A MAJOR BOOST TO OUR WOMAN ABUSE PROGRAM

www.jfandcs.com/womanabuse We are exceptionally pleased to report that a generous member of the community has just donated $150,000 to address the increased demand for our Woman Abuse Program. Last year alone, 345 abused woman and 468 of their children were given safety planning, crisis intervention, counselling, financial support and more through JF&CS.  In addition, in 2013 Aubrey and Marla Dan provided a gift of $20,000 to create the Dan Start-Up Fund offering emergency financial assistance to woman abuse clients.  Since then, the Dans have made two subsequent gifts of $50,000 - one pledged just last week.  Over the years, the Dan Start-Up Fund has helped more than 100 women find safety and security. On behalf of the women and children that bravely reach out to Jewish Family & Child for help, we thank our generous and compassionate donors.

 A FOND AND FUNNY FAREWELL

Photo Credit: Ben Goldenberg http://bengoldenberg.wix.com/photo

On January 20, more than 200 guests attended a retirement party at Beth Emeth for our former Executive Director, Dr. Richard Cummings.

Past Presidents of JF&CS, Susan Maldoff and Rick Orzy warmly welcomed the large group made up of Richard's colleagues, family, friends, and community partners.  A member of our youth group for kids in the care of the agency delivered an emotional spoken word piece that had the audience on its feet; four of Richard's colleagues shared funny and touching memories of their time together; and remarks were also delivered by Richard's good friend, David Peltz and the executive directors of the three other Toronto children's aid societies, David Rivard, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, Kenn Richard, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and Janice Robinson, Catholic Children’s Aid Society.

Eileen Olmer, Richard's longtime Executive Assistant gave a touching tribute to her "work ex-husband" and then Richard took to the podium to thank all of his guests and reflect on his many years as Executive Director and Board President of JF&CS.  It was a lovely evening.

Thank you to the planning committee: Joanne Cummings, Susan Maldoff, Eileen Olmer, Rick Orzy, David Peltz, Hannah Wasserman, Wendy Wolfman and all of the generous donors who made the evening possible.  We'll miss you, Richard!

Over 300 community members came to Shaarei Shomayim Congregation on the evening of February 4th to learn about depression and suicide within the Jewish community.  

Breaking the Stigma was moderated by Dr. Molyn Leszcz, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital and the panel of experts included: Danielle Berman, Founder of www.rideawaystigma.com, Dr. Marshall Korenblum, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre for Children and Families, Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld, Deputy Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital and our own Dr. Jonathan Golden, Director of Clinical Service at JF&CS.

The event provided an important opportunity to futher the Jewish community's conversation about mental illness, and it raised the profile and value of our Agency's services.  We thank the planning committee for inviting us and look forward to participating in similar, future events.   

“My dad lived with my two sons and me while he died of pancreatic cancer.  As we watched him turn into someone who required care and assistance just to sit up, we were all terrified. The social worker counselled me and helped me talk with my sons – what to expect and how to explain dying.   The Jewish Hospice Program brought volunteers in as well which give me some much-needed time to myself. My dad passed less than a month from the time he was diagnosed – but had it not been for the Hospice Program during that month, the process would have been so much more awful than it was.  After he died, JF&CS invited me to a bereavement group where I met others who'd gone through ordeals like mine.  That really helped and I can’t stress how important it was to my family.  Thank you so, so much.”