SOCIAL SERVICES
Jewish Family Services provides a broad range of social services to help children, adults, seniors, and families. Our social services include counseling, case management, referrals, employment services, a community food pantry, and a donation program with Goodwill.
Whether one faces an unexpected financial crisis, a violent domestic situation, problems at work, or living with a developmental disability, JFS provides support, compassion, and solutions. Through the expertise of our staff, individuals and families are able to develop a plan to address serious and complex human needs related to food insecurity, shelter, medical problems, and safety. JFS links individuals with the most appropriate service or crisis management solution, whether it is one of its own programs, or a referral to another agency.
To find out more information about social services through Jewish Family Services, call 336-852-4829.
Counseling is Available
Therpay for adults over 18, including individual and marital therapy and caregiver support, is provided. Confidentiality is strictly maintained. Sliding scale fees are available and Medicare is accepted.
Case Management
After an initial assessment, our social worker works to maintain the client's highest level of function. We provide access to commnuity resources and services, and offer supportive counseling to clients and their families.
Information and Referral
This is a critical resource JFS provides families and seniors who need to seek access to a wide variety of community services. Assistance to individuals regarding resources and services to resolve identified concrete needs is provided.
Food Pantry
Our food pantry is open to everyone in Greensboro and begins with a call to JFS at (336) 852-4829. Appointments for the pantry are then scheduled with Jenny Schultz at (336) 852-4829 x235. The pantry is open by appointment Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays 12:30- to 2:30 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering with the pantry, please call David Frazier at (336) 852-4829 x227. Donations of food items and, food gift cards, and monetary donations are most welcome.
A Simple Gesture
A Simple Gesture is an easy door-to-door food collection program that is helping with the hunger crisis in Greensboro. We are sadly ranked as the number one area in the country for food insecurity. If you live in Greensboro, you can help by signing up for this program. You receive a bright green canvas bag, delivered to your door, which you and/or your family (a great project for your children!) will fill. Every two months, on designated dates which are attached to the bag, you simply leave the bag on your front door step. Volunteers collect it and it is then distributed that very day to area food banks including Urban Ministry, Backpack Beginnings, Out of the Garden, Jewish Family Services, and others. A replacement bag will be left for next pickup.
And that’s all there is to it. During the last collection in February, A Simple Gesture received over 15,000 pounds of food! JFS received its first drop off and it made a tremendous difference in our ability to support over 70 families from all over Greensboro who rely on us for their food.
You can sign up by going go to www.asimplegesture.org and they will deliver your first bag to you. Or, you can come to JFS and sign up and we will give you your bag.
There are many opportunities to get involved in helping with this issue.
- Our new Food Task Force meets monthly and was instrumental in bringing A Simple Gesture to our community. Contact Audrey Krakovitz, chair, at akrakovitz@aol.com or Betsy Gamburg at bgamburg@shalomgreensboro.org to see how you can be involved in the ongoing work of the task force.
- Continue to donate to our food pantry. Your food and monetary contributions made a world of difference. Many clients use multiple food pantries to get adequate food supplies—did you know you can only go to Urban Ministry FOUR times a year?
- Volunteer in our Food Pantry. This is a great family friendly project and we have many ideas as to how you and your children can have a meaningful experience doing this. Contact David Frazier at dfrazier@shalomgreensboro.org.
- Contact Beth David Synagogue, Temple Emanuel, B’nai Shalom Day School, Chabad, or BBYO—all are involved in some way in working on this issue.
Decide how you want to help and make it a family project. Call us at JFS— for ideas, to volunteer… to make a difference!
Employment Services
Finding a job can be a stressful and challenging experience. JFS offers a weekly networking group, a jobs list, and educational workshops as well as one to one assistance. Contact Betsy Gamburg, MSW, LCSW, JFS Director, at 852-4829, ext. 225.
Goodwill Program
A win-win! Donations of household goods are accepted at JFS into our Goodwill bins. Donors are provided with a tax receipt and JFS receives vouchers for the items donated. These vouchers are used by our clients to purchase clothing and other necessary items at Goodwill.
Client Assistance
A limited one-time fund is available to those who find themselves in an emergency financial situation. Assistance can be provided for such things as help with rent, mortgage, a utility bill, or other difficult circumstance.