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, information and referral for community resources, and interest-free college loans through the Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF).
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!
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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
Funding 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 was provided by the URO Charitable Trust Limited, administered by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, for the benefit of Jewish Nazi Victims.
- 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, Schoenbaum Family Foundation, Lightning Foundation, and many individual donations.
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 or program staff.
The food pantry is supported entirely through donations and small grants. Food, school supplies, 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
Yad B’ Yad (Hand in Hand)
Yad B’ Yad (Hand in Hand) recruits Jewish adult volunteers as mentors, companions, and role models for Jewish children ages 6 to 17. The relationship strengthens the family by enriching children’s lives with additional adult influence and support.
Contact Information
14041 Icot Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33760
E: JFSFamilySupport@gcjfcs.org
P: 727.479.1806