Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Restoring hope and transforming lives
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our strategic planning committee is focusing on growing the breadth of services of our organization during an era when some key local funders have ceased their functioning. We are hoping to increase individual and corporate support while seeking new partnerships and sources of funding.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
JFS resettles refugees from all over the world. The JFS Connections to Work program gives adult newly-arrived refugees Vocational English knowledge, connections to employers, computer skills, and helps them retain their jobs.
Volunteer Services
Volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.
~ Teen volunteer programs earn community service hours
~Meaningful volunteering with refugees (housing, mentors, drivers, ESL tutors, more)
~ Family volunteering to inspire your children in giving to others
~ Community group programs for your synagogue, service organization, and youth group
~ Holiday Package Preparers and Deliverers bring connection and nutrition to frail elderly and families in need
~ Chaplain Aides to lead Shabbat services, Friendly Visitors for isolated elders, ESL tutors, Knitzvah to warm your heart
~ Create your own volunteer experience
Aging with Dignity Services
Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley’s Senior Services Department is now called Aging with
Dignity Services, reflecting our increased breadth of services for elders at a variety of life stages.
JFS SV helps older adults maintain independence and dignity through services that address the
physical, mental, social and emotional challenges of aging.
JFS SV staff works with aging seniors and their families to assess needs and develop plans for
long term care and safety. Our staff are aided by dedicated volunteers who have chosen to
contribute their time and caring.
Services Include:
Branch office at Chai House Senior Living Community
Assessment and care planning to ensure a safe, yet independent lifestyle
Family consultation and caregiver support to help with aging family members
Counseling for individuals and families, to cope with aging issues and loss
Information and Referral to housing, public benefits, transportation and health care services
Cultural Outreach Services to homebound elderly and residents of retirement homes and
nursing homes, including Jewish holiday visits, Kosher food packages and Shabbat services
Holocaust Survivor Services: case management and counseling, information and referrals,
form completion assistance. Emergency financial assistance is also available for qualified
survivors. Most services for Holocaust Survivors are offered free of charge.
JFS SV HomeCare Services: culturally competent, compassionate, reliable and professional
at competitive rates
Friendly Visitors to connect you to the Jewish community
ESL for Russian-speaking seniors
Services provided in English, Russian and Hebrew
New expanded program at Chai House to assist residents and their families
Project NOAH Safety Net Services
Project NOAH provides a safety net of case management, counseling, advocacy and assistance during crises or otherwise urgent situations. For some JFS clients, their need comes in the form of a life crisis; for others, there are ongoing challenges.
Our clients include lower income families and individuals, who are in crisis or facing ongoing challenges.
Following a professional assessment for the individual or family, clients may receive limited assistance to pay for food, utilities, clothes, and small household items. We also offer supportive counseling and case management as needed.
JFS SV staff advocate for, and connect our clients to, agencies in the community that provide assistance with housing, medical, in-home support, and educational resource
Where we work
Awards
1st place, Favorite Agency 2012
J Readers Choice Awards
1st place, Favorite Agency 2014
J Readers Choice Awards
4 Star Rating 2018
Charity Navigator
Affiliations & memberships
Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies (AJFCA) 2015
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies 2018
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsAverage number of service recipients per month
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We helped 665 clients a month through increased emergency food assistance (particularly through the pandemic), refugee services, holocaust survivor services, counseling , & vocation services.
Number of placements defined as full-time
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
JFS SV helps refugees get their first jobs in America, become economically self-sufficient and move toward citizenship. In 2019 JFS became the only agency resettling refugees in Santa Clara Clounty.
Number of donations made by board members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients who self-report increased skills/knowledge after educational program/intervention
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Nearly all students in the Vocational English as a Second Language (Vocational ESL) in our Connections to Work program pursue the next level of English and report increased knowledge of English.
Number of clients satisfied with employment training services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants who gain employment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
JFS helps refugees become gainfully employed and economically self sufficient.
Average hourly wage of clients who became employed after job skills training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of students enrolled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This refers to the number of students in our VESL program of Connections to Work.
Number of program participants who remain employed 12 months after program completion
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is 97% of the total participants who were employed.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of people aged 65+ receiving home care
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors
Related Program
Aging with Dignity Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of youth who volunteer/participate in community service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Children in preschool through young adults in college volunteer through JFS SV in myriad ways to help change the world for the better.
Total number of clients experiencing unemployment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of snacks served for students participating in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Connections to Work/Refugee Resettlement and Acculturation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We have collaborated with a variety of partners: Starbucks, Lucky Supermarkets and the LDS Church to offer our Vocational English Training students meals and snacks each day.
Number of emergency meals provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Number of care packages delivered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
JFS SV delivers food packages during holidays and maintains a food pantry for emergency situations. We also have Open Pantry Days when clients can "shop" for food and household items they need.
Number of clients participating in support groups
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
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?
In 2018-19 our goals are:
1. Maintain the agency in sound fiscal shape.
2. Offer high level of services with existing staff.
3. Seek alternative sources of support for Refugee Services..
4. Focus on increasing both our fundraising $ and donor base.
5. Increase visibility of JFS
6. Expand Aging with Dignity Services
7. Update the Volunteer Management System.
8. Develop a space plan that meets JFS’s programmatic, administrative and storage needs.
9. Develop Succession Plan
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We will meet the above goals by utilizing the following strategies:
Ensure that the combined sources of income meet JFS obligations. If not, take necessary steps to assure a balanced budget. Reviewed monthly.
Maintain operating capital at a minimum of 3 months of operating expenses, reported monthly
Positive Annual Audit Report
Existing programs continue, meet clients’ needs and run efficiently.
Obtaining alternate sources of funding.
Expand volunteer base working with refugees.
Continue to develop partnerships with Jewish & other community groups.
Funds raised per Development Committee’s Fund Development Plan. Progress reported to Board quarterly.
Facilitate at least one major story in local press or coverage by Bay Area media per year
Increase community outreach activities regarding refugee programs/situation.
Expand social services program at Chai House, meeting all obligations of Chai House contract.
Market JFS SV HomeCare Program to insure growth & visibility.
Begin to plan the creation of a Boutique Geriatric Management program
Complete implementation of Volunteer Tracking System in FY 2018/19
Optimize use of existing space by getting rid of items not needed and scanning documents.
Personnel Committee to begin to develop strategies & consult with outside sources
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our staff are trained social workers, counselors, teachers, finance professionals, and program leaders. Our Board is diligent, dedicated, and committed to agency success.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Budget is in balance. Cash flow is good.
Operating capital exceeds 3 months of expenses
Audit was positive.
Existing programs have continued albeit with reduced staff hours.
We are in conversation with SVCF and a local collaborative for additional funding.
Volunteer base working with refugees has expanded according to our needs
We’ve built and/or improved our relationships with LDS Church, JCRC, Cong. Shir Hadash and others.
Current levels of donor support have exceeded Q3 goals.
Coverage in SJ Mercury News.
Community outreach activities now occur several times a month.
Enhanced social services program funded by ECH is in full swing and is fully staffed.
Half page ad in JValley News funded by 24hrHomeCare appeared in Feb issue.
Staff created an outline of initial steps for the program.
Volunteer database rolled out and now functional.
Admin Mgr. will look into onsite storage in June.
Personnel Committee has begun to meet about succession.
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 Family Services of Silicon Valley
Board of directorsas of 12/14/2023
Dr. Joseph Isaacson
Metabolic Nutrition Program
Term: 2018 - 2020
Rhonda Farber
Bill Pomper
Richard Zbriger
Elise Wessels
Howard Taub
Joseph Isaacson
Devorah Felder-Levy
Haryl Pascal
Dorene Kastelman
Susan Broockman
Ruth Bareket
Mark Levine
Robert Chortek
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 -
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? Yes