Jewish Family Service of the Desert

Our vision is to improve the well being of our Coachella valley by preventing senior homelessness and providing culturally sensitive and affordable mental health counseling .

We also provide senior socialization programs at 6 sites throughout the valley to addresses senior depression and isolation. We also have counselors in 5 elementary schools to assist children in maintaining behavioral control so that they can benefit from classroom education.

Through all our efforts we wish to promote healthy and stable lives throughout our valley

JFS services are designed to improve community mental heath and financial stability. We utilize culturally-appropriate behavioral health counseling, offering both in-person and telecare services because both are needed. We work with partners to extend the reach of JFS services to communities where access has historically proven difficult, whether due to lack of transportation, poor Internet access, or fear that JFS operates as part of a "system" that may take advantage or otherwise punish members of marginalized communities.

JFS services support the mental, physical, and financial health of our clients, and all services are offered to Coachella Valley residents regardless of age, income, religion, or lifestyle. As leaders in the provision of local social services, JFS works with and/or refers to many local partners, including DAP Healthcare, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the Braille Institute, to name a few. Collaborations include referrals between agencies but also opportunities to offer higher levels of support for individual households by "pooling" available support. Summer temperatures create potentially lethal situations for those without proper air conditioning. To replace a unit, for instance, for a local senior on fixed income who could not otherwise afford it requires several agencies to offer financial support. JFS is a reliable partner, able to lead and/or support similar efforts.

Financial support is obviously needed to support these efforts, and JFS utilizes a vigorous grants program as well as compelling philanthropic campaigns, calling upon our community to support its neighbors. Collaboration allows for judicious stewardship of valuable funding. Further, collaboration allows for JFS to work more often with members of the migrant community.

JFS works with local municipalities in several ways. The JFS Director of Community Outreach is working with the City of Palm Springs on a pilot program assessing the benefits of universal income. JFS is a member of the "Vaccine Buddies" initiative that sought to connect seniors without computer access to COVID vaccines and is now offering to connect anyone or any group who needs vaccination with an opportunity for a personal or information about public opportunities. And, JFS offers a volunteer-based transportation program ("JFS Express") that offers round-trips to/from doctor's offices, helping clients maintain their physical health.

JFS has an active staff of 20 people, including therapists, community outreach professionals, case managers, clerical/front office, financial/billing, and human resource staff. Our current Board of Directors consists of 20 concerned volunteers who eagerly support the agency's mission. Their varied experiences and desire to improve the quality of life for our struggling members greatly increases the agency's status in the community, leading to increasing philanthropic support.

JFS has consistently earned a Guidestar "Platinum" ranking and is currently a 3 of 4 Star Charity Navigator-rated agency (edging closer to the 4th star annually!). Our audited financial statements consistently illustrate a trustworthy provider of social services worthy of support, and evaluations and client testimonials support our position that JFS is a well-respected provider of impactful programs.

Our current financial statement indicates a healthy assets to liabilities ratio (6.1/1), and local service providers (including Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health) consistently seek to work with our agency.

We currently have 60 volunteers who support the agency in many ways including Board of Directors participation, program assistance, and help with daily tasks in the Front Office and Finance Departments. JFS's impactful programs and ability to leverage connections to scale results increase our ability to meet our goals.

We are a thriving nonprofit offering 15,000 services to over 2300 unduplicated clients per year. Since the COVID pandemic, we have converted our programs to telecare, allowing us to continue to offer services in a safe, effective manner. This includes our outpatient mental health program, case management including the provision of emergency financial assistance for necessities such as overdue rent and utilities, food, and medications, and a community outreach program offering well-check phone calls and connections to food support, counseling, and/or financial assistance. We are one of the only sources of financial assistance for those without a valid form of identification, and we partner with local providers to offer services to members of the migrant community.

We have opened up case management to all ages, and we have been one of the only sources of financial assistance throughout the pandemic.

We are currently in discussions with two agencies that may lead to more formal connections, leading to opportunities to offer more services to more people in more areas. Additionally, separate discussions with well-known providers of residential substance abuse treatment services may lead to the establishment of support services in the Coachella Valley that currently do not exist, but are needed.

JFS continues to offer needed services while assessing current gaps and needs in local services, assessing its ability to meet those needs, whether with existing or developing programs.