News & Impact

What do Zoe Schwartz, Marsha Jacobs, Lynn Ganz, Miriam Sparrow, Ellen Mundell, Marlene Stein, and Bonnie Lasky all have in common? The dynamic septet are part of the Sonoma Leadership Council, a JFCS affiliate group that has come together to support JFCS’ outstanding services. “JFCS is like my favorite Jewish mother and father,” said Lynn, “tenaciously protecting, loving, nurturing, and strengthening their family.” The Leadership Council members are among many in the Bay Area who want to improve the lives of tens of thousands yearly through exceptional programs like Parents Place, Seniors At Home, Dream House, and… Read More

Every Hanukkah, Joyce and other residents at a local senior community look forward to seeing JFCS volunteers Mike, Kathy, and their two children, who bring holiday greetings and bags of traditional foods. “The treats are lovely,” says Joyce, “but what I most enjoy is the company. My children and grandkids live far away, so it’s nice to spend time with people I consider part of my extended family.” “Joyce is delightful,” says Mike, “and the kids have grown close to her over the years. We try to visit her and other local residents at Passover and the High Holidays, as… Read More

We need volunteers to assist with shopping. Please join us! For some, shopping isn’t just a fun outing. It’s also a life-affirming experience that brings meaning to their lives. That’s how Marin County JFCS volunteers Zhenya Fridman and Judy Barr see it. Zhenya and Judy are both members of JFCS’ Special Delivery Grocery Program–volunteers who shop weekly at a local grocery store and then deliver needed items to the homes of JFCS clients who can no longer get to the supermarket themselves. “I have elderly parents myself, so I know how difficult it can be for people to take care… Read More

Cleanerific, JFCS’ social enterprise, is not only receiving rave reviews from the many customers who use the green-friendly cleaning service to keep their homes and offices sparkling clean. Cleanerific’s employees, including Maria Linares, appreciate its mission: providing training, employment, medical benefits, and support so that they can become independent and advance in their lives. Maria is singlehandedly raising three children, including a 7-year-old with medical problems. It can be challenging, but Cleanerific helps ease the burden. It pays her a living wage, provides full benefits, and treats her with kindness and care. “They are very understanding,” Maria says of… Read More

JFCS has been invited to participate in the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative, a joint project of seven agencies that have come together to help city residents who are citizenship-eligible become naturalized citizens. JFCS invites you to help members of our community who are interested in becoming citizens to take the next steps. We are seeking volunteers, in the morning and the afternoon, to assist in a variety of capacities. Volunteers will: Help register applicants at the next free naturalization clinic (see details below). Help manage traffic flow. Fill out necessary paperwork, and more. The next naturalization clinic… Read More

Sarah Goldwasser is one of 43 Bay Area high school students gaining professional experience this summer through Youth First’s internship program. An incoming high school senior at Larkpsur’s Redwood High School, Sarah is working this summer for the Marin Independent Journal (IJ), where she is writing news briefs and articles. This is a great opportunity for Sarah, who loves to write and serves as Review Editor of her school newspaper. It is also her first real job, and she is thrilled to be getting paid. “My parents are very proud of me,” says Sarah, and “I’m learning what it’s… Read More