Cafe By the Bay
A place where Holocaust Survivors gather not only to discuss Holocaust issues, but also to enjoy each other's company, live music, and educational programs. Cafe By the Bay takes place one Friday a month. For more information on Café By the Bay, please contact Bobbi Bornstein at 650-688-3090 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Senior Companion Volunteers
Bring a smile into a lonely senior's life. Seniors-At-Home is seeking volunteers to provide companionship and support for lonely seniors by visiting weekly. With just four hours a month—taking a walk together, having coffee, or listening during difficult times—volunteers can brighten the day for a lonely senior on the Peninsula. For more information, please contact Bobbi Bornstein at 650-688-3090 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Become a Compassionate Companion
When people are suffering, in decline, undergoing challenging treatments, or near the end of their lives, helping them live safely and independently in their homes, and improving quality of life, becomes more important than ever. Volunteers play a vital role in carrying out this mission. Seniors-At-Home in collaboration with CPMC is offering a comprehensive 25-hour Palliative and End of Life Care Volunteer Training Program beginning October 21, 2008. No prior medical or hospice experience is necessary. To learn how you can make a difference in just a few hours a week, please contact Rachel Kesselman at 415-449-1288 or RachelK@jfcs.org.

Become a Mentor
Become a mentor to a preteen or adolescent and help a child in the community with our On The Mark program. Spend quality time with a young person, ages 8 – 18, one hour, once a week, and be a positive influence in their lives. Male mentors are especially needed at this time. This successful program offers ongoing education and training for mentors. Call Romina Avram at 650-688-3056 or RominaA@jfcs.org.

Seniors-At-Home helps seniors live safe, healthy, independent lives in their own homes. Our comprehensive range of award-winning services includes home care, palliative and end of life care, skilled nursing and complete care coordination, as well as a full range of senior services: care management, counseling, personal affairs management, Conservatorship, spiritual care, and volunteer services. For more information, please call 650-931-1860 or email Info@SeniorsAtHome.org.

Mental Health Counseling
We are a non-sectarian mental health center. Our staff of licensed professional therapists and psychologists can assist you and your family through life's transitions and difficulties, help you overcome fears or stumbling blocks in your life, or just provide an expert listener. We offer sessions for individuals, couples, families or children. We can also offer crisis financial assistance. For inquiries or to schedule an assessment, call our confidential intake line at 650-688-3034. Some Medi-Cal and most health insurance accepted.

FREE Support Group for Families Dealing With Serious Mental Illness
In partnership with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, JFCS offers a support group the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be on September 23 and October 28 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm in Palo Alto. For further information or to sign up please call Don Sussman, LCSW, 650-688-3046 or DonS@jfcs.org.

FREE Meal Delivery Program for Adults and Children With Disabilities
"Chicken Soupers" is a program of JFCS primarily for members of the Jewish community with disabilities or chronic illness who would benefit from home-cooked meals and healthy snacks to nourish the body and uplift the spirit. Family members caring for an adult or child with an illness or disability are also eligible. Don Sussman, at 650-688-3046 or DonS@jfcs.org.

Single Parent Center
This program was created for Jewish single parent families in the Bay Area. It will provide counseling, parenting classes, resource and referrals to local community-based organizations, job training, financial management, childcare referrals and support groups. Allena Barbato, 650-931-1855 or AllenaB@jfcs.org.

NEW Groups for Single Parents
Single Mothers Support Group features supervised playtime separate from adults and refreshments for all. Meets monthly, second Thursday of the month, 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Single Parents Social Support Group is a fun time to meet other single parents and families. We will share a potluck feast so bring a dish to share. Meets monthly, last Saturday, 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Both groups meet at JFCS, 2001 Winward Way, Ste. 200, San Mateo. The support groups are free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Please contact Allena Barbato, Single Parent Coordinator at 650-931-1855 or AllenaB@jfcs.org.

Coping With Chronic Illness and Disabilities
This informative and supportive group welcomes adults ages 18 - 60 who are coping with issues related to chronic illness or disabilities. Meets monthly, third Monday, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, ongoing. Interview required. With John Bisenius, LCSW, 650-688-3097 or JohnB@jfcs.org. $5 donation requested. Sliding scale available.

All workshops take place at Parents Place, 2001 Winward Way, Ste. 200, San Mateo. 650-931-1840.

New Programs

Bullying Prevention
Parents Place is pleased to announce the opening of its Bullying Prevention Training Center, offering training in the nationally known, evidence-based program, "Steps to Respect" for grades 3 – 6. Training formats include a half-day Teacher Professional Development Program, a full-day staff training for all school personnel, and a two-hour parenting education program. For information, contact Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, LCSW at 650-688-3037 or GloriaMS@jfcs.org. If you are concerned about bullying behavior at your school, contact Parents Place.

Parent-Child Activity Groups

Drop-In Play (Birth – 5 years), Tuesdays 9:30 – 11:00 am, Fridays, 9:30 – 11 am. Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm $8/session or $35 for 5 sessions($5 savings). No pre-registration required.

Parent-Child Workshops

Terrific Twos Preparing for Preschool (2 – 3 years)
Discussion for parents includes development and discipline. Separate playgroup for children: a wonderful first separation experience. Session 1 – Mondays 10/6 – 11/3, 9:30 – 11:00 am. Session II, Mondays, 11/10 – 12/8, 9:30 – 11:00 am. $150 for one session – 5 classes. $275 for both sessions – 10 classes (includes playcare for children). Different topics will be covered in the two sessions. Stephanie Agnew, BA and Lori Longo, MA

Toddler Social Club (16 – 24 months)
Art and activities for children; discussion of toddler issues for parents. Wednesdays 10/15 – 11/19, 9:00 – 10:30 am. $120 for 6 sessions. Lori Longo, MA.

Music Together (birth – 4 years)
A joyful musical experience for parents and caregivers and children, with singing, dancing and instrument play. Tuesdays, 9/16 – 11/18, 9:30 – 10:15 am, OR 10:30 – 11:15 am OR Thursdays, 9/18 – 11/20, 3:30 – 4:15 pm. OR 4:30 – 5:15 pm. MoMusic Staff. $155 for 8 sessions (includes songbook and 2 CDs).

Yoga and Storytime for Families (2 – 5 years)
A fun and relaxing Yoga experience for parents or caregivers and preschool-aged children. Siblings of any age are welcome. Connect with your children through YogaKids exercise and children’s literature. A wonderful Friday evening family outing! Fridays, 10/3 – 10/24, 5:00 – 5:45 pm. $100 for 4 classes for 1 parent/child pair—$20 each additional family member. Mariana Doigm MFTI, CYKF.

Parenting Workshops

Fall Lecture Series—Discipline
All sessions, 7 – 9 pm with Sue Dinwiddie, MA. $35/session or $90 for the series.

• That Makes Me So Mad! Child Anger—Examine children’s anger and coping strategies, and learn new tools for helping them. Monday, 10/20.
• You’re Driving Me Crazy! Parental Anger—Analyze adult anger towards children; triggers and responses. Investigate productive management techniques. Monday, 11/3.
• Negotiating With Kids—Problem-solve adult-child conflicts; turning power struggles into win-win solutions. Monday, 11/10.

Parenting as a Team: For Couples (birth – 6 years)
Explore ways to strengthen the couple relationship, manage conflict, and develop discipline strategies that are effective for the whole family. Mondays, 9/8, 15 and 22, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Erica Pelavin, LCSW PhD. $150 for 3 sessions.

The Feisty Threes and Fours (3 – 5 years)
Explore what makes the 3’s and 4’s challenging, and learn to enhance cooperative behavior. Thursdays, 9/11, 18 and 25, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Stephanie Agnew, BA. $90 for 3 sessions.

Raising Multilingual Children (birth – 6 years)
What parents need to know to foster second language acquisition. Tuesday, 9/23, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, LCSW. $35.

Your One-Year Old (9 – 15 months)
Discuss the milestones of this dramatically changing time. Sleep, tantrums, play and more! Monday, 10/13, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Lori Longo, MA. $35.

Raising a Strong-Willed Child (2 – 7 years)
Understand children who are persistent and intense. Learn how to avoid power struggles and improve communication. Thursdays, 10/16 & 23, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Karen Friedland-Brown, MA. $60 for 2 sessions.

Mothers of Boys (ages 2 – 6)
Explore this special relationship: what boys need from their moms; handling boy energy; fostering good communication and closeness. Tuesday, 10/21, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $35. Jomary Hilliard, PhD.

Baby Sign Language—Introductory Workshop (pre-birth – 18 months)
Learn about the latest research on using sign language with hearing infants and be introduced to basic signs. Fun activities and songs make it easy to integrate signs into everyday routines and jump-start your child’s verbal skills. Parents-to-be, parents and babies are welcome! Wednesday, 10/22, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. $35. Bill White.

Center for Special Needs
Parents Place on the Peninsula is continuing to develop our Center for Special Needs. In order to best assist families with special needs, we want to hear from you. Give us feedback on classes, groups and services you’d like us to offer. For more information on the Center for Special Needs and to provide input contact Nirit Zandman, MA, 650-688-3028 or NiritZ@jfcs.org.

Parents Place Community Education Center
Parents Place Community Education Center offers community-based workshops to meet the needs of working parents with babies and small children, as well as those with school-age children and teens.  For information, or to schedule one of our 60 different workshops at your workplace, school or other community location, please call Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet at M650-688-3037 or GloriaMS@jfcs.org.  You can also view our website for a complete listing of workshops.

Social Skills Peer Group for Teens
Social Skills Peer Group for Teens, ages 12 – 15!  This group is an after school program for teens in a supportive environment to make friends and participate in group activities and games.  Teens will have the opportunity to meet new people, learn how to communicate with their peers, and play games… all the while having fun! Tuesdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm, in San Mateo. Please contact Romina Avram, Coordinator for Youth Development Programs at 650-688-3056 or RominaA@jfcs.org.

Preschool Social Skills Group (3 – 5 years)
This 10-session group is for children who are experiencing difficulty in the preschool settings. The group will incorporate preschool-like activities such as songs, interactive play, games, books, and music. Children will practice and learn how to interact with peers. Thursdays, 9 – 10:30 am OR 1:30 – 3 pm. Pre-registration is required. Contact Kristin Stent, Ph.D. at 650-688-3095 or KristinS@jfcs.org.