Jewish Family Service, founded in 1872, has been strengthening the metro Denver community for over a century.  In fact, the original founders of United Way also have deep roots within the dynamic non-profit organization.

Today, Jewish Family Service and Mile High United Way are working toward systemic change in the community through our life-changing Adult Self Sufficiency initiative.  The initiative will provide over 319,000 individuals with self sufficiency services in the next four years.  Mile High United Way works through Jewish Family Service’s vocational rehabilitation work center, SHALOM Denver, specializing in job training for people with disabilities and individuals transitioning from welfare to work.  In addition, Jewish Family Service also partners with Mile High United Way’s Youth Success initiative which empowers disadvantaged youth to graduate from high school.  Jewish Family Service, with help from Mile High United Way, provides  school-based counselors to 19 public schools in the metro Denver area.

The biggest misconception about Jewish Family Service is the name itself.  Only 50 percent of the population served is of the Jewish faith.  “What people don’t realize is that we serve the disabled, mentally ill, elderly and refugee populations.  You absolutely don’t have to be Jewish to receive our services,” said Yana Vishnitsky, president and CEO.

Yana is also a former client of Jewish Family Service.  “I was resettled in America by Jewish Family Service in 1978 from the former Soviet Union.  This organization helped me get acclimated in the US with everything from ESL classes to employment and healthcare.  I’m grateful to this organization and feel it is my social responsibility to develop programs and services that offer care, compassion and a high level of professionalism to every single client, no matter who they are,” she said.

Jewish Family Service touches the lives of over 21,000 people every year and continues to respond to the emerging needs of the community.  Decades ago the agency was a safe haven for Holocaust survivors; now it addresses the needs of refugees from Somalia, Burma, Iraq and other individuals and families fleeing the persecution of their homelands.  

The stories are overwhelming.  One man in particular, who received help from Jewish Family Service’s Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry, left a lasting impression.  “This man came in and he was so hungry.  He sat on the floor weeping and eating at the same time.  He couldn’t stop crying; he was so grateful.  The next day I saw him in the lobby playing his guitar.  He told me he wanted to pay us back for the food he received,” said Yana.

Click here to donate or volunteer for Mile High United Way’s Adult Self Sufficiency and Youth Success initiatives. Contact Laura at laura.hendrick@unitedwaydenver.org for volunteer opportunities.