Jewish Family Services

Supporting and strengthening lives throughout Greater Kansas City.

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January Volunteer of the Month – Robert Simmons

Robert Simmons is our first Volunteer of the Month for 2022!

At times, Robert Simmons has volunteered for JFS as many as four days a week. His favorite JFS experiences have been meeting people in his cooking classes and interacting with them at the JFS Health Fairs.

Robert grew up in the southern area of Kansas City and after graduating from high school, he moved to Atlanta, where he attended Morehouse College and the Georgia Institute of Technology. After working six years in Atlanta and Detroit, Robert returned to Kansas City, where he trained at Fred Pryor Seminars, and he eventually worked as a trainer for the company.

“I worked as a trainer with several local companies and organizations,” said Robert Simmons. “After traveling extensively and having a young daughter, I decided to find travel-free employment.”

Robert found a new opportunity as a Career Transition Specialist at Job Corps. He helped young people transition from Job Corps into the next chapter of their lives. While he was satisfied working at Job Corps, Robert received some unexpected news.

“One day, I was informed that due to a reorganization, they were eliminating my position,” said Robert.

Robert turned to Jewish Family Services for assistance.

“JFS offered me case management, a pantry, and cooking class,” said Robert. “I wanted to give back since JFS had been so helpful to me.”

“Robert Simmons has been a delightful volunteer serving as a Health Fair volunteer, a neighborhood market greeter, and at an off-site food distribution center,” said Vicki Johansen, JFS’s Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. “He is very personable and well-liked by everyone.”

While he volunteered at two other organizations before the pandemic, Robert revealed why he continues to come back and volunteer at JFS. “JFS is a wonderful experience for volunteering because people are kind, caring, and resourceful,” said Robert.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the volunteer engagement team at (913) 730-1410 or volunteer@jfskc.org.

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Upcoming Events

Jul
11
Mon
11:30 am Mindful Mondays 2022 (April 18 t... @ Virtual
Mindful Mondays 2022 (April 18 t... @ Virtual
Jul 11 @ 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Mindful Mondays 2022 (April 18 to August 29) @ Virtual
JFSKC’s Mental Health Programs Team is pleased to announce that it will continue to offer the free virtual Mindful Mondays program from 11:30 AM to Noon.  Sondra Wallace, MSED, JFS YouBeYou, and Mental Health Coalition[...]
Jul
17
Sun
10:00 am JFS Community Food Drive – July ... @ Jewish Community Center
JFS Community Food Drive – July ... @ Jewish Community Center
Jul 17 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
JFS Community Food Drive - July 2022 @ Jewish Community Center
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? Food drives help ensure our guests have a[...]
Jul
18
Mon
11:30 am Mindful Mondays 2022 (April 18 t... @ Virtual
Mindful Mondays 2022 (April 18 t... @ Virtual
Jul 18 @ 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Mindful Mondays 2022 (April 18 to August 29) @ Virtual
JFSKC’s Mental Health Programs Team is pleased to announce that it will continue to offer the free virtual Mindful Mondays program from 11:30 AM to Noon.  Sondra Wallace, MSED, JFS YouBeYou, and Mental Health Coalition[...]
Jul
20
Wed
11:30 am JFSKC Grief & Loss Support
JFSKC Grief & Loss Support
Jul 20 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
The JFSKC Grief and Loss Support Group meet each first and third Wednesday of each month. The ongoing support group is for individuals grieving the death of a loved one. The group provides an opportunity[...]
6:30 pm Women’s Health Panel @ Virtual
Women’s Health Panel @ Virtual
Jul 20 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Women’s Health Panel @ Virtual
​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. [...]
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Copyright © 2022 Jewish Family Services
5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103 | Overland Park, KS 66211
913.327.8250 · info@jfskc.org

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