Terri Balliet, Lightning Community Hero Award

Terri Balliet, Lightning Community Hero Award

Terri Balliet honored as the 490th Lightning Community Hero The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Terri Balliet as the 490th Community Hero during the first period of their April 21st game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Balliet, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, will donate the money to Gulf Coast Jewish & Family Services (JFCS). Full press release: Terri Balliet honored as Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Elizabeth Samuelson, Board Vice Chair; Sandra Braham, President and CEO; Terri Balliet, Chief Operating Officer; and David Pilkington, Board Treasurer Elizabeth Samuelson, Board Vice Chair; Tess Benham, Grants Manager; Sandra Braham, President and CEO; Terri Balliet, Chief Operating Officer Lightning Foundation Award CALL Team Receiving...
Ready to Assist Ukrainian Refugees

Ready to Assist Ukrainian Refugees

Gulf Coast JFCS Stands Ready to Assist Ukrainian Refugees (CLEARWATER, FL – February 28, 2022) — In response to the crisis in Ukraine, Gulf Coast JFCS stands ready to assist with the anticipated influx of Ukrainian Refugees to the Tampa Bay region.    For nearly 40 years, Gulf Coast JFCS has resettled Refugees from countries across the globe, including Ukraine, fleeing war and persecution.  Most recently, the organization resettled hundreds of Afghan Refugees to the Tampa Bay region, assisting them with temporary housing, childcare, schools, jobs, and overall cultural integration. These same resources and support will be provided to Ukrainian Refugees designated to Gulf Coast JFCS to assist. “Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee Services Division remains steadfast in our commitment to “welcome the stranger” by assisting Ukrainians fleeing the bloodshed in their homeland and connecting these Refugees with their families in Tampa Bay.” States Elke Cumming, Vice President of Programs and Administration, Gulf Coast JFCS. Gulf Coast JFCS partners with HIAS and the United States Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to assist individuals and families with Refugee status from all over the world to resettle successfully and safely. It is still too early to predict how many Ukrainian Refugees may be resettled in Tampa Bay.  However, given the estimated million people fleeing Ukraine to neighboring countries, it is highly likely Gulf Coast JFCS, and our community will soon be receiving the request for help.   Previously, approximately 100 Refugees from Ukraine were resettled by Gulf Coast JFCS. Refugee assistance provided by Gulf Coast JFCS exemplifies the Jewish value of “welcoming the stranger” from which the organization was founded nearly fifty years ago....
Local Heroes To Be Honored by Gulf Coast JFCS

Local Heroes To Be Honored by Gulf Coast JFCS

Local Heroes To Be Honored by Gulf Coast JFCS (CLEARWATER, FL – Friday, February 25, 2022) – Gulf Coast JFCS is honoring Chief Anthony Holloway and William and Sally Israel on Thursday, March 31 at the upcoming annual FACES of Inspiration celebration. This annual event is being Thursday, March 31st, at the Hilton Carillon Park in St. Petersburg. FACES of Inspiration recognizes individuals who overcome hardships and find the ability to thrive within our communities. Anthony Holloway will receive this year’s Gulf Coast JFCS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a lifetime of commitment to community and behavioral health support. A trustee emeritus of Gulf Coast JFCS, Chief Holloway has dedicated his career to strengthening community relationships and communication and overall to innovation in more than policing, especially relating to responding to behavioral health-related intervention. Nearly a decade ago, Chief Holloway initiated requirements for all St. Petersburg Police Department Officers to become proficient in Trauma-Informed Care practices to prepare officers for more effective response to these types of crises calls. More recently, Chief Holloway’s focus on behavioral health and dedication to building community ties took center stage both locally and internationally with the innovation of the Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program. The CALL program is one of the first in the nation to dedicate resources to community policing partnerships, by partnering with Gulf Coast JFCS to provide social services to non-emergency and non-violent service calls. Now in it’s second year, the mental health professionals of the CALL program have responded to more than 4,000 calls for service such as substance abuse, behavioral health crisis, and suicide intervention,...
Balliet, Gulf Coast JFCS COO, Named Board Chair of Children’s Advocacy Group

Balliet, Gulf Coast JFCS COO, Named Board Chair of Children’s Advocacy Group

Gulf Coast JFCS COO Named Board Chair of Children’s Advocacy Group Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS) announces the appointment of Terri Balliet, Gulf Coast JFCS Chief Operating Officer, as Board Chair of the Children’s Advocacy Group, Florida Coalition of Children. Advocating on behalf of Florida’s abused, abandoned, neglected, and at-risk children, and to support the agencies and individuals who work on their behalf, the mission of the FCC, is at the core of Balliet’s leadership expertise.  “I am very humbled and honored to take on such an important role and work alongside such amazing colleagues across the state. The timing is divine intervention given the much-needed advocacy necessary during the current state of our Child Welfare System workforce and funding opportunities” says Balliet.” Florida Coalition for Children member agencies, including Gulf Coast JFCs, collectively care for over 50,000 children and families in crisis each year, providing critical services and programs to this vulnerable population throughout the state. Some of these services include residential and group home care, emergency shelters, residential treatment centers, counseling, foster family services, adoption services, early intervention and prevention programs, and various in-home support services. Balliet has devoted two decades of her leadership toward the growth and vitality of Gulf Coast JFCS. Having worked her way up the ranks from Case Management Supervisor in 2004 to COO in 2014, Ms. Balliet oversees state-wide operations for over 20 Gulf Coast JFCS Child Welfare, Behavioral Health, and Elder and Disabled Services programs and a multimillion-dollar budget. She also holds oversight for Grant and Information Technology operations. Ms. Balliet’s core strengths include her ability...
TampaBay-Job-Links Joins Gulf Coast JFCS

TampaBay-Job-Links Joins Gulf Coast JFCS

TampaBay-Job-Links Joins Gulf Coast JFCS  Gulf Coast JFCS is pleased to announce the addition of TampaBay-Job-Links (TBJL) to its comprehensive portfolio of programs.  TBJL empowers and equips people with relevant job search and career transition skills to help them gain viable employment to sustain themselves and their families.  This successful program has already assisted more than 1,400 individuals and further enhances Gulf Coast JFCS’s existing workforce development programs, including those meeting the needs of non-custodial parents and refugees assimilating into our community. TBJL was founded in 2010 as a grassroots initiative of the Tampa Jewish community in response to the Great Recession. TBJL services were made available to all people in need. TBJL clients include, but are not limited to, individuals facing mid-career job loss, parents returning to the workforce after a hiatus, military veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce, and seniors financially unable to retire. “TampaBay-Job-Links is proudly celebrating a decade of helping the unemployed in our community get back to work.  We build self-esteem and give individuals the guidance and tools they need to re-enter the workforce with confidence and dignity,” said Andi Jacobs, TBJL Chairperson.  “We are excited about our affiliation with Gulf Coast JFCS and the opportunity to help many more people in the decade ahead,” Jacobs said. “Gulf Coast JFCS exists to uplift lives for all people, from babies to seniors, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender identity,’ states Dr. Sandra E. Braham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast JFCS.  “TampaBay-Job-Links is perfectly aligned with the Jewish values upon which Gulf Coast JFCS was founded nearly half a century ago, including tzedakah or justice. ...
Welcoming Afghan Refugees to Tampa Bay

Welcoming Afghan Refugees to Tampa Bay

Gulf Coast JFCS Welcoming Afghan Refugees to Tampa Bay As a continuation of our commitment to resettling Refugees fleeing their home countries due to persecution and violence, Gulf Coast is welcoming the arrival of Afghan refugees to our Tampa Bay community following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent mass evacuations of Afghan citizens. Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee assistance programs exemplify Jewish values including “welcoming the stranger” from which the organization was founded nearly fifty years ago. Prior to the Afghan emergency, demand for Gulf Coast JFCS Refugee Services was increasing rapidly due to the current Administration’s increase in the Refugee admissions ceiling. Through its’ Refugee Services, Gulf Coast JFCS provides comprehensive resources to support the successful integration of individuals and families, including airport reception, housing health screenings, community orientations, school admission, and assistance finding employment and child care. “Gulf Coast JFCS exists to uplift lives for all people, from babies to seniors, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, culture or gender identity. We are steadfast in our commitment to assist and equip refugees with the tools and resources to effectively assimilate, become self-sufficient and empowered to thrive in their new communities,” remarks Dr. Sandra Braham, President and CEO. “We anticipate assisting dozens of Afghan Refugees as well as hundreds more from other countries in the weeks and months ahead.” To respond to this increased demand for refugee resettlement services, Gulf Coast JFCS has launched a special Refugee Assistance Fund to direct philanthropic contributions to help refugees settle and find safety, comfort and happiness in their new communities. Contributions to this fund will help fill gaps in funding immediate...
Community Hero Award

Community Hero Award

Bill & Sally Israel honored The Lightning honored Bill & Sally Israel as the 19th Community Heroes this season. See the press releases and videos below. Bill & Sally Israel Honored as Lightning Community Heros Video: Lightning Community Hero...
St. Pete City Council Unanimously Approves New Program Partnership

St. Pete City Council Unanimously Approves New Program Partnership

St. Petersburg City Council acted today to improve response to non-violent emergency calls by unanimously approving the launch and funding of a multi–year, $3 million pilot program named the Community Assistance and Life Liaison program (CALL). This is a Gulf Coast JFCS–led program in partnership with St. Petersburg Police Department and will begin immediately with a 9-month pilot with the option for an additional two-year renewal. Read the press release: St. Pete City Council Unanimously Approves New Program Partnership for a Safer St....
Three-year program helps bilingual students

Three-year program helps bilingual students

The students at Reddick Elementary School are taking part in a Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services program that provides tutoring and homework assistance, yoga, and behavior classes for kindergarten to third-grade bilingual students. VIDEO: Fox 13 News GAFA...
Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery Angels in Adoption Honoree

Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery Angels in Adoption Honoree

U.S. Representative Charlie Crist of the Florida Congressional Coalition Celebrates the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree To Be Recognized at National Virtual Event in 2020.  Representative Charlie Crist will celebrate the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas, a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS), as a 2020 Angels in Adoption® Honoree for their outstanding advocacy for child adoption Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery Angels in Adoption...
Database Breach Announcement

Database Breach Announcement

Gulf Coast JFCS was recently informed of a data security breach of its’ cloud-based data management vendor, Blackbaud www.Blackbaud.com. Upon completing our own due diligence on this situation, our highest priority is to relay what we know to our friends and contributors. Database Breach...
Database Breach Announcement

Gulf Coast JFCS GAFA After-School Program

Gulf Coast JFCS’s Good Afternoon Friends & Amigos (GAFA) Program Uses Mindfulness, Yoga to Help Students “The program is just one of several programs we have to help children in Tampa Bay,” says Sandra Braham, CEO and president at Gulf Coast JFCS. The program was established to help needy families who face challenges such as food insecurity and housing but goes beyond that. “What’s different about this program is the focus on social and emotional learning including the incorporation of mindfulness and yoga principles, creating a holistic and unique approach to learning,” she said. Gulf Coast JFCS GAFA After-School...
Database Breach Announcement

Gulf Coast JFCS Announces New Leadership Appointments

Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services has announced three key appointments to its leadership staff. “These leadership changes strengthen Gulf Coast JFCS delivery of critical services to our community including enhancing outreach to assist the needs of underserved populations, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Dr. Sandra Braham, CEO. The organization provides services for child welfare, behavioral and mental health, Jewish Family Services and Holocaust survivors, refugee resettlement and support for survivors of torture, elder services and employment services. Throughout the state of Florida, Gulf Coast JFCS has provided help to 30,000 people in the past year alone. Gulf Coast JFCS Announces New Leadership...
Database Breach Announcement

Gulf Coast JFCS Announces New Board Members and Officers

“We are pleased to have a great group of volunteer leaders who have made a commitment to support our work and drive the strategic direction of the agency and its programs which serve more than 30,000 Floridians annually,” noted Dr. Sandra Braham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services. Board members will serve a three-year term ending in 2023. Gulf Coast JFCS Announces New Board Members and...
Database Breach Announcement

Coronavirus

We understand the growing concern surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) across our communities, and our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted. In response to the Executive Order set by Governor De Santis, Gulf Coast JFCS has activated it’s Emergency Response Team. We are following guidelines as set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the State of Florida to determine the safest course of action for our clients, staff, and visitors. This situation continues to evolve quickly and we will monitor it closely....