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.
Join artist and gardener, Karen Lyman as she shares the latest tips and techniques to create fabulous containers beyond red geraniums and spikes during a free virtual presentation.
Based on the elements of fine design, Lyman will present everything you need to know to make your next container garden a work of art. A Johnson County Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Lyman combines her art background and gardening knowledge to create many fabulous container gardens for herself and others to enjoy.
The free virtual program is part of the Learn Laugh & Love series sponsored by Jewish Family Services and The Heritage Center at The J. Register to receive the Zoom link at Meeting Registration – Zoom.
For questions, please contact Susie Hurst, JFS Director of Family LifeEducation, at susieh@jfskc.org.
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.
JFS is hosting a free Vaccination Clinic from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 in the White Theatre at The J, 5801 W 115th St, Overland Park, KS.
Pfizer Covid19 vaccines and flu shots will be offered. The Pfizer booster shots will be for ages 65+ or individuals with underlying medical conditions, and essential workers (teachers, grocery workers, and healthcare workers).
Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, email info@jfskc.org.
Learn how to bring mindfulness into your home when JFS presents “Get Calm and Connected: Mindful Parenting,” a free, virtual workshop at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, via Zoom.
During the interactive workshop, parents and caregivers will learn practices to help with the challenges of parenting and valuable techniques to implement into their family’s daily life.
Mindful Parenting can help parents manage stress, better care for their own well-being, and nurture the parent-child connection. The workshop will be facilitated by Wendy Anderson and Lauren Glass, both licensed clinical social workers with JFS.
Registration is required: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Confirmation and a final Zoom link will be sent after registration is received.
“Get Calm and Connected: Mindful Parenting” convening organizations are Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Beth Torah, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, The J, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
For more information, contact Susie Hurst, JFS Director of Family Life Education/CHAI Program at susieh@jfskc.org or (913) 327-8259.
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.”
Jewish Family Services (JFS) is a hosting a free community Health Fair at its Brookside East office and food pantry – 425 East 63rd Street in Kansas City on October 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. 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 29 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.
Kemper Museum Docent, Lydumyla Savinkova, will lead attendees “Exploring our emotions through contemporary art.” Participants in this 1-hour online tour will take note of the expression of an artist’s emotions through a physical form in diverse artworks from Kemper Museum’s Permanent collection. Lyudmyla will invite discussion and provide information about modern and contemporary artists and their practices, focused on self-exploration and emotion. Contemporary art allows us to glimpse into the artist’s inner world and realize the connection of the spontaneous and the deliberate in the choices an artist has made. What emotions in us as viewers may these artworks evoke in response?
Please be ready to voice your thoughts throughout this online conversation!
This program is free, but reservations are requested by calling The Heritage Center reception desk at 913-327-8044. 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.
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.”