OUR VISION: A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE
No matter who you are or what challenges you face, you are welcome at JFS. Founded by Greater Hartford’s Jewish community in 1912,
we serve everyone.
If you need support, please don’t hesitate to contact us . If JFS can’t serve you directly, we will connect you with those who can. If you want to give support, JFS offers many opportunities to volunteer, donate, and spread the word.
Our mission, and our vision, include you.
OUR HISTORY IN HARTFORD: MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF COMMUNITY CARE
Image credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
United Jewish Charities Begins
Thirty local Jewish groups come together to give financial help, medical and legal aid, and other support to people in need.
Image credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
UJC Joins the Community Chest
The agency partners with the Greater Hartford Community Chest, a relationship that continues today through the United Way.
Image credit: JDC
Refugee Resettlement Begins
UJC absorbs the German Jewish Refugee Committee and helps Jewish refugees start new lives.
Image credit: Library of Congress
Social Services Expand
With Social Security providing financial help to families, one branch of UJC begins focusing mainly on counseling and family support. It adopts the name United Jewish Social Services.
Image credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
More Support for Children and Refugees
Services grow to include foster care, summer camp, and help for Cuban refugees resettling in the U.S.
Name Change to Jewish Family Services
United Jewish Social Services becomes Jewish Family Service and, later, Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford.
Image credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
Older Adult Services, Resettling Soviet Jews, and More
JFS expands to include coordinated services for older adults, local resettlement of Soviet Jews, adoption services, and interfaith family support.
National Accreditation
JFS receives national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation, now a service of Social Current.
Image credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
Meeting More Community Needs
JFS adds programs including Holocaust survivor support, developmental disability services, and grief counseling.
Licensed for Children and Teens
JFS becomes licensed by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families to provide specialized services for youth.
Image credit: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
A New Home
JFS relocates from Bishops Corner to a brand-new building on the Zachs Campus, where it serves people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.
Care at Home by JFS
JFS forms a home care agency to support local seniors. Profits help to underwrite other JFS programs.
OUR VALUES
JFS was founded on Jewish values over 100 years ago.
Today, we are guided by five universal values:
We strive to put these values into practice every day. You’ll see them in the way we treat our clients, each other, and community members. If you don’t, we want to hear about it. It’s a commitment we make to you.
