Annual Report 2008-09>

Letter from the Presidet & Executive Director

The challenges and threats that have impacted many nonprofits are those being faced by JFS, as well. The recently completed fiscal year, however, saw the continuation of many JFS programs and the initiation of Benefits Checkup and the Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) which will prove to be extremely important in coming years. With these additions, but despite difficult financial times, the opportunities for us to provide services and support our many clients continued, as mentioned in this report.

Concurrently, the Board of Directors has taken on new responsibilities to engage this community and surrounding organizations in ways to partner. This was proven by the outstanding joint meeting of the two boards of directors from Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, meeting on September 10, 2008 for the first time in their history. Furthermore, a meeting was held between the three major family social service agencies to exchange ideas regarding ways we can work together. These included Jewish Family Service, Catholic Social Services, and the Family Service Association.

President Susan Yelen outlined her vision of JFS by emphasizing governance discipline and other measures that she believes to be essential for the lifeblood of the agency. This was done in the context of a growing concern by all Jewish agencies in Wyoming Valley over the decline in funding and possible changes ahead in how agencies can survive the financial situation affecting everyone involved in current Jewish Strategic Planning. JFS is deeply involved on this ongoing process.

JFS has developed new recordkeeping forms and has continued its practice of care and compassion as part of its delivery of a wide range of service. We thank all funders who have helped make our mission possible, including, but not limited to the United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Jewish Federation of Wyoming Valley, the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, the Queen Esther Hebrew Ladies Aid Society, the many contributor and/or sponsors of the variety of services that JFS offers, and all of our friends and supporters. We look toward to working closely with all of our partners to overcome the difficult economic times ahead.

Sincerely,