As Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) approaches its centennial mark of serving residents of all ages, faiths and ethnicities, the nonprofit is embarking on a campaign to raise funds to support a new facility and renovate its existing building.
Just in the past 15 years, community needs and JFCS’ response has greatly grown. To accommodate more than double the clients, JFCS staff and its budget have both tripled since 2001, when the agency moved into its current location at 6261 Dupont Station Court, according to Kathy Wohlhuter, CFRE, JFCS Director of Development & Marketing.
JFCS provides crucial services to families in need, including emergency financial assistance and financial assistance case management, a food pantry, counseling for individuals, couples and families, adoption services, community-based prevention and child welfare services, senior services and programs responding to the unique cultural needs of the Jewish community.
The bottom line is that the JFCS has outgrown its current building. The lack of space presents safety concerns, affects client privacy and stymies day-to-day operations. “Most importantly, the dignity of our clients is compromised,” said Wohlhuter. But, thanks to the generosity of many caring donors, JFCS has raised over $3.1 million to date toward the $4.5 million goal.
The new building in Baymeadows, at 8540 Baycenter Road, will enable JFCS to continue its prevention and education focus in helping solve some of the community’s most pressing problems. It will host the administration offices and all services except for the food pantry and children’s services and counseling. Also at the new building a Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Community exhibit will be built. The current location will increase the size of its food pantry, create at a clothing closet and work with the child welfare system.
For information about how to contribute, contact Kathy Wohlhuter at (904) 394-5727 or at [email protected].
An office building in Baymeadows will be renovated to provide a new home for Jewish Family and Community Services.
