Jewish Family and Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia Opens New Location

For 161 years, Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS) of Greater Philadelphia has assisted countless individuals and families in the Philadelphia region at every stage of life. And, now these services will be much more convenient to those in the western suburbs as the new Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Centerof JFCS will open on April 3, 2017 in Bala Cynwyd, PA at 345 Montgomery Avenue. This new 18,000 sq. ft., $8 million project becomes the fifth branch of JFCS of Greater Philadelphia adding to those in Center City, Elkins Park and North and Northeast Philadelphia, offering therapeutic services and educational programs.

This state-of-the-art building was designed by Jason Wilhelm of J. Wilhelm Consulting and has been custom-built to meet the needs and programing for a wide range of clients extending from Holocaust survivors, older adults, children, LGBTQ communities, people living with disabilities, parents seeking to adopt a child, family counseling, to food insecurities and helping individuals to gain financial stability. Its social services range from foster care and adoption, to family support and education, to financial assistance and healthcare and much more. In the lobby, visitors will find very large black and white portraits (12’ x 8’ in size) of 18 Holocaust Survivors with a supportive educational iPad to provide history of each survivor. Some of these survivors are JFCS clients.

Paula Goldstein, JFCS President/CEO, is thrilled that the building is ready for operation. It has been a longtime goal for the board to service individuals in this area. She said “The building is the culmination of years of strategic planning to meet the community’s needs. It has surpassed all our expectations and we are overwhelmed by the many donors who made it possible. The center is named in honor of Barbara “Bobbi” Brodsky of Haverford and her late husband, Harvey. Barbara Brodsky is the lead donor to the Bala Cynwyd project, having a strong determination to provide more services for persons with special needs.”

Bobbi Brodsky takes great pride in the opening of this beautiful, new JFCS Center and said, “This has been a most fulfilling experience, being involved in the development of the building each step of the way. The care that was taken to bring this to reality is very impressive starting with the architect and design team to the staff and volunteers. It was certainly a labor love.”

The new center offers spaces for a wide variety of learning opportunities:

• Teaching Kitchen – Full Kosher kitchen with teaching island and family table that will provide life skills as well as serve as a place for isolated clients to eat with others
• Children’s Den – This all-abilities area will include indoor playground, cozy corner with hanging swings, sensory toys and bookcases. It will support our foster care program, adoption program, as well as, provide a space for children to play while their parents/caregivers are seeking help from our other services
• Parent-Child Resource Room
• Art Studio - Art therapy is demonstrated to improve the quality of life for vulnerable individuals, caregivers, and families. The Studio will maximize each client’s psychological and physical health by hosting inclusive, educational programs in a custom facility designed for community engagement. Clients will benefit physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Library - Library and seating area for discussion groups to help combat isolation
• Financial Empowerment Center - Technology hub with financial counseling rooms that will help individuals to become financially stable, connecting them to entitlements and public support. We will have workshops addressing financial literacy workshops, saving for a house, newly widowers to manage their finances and more.
• Living Room Style Settings for Support Groups
• Community Space
• Rooms for Individual Counseling

About Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS)

With a rich tradition of 161 years,JFCS of Greater Philadelphia offers a diverse array of services to strengthen the lives of children, adults, seniors, and families with challenges that arise throughout the lifecycle. We are committed to serving our community, specifically the most vulnerable. JFCS' staff of caring and dedicated fully licensed clinical social workers is committed to providing quality services, compassionate support, and solutions that work. To learn more visit www.jfcsphilly.org