News & Impact

There’s nothing like nuzzling with a friendly, four-legged creature that has plenty of unconditional love to share. Scientific and empirical evidence indicates that animals offer comfort and joy to isolated seniors battling with depression. While numerous pet therapy programs exist, JFCS’ Canine Corps program is unique because it fosters ongoing and meaningful three-way relationships between clients, volunteers, and their dogs. Barking up the Right Tree For eight years JFCS has been matching trained canine companions and their owners with clients in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma County, and the Peninsula. Like many JFCS initiatives, the program is designed to help the… Read More

Jewish Family and Children’s Services has a new mailing address in San Francisco. We have not moved, but if you are mailing anything to our offices in San Francisco, please be sure to use the P.O. Box address that is required by the Post Office. If you send something to our street address, it will not reach us. Mailing Address: Jewish Family & Children’s Services P.O. Box 159004 San Francisco, CA 94115 – Physical Address: The Miriam Schultz Grunfeld Professional Building 2150 Post Street San Francisco, CA… Read More

A trained scientist and a gifted pediatrician, Dr. Jan Maisel has contributed to the development and creation of children’s programs at JFCS for nearly two decades. Jan’s clinical eye was instrumental in the creation of the Center for Special Needs for children, among others. Jan has also participated and chaired numerous committees. She and her husband established a Named Endowment Fund in honor of their son’s graduation from high school and are a part of JFCS’ Carob Tree Society. Jan believes her work with JFCS gives her an opportunity to give back to others saying, “I deeply believe in tikkun… Read More

Eugene and Elinor Friend set an incredible example of philanthropy for their children. Through their involvement with various organizations in the community, they showed their deep connection to their home and their heritage. Their story spans more than a century. As an Eastern European Jewish immigrant in New York City around the end of the19th century, Gene’s father was drawn to the western frontier, a place without barriers or discrimination. Elly moved to California from El Paso, Texas and met Gene while attending UC Berkeley. They married in 1940 and started a family. Though the two shared a passion for… Read More

Daryl Messinger’s collaboration with Jewish Family and Children’s Services started more than 20 years ago. Shortly after she and Jim Heeger joined Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos in the early 1990s, Daryl quickly heeded the call to service. At that time, Beth Am had partnered with JFCS to help resettle and acculturate emigres from the former Soviet Union and Daryl chaired the congregation’s émigré committee. In 1998, Paul Resnick recruited Daryl onto JFCS’ board of directors and by 1999 she was board treasurer, then vice president from 2002 through 2005. Both Daryl and Jim found inspiration to serve their… Read More

Half of Bay Area residents over 85 are currently experiencing some form of dementia, and by 2020, the region is expected to see a 49% increase in residents with Alzheimer’s disease – not including other related conditions. With so many individuals and their families facing the challenges of these conditions, the need for dedicated local support has never been greater. That’s why, one year ago, JFCS launched the Center for Dementia Care—part of Seniors At Home, the Bay Area’s largest provider of senior care—and took a pioneering leap in enhanced support for people with Dementia-related conditions, and their families… Read More