Jewish Family Services of Delaware marks 125 years of service

Jewish Family Services of Delaware is celebrating its 125th anniversary of strengthening individuals, families, and the community by providing counseling and support services to all. Today, with offices in Lewes, Newark and Wilmington, JFS serves not only the Jewish community, but any Delawareans who need help.

In 1899, a visionary group of Jewish leaders from Wilmington embarked on a journey to improve people’s lives in the community. Its early mission was clear: to alleviate the suffering of less-fortunate members of the Jewish community, to help them become self-supporting and to act as a peace committee to moderate differences among members of the Jewish community. In 1930, Hebrew Charity Association was incorporated. Under the multi-year leadership of Morris Levy, the organization achieved great stability, touching lives through financial, legal and medical aid.

In 2005, the agency changed its name to Jewish Family Services of Delaware, emphasizing the multitude and variety of services provided.

Now in 2024, JFS Delaware is commemorating its 125 years of dedicated service to the community. 

“The more I’ve worked in the nonprofit sector, the more I see that the term ‘social impact’ is a more appropriate way to describe what we do,” said Renna Van Oot, JFS Delaware CEO. “When the community comes together, the board is visionary, strong and united with a dedicated staff – worlds can be changed.”

Today, individual and family counseling services provided by JFS help children, teens, adults and families develop strategies to cope with their unique challenges. Its RISE (Refugee Integration Support Effort) program helps refugees and other immigrants from all over the world integrate and feel at home in their new Delaware communities.

The Compass program provides specialized medical care for older adults with dementia and equally vital support for their caregivers including education, counseling and improved access to services.

Through JFS Care Navigation services, older adults, adults with disabilities, and their loved ones can access compassionate, professional and personalized care management services to enhance quality of life, encourage independence and healthy lifestyles, and ensure a safe and supportive living environment. The JFS Care Navigation Program is being renamed as the Gilbert J. Sloan JFS Care Navigation Program to honor Sloan’s memory. He was a strong supporter of JFS for many years and a program beneficiary.

Cancer Care Connection, an affiliate of JFS Delaware, helps people affected by cancer navigate the full range of issues they face, make informed decisions and take action on their own behalf. Promoting Safe and Stable Families strengthens and empowers families that are at risk or in crisis by helping them identify support systems and develop action plans to reach their goals with confidence.

JFS continues to evolve to this day, yet its core mission has never changed: to provide counseling and support services that strengthen the well-being of the individual, family and community.

For more information, go to jfsdelaware.org.