When her husband’s grandparents, Sam and Virginia Saffro, moved into Chai Point [an independent and assisted-living retirement facility at the Weinberg Jewish Terrace], Patti Levy said she and her husband, Doug, “weren’t even aware of Jewish Family Services’ LinkAges program for older adults.”
The Saffros, now deceased, took advantage of LinkAges services ranging from companionship and help in their apartment, to assistance with shopping.
“Even though a lot of our family lives in town,” Levy said, “the services made available to our grandparents through the program were wonderful.”
“I think after Sam died,” she added, “Virginia was able to express some of her feelings to someone outside the family. I think she was more open with a professional, which I know was very reassuring to her and for us. We all appreciated the way everything was handled. It was a two-way street — we called JFS if we had concerns and they called us, too. It provided a wonderful sense of security for our family.”
“Ethel” is an 82-year-old widow who “grabbed at the chance to get some help” after her husband died in 1994. According to her children, she was withdrawing into herself and avoiding social functions. So they, too, called JFS.
“I’ve gone to weekly therapy sessions ever since, and it’s been a wonderful experience,” said Ethel, who preferred not to use her real name. “I think older people often think they don’t need therapy and that’s a mistake. Everyone needs help in adjusting to changes in their lives. JFS has helped me stay in the swim.”
JFS also has satisfied clients at the other end of the age spectrum, like Justine and Jonathan Colburn of Glendale, whose two young children attend the agency’s Child Development Center.
Said Justine, “I really investigated my options before choosing a day care program for my first child, who’s now three years old.” Those options, she said, included hiring someone to care for her child at home.
But, she said, “I chose JFS because it felt like a home-like environment. The staff assesses the needs of each individual child in the program, and I think that’s important.”
Countless other families have availed themselves of the agency’s services and support during its 134-year history. As one of the oldest social service organizations in Milwaukee, JFS has grown both its services and clients throughout the years.
In the last 30 years, its staff has expanded from 13 to 72. Its services have grown to include individual, group and family counseling; case management and support for older adults; guardianship; job placement and resettlement assistance for Russian immigrants; infant and child day care; and support for clients with exceptional needs and developmental disabilities.
In fact, an independent space analysis determined that JFS needed a facility at least four times the size of its current space at the Helfaer Community Building on Prospect Ave.
To purchase such space and secure an endowment that would help the agency continue its mission of strengthening and preserving the Jewish family, JFS launched the first capital campaign in its history last year, with a goal of $4.7 million. It included a lead gift from honorary campaign co-chairs Robert and Mimi Habush.
Their gift and others enabled the purchase of the Byrant and Stratton Business College property at 1300 N. Jackson St.
Now, with more than $3.9 million raised and renovations on its new headquarters to begin in May, JFS is launching a community-wide campaign to secure the remaining funds for its building and programs.
According to Elliot Lubar, executive vice president of JFS, “More than 80 percent of the money has been raised through leadership and major gifts. The next phase is the community-wide campaign. We need a broad base of support from throughout the community in order to help us reach our goal.
“If the community responds by helping us raise the final three quarters of a million dollars, two foundations, the Kresge Foundation and the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, will grant the agency an additional $1.1 million [in the amounts of $300,000 and $800,000, respectively].”
Milwaukee Jewish Federation president Allen Samson added, “Once JFS told the federation that it needed more space, federation staff was assigned to work with the fundraising campaign and help the agency identify potential donors.
“I think the federation’s relationship with JFS is a model for all federation/agency relations in terms of programming, fundraising, cooperative efforts and utilizing volunteers of both agencies.”
According to JFS, the new facility’s benefits include:
• A more central and easily accessible location for the client base.
• Better client service through expansion of programs and services.
• Improved confidentiality and privacy through a separate entrance for counseling clients.
• Improved communication, cost efficiency and effectiveness through consolidation of most JFS staff and services under one roof. Currently, JFS operates four sites — two downtown and two in Whitefish Bay. (The Child Development Center will remain on the Karl Campus, but day care will also be available at the new site downtown. The satellite counseling center in the North Shore will also continue to be used.)
“Additional space is not a luxury,” explained the Habushes. “It is a necessity if the agency is to continue to meet our community’s urgent needs. The agency has touched the lives of countless families in the community through its support and superior service.
“It exemplifies humankind at its best, offering compassion, hope, strength and caring for others who have greater needs.”
Stuart Brofman concurred. His mother, 92, moved from her own apartment to an assisted living facility in January. Brofman said, “I knew [social worker] Barb Friedlander at JFS and contacted her to help evaluate my mother’s situation. As I no longer live in Milwaukee, I rely heavily on JFS to oversee her care. JFS takes her to all of her appointments and checks on her general well-being. I couldn’t be more satisfied.”
Said capital campaign chair Gerry Biller, “So far we have received wonderful and generous gifts from old friends, new friends and from very unexpected sources. We hope support from members of the entire Jewish community will continue until we reach our goal.”
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