Gesher Human Services

Filing Period

Jul 1, 2012 to Jun 30, 2013

Signed

Feb 13, 2014

Return Version

2012v2.1

Gross Receipts

$19,847,849

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

Jvs provides innovative, state-of-the-art services to seniors, seniors with memory-related disabilities and their caregivers. These include:i. Senior service corp provides structured volunteer work to older adults who otherwise face isolation. Volunteers are active well into their 90s - in fact, one of our volunteers is 101! Work -- which often involves mailings, event and fundraising-related projects -- is provided by local nonprofit agencies and synagogues. Jvs coordinates the opportunities and activities, which occur weekly. The subtle, but critical safety net to the program is that the corps members' "friend", who runs the program, is a geriatric social worker who identifies potential health and safety issues and provides needed supports to maximize their quality of life and well being. As a result of senior service corp, the nonprofit and faith-based partner agencies of our community receive up to 15,000 hours of volunteer service annually. In many cases, jvs serves as the only community-based agency with which these individuals have contact, so our professional staff is often the first to spot cognitive and physical issues and to then make referrals to physicians, psychologists, social workers and supported housing.ii. Memory club is a program for seniors with memory disorders, including early alzheimer's disorder, goals include provision of stimulation for participants' thinking, concentration and memory via a wide range of activities and attendance at community events and venues that provide cultural enrichment; creating the opportunity for new friendships and serving as the gateway into the brown adult day care program for those participants for whom such services become necessary and appropriate. Memory club members discuss current events and topics of interest, play word games, work on puzzles and enjoy music and exercise. They restore self esteem through enhanced memory skills via the hands-on activities and community outings. Further, they form friendships, and a jvs social worker leads a support group focused on coping with the challenges of aging. Through this combination of friendship, active learning and supports, memory club participants maintain active and independent lifestyles. Memory club is held on alternate days from our senior service corp program; so that some seniors can elect to participate in both groups.iii. Dorothy & peter brown jewish community adult day care program is dedicated to assisting older adults with alzheimer's disease and related disorders to remain able, active and alert with the goal of allowing them to "age in place" in their communities. Held in collaboration with jewish senior life in west bloomfield and southfield, our environment is designed to enhance the self-esteem, well-being and dignity of participants. We provide individualized attention and care, socialization and recreation, therapeutic activities, cultural and activity-based field trips, health monitoring, nutritious kosher lunch and snacks, religious and cultural supports and an engaging place to spend the day. Programming includes music, exercise, entertainment, baking, pet therapy, gardening, dancing and drama. Transportation and flexible scheduling is available.iv. Caring companions is a program for individuals with one or more disabilities and alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder. This program occurs in safe and secure environment designed to enhance the self-esteem, well-being and dignity of each participant while maintaining their highest level of functioning by nurturing relationships and promoting individualized activities including those involving art, music, gardening, baking and cooking. Participants are encouraged to engage in activities that reflect their life experiences and interests to achieve a sense of satisfaction and purpose. They are further assisted with their personal care, daily living skills and health.v. Caregiver support services are offered to assist supporting family members a

Activity 3

Jvs career and business services are provided to a wide range of community members in need of employment assistance. Many programs are offered:i. Career services provides guidance for job seekers including resume writing, interviewing and networking seminars; career direction and actnow.jobs -- a job search website for job seekers and employers.ii. Business services assists with employee retention, recruitment and training, provide advice on human resources best practices, provide and offer free job listings to workers.iii. Women to work serves women throughout the entire metropolitan detroit community who are in need of assistance related to entering or re-entering the work force. Many of the participants have worked sporadically or not at all, some for as many as 25 years. Situations which necessitate the need for employment may include divorce, separation, having a disabled spouse, accompanied by the need to be the sole support of their families, as well as financial setbacks, lack of a realistic job goal, and the need for additional income within intact families. The participants are typically unaware of the work-related skills they possess that qualify them for employment and the techniques required to conduct a successful job search. Also, they often lack self-confidence and self esteem and assume that they will not be considered for employment due to a lack of recent work history. The experience allows the participants to be in a supportive and cohesive atmosphere where they become aware of others in similar situations and realize they are not alone during a difficult and challenging transition. Participants may also avail themselves of the opportunity to meet directly with employers at the jvs employer forum and the speed networking event.iv. Recharge! Is a career counseling program for individuals aged 50+ who need to redesign a career plan for the next stage of their lives. We specifically target those in their 50s and 60s who have been unemployed or under-employed for six months or more, are feeling stuck and apprehensive and acknowledge the need to explore options and strategies to recharge their lives and regain control over their personal situations. Participants receive individualized assessments, exploration of the world of work and programming specific to overcome age-related barriers. Recharge! Participants meet for two hours, twice weekly for six weeks and further attend individual sessions. Our curriculum includes a professional image panel, financial experts and presentations on volunteering, entrepreneurship and realistic employment goals. For the fiscal year ending 6/30/13, business and career services provided assistance to 9,471 individuals.

Filer

EIN

38-1358013