“The last three weeks have been filled with reflection, as November often brings. But this year feels different. It demands more courage from each of us.” This is how Dana Toppel, CEO Designate/COO, begins her discussion of how, as a community, we need to “stand side by side, grounded in our shared humanity, (and) become unbreakable.”

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) and other local immigration advocacy groups reaffirm their commitment to supporting refugees and asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. Michael Hopkins, CEO of JFS, emphasized the organization’s dedication to offering compassionate services, legal representation, and resettlement support to vulnerable families, ensuring that those seeking refuge are met with dignity and care.

Illegal border crossings have plunged to the lowest level in four years, according to new data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. To understand how that fact squares with the fraught political rhetoric, KQED looked at the current dynamics of migration at California’s border with Mexico. Several factors are contributing to the turnaround. For one, since the beginning of the year, Mexico has cracked down on migrants heading for the U.S. border. And in June, Biden issued an executive order barring access to the asylum process for those who enter illegally when crossings are high. CEO Designate Dana Toppel comments about Jewish Family Service’s role, “To us, it’s about dignity. It’s really about centering the individual and being very trauma-informed.”

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria highlights the impact of the city’s Safe Parking Program, operated by Jewish Family Service, which provides unsheltered residents with a safe place to park and access to essential services like job training, housing support, and mental health care. JFS is committed to meeting people where they are in their journey, empowering them with the tools, resources, and support they need to move forward and thrive.

Kayla Herrera has always dreamed of having a place her family could call home. That was until she ended up at the Rose Canyon Safe Parking lot, which is run by Jewish Family Services. Her family moved into one of the trailers. The lot is a 24-hour safe space for families experiencing homelessness. Those staying there are connected with programs and services to get them into permanent housing.

Join Jewish Family Service and Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, a global social justice activist, and JFS CEO Michael Hopkins for an inspiring luncheon, “The Role of Compassion in Social Change.” Held on November 12 at the Marriott in Del Mar, this engaging discussion will explore how compassion can drive positive change in our communities. Reserve your spot and purchase tickets at jfssd.org/luncheon2024.

The JFS Center for Jewish Care and its Rabbi Susan Freeman emphasizes compassionate listening as a powerful way to combat loneliness and strengthen community bonds. Through programs like Friendly Match, volunteers are trained to build meaningful relationships with seniors, fostering connection and hope. The next training begins on October 27, with opportunities to participate in person or online. For more details, visit www.jfssd.org/volunteer

A resolution has been reached in a class action lawsuit challenging San Diego’s vehicle habitation ordinances, offering significant relief for individuals relying on their vehicles for shelter. The settlement expands Safe Parking Programs. JFS’s Safe Parking Program offers a pathway out of homelessness and a return to stable housing by providing the tools, resources, and support needed to help individuals move forward and thrive.

This year, Jewish Family Service’s luncheon, hosted by the Center for Jewish Care, features a conversation between Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and Michael Hopkins, CEO of Jewish Family Service, exploring how compassion can drive systemic change and heal communities. The event highlights the Jewish value of compassion as a catalyst for social transformation, with insights on how individuals and communities can practice empathy and kindness in today’s world. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.jfssd.org/luncheon2024

Charlie Pinkus, Past President of the Coronado Hospital Auxiliary brings joy to San Diego children. Pinkus, a member of the San Diego Fine Woodworking Association, makes handcrafted doll cradles and Green’s quilters make tiny bedding for them. The cradles are distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout San Diego County, including Jewish Family Service.

El Programa de Crianza Positiva (PPP) ayuda a los padres en el Condado de San Diego a encontrar soluciones efectivas a problemas comunes de comportamiento infantil. Este programa se apoya en estrategias respaldadas por más de 35 años de investigación.

Jewish Family Service operates four safe parking sites in the city, with more than 230 parking spaces. Since 2018, the program has served more than 5,000 individuals and 3,000 households at six sites in San Diego County. More than a third of them have moved into more secure housing, including permanent housing, hotel rooms and shelters, according to Jewish Family Service.

Whereas in its heyday, the College Avenue Senior Center drew between 80 and 120 people for a full day of programming, including lectures, exercise, movies, and an inexpensive lunch, since its resumption after the COVID pandemic, the center’s attendance has averaged only 15 people, and even fewer for the lunch program, according to JFS CEO Designate Dana Toppel. JFS remains committed to helping older adults in our community stay healthy, active, and independent in their own homes through dignified aging care services that include nutritional support, On the Go transportation, the JFS Fix-It Service, and more.

After two months negotiating with a potential contractor to run a migrant center, San Diego County is going back to the drawing board to select an operator for a transfer center and respite shelter to help recently arrived migrants. The county and Jewish Family Service of San Diego couldn’t develop a sustainable plan and agreed to end contract talks for the nonprofit to operate the center, they announced Friday. “Despite best faith efforts, the two parties have been unable to develop a plan to meet the scope of work required to address the needs of migrants in the region based on federal funding criteria and have mutually agreed to end negotiations,” county spokesperson Michael Workman said in a joint statement with the organization.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s On the Go program currently helps more than 2,000 seniors in need with transportation. Volunteers assist local seniors by driving them in their own cars to the grocery store, the doctor’s office or other essential destinations. “As we know, the population here in San Diego is definitely trending upwards with older adults in our community. So we see a great need for folks who want to stay living independently in their homes but maybe who can no longer drive,” said Sunni Robertson, Director of Volunteer Engagement, Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Volunteer driver Betty Carroll shares stories from her work helping seniors maintain independence with Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s “On the Go” program.

A shift in thinking about aid among some policymakers and nonprofits has led to the creation of pilot programs across the U.S. where households get cash, with no strings attached, so they can spend it as they see fit. A local nonprofit, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, has been testing versions of this approach in four programs.

He and his wife faced persecution under the Ortega regime, which has imprisoned, tortured or killed many for speaking out. They spent months trying to travel through Mexico on the notoriously dangerous train known as la bestia only to be caught by Mexican officials and sent back south. They faced robbery and kidnapping along the way, he said.

After they finally made it to San Diego last year, they spent months at the San Diego Rapid Response Network shelter run by Jewish Family Service, the father said. But, they didn’t have anyone to receive them in the United States, and eventually, they had to leave the shelter.

During this year’s Annual Meeting & Award Luncheon held on June 25 at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) inducted six long-time San Diego business and civic leaders to its board of directors. “Each new board member has an extraordinary level of expertise and community insight and is a testament to JFS’s diverse make-up and visionary leadership,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins in the news release. “Their experience, insight and passion will be significant assets to JFS, as we focus on breaking cycles of poverty and building a stronger San Diego.”

The Jewish Family Service (JFS) annual Heart and Soul Gala took place May 18 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria was a guest speaker at the event and RSF residents David and Sharon Wax were among the honorees at the gala. Funds raised at the event help support JFS which provides compassionate care and supportive services.

On June 20, Take on Alzheimer’s, part of the California Department of Public Health, organized an event in San Diego County. This event gathered county officials, research organizations, and caregiver advocates. Jewish Family Service (JFS), which offers programs for individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), was one of the participants. JFS is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of older adults. Learn more at www.jfssd.org/olderadults.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Jewish Family Service, I am writing to share the bittersweet news that after 13 years at the helm of JFS, Michael Hopkins will be retiring a year from now, on June 30, 2025. Over the last several months, the Board has been fully engaged and working diligently to design a seamless transition, while we prepare to announce the Board’s selection of our next CEO at the end of this month.

While thousands of people seeking asylum in the U.S. wait in shelters in Mexico, hundreds who have already been granted the opportunity to begin that process through the CBP One app have found a safe landing place at the San Diego Rapid Response Network migrant shelter operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego. Read the story of one family who escaped political persecution and found safety at the SDRRN migrant shelter.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has named Tanya Hackel as the organization’s new chief advancement officer. In her new role, Hackel works closely with JFS’s development, marketing, and volunteer engagement departments to enhance relationships with supporters, stakeholders, and the community in support of JFS’ vision and mission.

Featured on the front page of The Union-Tribune’s Sunday edition, this in-depth report follows Saundra, a single mom of three boys, working multiple jobs and struggling to make ends meet.