The late Kaaren Engel was a woman who was able to make any space a comfortable home. When her own home and art studio were lost in the historic flood in 2010, according to her daughter Zoe, “She was devastated, and hope felt very far away.”
As many in the Nashville Jewish community begin to venture outside their homes, albeit cautiously, for the senior population, it is a different story. This vulnerable group continues to stick close to home and the experience can be isolating and, at times, even dangerous. Recognizing the need to keep a closer watch on these folks, Jewish Family Service gradually expanded their outreach.
To address the need to reach more people, Jewish Family Service social workers recently received training and certification to provide tele-mental health treatment. Ashley Franklin, a LMSW social worker at JFS, says it was the increase in calls for assistance that triggered her desire for additional training. “Over the past several months we’ve become busier and received more requests for counseling.”
Tucked away in a nondescript building on the Vanderbilt University campus, a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and research assistants are working on what they hope will be a successful vaccine for COVID-19.
Toni Jacobsen, Clinical Director of JFS, answers questions about how JFS is pivoting to help those in need of financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jewish Family Service of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is being recognized by the Human Rights Campaign in its 2020 All Children All Families Report for its work in the field of same sex parent adoptions.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. The isolation during quarantine may leave you feeling as if you have little to no control over the situation. This is a very frustrating and powerless feeling. You might feel cut off from your community and family; and may not be able to perform your usual tasks or routines. Feeling isolated can lead to poor sleep, lowered immunity, depressive symptoms and impaired mental and physical health.
For the last 10 years, JFS has assisted families reeling from the aftermath of some of the city’s historic, and catastrophic, events.
