Statements

Mission

Jewish Family Service of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Inc. provides professional social services from Jewish perspectives which respond to and support individuals and families through life's transitions.

Background

JFS was originally established in 1853 as the Hebrew/Jewish Relief Society which distributed clothing to the needy and helped them with rent payments. Present day Jewish Family Service has developed into a high quality social service agency providing the following core services: adoption, case management, counseling and psychotherapy, emergency financial assistance, volunteer match program for seniors, and family life and community enrichment. Additionally, in response to the economic downturn, the following services have been added: Kosher Food Boxes, School Supplies and a Job Network to link employers with job seekers. In addition, there are enrichment programs that that JFS runs for teens: Rosh Hodesh, It's a Girl Thing! and Shevet Achim. There are 2 full time social workers, a part-time volunteer coordinator, and 1 full time and 1 part time support personnel on staff as well. Jewish Family Service's current budget of approximately $500,000 is funded in part by Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, grants,fees and insurance payments for counseling and adoptions, and private donations.

Impact

Tracing its roots back to 1853, Jewish Family Service (JFS) may be the oldest social service agency in Tennessee. JFS offers a broad range of services: * Domestic and international adoption * Counseling for individuals of all ages, groups, and families * Older adult services * Case management * Information and Referral * Resettlement * Education and Prevention programs (parenting, family life, healthy children) * Support groups for caregivers and those in job transition. Many of our services are available without charge. Counseling utilizes insurance and a sliding fee scale. While the agency was established initially to meet the needs of Nashville's Jewish community, the agency and its services are available to the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation. Each year, JFS touches the lives of over 1,700 individuals through its programs.

Needs

JFS continuously seeks volunteers to assist us with our Mission. We are in need of donors to provide support as many of our services are offered for little or no charge to community members in need.

CEO Statement

While established initially to meet the needs of Nashville's Jewish community, the Jewish Family Service (JFS) has expanded to serve the entire community. Located in Bellevue, JFS offers counseling, older adult services, adoption, information and referral, case management, volunteer services, and family life/community education. Our counseling and case management services are provided by licensed clinical social workers. We work with children and adults, couples and families. Our Care Giver's support group provides support and encouragement to people who are caring for another relative. JFS adoption services support both domestic and international adoption; we assist prospective adoptive parents through the home study process. We also provide home studies for prospective adoptive parents working with other agencies. Helping seniors "age in place" is the goal of our older adult services. JFS provides assessment, case management, referrals, counseling, and senior programming. Helping Hands volunteers provide friendly visits for isolated elderly and disabled people in addition to providing Shabbat services at local assisted living facilities. Education and prevention programs include the Career Networking program for people that are unemployed, under employed, or returning to the job market.Our board is actively involved with fundraising, planning and overseeing our services. JFS continues to focus on providing high quality, innovative programs and services that meet the needs of our local community.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Family Services
Secondary Category:	Mental Health & Crisis Intervention  - Counseling
Tertiary Category:	Human Services  - Adoption

Areas Served

We service Middle Tenneessee and surrounding counties.

TN - Davidson

TN - Williamson

TN - Robertson

TN - Rutherford

TN - Wilson

TN - Cheatham