EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Alan D. Goodman JEWISH FAMILVERVICE ACtiOn IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS .. . This past year the agency has been engaged in developing and completing a strategic plan which has enabled us to re-evaluate and reaffirm our mis- sion to serve the.Jewish community. It has also pro- vided an important framework which will be used to guide our progranis and services in the years ahead. Rapid changes in the field demand proactive plan- ning and solutions to address unmet needs. The completion of the strategic plan represents only the first step in a long process. Brent S. Triest has started the program year as the newly appointed President of the agency. He replaces Dr. John Marx who made a significant con- tribution to the agency during his tenure as President. Brent's strong leadership skills and com- mitment to the agency and the community at large, will enable the agency to implement our strategic plan over the coming year. Governmental policies and legislative change have made a more significant impact on our services and on the Jewish community than we would have ever predicted. The movement towards managed care has had far-reaching consequences on the kind of care and services provided now and in the future. Welfare reform will create great hardship and suf- fering for many vulnerable individuals, including refugees and immigrants. Our Jewish tradition teaches that "a person should be more concerned with spiritual than with material matters, but another person's material wel- fare is his own spiritual concern." (Rabbi Israel Salanter, 1810-1883). In light of these changes, our community's commitment to the poor will be great- ly challenged in the years ahead. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year. Parent to Parent Series Stage Two of the Parent to Parent Series will be offered October 22 and 29, 1996 at the Jewish Community Center it Oak Park from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. This informal discussion and hands-on exercises deal with specific situations and issue common to school children, ages six through twelve. This program provides an opportunity to meet other parents wh share a very common interest and concern - being a better parent. The program is free of charge and is made possial through a grant from Hudson's Circle of Giving. Please make your reservation by calling 559-1500. Annual Jewish Community Book Fair Jewish Family Service will sponsor Rabbi Harold Kushner, noted author, who will speak at the Annual Jewisl Community Book Fair on Monday, November 11, 1996 at 8:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Wes Bloomfield. Rabbi Kushner recently made a guest appearance on the Today Show to discuss his new book, How Good Do We Have To Be? Single Moms & Dads An eight week psycho-educational group on communicating with your ex-spouse and resolving issues around parentini will begin in November. To register, please contact Marilyn Hertzberg, M.S.W. at 559-1500. Divorce: Limiting the Casualties A panel discussion on how to work your way through a divorce with minimal damage and pain to yourself and other will be held on December 4, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at the Agency for Jewish Education. The program is being sponsored b2 the Program Planning Committee of the WS Board. Dating Violence Workshop Adolescents have historically been an "at-risk" population for alcohol, drugs, rebellion, and depression. Today we an witnessing a new danger that adolescents are at risk for: DATING VIOLENCE. It's frightening to think that 37% o teen dating relationships include battering and 18% of teen dating relationships result in rape. Jewish Family Service is offering a one hour workshop to educate adolescents about what dating violence is, wh ieji it stems from, and how to protect and prevent victimization. This workshop is an informative, interactive and sensitil forum for discussing a very real adolescent issue. If you are interested in hosting this program at your school, temple, synagogue, youth group or organization, contac Stacey Rautbort, M.S.W. at (810) 559-1500. MEET THE COZIES Meet the Gozie family. Their new comic/activity book will have its debut at the Annual Jewish Community Book Fair. The comic book is co-sponsored by Jewish Family Service and Jewish Experience for Families. 4 From left to right: "Tam-Tam", "Geezer", "Kroovi", "Teeraz", and "Selek" APPLICANT SERVICES ASSIST IMMIGRANTS Jewish Family Service is pleased to introduce Applicant Services, an expanded service to provide assistance with required documentation for immigration and naturalization. An application to become certified by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals has been submitted to provide a full range of services to assist with federally required docu- ments for immigration purposes. These documents may range from an application for a green card to an application for citizenship. Applicant Services is a "one stop shop" that will assist with completing documents. Services are provided in a pri- vate and confidential setting. Fees are determined by the complexity of the document and are approved by the Bureau VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Volunteer of the year Natalie Sunshine (middle) with Alan Goodman, Executive Director and Fayga Dambey, Board Member Since 1985 Natalie Sunshine has been a friendly visitor for the agency. She offers .a listen- ing ear, companionship and serves as an advocate for senior adults residing in nurs- ing homes. Whether visiting one of her friends in the hospi- tal or driving to the store to buy fruit and supplies, Natalie always makes herself available to offer assistance. Her moti- vation for .volunteering -is "to see people find value and pur- pose in their lives." of Immigration Appeals as part of the certification process. Two JFS staff members from the Resettlement Department, Tanya Fingerman and Anna Taradash, have successfully completed course requirements as Certified Immigration Paralegal Counselors. The agency is already licensed to administer citizenship tests in cooperation with the Educational Testing Service and HIAS. In response to the Welfare Reform Act that was recently passed, Jewish Family Service is gearing up for an increase in the number of immigrants seeking assistance with required documents for citizenship. A request for funds to establish the Applicant Service program will be submitted to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. A service of the IFS WINDOWS Program 3RD ANNUAL REVA STOCKER LECTURE Preserving Your Heritage — Building Stronger Families was this year's theme for the Third Annual Reva Stocker Educational Lecture Series. The Reva i Stocker Educational Lecture Series is a services of the JFS WINDOWS Program on Family Violence Prevention. JoSeph Giordano, a noted expert on eth- nicity and family life was the featured speaker. EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Staff person of the year Bronya Spector shaking hands with Alan Goodman, Executive Director Bronya Spector is the 1996 Employee of the Year. Bronya serves as the Pre-Migration Coordinator for the Resettlement Department. An employee of Jewish Family Service since 1989, Bronya is enthusiastic, caring and committed to her work. Having immigrated to this country in 1976, Bronya is grateful to be a citizen of the United States and fully under- stands the importance of her work. From left: Alan D. Goodman, Executive Director; Joseph 11' Giordano, Guest Speaker; Stewart Weiner, Board Secretary; Brent S. Triest, JFS President; and Margaret Weiner, Associate Executive Director.