Founded by Frances Weisbart Jacobs and Delphine Cohen, Jewish Family Service began as the Hebrew Benevolent Society to meet the needs of Denver’s 300 Jewish pioneers.
The agency undergoes several names changes during this period, including The Jewish Relief Society and the Jewish Central Aid Society.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JF&CS) forms after the boards of the Central Jewish Aid Society of Denver, Colorado and the Denver Coordinating Committee for Immigrants of the National Council of Jewish Women merge. Sydney Grossman becomes the agency’s first board president.
Dr. Alfred Neumann serves as the executive director until 1976. He was the first “professionally-trained” director of this organization
Dr. Neumann formalizes adoption services (which ultimately ended in 1994). He said, “The adoption services started almost immediately with my appearance on the scene. At first it was a completely hit-or-miss operation prior to my arrival and then it was professionalized
Jewish Family and Children’s Service begins resettling Holocaust survivors.
The Utility Workshop was established to provide sheltered employment for refugees unable to compete in the labor market. The Workshop expanded to include support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service logo from a 1968 brochure.
The agency name changes to Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Colorado (JF&CS) and expands services to include family and child welfare. JF&CS hired staff to provide service in three areas: family, child, and vocational guidance; service to established residents; and immigrant aid.
Jerry Grossfield becomes the executive director until 1989. He worked in the field of social work for 38 years. During this tenure, services to the elderly were expanded to include the Kosher Meals on Wheels program, HIPE (Health Intervention Project for the Elderly), a homemaker program, and a dental program