STAY CONNECTED
by LaBrena Friend, LBSW Mother’s Day is a special day where we take time to honor the women in our lives. It is a reminder to reach out and express our love and gratitude. For me, this year is bittersweet as it marks a decade since my mom’s passing when I was only 30 years […]
Watch this short video from CJFS Hands Up Together 2024 about celebrating aging and how we serve individuals and families at every stage of life, with a special focus on supporting independence and enriching quality of life for older adults.
Socializing with others makes most of us feel better about ourselves and about the world. For people affected by dementia, social interaction has a proven additional benefit: improved communication and cognitive function. This is certainly the case at CARES, CJFS’ respite program for people affected by memory and movement disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s. […]
by Anna Read, CJFS Fund Development & Outreach Director Recently, my mom underwent knee replacement surgery. For the first time in a decade, discussions about her Will and Advanced Care Directive surfaced. As she a I delved into her important legal documents, it struck me that my siblings and I hadn’t broached “the talk” with […]
by Amy Neiman, LMSW I told myself that 2024 would be less stressful. Seriously. I had a conversation with myself while I was walking my dogs. I was going to be more organized. I was going to plan out dinners for the week. I was going to walk these dogs every day – rain or […]
By Mark Driskill, LICSW-S I remember watching cartoons as a child and seeing one in which a character had an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Each of these was trying to influence the main character to behave in a particular way. Sometimes I remember this when I talk to clients […]
CJFS volunteers, clients and participants often become our dedicated donors, and Bernard Stern a CJFS Friends Campaign donor, is no exception. Since he retired in 2016, Bernard has volunteered in three CJFS programs, he is a regular participant in our monthly “Honor Our Parents” programs – and he is a supporter of the annual CJFS Friends […]
Please Help Us Reach our Goal by Donating to the CJFS’ Friends 2023 Campaign!
by Amy Neiman, LMSW Finding the right way to speak with a child or teenager about death, war or terrible uncertainty is not easy. It is our job as parents to reassure our children even when we ourselves are feeling vulnerable. We want to be truthful but not give them more information than they need […]
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 […]
The CJFS Personal Care Program helps older adults with limited income continue to live independently for as long as possible – even if they need help with cooking, cleaning, bathing, or other daily living tasks. With support from the Lucille Beeson Fund at Canterbury United Methodist Church, CJFS launched this program in 2003 to provide […]
Despite her vision loss, Judy is able to live a full and meaningful life with personal care, transportation, and other services she receives from Collat Jewish Family Services.
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 […]
