Nonprofit Serving Coloradans In Need For Over 152 Years

Photos courtesy of JFS Colorado | A volunteer distributes food at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry, one of the ways Jewish Family Service helps our community.

Founded 152 years ago, Jewish Family Service is a nonprofit human services organization that serves anyone in need regardless of their circumstances or religious beliefs. The agency currently offers more than 30 programs and services, from food security to housing stability; mental health counseling; aging care; employment support; refugee resettlement; chaplaincy and Jewish life; disability services; and aeroponic farming.

There’s not a lot that JFS does not help with, and its holistic approach to assessing various needs strengthens families and communities, helping everyone to reach their full potential. Although it seems an overwhelming task, JFS is up to the challenge, providing 145,141 services to 32,338 clients across multiple programs in 2023.

According to a 2021 Hunger Free Colorado Survey, 33% of Coloradans lack reliable access to nutritious food, and 16% of the state’s children are not getting adequate nutrition due to financial constraints. That has lasting health effects and can lead to malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, chronic diseases and more.

Enter the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry and Mobile Food & Hygiene Pantry, which assists individuals and families facing hunger and food insecurity. Linda P. Foster, JFS president and CEO, shares, “For some, the pantry helps in emergency situations; for others, it provides supplemental food to make ends meet without sacrificing a family’s health and well-being.”

The pantry provides shelf-stable food as well as fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, frozen protein and breads. Baby food, infant formula, diapers, toiletries and personal hygiene items are also available.

Pre-pandemic, the pantry provided food assistance to 40 to 45 households per day; it now serves more than 150 households daily. From July 2023 through January 2024, it served more than 15,000 households, feeding nearly 40,000 people.

Another area that the JFS can help with is employment services. A variety of free virtual and in-person workshops, training and one-on-one support is offered to help people re-enter the workforce.

“The classes we offer on customer service, AutoCAD and digital literacy can really make an impact and help people gain the skills, confidence and education to land a job,” says Foster. Through career coaching and its job search accelerator, JFS is dedicated to helping people obtain meaningful jobs that can change lives. The team also works to find jobs for resettled refugees.

Mental health services are another cornerstone of JFS. “Everyone deserves access to affordable mental health care,” says Foster.

JFS places therapists in schools throughout the Denver metro area to provide free mental health services to students and their families through the KidSuccess program. The therapists promote a positive, inclusive school culture for students that fosters achievement, high self-esteem, resiliency and personal responsibility.

Additionally, JFS provides therapy on an outpatient basis to refugee individuals and families who are adjusting to life in Colorado. Skilled, culturally competent psychotherapists utilize trained medical interpreters to promote healthy work, school and family relationships. They also provide trauma-informed therapy.

You can support the life-changing work of Jewish Family Service through volunteering, attending a fundraiser or simply spreading the word about the vast ways JFS helps our community.