STAY CONNECTED
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: her husband Dan was living with early-onset Alzheimer’s. “Before Dan’s diagnosis, his personality changed drastically,” Lise shares. “He became paranoid and verbally abusive, […]
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 of social workers nationwide. This year’s theme, “Social Work: Compassion + Action,” resonates deeply with the dedication James and Meredith bring […]
Life is a journey filled with transitions—some joyful, others challenging. At CJFS, we help individuals and families navigate every stage of life with compassion, expertise, and connection. or young families, CJFS offers hope and support. Through the Jewish Fertility Foundation-BHM, housed under our umbrella, we guide those navigating the challenges of building their families. We also […]
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. Lana Royal is one of those inspiring supporters. A longtime donor and volunteer, Lana is passionate about the life-changing work of CJFS. “I […]
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 for older adults, with over 14 million people over 65 experiencing one every year in the U.S. They’re also the top cause of injuries like broken bones and […]
Ms. C, a retired healthcare professional, has always been passionate about helping others—it’s at the heart of who she is. While balancing a full-time career, she also raised her children, inspiring them with her kindness, independence, and intelligence. As her daughter fondly puts it, “She’s truly remarkable in every way.” A few years ago, Ms. […]
CJFS is more than a service provider; we are a lifeline for those in need. For one senior client, who we will refer to as ‘Ms. B’*, CJFS became a source of support during a time of significant health challenges and unsafe living conditions. She did not feel safe in her home and had even […]
by Kay Kornmeier, CJFS President Elect I have been a donor to the CJFS Friends Campaign since 2016, when I first learned about CJFS. As I have become more involved and learned more about the work we do, I am always impressed that CJFS finds a way to say ‘yes’ when people need help. Whether […]
CJFS is pleased to introduce Margaret Lee, our new Senior Services Social Worker. Margaret will be working with older adults and their families to assess their needs and put resources into place that will help them remain living independently in the community with an enriched quality of life. As people age, it is often the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Emily Bebenek Birmingham resident Emily Bebenek, a rising junior at Wake Forest University, worked as a Hillel Connection intern this summer with our Development and Outreach team. Here, Emily reflects on a family trip that opened her eyes to the challenges of aging and caregiving. While my family lives in Birmingham, and my cousins […]
If you’re used to seeing our bright purple Buz-A-Bus around town, you may have noticed that it’s stopping a bit more often these days at Episcopal Place (EP), a subsidized senior housing facility on Birmingham’s southside. A new partnership between CJFS and EP is helping both organizations recover from pandemic-related financial stresses, while expanding transportation options for […]
Julie Cohen recalls that on the road to becoming the parents of a 4-year-old and twin toddlers, she and her husband went through “a lot of pain.” “And I like to think that we’ve gone through that so that I can help others” on that journey, said Julie, manager of the new Birmingham office of […]
Family caregivers now can receive one-on-one support and guidance at no cost from CJFS, through generous grants provided by the United Way of Central Alabama and Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. “The pandemic only heightened the stress that many family caregivers were already experiencing,” said Pam Leonard, LBSW, a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Program Director […]
