The Center for Counseling, Growth and Development at Jewish Family Services


Support begins with a compassionate environment.


Coping with a sudden life change, emotional distress or a relationship conflict can be an overwhelming experience. At The Center for Counseling, Growth and Development, skilled and experienced counseling professionals are ready to support you as you cope with life’s challenges. Our team of licensed clinical social workers and counselors provide assessments, consultation, short and long-term counseling sessions for individuals, couples, families and older adults. JFS' skilled, professional counselors offer results-oriented therapy and problem-solving skills to those struggling with depression, anxiety, and life transitions.


Counseling services and support are available for anyone in need, regardless of age, religion or ethnic background. We provide a safe and caring environment to address some of the topics; adoption related issues, family concerns, depression, relationship building, separation/divorce/remarriage, life transitions, parent/child relationships, school problems, death, dying and bereavement, aging, aging parents, premarital counseling, and interfaith relationship issues.


If you or someone you know could benefit from professional counseling, call JFS at 407-644-7593. We are here for you. At The Center for Counseling, Growth and Development, there is no need to face these difficult times alone.


CHILDREN SERVICES

  • THE ROTH FAMILY KIDSKONNECT PROGRAM

    KidsKonnect is the only program in Central Florida that addresses the needs of children who are experiencing family disruption from divorce, separation, parental abandonment, incarceration, or single-parenting or grand parenting. Through in-school support groups, KidsKonnect empowers all children living with family instability to cope with the realities, stresses and emotions of their families' changes. In a safe and supportive setting, children can share experiences, establish common bonds, develop healthy coping skills and positive self-esteem and resiliency while practicing positive expression of difficult feelings. The Roth Family KidsKonnect program also provides comprehensive resource materials to help raise parents’ awareness of children’s and family's needs during major family transitions.


    Our goal is to reach as many children as possible in the Central Florida area who have been affected by significant changes in their families. KidsKonnect is facilitated by master's level certified counselors. It is currently held in many elementary and middle schools in Orange, Seminole and Osceola County.


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    JFS KidsKonnect participants.

    “The KidsKonnect counselor helps us understand that our parents love us and it’s not our fault they got a divorce.”


EMERGENCY SERVICES

A harsh reality of our tough times is that it can be impossible for those on low incomes to provide adequate food for themselves and their loved ones. The following services provide immediate relief to families in crisis. When unexpected events provide challenging times for families, Jewish Family Services is available to counsel and help people through this time. We listen. And we provide assistance as funding permits and within specific guidelines.


  • EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

    Emergency financial assistance for utility and rent subsidies is provided to individuals and families who qualify.


  • PEARLMAN PANTRY

    Hundreds of families and individuals in the Greater Orlando area live with the threat of hunger. The Pearlman Pantry offers help, support and hope.


    Throughout the year, with the support of community partners, JFS conducts food drives, helping to ensure no person or child goes to bed hungry. Volunteers, financial supporters and food donors are critical to our fight to end hunger. Without them, we could not exist.


    The Pearlman Pantry serves all who qualify for food without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, disability or age.


FAMILY STABILIZATION PROGRAM (FSP)

    We offer more than just food... Individuals and families in crisis face multifaceted and complex problems such as job loss, lack of skills regarding financial planning and management, lack of vocational training and the resulting disruptive emotional and psychological effects.


    JFS' Family Stabilization Program is a preventive, solution based long-term case management program designed to increase self-sufficiency in low income families through intensive 6-month case management and education.


    The Family Stabilization Program will empower the client to function at higher levels, help them to learn how to maintain a stronger and more secure lifestyle and ultimately allow the family to become self sufficient. The program objectives are to improve money management skills, improve family functioning, and parenting skills, improve coping abilities, improve employability and improve and maintain current housing status.

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    Click here to link to FSP brochure

    • Clients have access to in-person and telephone support during their participation in the program. An additional six-month follow-up is provided with the family to help assure the family is moving in the right direction.


CENTERPIECES FOR TZEDAKAH

    Centerpieces for Tzedakah is a program that provides beautifully decorated centerpiece baskets that are available to be rented from Jewish Family Services for your special celebrations. Gorgeous baskets and mini shopping carts are filled with a representation of assorted packages of food items. The centerpieces are attractively decorated. The baskets and shopping carts are ideally sized for centerpieces and will be delivered, free of charge, directly to your party (within a specific area.) Coordinated centerpieces, specifically designed for buffet tables and the bimah at your synagogues, are also available for rental.


WOMEN’S SERVICES

  • ROSH HODESH

    • RROSHEROSH HODESH

    According to the Talmud, the women of Israel refused to participate in the creation of the idolatrous Golden Calf. As a result, God rewarded them with the holiday of Rosh Hodesh, a once-a-month celebration to commemorate the Festival of the New Moon.


    Each month's get-together is a unique experience unto itself and is not dependent on what was discussed at previous meetings. The session lasts about one and a half hours and may include prayer, candle lighting, discussion in English, music, other activities and refreshments in a spiritual atmosphere. Women and girls of all ages are invited to participate.


    Rosh Hodesh is currently not a functioning program. If you are interested in the continuation of this program please contact Marni S. Chepenik at 407-644-7593, ext.227.


  • WOMEN'S FORUM

    This interfaith collaborative women's outreach program is designed to use a group format to educate and support women who are struggling with life-changing circumstances. Through ongoing workshops and focus groups, this program will help women prepare for opportunity and change, discover multiple approaches to deal with life changes, develop skills, build confidence, grow and flourish through transitions and experience the warmth and support of women who care.



JEWISH HOSPICE (YAD L‘HESED)

Yad L'Hesed, Jewish Hospice, upholds the Jewish value of maintaining the dignity of life. The program is based on the Jewish principle of hesed, which means loving kindness. Yad L’Hesed helps patients find physical and emotional peace in their final days and provides rabbinic counseling for those desiring spiritual support and bereavement support groups for those who have lost a loved one. Hospice Services are appropriate and beneficial for anyone with a life limiting illness. Yad L’Hesed is a partnership among Jewish Family Services, Hospice of the Comforter, and Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel.


For more information, please call JFS at 407-644-7593.


RIDE PROGRAM

RIDE (Reliable Independent Drivers for the Elderly)

Sustaining critical transportation needs becomes a vital concern to helping individuals stay independent as they age. Other challenges, such as health issues, interfere with an older adult’s ability to maintain his or her independence and their ability to drive. In our community, there is a significant amount of older adults who require support to help meet their daily needs of getting to and from essential medical appointments and JFS will be able to provide these necessary services.


This RIDE program, sponsored by Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando, is designed to provide transportation to medical appointment for older adults or disabled individuals, who have no other means of transportation. Participation in the RIDE program is based on need, regardless of cultural, ethnic or religious affiliation.


VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are the heart and soul of our agency. Being a volunteer is a gift you give to yourself and others!


Dedicated volunteers assist and visit older adults, deliver holiday meals, and help coordinate worship services and holiday celebrations. We have many opportunities for volunteers.


  • Yad L'Hesed - Jewish Hospice

    Patient/Family Support Volunteers visit terminally ill patients at home to offer respite for caregivers and emotional support to the patients and their loved ones. The required specialized training is provided.


  • Holiday Meal Delivery

    Volunteer drivers pick up and deliver holiday meals to frail older adults. Meals are delivered for Passover, Easter, Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas. Shalot Manot baskets are delivered for Purim. This gesture brings a ray of sunshine into their hearts and homes.


  • Student Internship

    Service Learning projects and community service opportunities are available.


  • Teen Council

    Teenagers help out at special events.


  • B'nai Mitzvah Projects for Students

    Individuals and groups are encouraged to perform acts of loving kindness. Participants may join our established programs or bring us their own ideas.


  • Kinder to Kinder

    Each December, children and their parents bring a holiday celebration to children who reside in a congregate home.


  • Kinneret Angels

    A special group of residents of Kinneret Apartments that assist other residents in various ways, such as buddy dining, writing get well cards, and assembling welcome baskets for new residents. They also knit baby blankets that are donated to area non-profit organizations, including Beta Center, Winnie Palmer Hospital, and Chidren's Home Society.


  • Office Assistance

    On-call volunteers provide that extra pair of hands for major office projects, including bulk mailings.


  • Pearlman Pantry Assistance

    Volunteers stock and organize the Pearlman Food Pantry and assist with food distribution.

 

  • Helping Older Adults (This program has been suspended due to budget cuts)

    Volunteer activity companions assist older adults with shopping and errands as well as transportation to medical appointments, social and cultural events. They also provide companionship, including home and nursing home visits.


ONLINE COURSES


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Spotlight Stories

Heather learned about the Family Stabilization Program (FSP) at JFS through the Seminole County Coalition. She was willing to try anything to preserve her family and improve their quality of life.

Since enrolling in the FSP program, Heather has found affordable housing, earned her GED and plans on enrolling in nursing school. She says of the program, “JFS saved me from becoming homeless. I am blessed to have found them.”

Upcoming Events

Women's Forum
"The Sandwich Generation"

November 18 , 2009

12:00 PM

JFS' office - 2100 Lee Rd,

Winter Park between 1792 & I4

Attend a lunch and learn with Cathy Lieblich and Beverly Engel about the complexities of caring for aging parents while supporting children at home.

Fee: $6 - light lunch is served

RSVP to Marni Chepenik

407-644-7593, ext 227

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