From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper: August 2024

While recently participating in a strategic planning meeting for our national association, the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, the consultant led us through an activity called “What?, So What?, Now What?” The purpose of the activity was to get us to identify a concern or opportunity. By asking ourselves the three questions, we focused on an issue, why it mattered, and what could be done to address it. Organizing our thoughts in this way proved to be a useful method towards solving the identified problem and recognizing what was within our control; where we might benefit from different points of view; or additional resources.

This approach to problem-solving seems especially applicable when it comes to advocacy. Did you know that JFCS has an Advocacy Committee comprised of Board Members and community members? Were you aware that in partnership with Jewish Family Service of St. Paul and PRISM Foodshelf, we combine advocacy efforts that aim to positively impact the individuals we mutually serve?

Some of the advocacy issues we have jointly addressed include hunger and food security, funding for services to benefit older adults, gun safety, literacy and early childhood education, and most recently, anti-Semitism. Uniting and combining our individual resources has been a successful strategy towards ensuring that families have access to hunger-reduction sources and schoolchildren do not face shame in relying on breakfast and lunch programs at school.

Together we have raised awareness through community workshops addressing gun violence, and how to advocate for greater safety for our schools and neighborhoods. As one voice, we have addressed the benefit of early prevention programs and how we can have a positive impact on school-readiness and success, leading to a better prepared workforce.

There is always much to be done. Offering programs and services to individuals and families to address specific needs is one way that JFCS responds. Advocacy work focused “upstream,” identifying ways problems can be addressed early on, is another way JFCS is Here for all. Always.