NEW Community Connections Program to Kick Off
Earlier this year, JFS was awarded a two-year $210,000 grant from the Jewish Federations of North American (JFNA) Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma. The grant will be used to develop the new Community Connections program that will provide group socialization opportunities and community resources to elderly Russian speakers in the East Metro who have experienced trauma, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, beginning with our existing clients who work with bilingual case manager Svetlana Rabinstein. The goal of the grant-funded program is to reduce social isolation in our older population who often experience significant cultural and linguistic barriers to supportive services.
Program coordinator Adel Kuchyk is a native Russian and Ukrainian speaker who is also fluent in English to help mitigate participation barriers. She has also been trained in person-centered, trauma-informed care. Adel previously taught English classes to Russian and Ukrainian speakers. She also established a program in Iowa with a focus on cultural shock and trauma for Ukrainian refugees helping more than 70 refugees adapt and integrate into the community and improve their English-speaking skills.
Community Connections will also make PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives) free short-term counseling available to this vulnerable population. Through cultural sensitivity and client-focused provision, we will offer this highly successful program to address depression and isolation to participants.
The first Community Connections program will be Summer Gatherings with Songs on Thursday, July 25 at 4:00 p.m. at 2259 Rockwood Avenue in the Common Room. The event is free and open to all Russian-speaking older adults. Register with program coordinator Adel at (651) 248-3885.