The theme for International Women’s Day on March 8, is #AccelerateAction with a focus on celebrating differences as something that makes us stronger rather than divides us. At JFCS, something we strive for each day is acknowledging differences and celebrating them as something that makes us stronger as an organization and community.
If we can envision a world where everyone can show up as their authentic selves without the fear of judgment, we will be a stronger society. May this be something we recognize and work towards on International Women’s Day, and continuously throughout the year.
We recently asked the women of JFCS’ staff and Board of Directors to share their thoughts on various questions related to International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. See what they said and how they are celebrating women throughout March!
What does International Women’s Day mean to you? What does it mean to celebrate this day?
We live in a world that was not designed for women, yet women are the life force that keeps our world growing and evolving, in both the literal and metaphorical sense. As an OB/GYN, I take immense pride in caring for women. I honor them, I protect them, I give them what they need to create good in the world. It is a privilege to do so and one I cherish deeply.
Avi Hahn, JFCS Board Director
International Women’s Day is a reminder to take an intentional look at and purposefully celebrate the incredible things women have accomplished and contributed to our world, often in the face of huge adversity. I think it’s also a time to reflect and appreciate how those who came before us paved the way for us in our professional fields and personal lives to unapologetically be our fullest selves.
Dr. Sarah Roos, Psychologist
It’s a day of celebrating the journey of progress and success that women have fought so hard for. The journey is not over, and women need to be recognized and celebrated going forward.
Michelle Klecner, Volunteer & Events Manager
What is your favorite quote about women?
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde (submitted by anonymous)
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made … It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” -Ruth Bader Ginsburg (submitted by Cindy Key, Career Counselor)
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” -Shirley Chisholm (submitted by Valecia Quinn, Director of Navigate)
“Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked” Amy Morin (submitted by anonymous)
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey (submitted by Michelle Klecner)
“For women, the need and desire to nurture each other is not pathological but redemptive, and it is within that knowledge that our real power is rediscovered.” -Audre Lorde (submitted by Whitney Boswell, Klein Older Adult Manager)
Well-behaved women seldom make history. (submitted by Lyndy Alexander, Chief Financial Officer)
What is a proud accomplishment you have from this past year?
Getting hired at JFCS!
Michelle Klecner
One of my proudest accomplishments was being asked to serve as the Chair for Metro United Way’s Community Impact Cabinet, with the term starting last November. While I take every opportunity to learn and contribute to my community, it was apparent that my work and actions demonstrated that I could provide a greater impact by serving in a leadership role. I remember Robert Gunn, Chief Impact & Equity Officer, sending me a message – “From the onset, you have shown leadership, engagement, and added a tremendous amount of value to the CIC.” Very appreciative of Mr. Gunn recognizing my capabilities and providing me with an opportunity to lead the CIC team and working in partnership with him to serve the MUW community. For my drive, determination, and a strong work ethic, I pay tribute to one of the strongest women I’ve known and aspired to be… my late mom – Ruth!
Valecia Quinn
How do you think JFCS’ mission and vision celebrate women?
Living life confidently is part of the JFCS mission statement, and that is what every woman should be able to do. JFCS provides programs and services for anyone; men, women, and non-binary, to live life confidently and expand possibilities for all.
Michelle Klecner
In the last three years, JFCS has grown tremendously in terms of how many clients we serve. Our refugee and immigrant services have experienced particularly substantial growth. We’re responding to this increased demand by pivoting the relevant programs within our underlying mission. To start the new year, we are proud to announce the launch of our Immigrant & Refugee Services pillar.
JFCS pillars of service encompass our commitment to the various programs our organization provides. We currently operate based on four pillars, dedicated respectively to the Clinical Services, Career & Economic Opportunities, Family Stability, and Klein Older Adults programs. This upcoming fifth pillar will elevate our Immigrant & Refugee Services program to among our top priorities in terms of needs fulfillment.
The new pillar will include services like career laddering and recredentialing; a match saving program for refugees to save for a house, car, business, or education; a youth needs assessment for the immigrant and refugee community; and related necessities. Louisville’s immigrant community encompasses a wide spectrum of perspectives and needs. We want to make sure our organization provides an appropriately diverse range of ways we can assist!
Mark your calendars for January 21 at 5:30 pm; at this time, we will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony cementing this fifth pillar of service into our central mission. The event will be free and open to anyone interested, so we hope to see you there!
Immediately after this ribbon cutting, we’re holding our first event based around the new pillar. Styled after our successful and ongoing series of Community Chats, the Your Rights Matter: Understanding Rights of Refugees and Immigrants During Uncertain Times event will be held at JFCS between 6 and 8 pm on January 21. The chat will be free and open to the public with registration, and childcare is provided when needed. Plan on enjoying the ribbon cutting and sitting down for some perspective on the pillar afterwards!
This event will focus on the rights federally ensured to refugees and immigrants, and on the ways in which those rights may or may not change after the upcoming change in United States presidency. Like our Community Chats, it will be led by a panel of four experts on the subject. The panel will educate listeners on understanding new and rapidly changing immigration policies, creating an emergency plan where necessary, and knowing one’s personal rights and the rights of one’s fellow community members. There will be time afterwards for audience questions, so be prepared to ask away if there’s anything you’re particularly curious about!
Know Your Rights will contain relevant information for individuals who could personally be affected by new legislation around immigration; service providers who want to communicate their services and see resources available; and community members who want to be educated to advocate for their neighbor. Regardless of how you fit into any of those categories, we encourage you to attend. See you on the 21st!
We at JFCS mourn the loss of a member of the JFCS family. Anita Jarboe passed away on the morning of Thursday, November 28th. We are forever grateful for her warm, calm, welcoming presence that greeted everyone at JFCS for decades.
Anita served as the receptionist at JFCS since 2000, and she continued to enthusiastically perform her role until a few weeks prior to her passing. For nearly 25 years, everyone who walked into JFCS was greeted by Anita’s warmth and care. We are already seeing many of our clients remark on how different things feel without her; she truly was a constant in our office amidst sweeping changes in both our workplace and the world as a whole!
JFCS employees and volunteers arranged two gatherings to reflect on the role Anita played in our lives. During those gatherings, the JFCS community recalled her kindness and appreciation of everybody despite her strong commitment to efficiency and proper record-keeping. Anita was dedicated to ensuring things were done by the rules, and she was never afraid to put her foot down to keep JFCS operations running smoothly. Yet she was equally committed to the well-being of every coworker and client who stepped into the building. Regardless of your age, your race, your financial standing, or any other variable in your life, you could be sure Anita would happily greet you each time she saw you and would periodically check in to make sure you were doing alright.
During our second gathering, Anita’s family, including her husband Jeff, visited us to reflect on the profound role she had played in their lives. Her husband told staff that Anita was as committed to keeping everyone happy in her home life as she was in her work life. Even after heart surgery, she continued to hold the strength and optimism that we have long admired her for. Jeff and the rest of Anita’s family joined us in appreciation of the many positive impacts Anita had exerted onto the world around her.
It truly is rare to come across a person as consistently dedicated to everyone around her as Anita was. We feel that she perfectly encapsulated JFCS’ vision that all in Greater Louisville hold dignity and purpose, and that all in Greater Louisville deserve to be treated in a way that acknowledges this. We couldn’t have possibly found a person to welcome everyone at JFCS who better represented what we strive to be as an organization. We continue to be grateful for the many years she spent with us.
Despite the sadness of this time, we are grateful for the ways that Anita positively impacted us, and we are grateful to have been able to similarly positively impact her. Her friends and family continue to speak of Anita’s love of JFCS and the values it represents. We know that the impact of Anita on our organization will be felt for years to come. We also know that in her continuous enthusiasm for life, she would have hoped for all of us to continue to appreciate our lives – and the good we’re capable of doing – even amidst such a huge loss.
5 Things I Love About Our Volunteers
By Michelle Klecner, Volunteer & Events Manager
There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. My job is fun and rewarding because of the volunteers at Jewish Family & Career Services. Our volunteers should not be underestimated for their influence on the culture and work of JFCS. Since being in the Volunteer & Events Manager role for a little over a month, I have appreciated every volunteer that has stepped through our doors and made me feel welcome. I know each staff member appreciates all the volunteers that expand possibilities for all.
So, to spread the love this month, for Volunteer Appreciation Month, I listed 5 things that I love about JFCS volunteers.
Respectful of JFCS (Kavod)
I am proud to say that some of our best volunteers have referred amazing new volunteers to the organization. I am looking forward to onboarding new volunteers and growing the volunteer opportunities with JFCS. Our volunteers are amazing at promoting JFCS and our volunteer opportunities!
Empathetic (Chesed)
Our volunteers are compassionate about serving our clients. I cannot emphasis how dedicated our volunteers are within the Sonny & Janet Meyer food pantry, shabbos friends, Pledge 13, telephone reassurance, friendly visitor programs, and events. The connection the volunteers feel to the community through connecting with clients is powerful.
Welcoming to the Community (Kehilah)
JFCS is a welcoming place for everyone. You do not have to be Jewish to volunteer or a client at JFCS. Everyday when I come into JFCS, I feel a sense of community through our volunteers’ smiling faces. Their perspective and way of giving helps create a safe space that allows everyone to feel welcome.
Unbiased in serving others (Tzedek)
We have a diverse community of volunteers that have different opinions, cultures, traditions and customs. They recognize that every lens and worldview are important and contribute to the diversity that makes Louisville stronger.
Helpful (Avodah)
Our volunteers expand the possibilities of JFCS in a way that would not be possible without their support. The help and time they give to JFCS is invaluable and allows us to make lasting impact in the community. There are always opportunities to make an impact and our volunteers find those ways!
JFCS’ core values are Kavod (Respect), Chesed (Compassion), Kehilah (Community), Tzedek (Justice), Avodah (Service). These Jewish words guide volunteers, JFCS Board of Directors, and the JFCS Staff as we serve people of all backgrounds in the Greater Louisville community. If you are interested in volunteering with JFCS, please email me at MKlecner@jfcslouisville.org or fill out this link here.