May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While this special observance dates back to 1949, the stigma around mental health keeps many facing challenges struggling in silence even to this day.
Accepting and supporting mental health is essential to creating a community where individuals feel safe, seen, and empowered to seek help. At JFCS, we aim for Mental Health Awareness Month to shed light on the importance of mental well-being. We feel that it’s important to highlight the resources available at JFCS that support our friends and neighbors in times of need.
JFCS is here for all! Our team of caring, professional therapists takes a holistic approach and works collaboratively with individuals, couples, and entire families. Our innovative trauma-informed care model recognizes the unique experiences of each client and guides the development of personalized goals that respect cultural and spiritual beliefs. JFCS also has a psychiatric nurse practitioner who can work collaboratively with therapists to address client’s psychiatric medication needs. We offer specialization for substance abuse prevention and perinatal care to meet clients where they are.
JFCS recognizes the power of shared experiences in healing. Our array of support groups caters to clients with various needs, including individuals dealing with grief and loss; older adults and caregivers; and parents of transgender youth. These groups provide safe spaces for individuals to share, learn, and support one another.
For example, our support group for parents and caregivers of transgender youth addresses the unique opportunities faced by these families. By offering education and mutual support, JFCS helps provide affirming environments for parents and caregivers, which is crucial for the mental health and well-being of transgender youth. Our support group for caregivers gives space to individuals who are caring for an aging loved one and allows them to feel community during an isolating time.
What makes JFCS unique in our program array, including career services, older adult services, family stability, and immigrant services, is the wraparound approach to our services. Any client who is accessing one service is able to access any of the other services at JFCS. If a client using our food pantry feels like they could benefit from mental health services, we are able to connect them to a therapist at JFCS. A career client who is overwhelmed with the stress of finding a new job is able to access our individual therapy services. The ability to do that without having to leave the JFCS building is powerful.
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength. JFCS invites anyone facing mental health challenges to reach out and explore the support available. By embracing mental wellness and supporting one another, we can build a healthier, more compassionate community.
When we normalize conversations around mental health — just as we do physical health — we break down barriers to care, encourage early intervention, and foster environments for healing and growth. Removing the stigma around mental health not only supports those in need but strengthens the overall well-being of families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Only by acknowledging the reality and complexity of mental health can we begin to offer the compassion and resources necessary to address it fully.
JFCS is here to help! For more information, email services@jfcslouisville.org, or call (502) 452-6341.
By Valecia Quinn, Director of JFCS Navigate, JFCS DEI+TIC Chair
Over the past few years, I’ve found myself in different cities, taking bus tours to learn about the Black History that represents the core fabric of each city and neighboring towns. I can remember sitting on the bus in Montgomery to Selma, AL, stopping at places that had significant meaning and impact on what is happening today. Then, there was the Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL trip that had many landmarks and living folks who shared stories that will not only open your eyes, but will bring tears as you envision the pain, the suffering, and yes, the progress! Even my hometown of Boley, OK carries significant meaning and serves as a place for the young generation to visualize how their ancestors fought for a better life that we are enjoying today.
Louisville, KY is no different. It has a lot of Black History that makes the fabric of this community that we love. I’m excited to take a bus tour with my colleagues on Thursday, February 20 as one part of our Black History Month initiative, in which we will tour part of our downtown and West Louisville area. Did I mention that we will have several members of our board of directors join us as well? Tom Owen will be our storyteller (tour guide) for this bus tour. Tom Owen, among other notables, is a well-known historian in Louisville, who also has deep and rich knowledge and grew up in West Louisville.
Without giving too much information (keeping some element of surprise), we will hear about Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, the significance of the Western Branch Library, Martin Luther King’s impact in Louisville and ties to the community, the first black public school in Kentucky, and a few other significant pieces over the course of the 1 ½ hour bus tour. As Tom is “storytelling,” colleagues will have the opportunity to ask questions, and we just might be able to get off the bus for one of the stops!!
After the tour, we’ll return to the office and then celebrate Black History through some delicious food, catered by one of Louisville’s popular black-owned restaurants, Blak Koffee. Tom Owen will also join us for this food celebration and will probably enjoy answering any remaining questions or providing some additional insight.
Last year, we learned about the connection and importance of Black History through Kentucky’s lens and ties to the Jewish Culture from Chaka Cummings. This year, we’ll spend time learning more about Louisville’s Black History, hearing the stories and using our eyes to visualize the impact during our mobile journey.
In closing, Black History is American History and this month, which should be every month, is about celebrating diversity in our country. 2025 appears to be one of our challenges to keep this at the forefront of what we do each day, both personally and professionally. I’m depending on each of you to continue to show appreciation and support for everyone, regardless of differences and similarities.
A final THANK YOU to all my ancestors, my mentors, and numerous individuals who have endured hardships and challenges to make tomorrow a better day than yesterday.
About the Author
Valecia Quinn, has nearly 35 years of expertise in developing for-profit business and marketing programs in various markets throughout the US. As the Director of JFCS Navigate, Valecia leads and manages the microenterprise program, providing full-service business planning and microlending opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, with an emphasis on under-served communities. Valecia collaborates with various community partners in Louisville’s thriving ecosystem to help clients achieve their business dreams and goals.
Along with being Director of JFCS Navigate, Valecia also chairs JFCS’ DEI+TIC efforts.
With the holiday season upon us, even amid challenges in the world, our hearts turn naturally toward joy, gratitude, and acts of generosity. This time of year, brings a renewed appreciation for the people around us – family, friends, and neighbors – and a desire to honor those connections through acts of kindness and giving.
Tuesday, December 3, offers you a chance to jumpstart the spirit of giving this year. Giving Tuesday, created in 2012, is a global movement celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Its goal is to shift focus from “consumer-driven days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday” to what this season is truly about “giving”. The impact is immense, with tens of millions of dollars raised and countless lives touched each year around the globe by rallying worldwide support causes close to people’s hearts.
At JFCS, Giving Tuesday is a crucial opportunity to help fight food insecurity for families in our community. Donations to JFCS through Giving Tuesday will support the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry, which provides essential food and resources to families in need across Louisville. By joining Giving Tuesday’s “Global Day of Giving”, you can help JFCS bring dignity and purpose to our neighbors facing food insecurity during the holidays and beyond.
Giving Tuesday is an ideal opportunity to touch many lives in Louisville. Every contribution to JFCS goes directly to enhancing and fueling our efforts to combat food insecurity in Louisville through our pantry.
Food insecurity is more prevalent in Louisville than many realize. JFCS distributes an average of 6,500 pounds of food a month, which is an increase of over 60% from three years ago.
According to the Greater Louisville Project, Louisville ranks second among its peer cities for children who are experiencing food insecurity, which is 17% of children in Louisville. Additionally, according to the Jewish Federation of North America, a study found that 19% of Jewish households in the United States are struggling to make ends meet.
The demand for services continues to grow. This includes demand at our main pantry location at JFCS, and our satellite pantry for the residents of Shalom Towers. People of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances rely on the pantry to provide not only supplemental meals, household and personal hygiene items, but also a sense of dignity and stability. For some families, a visit to our pantry means the difference between being hungry and having a meal.
Beyond providing food, The Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry acts as a gateway to additional JFCS services. Many families who first come to us for food assistance also wind up benefiting from our case management services, mental health services, career services, and support groups, all of which help them overcome barriers and work toward long-term goals.
Every donation you make to JFCS on Giving Tuesday will go directly to expanding the resources and reach of our food pantry. For example:
- $25 provides shelf stable items for our community members!
- $100 provides household items and cleaning supplies to families!
- $250 provides food for a family of four for an ENTIRE month!
- $1500 provides food for a family of four for SIX months!
- $3000 provides a family of four for an ENTIRE year!
Your generosity has a lasting impact, as it not only fills pantry shelves but also brings relief and hope to families facing hardship.
Join us in the fight against food insecurity! Tuesday, December 3, let’s come together for Giving Tuesday, and strengthen Louisville’s commitment to compassion and community. By supporting JFCS and the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry, you’re helping us provide food, resources, and care to families in need.
Visit our website at www.jfcslouisville.org on December 3 and join your friends and neighbors making a difference on Giving Tuesday with a gift to the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry.
Thank you for standing with JFCS and making a difference in the lives of your neighbors.
JFCS Annual Campaign Celebrates ‘Legacy & Growth’
Each fall, as the holiday season approaches, Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS) launches its yearly “Annual Campaign”, inviting community partners and supporters who believe in our mission to make a financial gift that allows JFCS to continue providing essential services to our community. These investments allow JFCS to continue fostering growth and securing a legacy of care for future generations. This year, our theme is “Legacy & Growth,” reflecting on the strong foundation we have built since 1908 and continuing to expand our services to meet the most immediate needs of our Community.
Why is the Annual Campaign so important for JFCS?
For organizations like JFCS, our Annual Campaign is the lifeblood of our operations. Our Annual Campaign is a reflection of who we are as an organization an organization that believes that every investment makes an impact, and every supporter helps further JFCS’ mission and vision. These gifts support our critical day-to-day operations, ensuring that our services remain accessible to anyone in need.
Every dollar given to the Annual Campaign is a step toward fulfilling our mission to help individuals and families in Greater Louisville live with dignity and purpose. From mental health services to career coaching, from senior care to food assistance, the breadth of JFCS’ impact would not be possible without the generosity of our community.
Over the past three years, JFCS has seen tremendous growth, both in terms of the services we provide and the number of people we serve. We’ve increased our full-time staff by 50%, allowing us to meet the growing demand for our services. Our annual budget has increased by 65%, reflecting the broader scope of our work. And last year, we distributed over 74,000 pounds of food through the Sonny & Janet Meyer Food Pantry – making JFCS a critical resource for many families in our community.
This growth is not limited to any one program. In three years, our Clinical Services have expanded by 196%, helping more individuals navigate mental health challenges. Our Klein Older Adult programs have grown by nearly 100%, ensuring that seniors in our community receive the support they need to age with dignity. Our Career Services have grown by 174%, significantly increasing programming available for refugees and immigrants.
These numbers reflect the increasing need for the services JFCS provides, and underscore why our Annual Campaign is so crucial for meeting the needs in our community. Without the consistent support of our donors, we would not be able to continue this upward trajectory.
While growth is essential to continue to be flexible to meet Louisville’s needs, ensuring the legacy of JFCS for future generations is equally important. We know that we stand on the shoulders of giants and are reminded of this daily as we work in the Louis and Lee Roth Family Center that was built by so many in our community. The vision of those individuals is one we are experiencing today and we want to continue that legacy for generations to come.
Every gift allows us to continue this legacy through lasting growth. Whatever amount you are able to give, your support helps us provide services that are life-changing for individuals and families. Every gift matters and will impact our mission. We invite you to join us on our mission and make a gift to the JFCS Annual Campaign today.
As we reflect on our legacy and look to the future, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us through the years. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive community.
Thank you for your continued support of JFCS. Your investment ensures that our legacy of service will continue to grow, touching lives and making a difference in ways big and small.
To make your mark on JFCS’ legacy click here >