Jewish Family Services Announces Upcoming Programs And Activities

The Learn Laugh & Love program series, sponsored by Jewish Family Services and the Heritage Center of the Jewish Community Center, will present a free program on Thursday, Jan. 17, "New Year--New You...Nutrition Made Simple" at 1 p.m. in the MAC Room at the Campus. Crystal Futrell, a specialist in nutrition and health with the Johnson County Research and Extension program will facilitate a conversation about people's relationship with food and consequences on their health. Futrell has worked with the Master Food Volunteer program as the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) program assistant prior to becoming Family and Consumer Sciences Agent/Nutrition and Health.

Learn Laugh & Love will explore Jewish genealogy in a program facilitated by Ron Doctor on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in the MAC Room. When Doctor earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering in 1967, he became known as "Dr. Doctor". He would not learn until many years later that in so doing he was mirroring his ancestors, who also had a surname that reflected their professions.
Near the end of his lengthy career in the energy industry and as a professor, Doctor began researching his genealogy - a passion that culminated in a lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies.

All Learn Laugh & Love programs are free but reservations are requested by calling The Heritage Center reception desk at (913) 327-8044.

LINK: https://www.jfskc.org/seniors-and-mental-health/

Jewish Family Services is starting another Grief and Loss Support Group this month that continues for 10 sessions. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2-3:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Campus. The group, which is free, provides the opportunity to address issues of loss and grief within a Jewish spiritual context in a warm and confidential environment. The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City also sponsors the group.

The group is co-facilitated by Rabbi Mark Levin and Erica Bench, LPC. The support group is for individuals grieving from the death of a spousal partner, life partner or immediate adult family member. Rabbi Levin will offer feedback based upon his Jewish spiritual background.

While there is no charge to attend the support group, those wishing to participate (or who would like additional information) should register by contacting Debra Orbuch Grayson, JFS Clinical Manager at (913) 327-8298 or email her at dgrayson@jfskc.org.

LINK: https://www.jfskc.org/grief-loss-support-group-starts-january-16/

Jewish Family Services and NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) are working together to offer NAMI's Family-to-Family Education Course to help families dealing with a loved one who has a mental illness.

This free, 12-week series of classes is held on consecutive Monday evenings beginning Feb. 25 at 6:30-9 p.m. in Conference Room C at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS. Participants must commit to the entire 12 weeks. This course is for the caregiver and not the loved one with mental illness.

NAMI, Jewish Family Services, and the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition sponsor the course.

During the course, participants will learn communication and problem-solving techniques as well as coping mechanisms to help them deal with their loved one's journey with mental illness.

Space is limited for the free course so those interested are asked to register in advance by contacting NAMI representatives Michelle Reeves at Michelle@johnsoncountytow.com or John Thompson, tntkc@hotmail.com or call him at (816) 763-6169.

For more details on the course, visit www.nami.org.

The Ice at Park Place is now open and you can have fun while helping those in our community who struggle with hunger. The Ice at Park Place and Jewish Family Services Food Pantry have teamed up to collect canned goods for the two JFS Food Pantry locations! Now until the rink closes in mid-February, skaters who bring canned goods, personal care items or non-perishable items receive $1 off their admission. (Skate rental is separate.)

Items can be dropped off in the big JFS Food Pantry barrel at The Ice. For hours of operation, please check www.parkplaceleawood.com/special-offers/ice.

Please ask The Ice attendant for your discount - then you can skate your cares away.

DRIVING RISK AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR PARENTS & TEENS OFFERED FEB. 3

Do you have a teen-age driver in your house or are about to have one?

Did you know that each year, 6.5 million accidents take place involving teen drivers? Statistics indicate that a teen's risk of being in a car accident is at its highest within the first 12 to 24 months of driving.

You can take action by attending the "Driving Risk Awareness for Teens and Parents" program, put on by the C.H.A.I. program of Jewish Family Services. This free workshop, which is open to ninth and 10th grade students and their parents, takes place Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Campus, Conference Room C, 5801 W. 115th St. Overland Park, KS.

The workshop will be facilitated by Susie Hurst, Adolescent Specialist at Jewish Family Services, and police officer Captain Mark Terman (retired).

While the Driving Risk Awareness workshop is free, reservations are required. To make a reservation, please contact Hurst at (913) 327-8259 or email her at Susieh@jfskc.org.

LINK: https://www.jfskc.org/driving-risk-awareness-february-3/

CAREER SKILLS & CONNECTIONS OFFERS FREE COFFEE CLUB EVERY MONDAY

Join Career Skills & Connections (CSC) every Monday at 9 a.m. in the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City Board Room for Coffee Club. The first hour, led by a Career Coach, includes an educational component on a job search related topic; the remaining time provides an opportunity for networking. The fourth Monday of the month is led by the Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness. Speakers will present topics relevant to job seekers and the emotional side of the job search. Monday morning Coffee Club is FREE and you need not be a client of CSC to attend. Light refreshments are served. For more information contact employment@jfskc.org or 913-730-1449.

LINK: https://www.jfskc.org/services/career-skills-connections/

MITZVAH BASKETS AVAILABLE FOR CENTERPIECES

Jewish Family Services has centerpiece baskets available to rent for your next simcha. All proceeds benefit the JFS Food Pantry. Please contact Jo Hickey, JFS food pantry director, at (913) 327-8257 or email her at jhickey@jfskc.org. To volunteer to help in the pantry please email volunteer@jfskc.org or call (913) 730-1410.

LINK: http://www.jfskc.org/food-pantry/

To post a comment, you must register and login.