[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 3, 2022

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize Jewish 
Family Services (JFS) and join them in celebrating their 150th 
Anniversary. JFS is a nonprofit human services organization that draws 
upon traditional Jewish values to provide services to those in need--
regardless of their faith, age, income, ability, sexual orientation, or 
gender identity.
  Founded in 1872, JFS began as the Hebrew Benevolent Society to meet 
the needs of Denver's first 300 Jewish pioneers. From there, JFS has 
continued to grow and expand their mission--meeting the moment time and 
time again. They helped resettle Holocaust survivors in the wake of 
World War II, opened a group home for individuals with disabilities in 
the 1980s, formed an Employment Services Department in 2021, and 
continue to fight day after day to remove barriers to employment and 
help people find opportunities to work towards a livable wage.
  In the face of an unprecedented pandemic and seemingly insurmountable 
difficulties, JFS continued to provide food security, children's 
services, mental health counseling, disability services, employment 
support, and housing stability. In the last year alone, JFS helped over 
25,000 individuals with the aid of over 1,300 volunteers to stand 
strong against COVID-19 and address the needs of the community 
regardless of circumstance.
  At the beginning of 2022, JFS became a temporary Afghan Refugee 
Resettlement Agency--providing comprehensive services to refugees 
arriving from Afghanistan who are starting new lives in in the Denver 
metro area. These services include cultural orientation, housing, 
employment, food, school enrollment, and referrals to language classes.
  For 150 years our community has been made a better, more inclusive 
place to live because of the thousands of selfless JFS volunteers who 
have pulled upon their faith to serve our community and improve the 
lives of others. I congratulate and thank JFS for their service to our 
community and look forward to the incredible achievements the next 150 
years will bring.

                          ____________________