Annual Report 2005-06 >

Letter from the Presidet & Executive Director
This fiscal year began with great optimism with the Jewish Caregiver Assistance Program and many opportunities to continue the fine work of JFS regarding counseling and case management as well as the award winning Kids Care Club and much more. The year ended with the flooding of the Susquehanna River and many streams and tributaries that brought evacuation orders for Wilkes-Barre , Kingston and nearby communities. Thus, a new chapter in the history of the Wyoming Valley was written. Saved from major disaster by the new levee system, the community , nevertheless, was ready to celebrate the bicentennial of the City of Wilkes-Barre , albeit later than expected due to the great rain deluge that hit so many places in this area.

JFS responded by helping to contact people who have been placed on a list for special communication during emergencies. Beyond this, JFS participated in major ways during the year in such activities as the Elder Issues Coalition for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, the NEPA Intergenerational Coalition for grandparents raising grandchildren, received approval of a major $10,000 Blue Ribbon Foundation grant to initiate a wellness program in fiscal year 06-07, responded to an increasing demand for emergency financial assistance due to raising energy costs and other reasons, completed the first year of the Jewish Caregiver Assistance Program, continued its pioneering Jewish Small Business Assistance program, completed many new Kids Care Club projects, focused attention and provided assistance to many persons regarding the Medicare Part D Program with the Wilkes University School of Pharmacy, implemented a new Kosher Home Delivered Meals Program that was cut back due to a decline in funding, continued to implement its Strategic Plan, and much more as spelled out in this report. Our two major service programs of counseling and case management continued to be major priorities for the agency.

JFS lost a great friend, partner, and colleague in the passing of Carole Lewis who had headed the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties for many years as well as the great loss of Judge Max Rosenn who had always supported the work of JFS and had received assistance from the office, especially during his last years. We honored the great service and commitment and dedication at our annual meeting of Board member Sally Lee Sagenkahn.

With new leadership at JFS for the new fiscal year, we believe that the agency is in good hands as the new officers take their mantle of responsibility and begin to focus attention on the priorities for the year. May the blessings of the past be continued by the hope and aspirations of the future.