Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Jewish Family Service holds an unwavering belief that its clients are able to improve their lives. JFS's goal is to deliver high quality, interconnected services across San Diego County and in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, that empower clients to set and achieve goals that result in long-term change and that contribute to measurable improvements in the quality of life, standard of living, community connections, and economic independence of thousands of individuals and families. JFS strives to provide seamless integration of its client-centered community‑based, and in-home services.
In the Aging with Dignity Impact Area, JFS's goal is to provide comprehensive aging and wellness services that offer a seamless integration of community based and in-home services that ensure that older adults lead safe and independent lives — and remain engaged, contributing members of their communities.
In the Community Engagement impact area, JFS's goals are to be a leader in the field of volunteer engagement, serve as an active and collaborative partner in the community, and collaborate with community partners to advocate for public policies at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure that clients' needs continue to be met over the long‑term.

JFS's strategies to achieve its goals are to:
• deliver high quality services that empower clients to set and achieve goals that result in long‑term change
• measure outcomes to support program improvement and to ensure progress toward goals, and
• partner for impact with other human service agencies, universities, government agencies and generous funding partners to advocate for legislative policies that increase client access to community services, promote self-sufficiency, and facilitate aging in community

JFS is recognized across California and the nation for its commitment to best practices, programmatic acumen, and innovative and collaborative efforts. JFS received the following accolades and awards last fiscal year:
• JFS was named 2016 Nonprofit of the Year by the California State Assembly in recognition of its exceptional delivery of high quality self‑sufficiency services
• JFS earned Charity Navigator's 4-star rating for the ninth consecutive year. Nationally, only 1% of all charities rated have achieved this “exceptional" rating year after year, distinguishing JFS as a responsible steward of the public trust
• JFS Positive Parenting Program was awarded the 2016 Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council's Program of the Year “STARS" Award
• JFS was named 2016 San Diego County Behavioral Health System's “Community Education Program of the Year"

JFS is recognized across California and the nation for its commitment to best practices, programmatic acumen, and innovative and collaborative efforts. JFS serves 20,000 San Diegans every year with Aging & Wellness or Self-sufficiency services that make their lives better.
With one in three local families not earning enough to live self-sufficiently, there is significant work to be done to ensure all San Diego families are thriving. While JFS has been able to deliver impactful services that measurably improve the lives of tens of thousands of people, increased funding, volunteer support, and strategic partnerships are needed to keep up with the ongoing need for comprehensive support services for children and families struggling to make ends meet.
As the nation faces a surge in the older adult population, San Diego is insufficiently prepared to meet the comprehensive needs of this expanding demographic. While JFS is committed to delivering services that maximize the independence, dignity, and quality of life for older adults and their families, additional funding is required to address the complex challenges of an increasing number of older adults turning to the agency for assistance. Currently JFS serves over 40,000 individuals in our community each year.