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International Holocaust Remembrance Day

2024-02-01T11:53:55-05:00January 30th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , |

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is always an emotional observance of the devastating genocide committed during World War II. This year's commemoration, taking place from the evening of January 26th through January 27th, is especially difficult, given the horrifying increase of antisemitism—in our own backyard in Westchester and New York City, in the U.S. in general, and worldwide. We feel very privileged at WJCS to be able to support Holocaust survivors in Westchester. Their strength and resilience and love of life continually inspire us. We are proud to provide support groups and holiday celebrations for our aging population of Holocaust survivors. ...

Antisemitic Graffiti in Westchester: A Message from our CEO

2024-02-01T11:53:27-05:00January 31st, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , |

By now I am sure many of you have heard of the terrible act of antisemitism early Thursday morning January 25th at the Golden Horeshoe, a shopping center on the border of New Rochelle and Scarsdale. The perpetrators of this abhorrent act wrote antisemitic graffiti, on stores at the shopping center but not just on any stores. They deliberately chose those shops which had proudly announced that they stand with Israel. I know you join me in condemning this act of vandalism in the strongest possible terms.   This latest antisemitic act comes, as we have discussed, amidst the ...

Meet Our WJCS 2024 Gala Honorees!

2024-02-22T10:01:32-05:00February 22nd, 2024|Categories: Gala, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is proud to be hosting its annual Gala on April 16, 2024, at 6pm at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY. The Gala will be honoring Meira Fleisch, a Board member and longtime Early Learning Specialist at WJCS, and Stephanie Marquesano, Founder and President of the harris project. "We are thrilled to honor Meira Fleisch and Stephanie Marquesano, two remarkable individuals who have consistently used their outstanding skills and deep compassion to improve the lives and future of children, youth, and families,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. "Each of these people are ...

Response to Trauma in the Face of Attacks Against Israel

2023-10-20T15:49:19-04:00October 20th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Trauma has been described as an overwhelming physiological response in which an individual experiences a loss of control, vulnerability, and immobilization. This week, 75 WJCS employees and board members came together online to share and process their sadness, grief, and anxiety about Hamas attacks against Israel, including the kidnapping of over 200 people. In gathering together as a community and in hope, members of our WJCS staff focused on what experts say about responses to trauma and opened up about their own reactions to recent horrific news reports. We are sharing these insights in the hope that they may help ...

WJCS Domestic Violence Resources

2023-10-19T13:33:15-04:00October 18th, 2023|Categories: Gala, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

October is designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know who lives in Westchester is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, please consider contacting WJCS. Our WJCS Trager Lemp Center for Treating Trauma & Promoting Resilience provides comprehensive outpatient, evidence-based treatment programs to help adult and child survivors of sexual abuse, sexual assault and harassment, and domestic violence. We also have programs for youth who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence as well as programs to help high school students cultivate the skills to build healthy relationships. Founded in 1982, our WJCS trauma center has ...

A Joyous Sukkot Celebration for Westchester Holocaust Survivors

2023-10-19T13:37:54-04:00October 16th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , |

On Wednesday October 5th, WJCS hosted a Sukkot celebration luncheon for Holocaust survivors at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale. More than 90 people attended the joyous festivities, including relatives and caregivers of the survivors. “Sukkot is one of the most joyful festivals on the Jewish calendar," said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. "We are so fortunate to have a large number of Holocaust survivors living in Westchester. Celebrating the holiday with individuals who suffered so much in the past is moving and meaningful. The survivors are aging and facing many challenges but they possess a spirit of gratitude and an appreciation of ...

Now What? 6 Steps After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

2023-11-15T13:09:18-05:00November 5th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Has your loved one been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia? If so, all of a sudden, you probably have a lot on your plate…. Maybe you have been putting off making financial and legal plans for the future. Perhaps you are rethinking your living situation. Here are first steps you may want to take after a diagnosis: Contact an elder care attorney to discuss your financial planning and need for a power of attorney, will, and advanced directives. Connect your loved one to proper medical care, including a gerontologist and a neurological team. Evaluate your home environment to ensure ...

How WJCS Nurse Practitioners Make an Impact

2023-11-15T12:25:26-05:00October 30th, 2023|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

This week, November 12-18, is National Nurse Practitioners Week. Thank you to the incredible contributions of our exceptional nurse practitioners at WJCS. Your hard work, compassion, and dedication to improving the mental health of the clients we serve is truly commendable. Your commitment and skill is appreciated. We are grateful to have such a talented and caring team. At WJCS, our team of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) support both the mental and physical health of our clients. LPNs in each of our clinics meet with all new admissions for Health Monitoring Visits. During these visits LPNs check vital signs, ...

Crime Victims Advocacy and Support Services Program (CVASSP)

2023-10-19T13:37:25-04:00October 17th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Being a victim of a crime is a traumatic experience. WJCS has launched a Crime Victims Advocacy and Support Services Program (CVASSP). By supporting victims through advocacy, ensuring they have safe housing, helping them access public benefits, and providing mental health counseling, WJCS helps victims recover from the experience. “Being a victim of a crime can be a life-altering event, shattering one's sense of security and safety. WJCS is here to help victims with the recovery process, to connect them to services, and to walk with them on the path to recovery,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. A crime ...

Lauren Candela-Katz is appointed Chief Advancement Officer at WJCS

2023-10-19T13:38:33-04:00October 15th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

  Westchester County Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lauren Candela-Katz as Chief Advancement Officer, effective October 9th. Candela-Katz has dedicated her career to supporting organizations that are deeply invested in improving the lives of those experiencing life’s most difficult challenges. Most recently, she served as Chief Development Officer at Lifting Up Westchester, an organization that serves the homeless in Westchester County. Previously, she was the Chief Development Officer of Abbott House which serves those with intellectual and developmental needs. Candela-Katz began her career at the Jewish Federation of Stamford and spent a decade ...

Meaningful Friendships that Promote Mental Wellness

2023-10-19T13:41:06-04:00October 14th, 2023|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , , , |

This year the WJCS Compeer program, a supportive friendship program in which each volunteer is matched with an individual recovering from mental illness, celebrates its 50th anniversary. By facilitating friendships, Compeer helps mental health clients feel less isolated and more integrated into their communities. Compeer started as a small program in upstate New York and has grown into an international organization with over 40 chapters. Compeer volunteers commit to spending time with a mental health client for a year or more. Research has shown that most Compeer clients see improvements in multiple areas of their lives as a result ...

Caring For Caregivers

2023-11-02T11:54:07-04:00September 5th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Donna*, an only child in her late fifties, suspected that her mother’s Alzheimer’s was progressing. Her mom, a widow living alone in Bronxville, seemed increasingly confused when they spoke on the phone, plus Donna, who lived and worked in Las Vegas, was starting to receive phone calls from concerned neighbors. She decided to come east for a brief visit to get a handle on the situation. Once Donna saw her mom’s declining state, she felt increasingly anxious about leaving her. She decided to quit her job and move permanently back to New York to be her mother’s caregiver and advocate. ...

WJCS Presents Fashion & Compassion Luncheon at Neiman Marcus at The Westchester

2023-06-12T14:41:34-04:00June 12th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

WJCS Presents Fashion & Compassion Luncheon at Neiman Marcus at The Westchester to Raise Funds for WJCS Mary J. Blige Center Food Pantry in Yonkers Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest human service organizations in Westchester County, hosted a “Fashion & Compassion” Luncheon at Neiman Marcus at The Westchester on May 11th. Ten percent of the sales made after the fashion show luncheon were donated by Neiman Marcus to WJCS and directed to support the food pantry at the WJCS Mary J. Blige Center, which helps under-resourced families in Yonkers. “Food insecurity has become a signficant ...

WJCS Spring 2023 Highlights

2023-05-09T14:58:20-04:00May 9th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Thank You to our Journal Donors!

2023-04-03T15:00:59-04:00April 3rd, 2023|Categories: Gala, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Contributing to the Gala Journal is vitally important to raising critical funds for WJCS programs. Thank you to all those who purchased ads in our 2023 Gala Journal, recognizing our remarkable honorees Michele Brettschneider and William Shirley and the work of WJCS. Watch our WJCS 2023 Gala! Please Give for Good

WJCS 80th Anniversary Gala: A Huge Success!

2023-04-20T10:25:58-04:00March 31st, 2023|Categories: Gala, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

WJCS Gala honorees Michele Brettschneider and William Shirley (right) with CEO Seth Diamond Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) welcomed 250+ guests to their 80th Anniversary Gala on March 28th. WJCS Board members Michele Brettschneider, a Scarsdale resident, and William Shirley, a longtime Larchmont resident, were honored at the Brae Burn Country Club event. The evening was especially celebratory as WJCS, now one of the largest human services organization in Westchester, is commemorating its 80th anniversary. "We were founded in 1943 as a small organization that served a few families who were struggling in Westchester. WJCS now has over 80 programs and ...

WJCS and Y-COP Partner in Mount Vernon

2023-03-13T14:48:00-04:00March 13th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) and the Youth Community Outreach Program (Y-COP) announced their partnership to provide mental health support, case and referral management, and programming for social-emotional development for children, from kindergarten through high school, in Y-COP’s after-school programs. WJCS is the county’s largest provider of outpatient mental health services and Y-COP is a leading provider of youth-focused programs to the Mount Vernon community. Among the programs Y-COP administers are an after-school program, basketball and soccer programs, a girls’ empowerment group, and summer camp. Under the partnership, WJCS will provide staff onsite at Y-COP’s programs. The onsite staff ...

Advice from LGBTQ+ Teens to Other LBGTQ+ Teens

2023-03-10T14:15:18-05:00March 9th, 2023|Categories: Center Lane for LGBTQ+ Youth, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , |

The advice below came from real, LGBTQ+ teens in the local Westchester community. The people interviewed range from ages 13 to 18 and represent a wide array of identities. The advice is organized by topic, with each piece of advice followed by the teen’s age and pronouns. They are identified below by their ages and pronouns, but some of the identities featured also include: bisexual, lesbian, nonbinary, trans, queer, gay, and more! Coming Out/Discovering Yourself: Take your time to figure things out. You don’t owe it to anyone to have a solid label or explanation at any point in ...

Dean Howell Joins WJCS Board

2023-03-08T13:36:32-05:00February 12th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , , |

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest human service agencies in Westchester county, is proud to announce that Dean Howell, Managing Director at Deloitte, has joined its Board of Directors. Mr. Howell has worked at Deloitte since 2016 and focuses on helping Higher Education and Government clients transform in a digital, cloud-enabled world. Previously, Mr. Howell worked at IBM, AT&T, and Oracle in a variety of technical solution engineering roles. He has worked with Westchester and NYC high school students, mentoring and inspiring their interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) while promoting the importance of higher education ...

WJCS Celebrates 80 Years of Health & Hope

2023-01-12T10:38:57-05:00January 12th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|

WJCS is celebrating its 80th anniversary! In 1943, Westchester Jewish Community Services was founded with the goal of serving a small number of struggling Jewish families. Over the past eight decades, WJCS has grown to become the safety net for people of all ages and backgrounds in Westchester county. Our not-for-profit human service agency now serves 20,000 Westchester residents and provides over 80 programs and hundreds of services related to mental health, trauma, children, youth, and families, senior care, LGBTQ+ youth and their families, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Holocaust survivors, bereavement, health and healing, and so much ...

Our Board’s Commitment to DEI & Other Essential Values

2022-12-22T23:36:52-05:00November 17th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|

The WJCS Board of Directors is fully committed to upholding the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as other essential standards of integrity. Here is the WJCS's Board's statement of values, followed by the WJCS Board's statement of commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   The Board of Westchester Jewish Community Services embraces the following values: We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are committed to building a board that represents our served communities. We believe that all people have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, respect, and compassion. We look for places to ...

Words Have Power: Stand Up, Speak Out, and Make Change

2022-11-15T16:31:11-05:00October 25th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , |

At our Margaret’s Place-Joe Torre Safe At Home program, WJCS created, with the help of our youth Peer Leaders, a special campaign in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to spread the messages that our words have the power to support survivors of domestic violence, ask important questions, and reach out for help. WJCS Margaret’s Place is situated in White Plains High School, Peekskill Middle School, and Cross Hill Academy in Yonkers. It encourages education and conversation about healthy relationships as well as trauma, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Domestic Violence (DV), and counseling for trauma and DV-exposed youth. Cross Hill Academy ...

WJCS Hosts a Holocaust Survivor Sukkot Luncheon

2022-10-24T11:21:40-04:00October 24th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|

On Wednesday October 12th, WJCS hosted about 70 Holocaust Survivors at a beautiful Sukkot luncheon at Westchester Reform Temple to celebrate the festive holiday. The Jewish holiday of Sukkot is known as a festival of joy, and joy is the perfect word to describe the mood and feelings experienced by our attendees. Guests were thrilled to gather in the beautiful sukkah—a temporary hut covered with branches that represents the divine protection the children of Israel received as they traveled in the desert for 40 years after leaving Egypt. The Survivors, who often feel socially isolated due to their advanced ...

Volunteer at WJCS This Fall!

2022-11-16T13:21:13-05:00September 20th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|

Summer flew by for us all at WJCS! Despite the fast pace of the season, we were able to fit in some amazing volunteer events. And, there's even more planned for this fall! This July, we received 500 backpacks, provided through Supplies for Success and packed by UJA-Federation Westchester for the annual WJCS Back-to-School Drive. In June, volunteers participating in Deloitte's Impact Day assisted ParentChild+ staff at Hartley Park. And, just this past weekend, volunteers got to work on a beautification project at a WJCS community residence as part of Volunteer NY's Serve & Remember 9/11 campaign.Didn't have the chance to volunteer ...

The 2022 WJCS Back-to-School Drive: A Huge Success!

2022-08-17T09:10:33-04:00August 10th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|

The 2022 WJCS Back-to-School Drive has concluded and we're happy to report that it's been a big success! Through the generosity of WJCS donors and our non-profit partners, UJA Westchester and Supplies for Success, we have been able to help 1,300 children in under-resourced communities in Westchester, start school equipped for a successful academic year. We have supplied young children in WJCS programs with brand new backpacks and school supplies, plus a $20 gift card to purchase a new first-day-of-school outfit. Thanks to Order Out of Chaos for donating school year planners which are being distributed to our tween ...

988: New Suicide & Crisis Hotline

2022-07-18T14:49:34-04:00July 14th, 2022|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|

On July 16th, a new Suicide and Crisis Hotline is being launched. By dialing or texting 988, people who are experiencing emotional distress, substance use issues, or suicidal thoughts will be connected to an expanded network of mental health professionals. Employees and volunteers staffing the 24-hour hotline will be counselors trained in a wide range of mental health issues, including self-harm, addiction, and suicidal ideation. This New York Times article provides details about this new hotline which is aimed at addressing the mental health crisis in our country. Learn about Mental Health services provided by WJCS. ...

Bruce M. Freyer Named President of the WJCS Board of Directors

2022-07-21T17:22:21-04:00July 6th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , |

We are thrilled to announce that Bruce M. Freyer has been elected President of the WJCS Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2022. Freyer became involved with WJCS in 1997 and has held a variety of Board positions, including Chair of the Development Committee, Chair of the Jewish Programs committee, and Member of the Audit, Budget and Finance, Children and Youth Services, Government Relations, Investment, Managed Care, and Nominating Committees. “Bruce has been invaluable in furthering the mission of WJCS in countless ways,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. “He has been integral in developing strategic initiatives, a passionate and ...

Our Commitment to Equity and Anti-Racism

2022-06-16T14:16:57-04:00June 16th, 2022|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|

At a time of frequent and horrific news stories of racial injustices, WJCS recommits its support of the fight against systemic racism. We consider sensitivity toward diversity, equity, and inclusion essential to our work with clients and to developing a safe, protected, and accepting environment for staff a top priority. As a trauma-informed agency and at the forefront of trauma treatment, WJCS recognizes that racial discrimination is a trauma. We are dedicated to the ongoing work of creating a safe, healthy, and productive environment for our employees and clients, and will continue to work to ensure that people of ...

Recovery is Possible with WJCS

2024-03-14T14:07:26-04:00March 14th, 2024|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

The number of people suffering from both mental health and substance use disorders is skyrocketing, with approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States experiencing these co-occurring conditions, according to SAMHSA’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Unfortunately, the result of experiencing both disorders can be tragic. Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), the largest provider of licensed outpatient mental health services in Westchester, is now providing comprehensive integrative, evidence-based treatment for county residents experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. “People suffering from co-occurring mental health and substance use problems often experience severe and chronic challenges ...

Uplifting the Jewish Community and Helping them Stay Connected

2024-02-08T12:38:35-05:00March 7th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , |

Along with the rest of life’s typical challenges, the Jewish community in Westchester faces an alarming rise in antisemitism. With your dedication and generosity of our donors, we provide support in a number of ways and believe that together we can strengthen the resilience and connection of our Jewish community. "It is me who thanks you for giving me back my dignity and common sense, as well as my sanity in this very scary world." ~Jackie Whatever your affiliation or identification to being Jewish, WJCS is here for you. We do our best to connect you to a broad ...

Helping Seniors Age in Place with Dignity & Providing Caregiver Support

2024-02-07T16:50:09-05:00February 28th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Twenty percent of the population in Westchester is over age 60. Of those age 65 and older, 39% live alone. Growing older is not just physically challenging; it’s also emotionally challenging. Many seniors face health and mobility limitations. Those who enjoyed and are no longer working often lack a sense of purpose and vitality. Innovative program, services, and fitness, recreational, and educational activities help seniors maintain a sense of identity, self-esteem, and self-worth. Emotional and practical support, both individual and in groups, helps caregivers who are often overwhelmed with stress and added responsibilities, navigate their challenges and feel less ...

February is Black History Month: A note from our CEO Seth Diamond

2024-02-01T15:42:06-05:00February 1st, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: , , |

February is Black History Month, a time when we honor the triumphs and tragedies throughout our history of Black Americans, some famous and some whose names are not known to us. Black history is not separate from American history but an essential part of it. You cannot learn American history without learning Black history. As Maya Angelou once said “Won't it be wonderful when Black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.” Building on that theme, at WJCS, we are one agency. We may do ...

Helping People with Disabilities Enjoy a Full Life

2024-02-22T09:57:25-05:00February 20th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

People with disabilities tend to experience loneliness and social isolation at significantly higher rates than people without disabilities. They are also at a higher risk for experiencing trauma. Loneliness is a particularly significant driver of poor well-being among people with a disability. Interventions to reduce loneliness make a huge impact. The adults we serve are eager to lead rich, full lives—but they need support. They need help with life skills, like time management and helping with household chores to the best of their ability. They need vocational counseling and opportunities for recreation, socialization, and community involvement. And, some individuals need significant daily care. "All of us ...

Tips for Family Caregivers

2024-02-08T12:40:27-05:00February 16th, 2024|Categories: General|Tags: , , , , |

by Gillian Rittmaster, LCSW, Assistant Executive Director of Jewish Programs and Health & Healing Support Services Create a network of support for you and your loved one, including medical professionals, family, friends, neighbors, and mental health and recreational services. Put your oxygen mask on first! If you aren’t caring for yourself you cannot care for a loved one. Exercise, eat right, see friends and family, ask yourself what brings you peace and comfort. Caregiving is a balance of attending to your loved one and finding activity and joy outside of the caregiving. Get respite from the caregiving when you ...

Supporting Families: Building Skills to Help Them Thrive

2024-02-07T12:39:18-05:00February 26th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Ten percent of children in Westchester county live below the poverty line. Boosting the educational, social, and emotional skills of the next generation has invaluable long-term impact. By supporting children, youth, and families, we are ensuring positive outcomes for them now and in the future. WJCS recognizes that every child deserves to have the skills, tools, resources, and affirmations they need to be prepared for and thrive in school. WJCS is devoted to decreasing the effects of socioeconomic disparities and promoting parent-child engagement, early literacy, and social-emotional building for families from under-resourced and marginalized communities. After-school programs promote positive ...

Mental Health & Substance Use: Overcoming the Challenges

2024-02-07T16:44:16-05:00February 13th, 2024|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , |

The number of people suffering from mental health and substance use problems are skyrocketing. More than 20% of Americans, including youth, teens, and adults of different socioeconomic groups, are living with a mental illness. Only about half of adults receive treatment. More than 20 million Americans 12 years and older are affected by substance use disorder. These conditions don’t discriminate. They affect people in all socioeconomic groups. "I came to WJCS for therapy at a time of serious distress in my 20’s. I couldn’t afford much, and was able to pay just a very modest amount thanks to financial ...

Building Trust in Community

2024-02-22T09:54:26-05:00February 7th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

To quote Mr. Rogers, “All of us, at some time or other need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world.” WJCS helps people in our community of all ages and backgrounds who face difficult challenges in life and need additional support to build a strong foundation of well-being to strengthen their ability to weather life’s storms. Whether people are experiencing mental health, trauma, disability, aging, educational, or often systemic challenges, we all know that accessing support can be very difficult. Being a champion of WJCS means you ...

WJCS Susan Lewen Staff Excellence Fund Award Recipients

2024-02-01T11:55:26-05:00January 11th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

We are excited to announce the first recipients of awards from The Susan Lewen Staff Excellence Fund! This fund was established in 2023 to honor the profound contributions and spirit of excellence of Susan Lewen who served as WJCS’ Chief Development Officer from 2013-2023. This fund is intended to enable activities, programs, and services to acknowledge staff who follow in Susan Lewen’s footsteps in being exceptional at their job and in their commitment to the mission of WJCS. Four WJCS staff members are selected annually as recipients of this award based on three criteria; exceptional skills & productivity, team ...

Breaking Through the Barrier: Youth Mental Health

2023-12-20T12:58:40-05:00December 17th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , |

by Brenda Haas, LMSW, Ed.M Why is children’s mental health shrouded with stigma and shame? If a child has diabetes we take them to get their insulin, and if they have asthma, we get them an inhaler. Childhood mental illness is real and very common. The National Institute for Mental Health reports that one out of five children in the U.S. suffers from a mental health disorder. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death in youth ages 15-24. In fact, half of all psychiatric illnesses occur before the age of 14, and 75 percent by the age ...

Aging in Place with Dignity

2024-02-06T09:53:55-05:00December 18th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

By Judy Fink, LCSW and Heidi Weiss, LMSW, MHA The fastest growing segment of the U.S. population is composed of people 85 years of age. This is especially true in Westchester, where 20% of our population is over the age of 65. Most seniors prefer to age safely and well in their homes and communities. Yet needs vary depending upon each individual’s situation, family, friends, and the community in which he or she resides. A thorough assessment of each senior’s situation is required to find the best solution to meet his or her needs At Westchester Jewish Community Services ...

Resources to Address Antisemitism

2024-02-06T15:39:15-05:00January 13th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: , , , |

Rising antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world has shaken the Jewish community. The FBI reported in October 2023 that antisemitism accounted for over half of all reported religion-based hate crimes. Jews right here in Westchester are grappling with fear, anxiety, and grief as they witness ugly antisemitic slogans written in graffiti on store windows. People are feeling unsafe in places of worship and some hide their Jewish identities to avoid ostracization and hate in schools, on the streets, and online. Parents struggle with how to explain antisemitism to their young children and college students are facing Jew ...

WJCS Named a Community Champion

2023-11-28T14:31:04-05:00November 28th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

WJCS helps seniors throughout Westchester County to help them stay engaged in their communities and age in place safely with dignity. We are thrilled that WJCS has been recognized as a Community Champion by the Westchester Public/Private Partnership Membership Fund for Aging Services. Among the many programs and services offered by our Senior Care program, supervised by Judy Fink, LCSW, are: Care and Case Management which involves our staff assisting clients, families, and caregivers by providing them with the information and assistance they need, whether it is via phone calls, emails, or home visits. “We ensure that seniors obtain ...

Celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month

2023-12-20T12:24:40-05:00November 5th, 2023|Categories: Center Lane for LGBTQ+ Youth, Feature, Featured Internal|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

On October 14, 2023, a rainy cold Westchester Saturday, in a series of rainy Saturdays, youth from all over Westchester attended WJCS’s Center Lane Youth Pride event, celebrating LGTQIA+ History Month, hosted at Westchester Jewish Community Service (WJCS) headquarters in North White Plains. WJCS Center Lane is the first and still is the only center in Westchester County for LGBTQIA+ youth. The event was originally scheduled to take place outdoors, but the weather brought everyone inside, where two levels of the building were utilized and full of the bright good cheer of the day’s participants. Upstairs, Center Lane staff ...

You Can Help Us Comfort the Westchester Community

2023-11-20T10:53:16-05:00November 16th, 2023|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

The attacks in Israel on October 7th and the ensuing war have sparked shock, horror, and fear. Our community continues to experience stress and we are continuing to provide services for those who are suffering. Together we can ease the pain and create a healing space for our community. WJCS clinicians have led dozens of support groups for individuals struggling with emotional difficulties due to these horrible events and the rise in antisemitism worldwide. We've provided individual and group counseling to terrified teens, adults, and the elderly, including Holocaust survivors who are seeing their worst fears of "Never Again" ...

WJCS Celebrates Our Peer Specialists

2023-10-19T13:47:21-04:00October 13th, 2023|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: , , , , , , |

October 19th is Global Peer Support Celebration Day. At WJCS, our Peer Specialists play an important role in aiding the recovery of individuals from mental illness and/or substance use. Peer Specialists walk hand in hand with our clients from the perspective of a “shared experience.” The Peer Specialist is in a unique position to truly understand what it is like for someone who struggles with challenges related to mental illness and/or substance use. Our WJCS Peer Specialists assist individuals by using the skills they have learned, the connections they have made, and the resources they know from first-hand experience. ...

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