News & Impact

One of our most cherished volunteers, Dr. Larry Hill recalls that he first became intimately acquainted with JFCS eight years ago when he picked up a brochure at Congregation Emanu-El after services one evening, called the number on the back, and asked if there was a role for him. His timing could not have been more fortuitous. JFCS’ Redwing Keyssar, the director of our Palliative Care and End of Life program, had just begun asking her contacts if they knew a doctor who could help. At the time the program was still in its planning stages and she saw the… Read More

When Annie’s husband, Dennis, passed away she was initially overcome with sorrow. For five years Dennis had suffered from Alzheimer’s, and Annie, 78, had been his loving primary caregiver. He was the focus of her life just as he had been for over 50 years. Now that Dennis was gone Annie suddenly felt lost and unsure how to move forward with life on her own. Months after his death, Annie wasn’t coping well—sleep was elusive and she had lost her appetite. Dennis’ death brought more than just sadness and grief for Annie. It emerged that Dennis had left their estate… Read More

Adolescence is a time when children and parents begin to spend less time together. It is a time when teens begin to develop their independence, understand their place in the world, and begin to work out their own values and beliefs. It can be especially challenging to connect with teens who may seem like they don’t want anything to do with you. And with busy schedules it can be all too easy to share the same space with another family member without really connecting. Your child still needs a strong relationship with you to feel safe and secure as they… Read More

From the first day of life humans are social beings. Upon a separation from a caregiver a baby rightfully senses danger and their nervous system pumps hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline through the body to activate the flight or fight response. Separation anxiety at this age of development is not just common, but expected. While the purpose and function of anxiety is to trigger our nervous system to respond, adapt, and survive a dangerous situation, our response systems can misfire. We can cause a “false alarm” to our nervous system when we misperceive an experience or situation as dangerous when it… Read More

Services for individuals with disabilities are not always easy to find and while some organizations are reducing their services, JFCS offers one of the most comprehensive programs for individuals with disabilities and their families in Northern California. The determined young woman, Nona Miloslavsky, is living out her dreams while getting the support she needs to thrive. She was recently honored at JFCS’ Fammy Awards Gala. Nona Miloslavsky is a spirited and determined young woman who has benefited from JFCS’ People with Disabilities Program. When Nona was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at age six, her parents knew that… Read More

Maysie, 6, and Kendra, 14, are sisters living on the Peninsula. Last year was a very hard year for Kendra. Right when she started high school, a friend in her circle committed suicide and Kendra suddenly wasn’t doing well socially or academically. Alarmed, her parents, Elisa and Daniel, contacted JFCS’ Parents Place for help. Elisa wasn’t new to Parents Place; she had visited many times when Maysie, who has Down Syndrome, was a toddler. “Dan and I thought we had been through the worst after Maysie was born and I went through post partum depression, but it was horrible seeing… Read More