During the past three years, JFCS has prioritized community partnership. We recognize that serving the community alongside other service agencies allows us to grow and strengthen as an organization. JFCS strives to holistically serve the people in need of our services for the benefit of everyone involved; our goal is collaboration, not competition. These principles of partnership and collaboration can be seen in multiple upcoming events.
On August 4, we are hosting an event titled Beyond the Bills: An Evening of Short Films Showing the Impact of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign. Held at the 21C Museum Hotel, it consists of the screening of three independent short films, each of which explores the impacts of anti-LGBTQ legislation on everyday lives in the US.
We will include individuals from the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, and Kentucky Health Justice Network, as well as state Sen. Karen Berg and other experts on the subject, to ensure that we – and those in attendance – will truly understand the full communal scope of the subject. The threat of discriminatory legislation affects a wide variety of people in a wide variety of ways, and it is our hope that JFCS can facilitate community collaboration that brings about lasting change.
Another event, the Republic Bank Players Challenge that will be held on August 12 at Standard Club, is also built around community partnership. In addition to facilitating networking across Louisville’s diverse industries and organizations, this day of golf, food, fun, and sprits is a collaboration with the Trager Family JCC.
It is important for Louisville to recognize that the Jewish community is working together towards important goals of the betterment of Louisville, the country, and the world. The Republic Bank Players Challenge is built around just the sort of partnership we strive to showcase.
The JFCS Community Chats were created out of the idea that community partnerships are a cornerstone of change. The next chat in our series – Making Your Dreams a Reality: Starting Your Own Business – is no exception. Free to the public on September 10, this chat focuses on the needs of small business owners in ensuring that their businesses successfully and ethically achieve their goals.
In keeping with the themes of community that our chats are built around, the event will be led by a panel of experts from Greater Louisville: Valecia Quinn, Navigate Director at JFCS; Dave Christopher, President & Founder of AMPED; Natalia Bishop, Founder of Story Louisville; and Alisia McClain, Founder & Executive Director of TECH-Nique Inc.
Even outside of our grand events, themes of community partnership can be felt at JFCS every day. Our Family Stability pilot program is the result of a collaboration with six organizations, ensuring that a wide range of clients’ needs can be understood and met. Meanwhile, we are engaging in an immigrant/refugee youth survey with six other nonprofits to assess the needs among immigrant youth.
One’s own perspective is rarely enough to truly understand an issue, particularly one affecting a vast array of people in a vast array of ways. JFCS seeks to ensure that the greater community always has a say in the issues we address. Through strong community partnership, JFCS is able to continue holistically serving our clients with dignity and purpose.
At Jewish Family & Career Services, we hold our history dear. For example, in the fall, JFCS will be relaunching the Oral History, which interviews Jewish individuals to capture their story, experiences, and ultimately their legacy. These rounds of interviews will focus on Jewish identity and how that has been shaped through the decades.
Recently, at our Annual Meeting, JFCS welcomed a new slate of community leaders to the JFCS Board of Directors and said goodbye to several others who are stepping down. When the board elected Mr. David Kohn as the new Board President, JFCS found itself at a unique juncture. This marks the first time in our history that a parent and child have served as the president for JFCS.
David’s mother, Marjorie Kohn, also led JFVS (before the name was changed to JFCS) as Board President. During her time, she created a powerful legacy, both professional and personally, that now bridges generations. Along with her strong leadership as President, Margie, and husband Robert, left an indelible mark on JFCS when they created the Marjorie and Robert Kohn Pledge 13 Endowment, establishing the Pledge 13 program. This program encourages Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to give a minimum of 13 hours of community service, instilling a volunteer mindset in youth at a critical age. Many youth who go through the program, continue to volunteer with JFCS.
In following his mother’s footsteps, David Kohn both honors this powerful legacy, while bringing a fresh perspective to the role of Board President. We look forward to his leadership and guidance as we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of social service needs in our community.
The generational connection between David and Margie serves as an example of how our history informs our future. JFCS’ Jewish roots continue to guide our mission and vision as an organization, and this new chapter will deepen those roots. David’s deep appreciation for the values that JFCS upholds make him an ideal leader as we continue to foster a more inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and empowered.
As we embrace this new chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude to Mike Fine, who has served JFCS as Board President for the past three years. Mike has demonstrated exceptional leadership, steering JFCS through significant milestones such as the transition of leadership to David Finke, the creation of a 3-year-strategic plan, and deepened our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and our overall growth in programs and services. Mike has truly helped set JFCS up for future success and we thank him for his invaluable contributions to JFCS and the greater Louisville community. We look forward to his continued involvement with JFCS.
We also want to acknowledge those who are rotating off the board and express our deepest gratitude for your service to JFCS and the Louisville Community. These individuals are:
- Robin Stratton
- Jordan Green
- Micah Jorrisch
- James Ensign
- Linda Shapiro
- Derwin Webb
At our annual meeting we reflected on the past year’s successes – our history – with an eye towards the future. JFCS is truly poised for a future filled with growth, innovation, and unwavering dedication to our community. We honor the legacy of those who, like Margie Kohn, Mike Fine and others, have helped build JFCS’ solid foundation. And we continue to embrace the fresh perspectives from those like David Kohn, and our new board members, that will guide us forward. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more compassionate community, rooted in the values that have always defined JFCS: Kavod (Respect), Chesed (Compassion), Kehilah (Community), Tzedek (Justice), and Avodah (Service). The journey ahead is one of hope, growth, and unwavering commitment to ALL in our community.
June is Pride Month, a month dedicated to not only embracing love in all its forms, but also recognizing the ongoing struggle towards equality for, and acceptance of, the LGBTQ+ community.
JFCS does not stop at standing in solidarity with members of the LGBTQ+ community. We also celebrate their courage, their resilience, and the vital contributions they make to Louisville, and we are deeply committed to supporting the community through various initiatives and events.
You will see JFCS at the Kentuckiana Pride Parade this month celebrating the spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. This is always a favorite event for our staff and volunteers. Our march together serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity, and of the importance of standing together against discrimination.
We are excited to once again be part of the Pride Festival later this year, as it provides a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with people, share information about our services, and celebrate the rich tapestry that makes up the LGBTQ+ community. We hope you’ll stop by our booth and say hello as we offer resources and support, while showcasing JFCS as a welcoming space for all.
One significant event we held last year was the JFCS Community Chat entitled “Supporting Transgender Youth in Our Community.” This discussion brought together experts, advocates, and community members to address the unique challenges faced by transgender youth. It provided a platform for education, awareness, and the sharing of the best practices for creating a supportive and affirming environment for all young people. You can watch a replay of that event here: https://youtu.be/0wvsY6vU8yE. (For more information on our JFCS Community Chat series, please click here).
JFCS is committed to providing ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to the events listed above, last year JFCS initiated the “Parents/Caregivers of Transgender Youth” support group, a safe and nurturing environment where parents can share experiences, seek advice, and find solidarity. This group is an invaluable resource for families navigating the complexities of supporting their transgender children, offering guidance and understanding from those who have walked the same path.
This year at JFCS’ Annual Meeting on June 18th, the support group will be recognized and honored with the Mary Gunther Memorial Award, which is presented annually to a JFCS program that is innovative or new. We are looking forward to celebrating this vital support group and the service it provides to the Community.
As we begin June, we ask that you join us as we reaffirm our collective support for the LGBTQ+ community. Let’s celebrate with compassion, pride, and a shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive Louisville for everyone.
JFCS believes in the power of love, acceptance, and community, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where “All in Greater Louisville live with dignity and purpose.” Pride Month gives us the opportunity to honor our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors, the progress we’ve made as a community, and the work we have to do as we continue working toward a future where all individuals are valued and respected for who they are.
By Valecia Quinn DEI+ TIC Chair/Director of JFCS Navigate
We see it everyday! Women across Jewish Family & Career Services, the Louisville community, throughout Kentucky and worldwide, women are leading by example, making significant and impactful contributions.
Coming from the news publishing industry, it was especially helpful to have women in leadership providing support and growth opportunities in a predominantly male industry, driving results every day for readers and advertisers. Coming up on three (3) years in the nonprofit sector and in this role, as Director of JFCS Navigate, I’m fortunate to work with and support the strong business ecosystem in Louisville for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, many of which, are women.
As we move from Black History Month, March gives special meaning to the women around the world and here in Kentucky, as we celebrate Women’s History Month. Women are making an impact and taking charge! No matter the career focus, stage in life or the choice to stay home, women are the backbone to the rapid social transformation and economic successes in the world we live.
At JFCS, we’re working to propel our clients to achieve their business dreams or goals, by starting, stabilizing, or growing businesses. These aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners are working to become an integral part of the local business community. Over 55% of Navigate clients are women (slightly higher than the national trend), with many running households, raising children, or volunteering their time in the community. In some cases, they are running their informal business structures ‘side gigs’ for extra income and wanting to take their passion to the next level. You will find many Navigate clients with businesses tied to personal care, cleaning, food service, just to name a few of the key industries. Women entrepreneurs are ambitious, experienced, creative, and innovative,
Many of the group trainings that I conduct on entrepreneurship in the Louisville community, a greater percentage of participants tend to be women. This supports the national growing trend of women entrepreneurs and Louisville, KY is a great city for supporting a person who wants to pursue self-employment. History has shown that women not only have what it takes to succeed in entrepreneurship but to excel and lead by example.
Every so often, I’m asked what appealed to work in the nonprofit space, working with many people from different walks of life. I think the greatest appeal is the mentorship element of serving clients in developing skills and increasing knowledge to manage a business financially and operationally. I’ve been fortunate to have had a mentor throughout my news publishing career, and currently still with my same mentor, in my move to nonprofit nearly three (3) years now. The mentoring approach is taking the necessary time that a client needs to achieve their business dreams. This has been a critical strategy for our work at JFCS.
So, promote and support women around you who are running a small business in Louisville. Elevate women to the highest level to make the greatest impact for us all. Amplify women in leadership roles so the next generation can see that women can accomplish anything they put their mind to.