Jewish Family
Services
Our Services
Founded as a Jewish Family Services Agency, supporting the needs of local Jewish families remains a key tenet of our work in the community. Services include emergency financial and food assistance, support for Holocaust survivors, friendly callers and visitors for seniors, mentoring Jewish children, and providing Jewish Life Education.
Gulf Coast JFCS partners with area synagogues, the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany, and donations from individuals and foundations.
CHATS Program
Companionship, Help & Access by Telephone for Seniors (CHATS) is a Gulf Coast JFCS program that matches seniors with a volunteer caller so they can enjoy a weekly telephone chat.
CHATS program staff matches callers based on preferences and interests. The caller and participant work together to decide what day and time to chat. With CHATS, the same person will call each week. CHATS is free, only a reliable land line or cell phone is required.
WHY CHATS?
- Research shows friends are good for your health
- Callers can become lifelong friends
- Callers can connect you to Gulf Coast JFCS resources that might be helpful
- You can learn and share something together
- Callers can make you SMILE
To learn more, email CHATS@gcjfcs.org or call our CHATS Program Coordinator at 727.450.7278
Testimonial
“I can’t even express the words that could tell you how grateful I am for Jewish Family Services assistance. When I was in need of housing, clothing, and food GCJFCS came forward with full support and understanding. Today I have a great job, a new outlook on life, and a memory of love and care from JFS help. If there is any way I can help others in the future the way you have helped me, I would do this without question. I would be so humble and happy to do it! Thank you again for all the support. You truly saved a life.”
Emergency Family Support Services
Emergency Family Support Services offers assistance in meeting basic human needs for the Jewish community in Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando Counties. Program services also include emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referral for community resources.
Community Service for Kids engages local youth to support the Food Pantry by conducting donation drives for food, household goods, toiletries and school supplies. These projects can be done by youth groups, religious and pre-schools, and B’nai Mitzvah students. Be creative and help collect food for the local community!
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FOOD PANTRY
providing non-perishable food and grocery gift cards
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EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES
during times of financial crisis
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REFERRALS
to GCJFCS programs and organizations who can continue assist beyond the GCFJCS internal network
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HANUKKAH GIFT SHOP
A free shopping experience to bring light into the lives of our community
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ESSENTIALS
in times of need, such as school supplies, toiletries, household items.
Contact Information
Jewish Educational Loan Fund
Gulf Coast JFCS is proud to work in partnership with JELF to help local Jewish students reach their academic goals. Higher education costs are rising and JELF is meeting the need through providing 0% interest loans to Jewish students.
All qualifying applicants must be:
- A permanent resident of FL, GA, SC, NC, and VA (excluding metro DC) (they can, however, attend any U.S. accredited school)
- Enrolled full-time in a program leading to a degree or certificate
- In good academic standing
- A U.S. citizen, or have lawful immigration status
- Able to provide a designated co-signer that lives in the U.S.
- Planning to accept federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans (FAFSA application required)
JELF loans are intentionally designed to help cover costs associated with the educational and living expenses that other financial aid often does not cover, such as travel, rent, food, and books. JELF’s 0% interest loans help save borrowers thousands of dollars in high interest-bearing debt each year.
The JELF application is open each year from January-April for students seeking assistance for the next full academic year and again in August-September for students that need assistance for spring and/or summer semesters.
To apply, or for more information, please email JFSFamilySupport@gcjfcs.org or visit jelf.org
Contact Information
14041 Icot Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33760
E: JFSFamilySupport@gcjfcs.org
P: 727.479.1806
Funding is Provided by the Following:
- Social services for Nazi victims have been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
- Support provided in partnership with JFCS of the Suncoast for case management and socialization
- Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast
- Kavod/SHEF and Seed the Dream Foundation
- Funding is also received by the State of Florida Department of Financial Services, June Baumgardner Gelbart Foundation, Herman Forbes Charitable Trust, Lightning Foundation, and many individual donations.
- Gulf Coast JFCS participates in a national cohort with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) to provide the Uniper technology and specified programming to Holocaust survivors and elder adults. Our program provides support for the local Holocaust survivors to help reduce social isolation. The Uniper technology works on the person’s TV, computer, phone, and tablet allowing them a safe network to offer video calls, interactive live classes, and on demand video content. Programming content is provided in a variety of languages, including English, Russian and Spanish.
Holocaust Survivor Program
The Holocaust Survivor Program helps to improve the quality of life for Holocaust survivors in 7 counties of the greater Tampa Bay area by providing critically needed, in-home care, emergency financial assistance, case management services, prescription drug and medical assistance funds, transportation, social events (virtual and in-person), and other essential services to prevent out-of-home placement. Volunteer friendly visitors and/or callers can be matched with a survivor to provide social companionship.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.”
Home Care
Provide personal care and homemaking services for activities of daily living, including assistance with bathing, dressing, cooking, shopping, errands, and light housekeeping.
Case Management
Identify and arrange services available in the program and referral to services outside the program.
Client Transportation
Provide assistance with errands and doctor appointments through a homecare worker or via Lyft.
Socialization
Social activities are virtual and in-person, in small Chavurah groups and larger group events to celebrate holidays. Virtual and in-person activities include speakers, exercise and wellness, and discussions. Holiday celebrations are 3 times per year, and are in Pinellas/Hillsborough/Pasco, Sarasota, and North Port/Venice. These celebrations usually include a meal and entertainment, provide opportunities to celebrate in a welcoming and communal setting. Some activities are in Russian for survivors from the former Soviet Union.
Financial Emergency Assistance
For survivors who qualify via income and asset criteria, these funds range from helping with home emergencies such as rent/mortgage assistance, utilities, home repairs, as well as critical medical, dental and prescription services.
Restitution assistance
Provide assistance unique to Holocaust survivors including knowledge of restitution opportunities and assistance with restitution applications.
Contact Information
William & Sally Israel 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.
The food pantry is supported entirely through donations and small grants. Food, cleaning, school supply, and Chanukah drives stock the pantry quarterly. With cash donations and grants, additional food and grocery gift cards are purchased.
Volunteers are the life-blood of JFS. We encourage the local Jewish community to support our various volunteer projects.
Community Service for Kids engages local youth to support the Food Pantry by conducting donation drives for food, household goods, toiletries and school supplies. These projects can be done by youth groups, religious and pre-schools, and B’nai Mitzvah students. Be creative and help collect food for the local community!
Contact Information
14041 Icot Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33760
E: JFSFamilySupport@gcjfcs.org
P: 727.479.1806