News & Impact

Parisa Sayani, a young Jewish-Iranian woman, came to this country almost three years ago with hope and determination … and little else. Denied access to adequate education in her homeland, she set her sights on the Academy of Art University’s School of Architecture in San Francisco. Having few resources, she juggled several jobs while carrying a full class load. Still, no matter how hard she worked, she couldn’t cover tuition, school supplies, and living expenses. Never losing hope, Parisa sought assistance through JFCS’ Educational Loans and Grants Program. It was a life-turning chapter in her educational journey. The agency… Read More

After surviving overt homophobia during the pre-Stonewall days and the devastation wrought by the AIDS crisis, countless older gay men and lesbians—many of whom were on the frontlines of the civil rights battles for the past 40 or 50 years—are creeping back into the closet. Gen Silent, the award-winning documentary to be screened at Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) in San Francisco on Thurs., Oct. 6, 6:00 pm, explains why. The hour-long film focuses on six LGBT seniors who face the challenges of aging and health issues while contending with a health-care system that seems oblivious to the needs… Read More

For more than 160 years, JFCS has been committed to making sure that those in our community who are hungry, or are at risk of hunger, have enough to eat. In addition to our Food Bank, which provides sustenance throughout the year to many of our clients in need in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, JFCS helps to nourish hundreds of individuals annually through a range of programs: Our Kosher Meals on Wheels program in San Francisco delivers hot, nutritious meals to frail, homebound seniors with a kosher tradition. We are proud of our… Read More

The desire to make the world a better place—tikkun olam—runs deeply in the veins of Yolanda Anyon’s family. “We grew up with stories of my grandfather, who was a labor activist,” she says, “and I heard from my parents about their anti-war activities during the Viet Nam era. I learned that working toward justice was part of a struggle rooted in the Jewish tradition.” Today, Yolanda carries on her family’s proud tradition. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in ethnic studies that focused on civil rights, she worked with community-based organizations in the East Bay, helping to develop… Read More

The desire to make the world a better place—tikkun olam—runs deeply in the veins of Yolanda Anyon’s family. “We grew up with stories of my grandfather, who was a labor activist,” she says, “and I heard from my parents about their anti-war activities during the Viet Nam era. I learned that working toward justice was part of a struggle rooted in the Jewish tradition.” Today, Yolanda carries on her family’s proud tradition. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in ethnic studies that focused on civil rights, she worked with community-based organizations in the East Bay, helping to develop… Read More

Helga was in her late 70s when she began walking down to Route 101 at all hours, waiting for the bus en route from Sonoma County to San Francisco. Once in the city, she wandered the streets lugging a valise stuffed with cash. Helga had sustained a brain injury in her 40s, but at that time had a husband, sister, and brother-in-law to look after her. After they had all died or become infirm themselves, she only had Loretta, her niece, and Loretta’s husband to see to her needs. The couple lived an hour away, and Loretta feared that something… Read More