Aug 24, 2021 | Press Release
Gulf Coast JFCS Welcoming Afghan Refugees to Tampa Bay As a continuation of our commitment to resettling Refugees fleeing their home countries due to persecution and violence, Gulf Coast is welcoming the arrival of Afghan refugees to our Tampa Bay community following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent mass evacuations of Afghan citizens. Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee assistance programs exemplify Jewish values including “welcoming the stranger” from which the organization was founded nearly fifty years ago. Prior to the Afghan emergency, demand for Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee Services was increasing rapidly due to the current Administration’s increase in the Refugee admissions ceiling. Through its’ Refugee Services, Gulf Coast JFCS provides comprehensive resources to support the successful integration of individuals and families, including airport reception, housing health screenings, community orientations, school admission, and assistance finding employment and child care. “Gulf Coast JFCS exists to uplift lives for all people, from babies to seniors, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, culture or gender identity. We are steadfast in our commitment to assist and equip refugees with the tools and resources to effectively assimilate, become self-sufficient and empowered to thrive in their new communities,” remarks Dr. Sandra Braham, President and CEO. “We anticipate assisting dozens of Afghan Refugees as well as hundreds more from other countries in the weeks and months ahead.” To respond to this increased demand for refugee resettlement services, Gulf Coast JFCS has launched a special Refugee Assistance Fund to direct philanthropic contributions to help refugees settle and find safety, comfort and happiness in their new communities. Contributions to this fund will help fill gaps in funding immediate...
Apr 1, 2021 | Press Release
Bill & Sally Israel honored The Lightning honored Bill & Sally Israel as the 19th Community Heroes this season. See the press releases and videos below. Bill & Sally Israel Honored as Lightning Community Heros Video: Lightning Community Hero...
Jan 7, 2021 | News, Press Release
St. Petersburg City Council acted today to improve response to non-violent emergency calls by unanimously approving the launch and funding of a multi–year, $3 million pilot program named the Community Assistance and Life Liaison program (CALL). This is a Gulf Coast JFCS–led program in partnership with St. Petersburg Police Department and will begin immediately with a 9-month pilot with the option for an additional two-year renewal. Read the press release: St. Pete City Council Unanimously Approves New Program Partnership for a Safer St....
Nov 25, 2020 | Press Release
The students at Reddick Elementary School are taking part in a Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services program that provides tutoring and homework assistance, yoga, and behavior classes for kindergarten to third-grade bilingual students. VIDEO: Fox 13 News GAFA...
Sep 29, 2020 | Press Release
U.S. Representative Charlie Crist of the Florida Congressional Coalition Celebrates the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree To Be Recognized at National Virtual Event in 2020. Representative Charlie Crist will celebrate the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas, a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS), as a 2020 Angels in Adoption® Honoree for their outstanding advocacy for child adoption Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery Angels in Adoption...
Aug 5, 2020 | Press Release
Gulf Coast JFCS was recently informed of a data security breach of its’ cloud-based data management vendor, Blackbaud www.Blackbaud.com. Upon completing our own due diligence on this situation, our highest priority is to relay what we know to our friends and contributors. Database Breach...
Jul 31, 2020 | Press Release
Gulf Coast JFCS’s Good Afternoon Friends & Amigos (GAFA) Program Uses Mindfulness, Yoga to Help Students “The program is just one of several programs we have to help children in Tampa Bay,” says Sandra Braham, CEO and president at Gulf Coast JFCS. The program was established to help needy families who face challenges such as food insecurity and housing but goes beyond that. “What’s different about this program is the focus on social and emotional learning including the incorporation of mindfulness and yoga principles, creating a holistic and unique approach to learning,” she said. Gulf Coast JFCS GAFA After-School...
Jul 15, 2020 | Press Release
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services has announced three key appointments to its leadership staff. “These leadership changes strengthen Gulf Coast JFCS delivery of critical services to our community including enhancing outreach to assist the needs of underserved populations, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Dr. Sandra Braham, CEO. The organization provides services for child welfare, behavioral and mental health, Jewish Family Services and Holocaust survivors, refugee resettlement and support for survivors of torture, elder services and employment services. Throughout the state of Florida, Gulf Coast JFCS has provided help to 30,000 people in the past year alone. Gulf Coast JFCS Announces New Leadership...
Jul 9, 2020 | Press Release
“We are pleased to have a great group of volunteer leaders who have made a commitment to support our work and drive the strategic direction of the agency and its programs which serve more than 30,000 Floridians annually,” noted Dr. Sandra Braham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services. Board members will serve a three-year term ending in 2023. Gulf Coast JFCS Announces New Board Members and...
Mar 13, 2020 | Press Release
We understand the growing concern surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) across our communities, and our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted. In response to the Executive Order set by Governor De Santis, Gulf Coast JFCS has activated it’s Emergency Response Team. We are following guidelines as set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the State of Florida to determine the safest course of action for our clients, staff, and visitors. This situation continues to evolve quickly and we will monitor it closely....
Dec 16, 2019 | Press Release
Gulf Coast JFCS and the Heart Gallery will honor Dr. Marcie Biddleman with the “Diane Granito Heart of Gold Award” at their annual Heartstrings Luncheon on February 13, 2020 at Feather Sound Country Club. Diane Granito established the first Heart Gallery in 2001 to raise awareness about adoption and to find homes for older children and sibling groups in protective custody. She developed the idea from the photographer (and adoptive mother) Cathy Maier, to have talented photographers create inspiring portraits of children awaiting adoption. The community’s energy and generosity created an impetus which resulted in Heart Galleries opening nationwide. Gulf Coast JFCS and the Heart Gallery to Award Dr. Biddleman with “Diane Granito Heart of Gold Award” Feb 13 PHOTO of Dr. Marcie...
Nov 22, 2019 | Press Release
On February 2, 2020, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS) will host its first Run for Refugees 5K to increase the visibility of and support for refugees in the Tampa Bay area. Gulf Coast JFCS proudly greets refugees arriving in the US, connecting them to housing, providing for household goods, making connections to necessary medical and other services, helping to enroll their children in school, and assisting them in accessing employers who will help them achieve self-sufficiency. Gulf Coast JFCS to Hold Run for Refugees Feb...
Oct 14, 2019 | Press Release
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS) will present the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Brent and Debbie Sembler in honor of their service and philanthropy. The Award will be presented at the agency’s annual signature fundraising event, FACES, on November 5, 2019 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. Described by Ambassador Mel and Mrs. Betty Sembler as, “a dynamic duo that you can count on,” Brent and Debbie Sembler bring a compassionate outlook to the projects they support. Gulf Coast JFCS to Award Dynamic Duo with Lifetime Achievement Award PHOTO of Brent and Debbie...
Jul 23, 2019 | Press Release
Nearly one in four of more than 80,000 Holocaust survivors who live in the United States is aged 85 or older and lives in poverty. Many survivors live alone and are at risk for social isolation, depression, and other physical and mental health conditions stemming from earlier periods of starvation, disease, and torture. JFNA Funding Provides Local Holocaust Survivors with new CHAI...
Apr 18, 2019 | Press Release
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS) will present the M.A. Bernstein Behavioral Health Award to St. Petersburg Chief of Police Anthony Holloway on Thursday, May 9, 2019, 6 pm at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, St. Petersburg, during their event, “The Great Gulf Coast Jewelry Heist.” Annually, Gulf Coast JFCS honors individual champions for their contributions toward advancements in behavioral health services in Florida. Gulf Coast JFCS to Award Chief Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg Police Department, with M.A. Bernstein Behavioral Health Award PHOTOS: of Chief Holloway Photo 1 || Photo 2 VIDEO: St. Pete PD Video Highlighting Chief Holloway’s CIT...
