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by Executive Director, Lauren Schwartz, MSW This is a time of uncertainty, fear, anger, pain, and sadness. The shock and brutality of the Hamas attacks have left our Jewish community in a state of emotional crisis. Regardless of the degrees of separation we have from that attack, we are–all of us–affected and are trying to […]
By LaBrena Friend, LBSW When an older adult is experiencing new age-related problems, their friends and loved ones may not always recognize what is wrong. But by taking a few proactive steps, you can find out if an older adult you know or care for needs help – and you can be part of the […]
Many people in greater Birmingham know CJFS because of our bright purple Buz-A-Bus, which for decades has been providing affordable door-to-door transportation for older and disabled adults. Or they’re familiar with CARES, our acclaimed respite program for people with dementia. But for many other older adults and their families, CJFS provides confidential services that don’t […]
by Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP Twice a week, in my role as director of the CJFS CARES dementia respite program, I co-facilitate virtual support groups with Lise Grace (CARES Assistant Program Director) for family caregivers of people with dementia. CJFS initiated these support groups more than twenty years ago, before CARES existed. We offer these […]
by Mark Driskill, LICSW These days it is common to hear people talking about setting boundaries—at work, with their extended families, and in other personal relationships. Healthy boundaries are an important part of mental health and wellness, and they can be challenging to understand and even more challenging to establish. The concept of boundaries refers […]
CJFS is excited to announce the appointment of Social Worker Mark Driskill, LICSW, as the agency’s Lead Clinician. Mark is a seasoned clinical program manager with many years’ experience treating substance abuse, as well as helping clients address mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and family issues. Mental health problems nationwide spiked during the […]
My world changed in 2004, when I lost my dad to melanoma. Even though his death was not sudden, I was unprepared for the grief I experienced. I was fortunate to have a strong support system of family and friends, but I often felt alone in dealing with the overwhelming sadness and confusion caused by […]
by Gail Schuster, LICSW, ACSW ‘Denise’, who is in her 40s, had worked with the same company for more than a decade. She had always considered herself fortunate to work in a supportive professional environment, where she was well compensated and performed work that had a positive impact on others. She had believed it highly likely she […]
By Amy Neiman, LMSW We have all experienced the signs of ANXIETY when facing an intimidating or challenging situation: sweaty hands, heart beating faster or butterflies in the stomach. These feelings are sometimes referred to as “stage fright”, “nerves” or “anticipation.” Scientifically, it is our body’s physical reaction to the stress of the unknown. At […]
by LaBrena Friend, LBSW On our calendars, we just checked off Valentine’s Day – a day when the whole world seems focused on expressions of romantic love. But how do we show love to the older adults in our lives – the parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends who have meant so much in our lives, […]
by Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP The emotional and physical demands of family caregiving can be overwhelming under the best circumstances. When you add anxiety and self-doubt into the mix, the strain only worsens. Anxiety can lead a family member to believe, falsely, that they are failing in the role of caregiver, and that whatever they […]
by Caleigh Rathmell Alevy, LMSW With 2023 fast approaching, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past year and resolving to change ourselves, our routines or the interests we will pursue in the New Year. When we make New Year’s Resolutions, we often focus on changes we want to see within ourselves. But what if, instead, we […]
Birmingham Crisis Center Hotline (205) 323-7777 www.crisiscenterbham.org PIRC – Psychiatric Intake Response Center (205) 638-7472 Childrensal.org Glaad/LGBTQ Resource List https://www.glaad.org/resourcelist Collat Jewish Family Services (205) 879-3438 http://cjfsbham.org/ Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County (205) 458-3330 National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 […]
>>>TO PRINT A COPY OF THE ORDER FORM, USE THIS LINK: https://cjfsbham.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Mahjongg-Order-Form-2023.pdf If you have any questions contact Stephanie at 205.936.3910. Thank you!
If an adult child accepts a position with an organization where her parent has worked for decades, that says something! At least that’s what we’ve been thinking since Social Worker Caleigh Rathmell Alevy joined the CJFS staff last month. Caleigh’s mother, Lynn Rathmell, has been an important member of our team since 1994 (with one […]
by Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP: Traveling with a loved one who has dementia can be challenging and intimidating. Families often long to be together over the holidays, but it’s important to be realistic about the challenges and limitations of traveling with someone who is cognitively impaired. Before promising to go, caregivers need to ask themselves […]
by Amy Neiman, LMSW Difficult conversations are well, difficult. As parents, spouses and children, we must have discussions that are challenging and can be life-changing for those involved, but they are never fun conversations to begin. As we watch our parents age, these exchanges often revolve around medical care, housing and what many think of […]
Time and date: 4 pm, Sunday Oct. 23 A Conversation with Author Ivan Maisel, Moderated by Dr. Josh Klapow Where: Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus, 1600 3rd Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233 Ivan Maisel, a Mobile native and national sports columnist, is author of I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye: A Memoir of Loss, Grief, and Love. The […]
by Elaine Witt First, her mother fell and broke her hip, leading to a partial joint replacement. Then she fell again, this time fracturing her arm. That was when Maria Whiting knew it was time to move her mother, 79-year-old Blanche Taylor, from her from her home in Pensacola to Birmingham, where Maria has lived […]
by Jennifer Bradley, LPC As a therapist for 25 years, I have had the privilege to work with adults and children of all ages, and I have been seen some changes in our children’s mental health. This generation has a problem, and it’s anxiety. There is a cloud of anxiety that is hovering over our […]
