Jewish Family Services

Supporting and strengthening lives throughout Greater Kansas City.

  • About Us
    • About JFS
    • Board of Directors
    • JFS Leadership
    • Financials
    • Media Corner
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Services
    • Services Overview
    • Chaplaincy
    • Priya
    • Mental Health and Education
    • Family Empowerment Program
    • Family Life Education
    • Food Pantry
    • KesherKC
    • LGBTQ Services
    • Older Adults
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Overview
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Donors
    • Friends of the Family 2021
    • Momentum KC
    • Fund for the Future
    • Legacy Society
    • Purchase Kesher KC Care Bags
    • Donate A Vehicle
  • JFS Blog
  • Contact Us

About JFS

Caring for our community.

Jewish Family Services (JFS) supports and strengthens lives throughout Greater Kansas City. We provide essential human services for people facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis — regardless of faith, age, culture or identity.

A highly-skilled and compassionate staff are dedicated to preserving the well-being, comfort, and dignity of others, always respecting the confidentiality of our clients. JFS proudly serves more than 10,000 people annually, more than half of whom are not Jewish.

JFS provides a breadth of related services, with the goal of helping people in difficult times get back on their own feet. Our service areas include KesherKC (social services and food pantry), Older Adult Services, Mental Health and Education, and Jewish Life including Chaplaincy.

Read our Services Overview.

Our History

Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City was founded on the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, one person, one family at a time.

We began in 1901 as United Jewish Charities when five volunteer relief agencies came together to legally incorporate. During its first 20 years, UJC established its responsibility to the Jewish Community.

Historical JFS Sketch_editWith no other Jewish communal organization in town, UJC began a bathhouse, a Jewish education program, a summer camp called “Bittersweet Camp,” basketball leagues, and resettlement services for Jews coming to America to build a better life. In 1919, we opened the Alfred Benjamin Dispensary with two purposes: to take care of the indigent, who could not afford medical care; and to provide a medical setting for Jewish physicians unable to secure residency in any other Kansas City hospital. The Dispensary eventually grew into the Menorah Medical Center, which precipitated the creation of the Jewish Heritage Foundation.

JFS was also the predecessor agency of the Jewish Federation and one of the founding eight agencies of the Heart of America United Way. In 1942, United Jewish Charities became United Jewish Social Services, Jewish Family Service in 1958, and Jewish Family & Children Services in 1964 as adoption services became a focus.

In 2006, our current name, Jewish Family Services was adopted. Regardless of our name, our mission of helping others in need, regardless of race or religion, has remained unchanged throughout our history.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Clients of Jewish Family Services have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, free of all discrimination, including that which is based on race, color, religion, gender, language, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or immigration status. We will make every reasonable accommodation to ensure your access to our programs and services.

Donate Now

Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity logo

JFS has the proud distinction of being honored as a 4-Star rated charity by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This distinction is awarded to the nation’s top charities demonstrating sound fiscal management practices and a commitment to accountability and transparency. It is awarded to only 1 in 4 charities of the thousands evaluated.

JFS supporters can feel confident that contributions are used efficiently and responsibly to advance our mission of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

Our rating and other information about charitable giving are available on www.charitynavigator.org.

JFS is a proud member of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies.

Jewish Family Services operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may file a Title VI complaint. Read more here.

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Copyright © 2023 Jewish Family Services
5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103 | Overland Park, KS 66211
913.327.8250 · info@jfskc.org

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