Jewish Family Services

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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

Oct
5
Thu
10:30 am KesherKC Mobile at The Heritage ... @ The Heritage Center - The J
KesherKC Mobile at The Heritage ... @ The Heritage Center - The J
Oct 5 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
KesherKC Mobile at The Heritage Center @ The Heritage Center - The J
Oct
9
Mon
11:30 am Mindful Monday @ Virtual
Mindful Monday @ Virtual
Oct 9 @ 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Mindful Monday @ 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.  Julia Billquist, LMLP, JFS Therapist will lead our Mindful[...]
Oct
10
Tue
6:30 pm Peer Led Support Group – Support... @ Jewish Community Campus
Peer Led Support Group – Support... @ Jewish Community Campus
Oct 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Peer Led Support Group - Support Community for Caregivers of Aging Parents and Older Adults @ Jewish Community Campus
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7:00 pm Peer Led Support Group – A Trans... @ Jewish Community Center
Peer Led Support Group – A Trans... @ Jewish Community Center
Oct 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Peer Led Support Group - A Transition for Everybody: A Support Group for Jewish Parents/Caregivers of Trans and Nonbinary Children @ Jewish Community Center
A Support Group for Jewish Parents/Caregivers of Trans and Nonbinary Children​ Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the Month    Parents/Caregivers of Trans and Nonbinary children – of any age – face many transition themselves. This[...]
7:00 pm Peer Led Support Group – Special... @ Jewish Community Campus, 3rd Floor JFS Meeting Room
Peer Led Support Group – Special... @ Jewish Community Campus, 3rd Floor JFS Meeting Room
Oct 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Peer Led Support Group - Special Needs Parenting @ Jewish Community Campus, 3rd Floor JFS Meeting Room
You’re invited to join JFS staff for an important Peer Led Support Group  
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5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103 | Overland Park, KS 66211
913.327.8250 · info@jfskc.org

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