Fostering Friendships
Sue, an older adult response and recovery specialist for Jefferson County Public Health, enjoys bird watching, grooming horses, reading, writing, watching older sitcoms, and dogs—and since 2019, being a JFS Friendly Visitor. The program matches volunteers with older adults or adults with disabilities, and the meaningful connections that are made are inspiring!
Meet our Volunteer of the Year
Since 2015, Eve Verderber has shared more than 728 hours of her time volunteering for JFS with her dedication to the Boulder Advisory Committee, Golden West Ambassador, and Friendly Visitor programs and holiday celebrations and the Reel Hope event. We are honored to announce Eve as this year’s JFS Boulder Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. Read about how Eve truly personifies the spirit of JFS.
JFS Boulder Expands Mental Health Services
JFS headquarters, based in Denver, has a robust Mental Health department providing services to the community for more than 40 years. JFS Boulder is building upon this infrastructure and has expanded its mental health services to provide ongoing high-quality mental health services for anyone needing therapy, including those impacted by the Marshall Fire or Straight-Line Wind Event in Boulder County.
Marshall Fire Resources
As the one-year anniversary of the Marshall Fire approaches JFS Boulder continues to provide resources for those impacted by the fire.
Friendly Visitor program: neighbors helping neighbors
The JFS Friendly Visitor program promotes connection, engagement, and fun between older adults and volunteers. Volunteers are individually matched with an older adult to provide an hour or so of companionship each week. Our volunteers find that they establish a rich connection with the individuals they meet. We ask our volunteers for a minimum commitment of six months, which gives them time to develop a relationship and form a bond.
JFS Boulder Ambassadors enrich community living
Evie Verderber and Mary Ann Wilner, long-term volunteers at JFS Boulder, launched an exciting new program this spring at the Golden West community in Boulder. As part of the program, two volunteers are assigned as Ambassadors to a specific senior living residence and will plan monthly Jewish cultural programs together with the residents.
Get to know our JFS Boulder team
Our dedicated team provides programs and services to help people feel supported, connected, and engaged, and the community is a better place thanks to their commitment.
Volunteers needed for the Boulder Jewish Festival
Join JFS Boulder at the 25th annual Boulder Jewish Festival on Sunday, June 12. Volunteers are needed at the JFS booth to help set up, work the booth, and tear down at the end of the event.
Celebrating Passover throughout our Boulder community
This year, senior community residents in the Boulder County area welcomed a traditional observance of Passover with both JFS Boulder volunteer para chaplains and local Rabbi’s leading services and returning to in-person experiences.
Marshall Fire response
The JFS Boulder team has responded to unprecedented community need from the Marshall Fire. Since December 30, 2021, we have responded to 344 applications, representing 944 individuals. Read how this extraordinary team is making a powerful impact throughout the community.
How JFS is helping wildfire relief efforts
Since the Marshall Fire roared through the Boulder area at the end of 2021, Jewish Family Service (JFS) has been actively responding to the community’s needs in the aftermath of this tragedy. Thanks to JEWISHcolorado’s Boulder Fire Relief Fund, CFBC’s Boulder County Wildfire Fund, and donations to JFS’s wildfire fund, we have responded to 328 applications and more than 900 individuals. In addition, we have provided referrals, case management, 125 computers, $12,000 in gift cards, and $288,6000 in direct financial assistance.
Families like the Engel’s . . .
Thank You to Boulder JCC for Partnering in Fire Relief Efforts
Almost immediately after the Marshall Fire ended and the crisis emerged as many Boulder-area residents found themselves homeless, the Boulder JCC mobilized a community of volunteers to help JFS Boulder staff handle the large influx of people coming for help. JCC consultant Susan Rona shares how and why she and the JCC team quickly jumped into action to support JFS and the fire victims.
Winter Wellness for Teens and Parents
Boulder JCC and Jewish Family Service present this four-part weekly series at the Boulder JCC. Each session will consist of fun, creative, and holistic self-care activities paired with resiliency-building skills, and body-based strategies to cope with stress and anxiety.
JFS Para-chaplain Work: Full of Surprising Encounters and Rewarding Opportunities
Joe Lukasik, a volunteer for more than a decade, shares his experiences and encourages others to become a volunteer para-chaplain.
Join a Free Monthly Caregiver Support Group
If you are caring for or are concerned about an aging parent nearby or long distance, we invite you to attend Caring for Your Aging Parent, a free virtual monthly drop-in support group for adult children on the first Wednesday of each month, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Comfort, Compassion, and Resources Go a Long Way
What began with a phone call for help completing paperwork ended with one Boulder Holocaust survivor receiving so much more.
Keeping Karen in Her Home
Karen Friedman, 74, contacted JFS Boulder last year when she needed help with mortgage payments. She was struggling with a variety of personal issues and seeking new employment. She had received assistance from JFS in the past and hoped she could count on the organization again.
Donor Spotlight: Roberta Levin
Learn why longtime supporter Roberta Levin, who is co-chairing the upcoming Experience JFS Boulder event with Gilad Gordon, supports JFS Boulder.
Providing an Essential Lifeline for William
See how JFS Boulder supported William, a Sudanese refugee, during the pandemic.
A Letter of Gratitude from a JFS Boulder Client
We recently received this heartfelt letter from a client for whom we provided housing assistance at the beginning of the pandemic. Read the letter now!