Our Impact Stories

“I finally feel like I am home. I am not so angry anymore and I have friends”

- Bobby Klein

Relocating to Charlotte due to a job loss, the Klein family had a lot of adjustments to make. Transitioning wasn’t easy and tensions were high. The kids were constantly fighting, felt isolated from all things familiar, were highly anxious about starting a new school and about making friends. Mom and dad turned to JFS for help. JFS provided therapy for the kids and a safe space for the parents to develop a plan that addressed the multi-layered needs of the family so the healing process could begin. Within 6 months and with the help of JFS the Klein’s got involved in the Jewish community. They attained a temple membership, participated in programs offered by JFS and throughout Shalom Park and were able to enjoy Chanukah with gifts from the JFS Dreidel Drive.

“I felt stuck with nothing to look forward to. Thanks to my therapist at JFS I look forward to the opportunities in front of me every day”.

- Roz

While grieving her husband’s death, Roz discovered that he had used their life savings on a business deal that ended badly. She thought moving to Charlotte to be near her son would be a good decision, but with her life’s savings gone and only $1,300 a month from Social Security, Roz was feeling anxious and on the verge of falling apart. Thankfully, she found JFS. Roz’s therapist connected her with subsidized senior housing, prescription assistance and access to the JFS food pantry. Through counseling Roz was able to see that her anxiety, depression and difficulty coping, stemmed from a childhood trauma. Working through these life-long issues enabled Roz to handle things much better.