Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The agency's programs and services are constantly evolving to meet the demands of the communities we serve. In Chicago and the surrounding areas, children need high-quality educational and recreational programs that support learning, build social skills, and respond to the developmental needs of each child. As recess, physical education, and unstructured play are increasingly removed from school curricula to dedicate more time to standardized test preparation, there is a growing need for exploration and active learning that nurtures creativity and encourages children to develop their unique interests and skills. Finally, emerging civic and philanthropic leaders need more opportunities for leadership development.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Early Childhood Programs (infant care, toddler & preschool, enrichment)
Infant Care | Ages 6 weeks – 14 months
Toddler Care | Ages 15 months - 23 months
Preschool | Ages 2 - 5 years
Enrichment Classes | Ages 3 - 5 years
JCYS Family Centers provide high-quality early childhood education for children ages 15 months to 5 years old, focusing on all aspects of children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Our child-centered classrooms and play-based approach encourage children to develop a lifelong love of learning. We strive to include families of all faiths in celebrating Jewish culture and traditions.
Sunflower Day Camp
Sunflower Day Camp is JCYS' summer day camp for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
Big City Day Camp
At Big City Day Camp, JCYS campers explore Chicago over the summer and learn what the city has to offer.
North Suburban Day Camp
Serving summer fun to campers entering grades 1-8, North Suburban Day Camp offers swimming, field trips, arts and crafts, sports, and more.
Leadership Circle
The JCYS Leadership Circle provides Board Members with comprehensive leadership education, including hands-on experience as fiduciaries. By investing in the development of our board members, JCYS empowers rising Jewish leaders who go on to strengthen their communities.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
JCYS provides early education and camping programs to children and their families throughout Chicagoland.
Total dollar amount of scholarship awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
JCYS awards over $150,000 in scholarships each year.
Goals & Strategy
Learn 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?
JCYS aims to provide high-quality educational and recreational activities for children of all abilities throughout the Chicago area, while continuing its tradition of service by training the next generation of Jewish civic leaders in Chicago.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Through its network of family centers throughout the Chicago area, JCYS offers early childhood programs, after-school enrichment, and day camps. Our programs serve individuals of all religious and ethnic backgrounds, and JCYS regularly provides financial support to our families. JCYS programs emphasize learning through play and enrichment activities that encourage creativity and exploration.
Since its inception, JCYS has trained and developed young Jewish leaders to become members of our volunteer Board of Directors. These individuals play a hands-on role in the governance of JCYS, driving the strategic vision of the agency, and bring the mission to life.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
For 115 years, JCYS has responded to the varying needs and shifting demographics in the Chicago area. The agency's programs and services are constantly evolving to meet the demands of the communities we serve but our commitment to upholding Jewish values has remained constant.
JCYS's facilities and expert staff members provide an enriching experience for every program attendee. The four JCYS family centers, which host a variety of programs and camps, are geographically positioned to respond to the community's needs and incorporate outdoor playgrounds, specialists, and play-based curricula that fully support each child's curiosity and growth.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since its inception, JCYS has been – and remains today – an independent organization. Each year, JCYS serves over 700 individuals of all religious, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds through its many diverse childcare, camping, and outreach programs. The agency is proud to offer families scholarship dollars annually.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our 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.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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.
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 COUNCIL FOR YOUTH SERVICES
Board of directorsas of 11/14/2023
Irine Sorser Turin
Sarah Gryll
Carly Newman
Irine Sorser Turin
Josh Beren
Max Fargotstein
Josh Olian
Suzanne Hershman Secler
Katie Simon
Rachel Seserman Patzik
Zack Karmin
James Arogeti
Leah Knobel
Laura Gottlieb
Ben Altshul
Robert Friend
Michael Neff
Noah Jaffe
Jason Zenner
Ian Shaffer
Courtney Rosenfield Kalter
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
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 -
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? Yes
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
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data