Lives Uplifted

We PROTECT the vulnerable, EMPOWER individuals and STRENGTHEN families.

Uplifting Lives begins with a “hand up”

Many people confront life challenges they can’t solve alone. Gulf Coast JFCS helps our most vulnerable community members find safety, comfort and a path toward a fulfilling life.

From babies to seniors, Gulf Coast JFCS serves all people in need, regardless of race, religion, culture or gender identity. To help the most people most comprehensively, Gulf Coast JFCS programs span a broad human service spectrum, from behavioral and mental health, child welfare and adoption, family support, job and employment transition, housing, food, transportation or home care assistance for the elderly. Read more about us.

Inspired by Jewish values,
we PROTECT the vulnerable,
EMPOWER individuals,
and STRENGTHEN families.

Gulf Coast JFCS is ‘Lives Uplifted.”

The staff and services of Gulf Coast JFCS are compassion in action making lives uplifted! Every Gulf Coast employee is aware of the positive impact they have because each one of them is deeply connected to the people they help. Our staff are experts in identifying where help is needed to help clients achieve their goals.

Beginning with one social worker and a secretary in a small office 50 years ago, Gulf Coast JFCS now employs over 600 employees and serves nearly 30,000 people across Greater Tampa Bay and beyond.

Our services meet the complex needs of today’s families, senior citizens, vulnerable children, and persons needing assistance because of behavioral or mental health issues. Our programs are as diverse as the individuals who benefit from them. Collectively, our seven program pillars allow us to reach the community’s most vulnerable people find safety, comfort, and a path toward a fulfilling life.

LIVES MADE BETTER

Food Pantry

The William & Sally Israel Food Pantry provides non-perishable food, household goods, and school supplies for clients of Gulf Coast JFCS. The pantry is available to all clients of Gulf Coast JFCS by appointment or through their case managers and program staff.

Feed Families

NEW

Children First Innovation Fund

The Children First Innovation Fund is focused on helping children in foster care find their permanent ‘forever family’ by lessening obstacles. The Gulf Coast JFCS Children First Innovation Fund and our Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco offer innovative solutions to raise awareness of the critical need for child adoption to potential adoptive parents while helping reduce barriers in the adoption process behind the scenes.

Put Children First

November is National Adoption Month

Adoption Bear Hugs

Teddy Bears are a special symbol in the foster child adoption world. They represent finding a “forever family” as often at the adoption finalization hearing, the judge presents the newly adopted child with a cuddly “Bear” to represent the new forever family they are joining.

With your support, Bear will continue to be an adoption ambassador in Tampa Bay.

Make Adoption Possible

NEW

Hope and Dignity Fund

Over 50% of Floridians are one event away from a life-altering crisis. For tens of thousands, that event was Hurricane Helene.

Compassion in action means showing up — for all people in need, from babies to seniors, regardless of circumstance, Gulf Coast JFCS is here. The Hope and Dignity Fund will help fulfill these vital needs to give hope and dignity to all we serve, from babies to seniors.

Give Hope

Holocaust Survivor Fund

Gulf Coast JFCS assists Holocaust Survivors throughout Tampa Bay who require varying levels of assistance for essential daily living activities. For many, the high cost of medical and home care assistance have depleted their financial reserves, resulting in a significant gap in needed care.

Donate

Holidays

While most of us enjoy our holiday celebrations, too many children and their families are in crisis. For many, it can be a struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis and “extras” at the holidays are simply out of the question.

No child should go through the holiday season without smiles and magic!

Give a Gift

Refugee Assistance Fund

Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee Services team assists refugees to settle and integrate into their new country. Financial contributions directed toward the Refugee Assistance Fund will assist these individuals and hundreds of others from other countries with vital food, housing, employment, and child care or school-entry support.

Learn More

Residential Treatment Facility Fund

Treating and healing mental health diagnoses and addiction occurs most effectively in a homelike, nurturing environment. Infusing belief in each person’s potential combined with specialized therapeutic resources in a homelike environment brings transformative new beginnings to hundreds of individuals each year. This therapeutic, nurturing approach is just part of the success made possible in our Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs).

Provide Healing

celebrate 50 years of lives uplifted

Lives Uplifted is Gulf Coast JFCS’ annual celebration and fundraising event where we recognize our impact on the most vulnerable individuals throughout our community.

Your support allows us to continue providing a broad range of human services reaching more than 30,000 people annually throughout Greater Tampa Bay and beyond.

Uplift lives

50%

OF ALL FLORIDIANS ARE ONE EVENT AWAY FROM A LIFE-ALTERING CRISIS WITH LASTING EFFECTS ON THEIR SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING.

OUR PROGRAMS

Offering affordable rental housing options for individuals with disabilities and seniors

Jewish Family Services - elder with younger woman

Supporting the multi-faceted needs of Jewish individuals, families and Holocaust survivors.

Equipping and empowering individuals with behavioral or mental health challenges to live their best lives

Welcoming and supporting refugees from around the world as they build a new life in the U.S.

Strengthening and building families through a variety of educational and child welfare services

workforce development two women interviewing

Uplifting Lives begins with a “hand up”

Inspired by Jewish values,
we PROTECT the vulnerable,
EMPOWER individuals,
and STRENGTHEN families.

Gulf Coast JFCS is ‘Lives Uplifted.”