Unless otherwise noted, all events are virtual. Some events require an RSVP or enrollment in our programs, so please confirm your spot in advance. Please check directly with JFS on program dates, as dates may change.
We live in a hectic, fast-paced world now made more challenging by the ongoing pandemic. More people are experiencing stress and anxiety and are reaching out for tools to help them cope with our complex reality.
To address the rising need, Jewish Family Services is offering Mindful Mondays, a free, virtual mindful training program offered every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to noon through Dec. 13.
Using the Zoom platform, the sessions are free, but registration is required at Mindful Mondays registration link. Once registered, participants will receive a link to join each session. Participants may attend one or all virtual sessions.
Mindfulness is a practice anchored in science and focused on being intensely aware of what an individual is sensing and feeling in the moment without interpretation of judgement.
Led by Sondra Wallace, MSED, JFS YouBeYou and Mental Health Coalition Coordinator and Julia Grimm, LMLP, JFS therapist.
Weekly themes:
Sept. 27: Self-Compassion
Oct. 4: Generosity
Oct. 11: Non-Judging
Oct. 18: Body Scan
Oct. 25: Letting Go
Nov. 1: Sitting with Emotions
Nov. 8: Trust
Nov. 15: Values
Nov. 29: Generosity
Dec. 6: Acceptance
Dec. 13: Patience
For more information, contact Sondra Wallace at swallace@jfskc.org.
We are hosting a free community Health Fair at our Brookside East office and food pantry from 1-3 p.m., Oct 1, 425 East 63rd St.
Participants will have the opportunity to receive free services provided by JFS and several of its community partners including:
- Medicaid or Medicare counseling
- COVID-19 vaccine shots
- HIV testing
- Medical assistance
- Food and household items
- Information about JFS’ Counseling and Wellness programs.
“Taking care of your mental and physical health often takes a back a seat when you are struggling financially and facing food and housing insecurities. We see this everyday among our clients,” said Maggie Haghirian, LMSW,director of KesherKC, JFS’ social service and food pantry program.
“Neglecting your health can obviously lead to other ongoing challenges for you and your family,” she said. “We are excited to offer and provide access to many free healthcare services along with our other community partners.
The October 1 Health Fair is open to the public – no registration is required. Participating community partners are KC CARE Health Center, Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet and Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center. JFS provides human services for people facing challenges in everyday life or times of crisis — regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle.
Facing infertility and family building challenges are hard, but you don’t have to suffer alone. Join Priya for the Bloom Support Group to find community, connections and support. We will meet virtually in a welcoming atmosphere to share our individual journeys.
Priya, a program of Jewish Family Services, offers Jewish individuals and families emotional support, resource connection, spiritual guidance and financial assistance with fertility treatments and adoption.
Every story is different, and we embrace all people along their paths to parenthood. Open to anyone touched by infertility or adoption.
Note: This support group is facilitated by the Molly Hess, Priya Program Manager, who is not a mental health professional. If you are seeking mental health support, JFS can help. Contact 913-327-8250 or email navigator@jfskc.org.
Register for the Bloom Support Group: https://forms.gle/sEZY4kigssnyycbq8
For more information about Priya, contact Molly Hess at mhess@jfskc.org.
Our food choices have a profound effect how we feel not only physically but mentally, emotionally and psychologically. Learn about ways to incorporate plant-based meals into your daily diet during Learn, Laugh & Love: “The Surprising Benefits of Plant Based Nutrition,” at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 presented by Jewish Family Services and The J.
“Many of the nutrients we need to survive and thrive are not only found in plants first, but they are actually better absorbed and digested. Studies have shown that a plant-based diet can positively impact feelings of anxiety, depression and fatigue,” said Lauren Glass, LCSW, with JFS, and presenter of the virtual event.
Glass is also certified in plant-based nutrition and is a certified yoga Instructor. She has many years of experience working with older adults, children and families. Glass gravitates towards cognitive behavioral therapy and solution focused therapy in her work. Her favorite techniques involve breathing, mindful movement and other short meditative practices clients can freely access whenever and wherever needed.
Register for the free event at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAscu6grDgjGN2zLAyEHSfNTj2NGo-9u1Nt. After registering, a Zoom link will be sent. The Learn Laugh & Love series is sponsored by Jewish Family Services and The Heritage Center at The J. For questions, please contact Susie Hurst, JFS Director of Family Life Education, at susieh@jfskc.org.
Learn more about the critical challenges facing Kansas Citians and how JFS is responding during our virtual speaker series.
In our second session, Kerry Scott, LCSW, Child and Family Therapist, will share stories of the increased anxiety facing children and parents today due to the pandemic, the effective strategies for tackling current challenges, and the hope JFS provides. Register here.
“Working with more than 10,000 individuals a year, our team has a unique lens into the complicated problems facing Kansas Citians. This series is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the critical social issues we’re collectively tackling,” said Don Goldman, Executive Director and CEO of JFS. “It’s also an opportunity to have a dialog with us about the evolving challenges due to the pandemic.”
Learn more about the critical challenges facing Kansas Citians and how JFS is responding during our virtual speaker series.
For our last session, Sondra Wallace, YouBeYou and Mental Health Coalition Coordinator and chair of the Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition will share how our youth, schools, and adults are using the YouBeYou resources, Sources of Strength model, and JFS services to build communities of strength anchored in caring, connected, positive relationships and social networks. Register here.
“Working with more than 10,000 individuals a year, our team has a unique lens into the complicated problems facing Kansas Citians. This series is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the critical social issues we’re collectively tackling,” said Don Goldman, Executive Director and CEO of JFS. “It’s also an opportunity to have a dialog with us about the evolving challenges due to the pandemic.”
Kemper Museum Docent, Lynne Bock, leads “Social and personal narratives in contemporary art” for the December virtual edition of Learn Laugh & Love. How does social history combine with the stories of individual artists in contemporary artworks? How are these stories about self and society visible to us? Our impressions of stories told by artworks may change over time. Let’s look at works from Kemper Museum’s Permanent Collection to explore together how we find social histories and artists’ stories in works of contemporary art. This tour will include works from our current exhibition celebrating the Missouri Bicentennial.
Please be ready to voice your thoughts throughout this online conversation! Click here to register.
The Learn Laugh & Love series is sponsored by Jewish Family Services and The Heritage Center at The J.
Please join Jewish Family Services’ Priya program for an engaging, interactive discussion about the future of women’s health from the Jewish perspective. This special event will be held online at 6:30 p.m. on July 20, 2022.
Our expert panel will discuss fertility treatment, women’s healthcare and rights in the wake of Roe v Wade being overturned. Hear the perspectives of a local doctor, reproductive lawyer, Rabbi and a past Priya client.
This virtual program will be moderated by Molly Hess, Program Manager of Priya, and is sponsored by JFS, Priya, Congregation Beth Torah, and the National Council of Jewish Women. Registration is required.
If you would like to watch the webinar with community members, Congregation Beth Torah will host a live viewing.
Panelists:
Christina Miller, JD – Attorney Managing Member of Reproductive Family Law Center
Rabbi Monica Kleinman – Director of Lifelong Learning – Congregation Beth Torah
Lindsey Lipsky – Sasone Program Director and Priya grant recipient
Dr. Bret Gordon, DO Obstetrics and Gynecology
JFS is proud to support this resource for our community. This is the only local chapter of GRASP and a unique space for individuals who have lost a loved one to substance use.
Watch our support group leaders explain GRASP here and learn more about this program in here.
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- Registration is required. Please register at here.