Sarah has worked with older adults in varied settings since 2007. Most recently, she worked for the Area Agency on Aging on the Missouri side, coordinating the volunteer ombudsman program, providing community outreach on aging issues, and doing case management with older adults. Sarah earned her M.S. in social gerontology from the University of Central Missouri in 2011 and previously graduated from Truman State University with a B.A. in communications.

Celeste returns to JFS after four years of living abroad. She previously served as Director of Communications until 2014, and is now back overseeing a wide range of internal operations, as well as human resources. She has a strong background in non-profit organizational development and leadership, and has been engaged in human resources for more than 30 years. She holds a degree in public communications/film from Boston University of Kansas, and spent three years in Jerusalem studying the Hebrew Bible.

Cari is a Career Coach and Administrative Coordinator for Jewish Employment Services. Cari, a certified teacher and employment specialist, has an extensive background in providing support and guidance with all aspects of a successful job search. Cari has worked in the non-profit sector for most of her career and is leading a younger job seeker initiative with KU Hillel, partnering with them in a Professional Development series. Cari holds a BS in Journalism from the University of Kansas.

Vicki is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. Vicki works with clients who face challenges around anger management; anxiety and depression; divorce; eating disorders/self-harm; family conflict; grief and loss; peer/work relationships; parenting; and relationship issues.

Kathy “semi-retired” from full-time employment after a diverse career that included working as Executive Assistant to CEO’s in banking, oil and gas, and real estate development.  She’s a former Executive Director of the March of Dimes in New Orleans, and has extensive volunteer experience with non-profits including Junior Achievement, American Cancer Society, Camps for Kids, and JFS JET Express.  She enjoys assisting Rabbi Rudnick with Chaplaincy programs and interacting with JFS Spiritual Care Volunteers.

Porsche received a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Based Services from Doane University. Passionate about serving those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, she has over ten years of experience in providing quality supports and case management in various capacities. Her background includes work in education, for-profit and non-profit sectors as well as work in State and County government. She has a valuable network of community resources and is involved in many philanthropic efforts in the community.

Sarah Link Ferguson graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in International Studies. She has worked at an array of nonprofits, ranging from social services to the arts, in Lawrence and Kansas City since graduating from college. Sarah is passionate about mental health and reducing the stigma around mental illness in the Kansas City community. She is thrilled to be working with teens and school administrators on the You Be You teen mental health campaign, an initiative of the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition and SPEAK UP. Outside of work, Sarah is involved with numerous nonprofits in Kansas City including Jewish Vocational Services, where she serves on their young professionals board and Congregation Kol Ami, where she serves as Vice-President.

Lauren Glass is a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas & Missouri. She completed both her BSW & MSW programs at Florida Atlantic University. Lauren has many years of experience working with older adults, children & families. She gravitates towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Solution Focused Therapy in her work with clients. Her favorite techniques to use involve breathing, mindful movement & other short meditative practices that clients can freely access whenever they need to no matter where they may go.

Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University. She has over 15 professional year’s experience working with children and adults.  Her professional background includes a history with KCMC Head Start program as the mental health/disabilities manager, Truman Behavioral Health as a qualified mental health professional, Catholic Charities of KC-St. Joseph as the educational coordinator and therapist.  Jennifer offers confidential and compassionate care to individuals, couples and families from a family systems and attachment style perspective. Professional Certifications:  Licensed Professional Counselor, National Board of Certified Counselors, Stephen Ministry, Prepare/Enrich Facilitator (marriage).

With a Bachelors and a Masters in Art History, Molly spent six years working at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where she developed a vibrant teen program. Molly made the transition to Jewish non-profit in the fall of 2016 and hasn’t looked back. She has a passion for connecting young Jewish professional to new opportunities, to each other, and to Kansas City.

Vicki earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at the University of Nebraska. Her professional background includes education, insurance sales, customer service and owning an employment service. She looks forward to connecting community members to meaningful volunteer opportunities and expanding the work JFS is able to do through volunteer engagement.

With a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri, Kelly loves both sides of the state line; but, will always call Los Angeles home. Prior to JFS, Kelly traveled the 105 counties of Kansas as an educator for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, helping Medicare beneficiaries understand and use their benefits. She’s worked as an outreach coordinator at the Alzheimer’s Association – Heart of America Chapter, and fervently hopes for the day when Alzheimer’s disease is just a memory. During a favorite summer adventure in Antigua, Guatemala, she used her Spanish fluency to interview older adults about quality of life and to reminisce.

Cindy oversees both the Kansas and Missouri offices. She has owned and managed several businesses for over 20 years. Cindy resides day to day in the Kansas office.

Diane brings the combination of Corporate Marketing and Non-Profit Counseling experience to CSC. She is passionate about guiding clients to take an active role in their job search during what can be one of life’s most challenging events. Diane is skilled in utilizing a strengths based focus with individual clients in developing and executing a focused job search strategy and resulting in a more efficient and successful outcome for her clients. Diane has a Master’s Degree in Counseling from University of Missouri, Kansas City and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Missouri State University. She is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator through the National Career Development Association.

Laura has worked with individuals and families over the past 8 years in the areas of domestic violence, support for those experiencing mental illness, supportive services for children with disabilities and families that are in need of community referral support. Laura is joining the Food and Shelter team and will be in the role of our Family Empowerment Coordinator working with our families in the Shawnee Mission School District that are homeless or at high risk to be homeless. She has a degree in Human Services from Washburn University in Topeka.