Did you know that May is Older Americans Month? Each year, this observance celebrates the strength, wisdom, and resilience of our older adults. As we also prepare to honor our veterans with Memorial Day ceremonies, we’re reminded of how these generations have enriched our community through their experiences, sacrifice, and enduring spirit. At JFCS, we believe every life story deserves to be honored and every journey supported with dignity, purpose, and connection.
Creating Meaningful Connections – The most powerful moments at JFCS often happen in the quietest ways. A Holocaust Survivor hearing their native Russian spoken by a caring case manager. An isolated senior’s face lighting up when their volunteer visitor arrives. A veteran finding independence through a reliable ride to medical care. These seemingly small connections become the anchors that hold our community together across generations. With dedicated support from the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, the Raymond & Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation, the Camden County Board of Commissioners, and countless compassionate individuals, we continue to weave this tapestry of care.
Honoring Those Who Served – This month, JFCS volunteers will place flags at the resting places of 4,000 veterans, transforming cemeteries into fields of remembrance. These ceremonies bring generations together, with each flag representing a testament to sacrifice and gratitude. Our commitment to veterans continues year-round through our services and programs.
Transportation: The Bridge to Community – Our transportation programs serve as vital bridges, connecting older adults and veterans to both essential services and the broader community. Through JFed Rides providing companion rides with door-through-door assistance, Patient Partner medical rides for clients, and Take the Wheel for veterans, we ensure that giving up car keys doesn’t mean surrendering independence or dignity. The profound impact of these services echoes in one client’s words: “I am old and frail, but when I am with my volunteer driver, I feel like I can conquer the world.”
Supporting Seniors with Compassionate Care – For 125 Holocaust Survivors in our community, JFCS provides more than services- -we offer understanding that honors their extraordinary journeys. From home care to kosher meals, from emergency assistance to cultural programs in Russian, our approach recognizes both their resilience and their ongoing needs.
One client’s story illuminates this impact: “After becoming seriously ill and losing my ability to walk, I wasn’t sure I’d recover but JFCS stepped in. With a live-in aide, home modifications, and daily support, I regained my health and reconnected with my community. JFCS didn’t just help me recover–they helped me reclaim my life.”
Through our collaboration with Aleph Home Care, a department of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, we ensure seamless access to specialized in-home nursing support and personal care when needed–creating a safety net that adapts as circumstances change.
Nurturing the Whole Person – Aging brings unique challenges that require both practical solutions and emotional support. Our Faye Manger Counseling Department provides specialized therapy for adults 60+, while our diverse support groups create communities of understanding–whether for caregivers bearing responsibilities, LGBTQ+ seniors finding affirmation in our Aging with Pride group, or those with memory loss finding support in our Café Connection.
The Power of Community Action – This May, we invite you to join in honoring both our seniors and veterans. Every flag placed, every meal delivered, every story heard strengthens our community connections. To learn more about everything we do to help older adults thrive, visit our website at: https://jfcssnj.org/older-adult-services/,
As we observe Older Americans Month and Memorial Day, let’s remember those who paved the way for us. Their journey continues, and with our support, it can be filled with the dignity, purpose, and connection everyone deserves.
