Executive Director:
Lauren Schwartz, MSW
Lauren Schwartz joined Collat Jewish Family Services as Executive Director in March of 2011. A Memphis native, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Lauren began her career at CJFS in 1992, providing counseling, case management, and financial assistance to clients. She created new community collaborations, offering parenting programs in schools throughout the Birmingham area, and she developed group programming in response to community needs. Lauren honed her agency administrative skills over six years as the Director of Advancement for the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, where she was responsible for fundraising events, marketing and recruitment.
Since returning to CJFS, Lauren has moved the agency strategically toward a focus on Senior Adult Services, an area of gaping need in Birmingham. “After a lifetime of giving to our community, our older adults deserve our support, respect and care,” Lauren explains, “We strive to connect seniors to resources, keep them engaged, and allow them to age in place safely.”
With exceptional compassion and expertise, CJFS provides transportation, case management, counseling, financial management, in-home care, respite and more. Lauren is passionate about her work helping seniors age with dignity, but her most meaningful work is being the mother of three fabulous kids, Seth, Alex, and Jamie, and partner to her husband, Daniel.