News & Impact

It has never been easy to be a teenager, but JFCS is finding that today’s climate is particularly tough on our young people. Academic success, extracurricular activities, pressure to “package” oneself on social media—and the list goes on. These pressures can be coupled with frequent moves due to housing insecurities, financial stressors to find funds for school supplies and food, plus parents who work multiple jobs to just hold on. It adds up to almost constant anxiety and stress. Teens Report High Stress Is The New Norm The teens we serve consistently tell us about the pressure they feel from… Read More

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Sept. 9, 2016 – Overwhelmed with how to figure out the preschool and kindergarten admissions process in San Francisco? You’re in luck: JFCS’ Parents Place has an upcoming event just for you! The 24th annual Preschool Preview Night is on Wed. is on Sept. 28, 2016, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco parents will be able to meet and speak with representatives from over 100 local schools and children’s services providers. Parents can get answers about school philosophies, costs, pre-admission visits, hours, and more. This… Read More

For James, 7, making friends didn’t come easily. He had a hard time sitting still. He was impulsive and would often blurt things out in class. He had trouble starting conversations with his classmates and he struggled with sharing and taking turns on the playground equipment. Fortunately, James’s first-grade class is one of the happy participants of social skills groups facilitated by JFCS’ Parents Place. James’ teacher started him in the group and within a  few months he was coming out of his shell, engaging more with his peers and, to his surprise, he even made a friend. Soon… Read More

JFCS’ adoption program, Adoption Connection, has been placing babies into adoptive families’ homes successfully for over three decades and the program has recently widened its service eligibility—opening its doors to families who want to adopt and reside anywhere in the United States. Previously Adoption Connection required that adoptive families live within one of 19 Northern California Counties. Using the latest marketing strategies to locate birthmothers who want to make an adoption plan and by providing exceptional counseling to expectant mothers, Adoption Connection has established a reputation as a premiere adoption agency. And since adoptive parents do not need a… Read More

What’s that Porgy and Bess song “Summer time and the livin is easy”…? You may be thinking that certainly doesn’t describe my summer so far. Many parents are expecting with school out and the pressure of schedules and homework on the backburner their children will be calmer and less anxious. While that might be true for some, summer can have its own set of stressors that can be challenging to navigate particularly if your child is already prone to anxiety. Here are a couple common scenarios and suggestions for dealing with them: Boredom: Your child(ren) are either not attending camp… Read More

May their memories be for a blessing. Frank Stein and his life partner, Paul May, drove cross-country to San Francisco in the 1960s to seek their fortunes, knowing that they could live their lives more openly as a gay couple out west. In the years that followed they created an incredible life together and became successful businessmen. Growing up from humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, Frank understands firsthand how some families struggle. With a generous grant to JFCS’ Parents Place, he and Paul’s success can now help parents, children, teens, and families get the tools and support they need… Read More