News & Impact

Ryan had been struggling academically and socially since the beginning of the pandemic. He had looked forward to high school. Now he was spending his first year of high school online, without opportunities to make friends. Academically, Ryan had difficulty with remote learning and continually lost focus, which quickly led to him falling behind. Ryan’s confidence plummeted as he ended the school year with a C average, having been a straight-A student. The teen became withdrawn and severely depressed. Ryan is not alone. This month US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges… Read More

Two Stories of Hope and Healing Seven-year-old Maddie didn’t leave her house for an entire year during the pandemic. While her classmates returned to school, Maddie continued learning remotely and recently, everything from schoolwork to getting dressed in the morning has become a painful power struggle with her parents. Anxiety is running high—even though Maddie’s parents are vaccinated against COVID-19 now, the family feel afraid to leave their home. Stephanie Agnew, Interim Director of Parents Place at JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth, is hearing from many children and parents who are suffering from anxiety as life begins to… Read More

None of us know what life is going to throw in our path. For young people who have experienced loss, trauma, a bad medical diagnosis or other difficult life events, hope comes in the form of the  Sandra L. Schnitzer Resilience Fund—a new permanent  Named Endowment Fund of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. The fund, which has been thoughtfully founded by Sandra L. Schnitzer of San Francisco, will pioneer a specialized model of compassionate assistance to help children, teens, and young adults up to age 25. Individual grants will magnify and enhance the expert services already available through JFCS’ Center … Read More

By Brittney Reiser, AMFT, Child Therapist at JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth Receiving a positive COVID-19 test in your family or community can be frightening for adults and children alike. Young children, who may not fully understand what this diagnosis will mean for them or their loved one, might ask questions like “Am I going to die?” or “When can I see grandma?” These questions may be painful to hear and difficult to answer. Parents and grandparents are likely managing their own anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty that comes along with a COVID diagnosis as well. Here are 5 strategies… Read More

“What is happening, Mommy?” “Are we going to war?” As we process the recent violence at the U.S. Capitol, our children may be asking questions that are difficult to answer. How should we talk to our kids and grandkids about such a difficult topic? How do we support them through stress, anxiety, and uncertainty? And how can we teach empathy, understanding, and respect so that future generations are inspired to build unity and to stand up against hate? JFCS offers a wide range of expert guidance and support to guide families through challenging conversations and to bring our community together.… Read More

When Claire was told—after three months of furlough due to the pandemic—that she would not have her job at a Jewish organization to go back to, she panicked. After suffering 10 years of violence and emotional abuse, Claire had just separated from her husband and started rebuilding a life for her two young children. Without an income, how would they stay in their new apartment? How could she guarantee that her kids would stay safe? COVID-19 has brought with it another pandemic: domestic violence has risen as stress, proximity, and increased substance abuse take their toll. In this short time,… Read More