Miriam Arond, Author at Westchester Jewish Community Services

Westchester Jewish Community Services and Family Service Society of Yonkers Announce Strategic Affiliation
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Westchester Jewish Community Services and Family Service Society of Yonkers Announce Strategic Affiliation

Miriam Arond2024-09-20T13:40:17-04:00September 26th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: fssy, family service society of yonkers, yonkers, Westchester|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest non-sectarian, not-for-profit human services agencies in Westchester County, and Family Service Society of Yonkers (FSSY), a human services agency with a 140-year history of serving the Westchester community, are proud to announce they have entered into a strategic affiliation, to take effect October 1st. This partnership will enhance the reach and depth of services provided to the residents of Westchester County. Through this affiliation, WJCS and FSSY will deliver a comprehensive and coordinated range of human services that will better support youth, the elderly, and families in Yonkers and the ...

What’s New at WJCS! Fall 2024
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What’s New at WJCS! Fall 2024

Miriam Arond2024-09-18T10:46:07-04:00September 17th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: fall news, newsletter, westchester community, WJCS|

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Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week
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Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week

Miriam Arond2024-09-06T15:58:59-04:00September 8th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: dsp, dsp appreciation, direct support professionals, direct support professionals appreciation week, IDD, Community Programs|

It's Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week! At WJCS we are so proud to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at WJCS. Our DSPs work with developmentally and intellectually disabled adults who live in our 12 group homes across Westchester County. They provide a caring home environment where residents are supported in maintaining and learning daily living skills, enjoying social activities, and pursuing employment while also assisting with medical, emotional, behavioral, and mental health support. The work of DSPs in our Community Programs Division speaks to our value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). ...

WJCS Initiates Zero Suicide Model with NYS Office of Mental Health
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WJCS Initiates Zero Suicide Model with NYS Office of Mental Health

Miriam Arond2024-09-09T15:22:37-04:00September 6th, 2024|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: suicide prevention, suicide prevention awareness month, zero suicide, 988, trauma resources, Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Substance Use, Depression|

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a yearly reminder of the staggering rates of suicide and the importance of identifying and helping people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with over 49,000 people having died by suicide in the U.S. in 2022 and 13.2 million seriously contemplating suicide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), the largest provider of licensed community-based mental health services in Westchester County, is closely collaborating with the NYS Office of Mental Health ...

Volunteering: An Antidote to the Epidemic of Loneliness
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Volunteering: An Antidote to the Epidemic of Loneliness

Miriam Arond2024-09-06T11:45:16-04:00September 6th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: get involved, loneliness, volunteer|

A recent article in the New York Times reported on the skyrocketing rates of loneliness, citing various studies, including one conducted by the American Psychiatric Association that found 25 percent of American residents are lonelier today than they were before the pandemic, as well as the decision by the World Health Organization to make loneliness an official global public health concern. The negative impact of loneliness is not just emotional. Studies have correlated feelings of loneliness with an increased risk of depression and, among seniors, loneliness has been linked with cardiovascular disease, dementia, declines in motor functions, and frailty. ...

Volunteer Spotlight: Murray Forseter
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Volunteer Spotlight: Murray Forseter

Miriam Arond2024-11-01T16:17:33-04:00August 23rd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: murray forseter, meal delivery, get involved, volunteer, Westchester|

1,600 home-delivered meals to seniors! That is the astounding number of meals WJCS Murray Forseter estimates he has delivered to senior residents in Yonkers, Scarsdale, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and Hartsdale since he began volunteering in the WJCS senior food program 15 years ago. Murray began volunteering at WJCS after retiring from a successful career in publishing in 2009. Now, 75, he made his last food delivery on June 26th and marked the milestone by publishing a post, entitled “Delivering Food to the Greatest Generation,” on his blog called No Socks Needed Anymore. In his post, Murray shares stories ...

Your VOTE is Your VOICE
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Your VOTE is Your VOICE

Miriam Arond2024-09-17T12:27:58-04:00September 17th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: voting, election day, voting resources, find my poll, national voter registration day|

During the next two months, we can expect to hear talk about the upcoming General Election (Tuesday, November 5, 2024) 24/7—in the media and, probably, in your conversations with friends and family. The most important thing to keep in mind is that every person’s vote counts. Your vote matters! The following are key dates to keep in mind to ensure that you can express your voice with your vote: September 17, 2024 National Voter Registration Day October 21, 2024: Last Day for Change of address October 65, 2024: Last day for voter registration October 26, 2024: Last day for ...

WJCS Awarded United Way Grant to Support Women and Children in Yonkers
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WJCS Awarded United Way Grant to Support Women and Children in Yonkers

Miriam Arond2024-08-20T12:49:17-04:00August 20th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: united way of westchester and putnam, pepsi, strength of a woman, grant, academic and career support, envision, early step forward, infant-toddler, crime victims, yonkers, child development, Mary J. Blige, early childhood|

We are proud to announce that WJCS has been awarded a Pepsi X Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Community Fund Grant by United Way of Westchester and Putnam. The grant will support WJCS programs that provide services to women, young women, and children who are underprivileged, marginalized, and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations in Yonkers. The grant will help support WJCS programs available to the community at the Mary J. Blige Center in Yonkers. These programs include: which includes adult basic education and preparation for the TASC high school equivalency exam and career readiness workshops. ...

New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer Awards $125,000 in Grants to Support WJCS Group Homes and ParentChild+ Program
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New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer Awards $125,000 in Grants to Support WJCS Group Homes and ParentChild+ Program

Miriam Arond2024-07-30T16:59:04-04:00July 30th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: Local Community Assistance Program (LoCAP) Grant, NYS senator shelley b. mayer, parentchild|

(From left: Jessica Piecyk, WJCS Managing Director of Early Childhood & Assistant Executive Director of Jewish Programs; Lauren Bassin, Assistant Director of WJCS Community Programs; Lauren Candela-Katz, WJCS Chief Advancement Officer; New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer; Seth Diamond, WJCS CEO) Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) today announced that New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer has selected WJCS as a recipient of two grants that will provide critically-needed support to its group homes and its ParentChild+ program. WJCS operates 12 community residences in Westchester County for adults with developmental disabilities. The Local Community Assistance Program (LoCAP) Grant ...

August is National Make-A-Will Month
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August is National Make-A-Will Month

Miriam Arond2024-07-30T12:59:41-04:00August 1st, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: make a will, make a will month, legacy giving, estate planning, bequest, ways to give, personal giving, get involved|

This August we’re observing National Make-A-Will Month, and we invite you to create your own free will, and include a gift to WJCS. It’s a simple act of caring that protects your loved ones and continues your legacy of support to help the most vulnerable people in Westchester. In just 20 minutes of time, you can plan for your future, strengthen our programs and services for more than 20,000 people, and create a better Westchester for future generations. Click here for our free estate planning tool. Have questions about legacy planning? Please contact Jennifer Kaplan, Director of Development, at [email protected]; 914-761-0600 ...

Congratulations to WJCS Staff Recognition Award Recipients!
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Congratulations to WJCS Staff Recognition Award Recipients!

Miriam Arond2024-07-22T13:26:47-04:00July 22nd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: wjcs staff recognition, staff awards|

We're thrilled to announce the most recent recipients of WJCS Staff Recognition Awards. Johnathan Wilson, Maintenance Supervisor Jonathan is recognized for being an outstanding member of this agency. He is extremely reliable and productive, meeting the needs of multiple houses in a timely manner. Jonathan has gone above and beyond to ensure the rooms were ready for the new individuals at Gramatan House, showcasing his hard work ethic, positive attitude, and professionalism. Jessica Sansone, Project Coordinator (MHFA/Training) Jessica is being recognized for her wonderful impact since joining the agency under the MHFA/Training Program in March 2023. She ...

We’re Hiring!
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We’re Hiring!

Miriam Arond2024-11-25T10:05:59-05:00November 3rd, 2024|Categories: General|Tags: we are hiring, westchester jobs, careers, job opportunities, join our team|

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? WJCS has been a cornerstone of support in Westchester for over 81 years, providing a wide range of services to help residents lead their best lives. Our success is driven by our dedicated and skilled staff, and we're looking for talented individuals to join our mission. At WJCS, we believe in transforming lives—both our clients' and our staff's. We offer a variety of job opportunities, including positions for Social Workers, Direct Support Professionals, and more. When you join our team, you'll benefit from: Continuing education opportunities Excellent ...

WJCS Awarded $35,000 Grant from Aging in America
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WJCS Awarded $35,000 Grant from Aging in America

Miriam Arond2024-07-03T11:17:30-04:00July 11th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: aging in america, 65+, geriatric care management, senior services, senior care, Elderly, Seniors, Westchester|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $35,000 grant from Aging in America to support Geriatric Care Management. The grant will support Geriatric Care Management services to low-income, frail elderly individuals throughout Westchester County to maintain and enhance their physical and emotional quality of life. “For many seniors, especially those who live alone, life can become progressively more challenging and isolating, compromising their ability to age well and safely in place,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. “Stressors, such as chronic medical conditions, the loss of a spouse, lack of connection to family or ...

Exciting News from our WJCS Vocational Programs
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Exciting News from our WJCS Vocational Programs

Miriam Arond2024-06-27T16:31:05-04:00June 27th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: vocational programs, supper club, taft center, skill-building, job preparation, Shelanu, intellectual disabilites, IDD, White Plains, developmental disabilities, Autism|

We are thrilled to share exciting news from WJCS’s vocational training program, which promotes skill-building for young adults with autism in preparation for the workplace. Two participants, Lindsay and Andrew, have achieved a significant milestone by moving forward to new opportunities. Their success showcases how our unique approach to job preparation can transform lives. Congratulations to Lindsay and Andrew! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things they will accomplish next. WJCS’s Vocational Program offers classes for residents in documentation preparation, scanning, and file organization management. These classes are held at our Taft Center in White Plains and are ...

WJCS Awarded Field Hall Foundation Grant to Support Vulnerable Seniors
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WJCS Awarded Field Hall Foundation Grant to Support Vulnerable Seniors

Miriam Arond2025-01-24T14:44:57-05:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: field hall foundation, geriatric care management, senior care management, older adults, senior care|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is thrilled to have been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Field Hall Foundation for Geriatric Care Management. This support is especially needed because addressing the issues faced by the elderly is becoming increasingly important as the population in Westchester County ages. It is the fastest growing age group in Westchester, with people over age 65 representing 18.4% of our county’s population in 2022. Seniors living on limited incomes in Westchester often face financial insecurity. More than 39%—45,000 people—in Westchester live in poverty, which is higher than Rockland, Nassau, or Putnam counties. “Seniors face ...

Helping our Westchester Neighbors in Tough Times

Miriam Arond2024-06-20T15:26:08-04:00May 31st, 2024|Categories: General|Tags: health and healing support services, family caregivers, pathways to care, Grief, support groups, Bereavement|

Thanks to your support, the WJCS Jewish Programs and Health & Healing Support Services continue to fan out across the county to comfort adults, youth, and seniors as we all try to make sense of what is going on in the world. Kudos to WJCS for offering a Bereavement Support Group to the community. Dealing with grief is a need which is often not addressed. Thank you for taking the lead in supporting individuals during this painful stage in their lives and facilitating the development of their resilience as they face this challenge. ~Participant in a WJCS Bereavement ...

Bringing Joy, Connection, and Confidence to Adults with Disabilities
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Bringing Joy, Connection, and Confidence to Adults with Disabilities

Miriam Arond2024-05-20T16:07:10-04:00May 20th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: Shelanu, Chai House, spring 2024 newsletter, developmental disabilites, intellectual disabilites, IDD, POINT, Disabilities, Autism|

Just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean they don’t have hopes, dreams, things they love to do, good days, bad days… Because of YOU, our adults from all backgrounds with disabilities are living the best life possible and our amazing staff support them every step of the way. Pizza-making tips from an expert chef, a visit to Bryant Park in Manhattan, celebrating Purim, vocational counseling, a fun Supermarket Sweep activity to enhance grocery shopping and budgeting skills, a hibachi dinner, outings to ball games, and much, much more. When you give to WJCS, you help individuals with ...

Fostering a Strong Foundation for Early Childhood Development and Literacy.
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Fostering a Strong Foundation for Early Childhood Development and Literacy.

Miriam Arond2024-05-20T16:13:06-04:00May 30th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: family services, youth development, peer support, parentchild, early literacy, Parent-Child, early childhood|

The impact of WJCS Parent-Child programs has been life changing. I  became connected when I was a first-time mom and needed to give my children a chance to socialize with other children and equip me to foster a love of learning. We learned about the WJCS Summer Hartley Park program, then found out about the WJCS Parent Child Center, and then the WJCS ParentChild+ Home Visiting program. The Parent-Child programs helped guide us with the fundamentals of social emotional readiness for preschool and how to interact with other children and grownups. It empowered me as a mom, to support ...

Building Resilience, Health, and Well-Being
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Building Resilience, Health, and Well-Being

Miriam Arond2024-05-20T15:59:08-04:00May 15th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: tiffany, spring 2024 newsletter, therapy, Mental Health|

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s because of kind, caring people like you that WJCS can provide vital, evidence-based services to people in Westchester who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma. Meet Tiffany, one of many people who faced what seemed like overwhelming obstacles until she came to WJCS: I experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse. In high school I dropped out. I was pregnant and thought that was going to be my life, working as a cashier, trying to take care of my baby. I was so depressed when my first ...

Yom HaShoa: Holocaust Remembrance Day
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Yom HaShoa: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Miriam Arond2024-05-07T11:32:32-04:00May 6th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: holocaust remembrance day, yom hashoah, holocaust survivor, Jewish Programs, Jewish|

Each year, Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a solemn observance to honor the memory of the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust. This day holds particular significance this year, coming seven months after the devastating attack on October 7th, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust itself. As Elie Wiesel stated, “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” We remember the six million to honor their memory and to acknowledge the unfathomable loss suffered by countless families who were torn apart by the brutality of the Nazis. Those memories remain etched in our ...

WJCS 2024 Gala: A Resounding Success!
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WJCS 2024 Gala: A Resounding Success!

Miriam Arond2024-04-18T15:46:28-04:00April 17th, 2024|Categories: Gala, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: brae burn, meira fleisch, stephanie marquesano, annual gala, fundraiser, Gala, Nonprofit, Westchester|

(From left) Seth Diamond, CEO; Meira Fleisch, Honoree; Stephanie Marquesano, Honoree; Lauren Candela-Katz, Chief Advancement Officer; Shannon Van Loon, Chief Program Officer Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) held a hugely successful Gala at Brae Burn Country Club on Tuesday April 16th with hundreds of Westchester community and business leaders, government officials, and Westchester residents, all passionate advocates for helping those in need in Westchester County. The event honorees were Meira Fleisch of Larchmont, a child and family advocate and longtime WJCS Board member who was an Early Learning Specialist in the WJCS ParentChild+ program for many years, and Stephanie ...

Post-October 7th: Supporting the Jewish Community
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Post-October 7th: Supporting the Jewish Community

Miriam Arond2024-04-08T17:24:40-04:00April 8th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: october 7, synagogue, jcc, jewish community, response to hamas attacks, Jewish Programs, Trauma, Support, Bereavement, Westchester|

The October 7th massacre committed by Hamas terrorists in Israel has stung all those in the Jewish community as well as many people who are just plainly appalled at the barbaric savagery and kidnapping that took place. The Jewish Programs division at WJCS has been actively supporting youth, adults, and the elderly during this frightening and devastating period in numerous ways. Our focus has been on addressing mental health and building resilience, which includes offering education about trauma and building coping skills. WJCS partners with over 25 synagogues, Jewish nursery and day schools, JCCs, and assisted living facilities. We have ...

Recovery is Possible with WJCS
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Recovery is Possible with WJCS

Miriam Arond2024-09-11T13:49:12-04:00March 14th, 2024|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: drug addiction, co-occurring disorders, substance use treatment, outpatient treatment, treatment program, drug abuse, addiction, Recovery, Mental Health, Substance Use|

The number of people suffering from both mental health and substance use disorders is skyrocketing, with approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States experiencing these co-occurring conditions, according to SAMHSA’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Unfortunately, the result of experiencing both disorders can be tragic. Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), the largest provider of licensed outpatient mental health services in Westchester, is now providing comprehensive integrative, evidence-based treatment for county residents experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. “People suffering from co-occurring mental health and substance use problems often experience severe and chronic challenges regarding ...

EARTH MONTH NEWS: WJCS Furthers its Commitment to Sustainability
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EARTH MONTH NEWS: WJCS Furthers its Commitment to Sustainability

Miriam Arond2024-04-03T10:50:54-04:00April 2nd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: hybrid energy, earth month, sustainability, green business, solar panels, green hybrid energy solutions, con edison, green business partner, Westchester|

Solar Panels Installed at WJCS Headquarters in North White Plains A new state-of-the-art solar system seamlessly positioned on the roof of WJCS. April is Earth Month! WJCS is proud to announce the installation of solar panels atop its headquarters in North White Plains. The initiative underscores WJCS's commitment to sustainability and its dedication to fostering a healthier, more resilient community. The solar panel is the latest step taken by WJCS, a member of the Green Business Partnership, to reduce its carbon footprint. The state of the solar panels will generate clean, sustainable electricity, significantly decreasing reliance on traditional energy ...

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