Our Stories

When community members face challenges, Jewish Family Service helps people move forward.

Levi, a recipient of the David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship, shares how the scholarship has positively impacted his life, enabling him to pursue his educational goals and give back to his community.

Many partner grocery stores donate large amounts of produce to Jewish Family Service as the food items approach their expiration date. To ensure that as many families as possible can access fresh produce before they spoil, we vacuum seal and flash freeze many vegetables and fruits to extend their use. This innovative process reduces waste, saves money, and most importantly keeps food fresher longer for those turning to JFS for assistance.

Jewish Family Service’s Economic Mobility programs celebrated a milestone after they finished the distribution of one-time payments to 2,242 low-income families and seniors. In this video, the impact of the program is communicated by several of the participants.

The Guaranteed Income pilot started in 2021 and over 24 months gave $500 every month with no strings attached to 150 families to help offset the rising cost of basic necessities—giving them an invitation to dream. The JFS Economic Mobility and Opportunity programs address the root causes of poverty and socioeconomic disparities and develops targeted approaches and solutions that improve outcomes for families.

Every week, JFS delivers thousands of healthy meals to older adults throughout San Diego County. More than a meal, this nutritional support comes complete with a friendly smile, compassionate care, and supportive services that help keep older adults food-secure and connected to community and resources so they can age with dignity, maintain their independence, and thrive.

Jewish Family Service sent 11 team members on Jewish Federation’s CommUNITY Trip of a lifetime.

Carol Anne, who receives home-delivered healthy meals through JFS’s Foodmobile, left us a heartfelt message last week on her birthday. We would like to share it with you…

Meet Maria and her best friend in this heartwarming story from SDRRN.

Families are still turning to JFS for assistance every day – many for the first time. Meet one of these families.

Please take a moment to enjoy Ruth reading her heartwarming poem entitled JFS — Thank You.

Briseida, a JFS client, was recently released from the Otay Mesa ICE Detention Facility, where over 200 people have tested positive for COVID-19.

Every week, we deliver an average of 30,000 meals to isolated older adults.

There are more than 700,000 DACA recipients in the United States. We would like you to meet one.

See how Music & Memory uses music to connect persons living with dementia to happy memories and positive feelings.

Amie spent time in our Safe Parking Program where she discovered supportive services and a community that made a huge difference in her efforts to get back into permanent housing.

After many years of involvement as a JFS Board Member, Nadja Kauder reflects on the ways that the agency’s Balboa Avenue Older Adult Center has become a source of support for her and her husband, Manny, now living with Alzheimer’s.