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.
Learn more about the critical challenges facing Kansas Citians and how JFS is responding during our virtual speaker series.
For our third session, join us for a conversation with Jo Hickey, Director of Pantry Partnerships, and Maggie Haghirian, LMSW, KesherKC Director, who will share their firsthand knowledge of clients’ daily challenges and vast network of collaborative partners working to provide effective solutions. 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.”
Medicare re-enrollment is just around the corner and Jewish Family Services is offering free consultations to help individuals sort through options and save money. Dec. 7 is the last day to enroll. Our experts will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Medicare counseling is by appointment only for all Medicare-eligible current and new JFS clients regardless of income. Appointments are offered via Zoom, in-person or phone.
Medicare experts Kelly G. Loeb, MSW, and Liz Conaway Muensch, JFS Older Adult Care Managers, provide impartial, unbiased counseling and education. JFS does not provide insurance, brokerage services and has no financial stake in assisting beneficiaries with Medicare choices.
“Our main goal is to help educate and save people money,” said Kelly G. Loeb. Last year, individuals who received JFS Medicare counseling enjoyed an average savings of $2,805 per person for a collective total savings of $790,409.
“Even if a beneficiary’s medications haven’t changed in a year, it’s still a good idea to review coverage – savings can come from switching pharmacies, using a mail order service for or even receiving some medications at no cost through patient assistance programs,” Kelly said.
During the 30- to 60-minute consultations, plan details including prescription and other healthcare savings will be discussed. Individuals must bring a current list of prescription medications and their red, white, and blue Medicare cards.
To schedule an appointment for free Medicare counseling, call (913) 327-8278 or email medicare@jfskc.org. Have questions? View our most commonly asked Medicare Counseling FAQs 2021.
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.
Help stock our Food Pantry! The most needed items in December are crackers, canned chicken, paper towels, and vegetable oil.
During the Community Food Drive, drop off will be in the front circle drive of the Jewish Community Campus where JFS volunteers and staff will take items directly from cars.
Did you know that each month, Jewish Family Services provides more than 800 families with food and non-perishable items through the two locations of its food pantry? Approximately 50 percent of the items in the pantry are donations from the public through JFS food drives.
While JFS is happy to accept any shelf-stable food or personal care items, the most needed things for this month are pasta, kidney beans, and canned fruit.
In conjunction with Martin Luther King Day and to honor his memory, JFS is providing an act of service opportunity on Friday, Jan. 14 taking donations at its Brookside location from 3-5 p.m. Those participating are asked to drive into a numbered parking space and call the number on the sign. Volunteers and staff will be ready to accept your donations.
Donations can also be dropped off in the JFS barrel in the lobby of the Jewish Community Campus during business hours or at the Brookside office with an appointment by calling (816) 333-1172. Donors may also purchase items for the food pantry directly through the JFS Pantry Wish List on Amazon or make a financial contribution to the pantry at jfskc.org.
Did you know that each month, Jewish Family Services provides more than 800 families with food and non-perishable items through the two locations of its food pantry? Approximately 50 percent of the items in the pantry are donations from the public through JFS food drives.
While JFS is happy to accept any shelf-stable food or personal care items, the most needed things for this month are pasta, kidney beans, and canned fruit. On Sunday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to Noon JFS will hold its monthly Communitywide Food Drive at the Jewish Community Center campus. Please drop off donations in barrels located in the front circle drive.
Donations can also be dropped off in the JFS barrel in the Jewish Community Campus’ lobby during business hours or at the Brookside office with appointment by calling (816) 333-1172. Donors may also purchase items for the food pantry directly through the JFS Pantry Wish List on Amazon or make a financial contribution to the pantry at jfskc.org.