Jewish Vocational Service Inc
SKILLS JOBS CAREERS
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
JVS works to address the employment needs of employers, immigrants, refugees, low-income earners, and individuals with disabilities. We seek to increase the economic stability and mobility of those we serve and diversify the talent pipelines and workforce of key industries across greater Boston.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Career Pathway Training
JVS offers free, intensive college transition programming that equips adult learners, primarily low-wage non-native English speakers employed in low-wage positions, with the skills needed to enter college, attain a post-secondary certificate or degree, and move into a related career. The program allows for direct transition into credit-bearing college courses, preparing individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to secure a career pathway job in high-demand fields.
Currently, two program pathways are offered: Biotechnology and Substance Addiction Assistant. Each pathway has three components: 1) pre-college courses delivered by JVS instructors; 2) certificate courses delivered by our educational partner; and 3) ongoing academic and career coaching delivered by JVS staff to help graduates secure credential-related employment. Students also receive financial education, which includes one-on-one financial counseling and goal setting.
Occupational Skills Training: Nurse's Aide Training and Pharmacy Technician Training
JVS operates two skills training programs that provide individuals with industry-specific skills and credentials, so they can enter high-demand career pathway jobs. The Nurse's Aide Training program is designed to qualify participants to work as skilled caregivers and pass the Certified Nursing Assistants’ exam. Our Pharmacy Technician Training prepares participants to pass the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and enter positions within retail or hospital pharmacies. Participants graduate with real world, industry-specific skills and the benefit of JVS’s strong employer partnerships, giving them an advantage over other job seekers. The Nurse's Aide and Pharmacy Technician programs offer a proven track record of high completion, placement, and job retention rates, as well as strong starting wages for graduates. Collectively, the programs achieve an 85% completion rate and placement rate of 84%, with at least 95% of graduates retaining their jobs for at least 90 days.
Refugee Employment Services
JVS's Refugee Employment Services for recent arrivals include pre-employment vocational ESOL classes, job search and job placement, vocational skills training, computer training, college transition, and post-placement coaching. Refugee employment programs consistently achieve annual job placement and retention rates for participants of well above 80%.
The Vocational Training Partnerships (VTP) program combines short-term, intensive industry-specific skills training with vocational English language instruction. VTP programs are developed in consultation with employer partners in four areas: Hotel/Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare Cleaning, and Bank Career fields. Training includes vocational internships at employer partner sites or employer-led presentations and workshops, and one-on-one job readiness training and job search support. The program offers a proven track record of high placement and retention rates, as well as strong starting wages for graduates.
Transitions to Work
Transitions to Work (TTW) addresses the disability employment gap by equipping young people, ages 16-35, with disabilities (e.g., intellectual, physical, emotional, or those on the autism spectrum) with skills to build job readiness and compete for jobs through training and internships. TTW reverses the traditional approach to disability employment services by starting with the employer; it is designed to meet the employment needs of young people with disabilities and change the culture of the employment community. The model creates strong employer partnerships to raise awareness about inclusive hiring practices and recognize young adults with disabilities as qualified candidates. Sessions take place at the employer site and focus on workplace readiness including, trainings on topics such as soft skills, customer service, and job search training such as resume development and interview preparation. Staff work with graduates, alumni, and employers to ensure employment and job retention.
Financial Opportunity Center (FOC)
The Financial Opportunity Center provides clients with free financial coaching and resources. Financial services are embedded into existing programs and are offered to clients regardless of program enrollment. Services include one-on-one financial coaching sessions, workshops, free tax preparation through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) tax site, a Savings Tracking Template that allows clients to visualize and track savings on their own, and an on-demand financial literacy video library which includes videos on topics like savings, credit, and income.
Financial coaching consists of an initial coaching session which assesses each client’s educational and employment history, their relationship with money, and financial needs and goals. Following this initial session, clients participate in four additional and develop a spending plan and balance sheet, review their credit report and score, receive referrals when appropriate, and track progress toward their financial goals.
Where we work
Accreditations
4-Star Charity, Charity Navigator 2016
4-Star Charity, Charity Navigator 2018
4-Star Charity, Charity Navigator 2019
4-Star Charity, Charity Navigator 2020
4-Star Charity, Charity Navigator 2021
Awards
Exemplary Workforce Partnership Award 2012
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions
1 of 6 high-performing workforce development organizations in Mass. 2011
Root Cause
P/PV: a national longitudinal study of JVS occupational training programs 2010
Public/Private Ventures
2020 Annual Conference Pillar of Excellence Award 2020
Network of Jewish Human Service Agency
Top Rated Charity 2023
GreatNonprofits
4-Star Rated Charity 2023
Charity Navigator
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of participants who gain employment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and migrants, People with disabilities
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Among participants with employment as a short-term goal. Job placements have been impacted by COVID-19-related effects on the labor market, and some of our students chose to delay their career search
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities, Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and migrants
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This # has fluctuated due to the availability of jobs in industries our clients typically find employment in, as well as ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Number of clients who received financial coaching.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The goals of the organization include increasing the number of clients participating in high-touch programming, receiving 1:1 financial coaching, and securing employment with household-sustaining wages.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
JVS identifies and recruits clients with immigrant/refugee history, are low-wage earners, or identify as individuals with disabilities. Through skills-based training, English language courses, financial coaching, and career mentoring, JVS provides clients with pathways to employment and economic stability. Additionally, through employer partnerships, JVS is able to equip clients with the industry-recognized skills needed to succeed and advance in careers. Furthermore, employer partnerships increase the job quality and workplace environment for those we serve, resulting in a more equitable and diverse workforce.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
JVS has more than 85 years of experience in helping immigrants and refugees prepare to enter and succeed in the workforce. Our partnerships with employers, community organizations, and local colleges guarantee programs and services support and meet the needs of our diverse clientele. Continual assessment and research support the work we do, allowing JVS to remain flexible and offer services that benefit our clients.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
To date JVS has 250 employer partners and serves approximately 10,000 clients annually.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Jewish Vocational Service Inc
Board of directorsas of 02/20/2024
Ms. Abby Flam
Atrius Health and Beth Israel Lahey Health
Term: 2022 - 2024
Catherine Bromberg
Massachusetts Hospital Association
Douglas Newman
McGladrey LLP
Howard Brick
Senscio Systems
Michael S. Grill
Fairlane Properties, Inc.
Richard Yanofsky
Holland & Knight
Claudia J. Gilman
Novara Global Consulting LLC
Susan Houston
MassEcon
Marjorie Glazer
No affiliation
Richard Heller
Legal SeaFoods, LLC
Joseph Zeff
PrismHR
Ellen Segal
No affiliation
Abby Flam
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Atrius Health & Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians
Ben Inker
GMO
Jay D. Rosenbaum
Nixon Peabody LLC
Jennifer Rosenbaum
U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management
Mark Stein
Morgan Lewis
Campe Goodman
Wellington Management Company LLP
Dwight Clarke
Strategic HR
Yamileth Lopez
Scott A. Goffstein & Associates
Celina Miranda
Hyde Square Task Force
Jordana Mirel
Eaton Vance
Gordon Owades
No affiliation
Jacob Rosenfeld
State Street Corporation
Rabbi Noah Cheses
Young Israel of Sharon
Molly Galler
LaunchSquad
David Gibbs
University of Tennessee College of Law
Dean Hara
Jane Matlaw
Judith Obermayer
MIchelle Rhodes-Volpe
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Eric Simas
HarbourVest Partners
John Simon
Arrowstreet Capital, L.P.
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/30/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.