so when some tasks started to become challenging for her, the care team introduced her to Seniors At Home’s Personal Assistant Services. Jeanne has found more than help from her Personal Assistant, Q Miller; she’s found a friend. Q helps with calendar and home organization, errands, and appointments—but most importantly, brings laughter and… Read More

At JFCS’ Center for Dementia Care, we believe that healthy aging begins long before memory loss becomes a concern. Our team is dedicated to helping older adults maintain cognitive vitality, supporting those who may be at risk for—or simply worried about—memory changes, so they can stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. As part of this commitment, Seniors At Home recently adopted the Mind Sharpener™ program—an innovative cognitive wellness workshop that offers structured, engaging brain exercises in a supportive group environment. “I define healthy aging as being very well informed about all different topics related to aging and… Read More

For the past fourteen summers, the JFCS YouthFirst Summer Internship Program (now known as the Shmunis Internship Program) has connected hundreds of high school students with Bay Area businesses, offering them meaningful opportunities to explore career paths aligned with their interests. This summer, one of those students joined the JFCS Marketing and Development team with a passion for storytelling. Her project: to interview a Holocaust survivor and transform their testimony into both a written blog and a short video—an unforgettable experience in honoring memory through narrative. We’re deeply grateful for the dedication Poppy brought to her time with JFCS. A… Read More

Simon Miller, volunteer with JFCS’ Legal Services Program: When I first started volunteering with JFCS, I was looking for a way to feel more rooted in my community. I began with grocery deliveries—a simple way to offer help that fit easily into my week. I didn’t expect that a one-off request to accompany a client to the Social Security office would become one of the most meaningful days I’ve spent as a volunteer. The client, Katya, is 77 years old. She recently became a U.S. citizen with support from JFCS and needed to update her records with the Social Security… Read More

The JFCS Shmunis Internship Program (SIP) is a six-week, paid summer experience that matches high school students with real-world internships in healthcare, business, education, tech, environmental advocacy, and more. In addition to their placements, interns participate in dynamic workshops that emphasize career readiness and workplace skills development. Each workshop equips teens with tools they need to thrive, from resume writing and interview skills to understanding their personal values and ethics. Interns also explore emerging topics like artificial intelligence and digital collaboration, helping them prepare for the world they’re stepping into. Perhaps most importantly, interns become part of a supportive network… Read More

With visionary support from the Shmunis family, JFCS is expanding its summer internship program to help more teens prepare for life beyond high school. This summer, high school students across the Bay Area are gaining more than just work experience—they’re discovering purpose, building confidence, and stepping into adulthood with the support of the newly expanded JFCS Shmunis Internship Program (SIP). The program’s growth has been made possible by the leadership and generosity of Vlad and Sana Shmunis, who have established the Shmunis Youth Endowment Fund to strengthen and expand opportunities for local teens. A Transformational Opportunity for Teens The… Read More