How We Make a Difference
Goodman JFS is dedicated to serving the Broward County community by empowering individuals and protecting the vulnerable. Read the many ways our innovative social services have impacted lives.
One year after I lost my wife to cancer, I contacted Goodman JFS. My children woke up to find an eviction notice posted on our front door. I explained that the family had exhausted all of our savings and retirement funds trying to keep up with medical bills. I had just begun a new job, but for this month, I did not have enough money to pay rent.
Our case manager was able to make arrangements to pay the landlord as quickly as possible and avoid eviction. Additionally, the family was offered counseling to deal with our on-going grief from our loss. A referral was made to the Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard to supplement a tight food budget, and GJFS made sure the children had a wonderful Chanukah by giving me gift cards so I could have the pleasure of shopping for my children.
-Michael, client
One of our volunteers who makes monthly food deliveries to a homebound elderly couple, noticed that the husband was now confined to a hospital bed. He learned that the man now needs a walker, which he did not own, so he was unable to move around the home by himself. The volunteer promptly reported this to the Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard staff, who turned to our Community and Senior Services program and we worked together to supply him with a walker within 48 hours. The senior is no longer confined to his bed. He is happy to be able to move around his home and go outside without fear of falling. He is getting much needed exercise again and is able to regain some independence.
-Goodman JFS Case Manager
On a monthly basis, the Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard calls the daughter of a client to obtain her mother’s grocery needs. After the client received her delivery, her daughter, who lives in New Jersey, called to thank us. She said, “without the DBJG Cupboard, her mother would have nothing and because she lives so far away she is beyond grateful for our work.”
-Daughter of a client, The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard
An 80-year-old woman on oxygen, who recently underwent a double mastectomy, is trying to live on $1200 a month Social Security. She called because she read Goodman JFS can help with food. She confided that she stopped eating so much since she didn’t have enough money to pay her bills. She also added that a lot of her money is spent on cabs, although the American Cancer Society does provide a volunteer to take her to cancer related appointments such as chemotherapy. Enter The DBJG Cupboard, Gift cards and JET Express. The client is so happy she reached out to GJFS and could not believe people could treat her with such kindness.
-Goodman JFS Case Manager
JET Express volunteer Bonnie says that volunteering has changed her life! She goes on to say, “Being able to assist the riders creates a “feel good” emotion that takes you out of your life and into theirs. Volunteering has truly made an impact on my life and my riders. Their wisdom and life experience helps me to view my life circumstances differently and they’re so appreciative of the program that gets them to their appointments or social events when they previously were not able.”
