Discovering Support Before It’s Needed
When Julia* called CJFS about her mother, she wasn’t sure what she was looking for. Her mother was living at home by herself and while she had slowed down, she was still mobile, and able […]
Finding Joy and Laughter in Every Season of Life
by James Cannon, LMSW It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine, but I think it goes deeper than that. When we laugh and express ourselves in a playful […]
This One Habit Can Change Your Mood, Sleep, and Health
by Margaret Lee, LICSW The flowers are blooming, a cool breeze is in the air, and daylight lasts just a bit longer each day. If you’re like me, you’ve been […]
The Sandwich Generation
by Caleigh Alevy, LMSW It’s 8:30 on a Tuesday morning. You’re answering emails before work when your phone rings. It’s your mom. She can’t remember where she wrote down her […]
New CJFS Services Honor a Legacy
Thanks to the generosity of one CJFS family, a pilot program is helping meet critical community needs and expanding access to essential services. The Faye and Norris Friedman Caring Fund […]
What Will My Legacy Be?
by Mark Driskill, LICSW-S, CJFS Lead Clinician For the past several years, I’ve paid attention to articles and news stories about the Blue Zones—geographic areas of the world where many […]
2026 Annual Meeting
For the first time, our community’s cornerstone Jewish organizations will come together for a Joint Annual Meeting & Awards! Join us Sunday, January 25th from 3-4:15PM. Location will be provided […]
Rethinking Anxiety
Amy Neiman, LMSW The other day I was scrolling on social media and started counting how many posts were titled, “how to get rid of anxiety,” “how to fix your […]
A Holiday Check-In Guide for Aging Parents
The holidays are one of the few times many families slow down long enough to truly see how their aging parents are doing. Between shared meals, traditions, and time together […]
The Role of A Social Worker with Older Adults
LaBrena Friend, LMSW Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of meeting several older adults as part of our CJFS Personal Care Program assessments. What surprised me was […]
Finding Gratitude When You Have the “Mulligrubs”
by Meredith Stutts, LICSW Have you ever had what my mom calls “the mulligrubs,” that feeling of being down for no clear reason? That was me the other week. Maybe […]
Am I Ready to Retire?
Share it : by Mark Driskill, LICSW-S For most of our working life, retirement planning is about money—how much do I need and when will I have enough? While money […]
The “J” in CJFS: Built on Jewish Values, Serving the Whole Birmingham Community
Thirty-six years ago, Collat Jewish Family Services (CJFS) was founded to meet the human service needs of the Birmingham Jewish community. Over time, our mission has expanded, and today we […]
Finding Strength in Every Season
September brings with it a fresh energy. The school year begins, families return to familiar routines, and older adults adjust to new rhythms as the season changes. Fall reminds us […]
Shining a Light on Suicide Prevention
The month of September is full of diverse holidays such as Labor Day and Rosh Hashana, observances such as the International Day of Charity, and light-hearted celebrations, such as Hobbit […]
Beat the Heat: Summer Safety Tips at Every Age
by Caleigh Alevy, LMSW Let’s face it—August in Alabama feels less like summer and more like standing in a giant outdoor sauna. While it’s tempting to hunker down indoors […]
5 Everyday Habits that Support Brain Health and Why They Matter
by Anna Read June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Health Awareness Month, and at CJFS, we’re using this opportunity to focus our newsletter on the importance of protecting and supporting brain health—for […]
Grace & Grit: A CARES Team Member’s Journey
For Lise Grace, Assistant Director of CJFS CARES respite program, the work is personal. When she first joined CJFS, she was quietly navigating one of the most challenging chapters of her life: […]
CJFS Welcomes New Social Workers
This January, CJFS welcomed two exceptional social workers to our team: James Cannon and Meredith Stutts. We’re excited to introduce them during Social Work Month this March, a time when we celebrate the invaluable contributions […]
Why I Give – Lana Royal’s Story
The CJFS Friends Campaign is so close to the finish line – just 3% away from reaching our goal. Every gift matters, and every story of support inspires us to keep going. […]
Aging Safely: Tips for Avoiding Falls
Share it : Did you know that over 300,000 adults are hospitalized each year for hip fractures, with 95% of these fractures caused by falls? Falls are a serious concern […]