Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Jewish Family Services
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 6718 Patterson Avenue
City: Richmond
State: VA
Postal Code: 23226
Main Phone: 804-282-5644
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://jfsrichmond.org/
Employer ID Number: 54-0526201
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/31/2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Bright Futures: Counseling and Care for Children in Need
Project Description:

Founded in 1849, Jewish Family Services (JFS) transforms lives and strengthens our community through care, counseling, and adoption. This grant will support day-to-day costs of providing excellent, trauma-informed care to children through our counseling department and through Connecting Hearts, our kinship and foster care program.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated youth mental health challenges. In 2023, one third of Virginia high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, yet only 20% of students with mental health concerns receive the care that they need. Each city and county in Virginia is a HRSA-designated mental health professional shortage area. Low-income children in particular face barriers to behavioral health care. Though demand for counseling services outpaces our capacity, JFS is committed to bridging that gap.

Our counseling team serves 70 children each year. Experienced counselors take a person-centered approach to care, tailoring the intervention to match the child’s developmental, emotional, and social needs. We use innovative approaches, including play therapy, strengths-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.

JFS’ Connecting Hearts program supports the well-being of children in the foster care system by providing kinship placement and adoption services. Each year, JFS works with up to 16 children referred by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to facilitate kinship care placements, which involve transitioning children from institutional settings, such as group homes, to the care of relatives. JFS conducts extensive interviews with potential caregivers, evaluates the suitability of family homes, and coordinates closely with family members to ensure a smooth transition for children. These extra steps are worth the time and effort – 75% of kinship placements are successful, compared to half of traditional foster care placements. Children in kinship care also experience greater stability, fewer behavioral issues, and stronger connections to their families and communities.

Total Project Budget: $415,718.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Funders that have supported our children’s counseling, kinship, and adoption services in the past include the Thalhimer Family Foundation, R.E.B. Foundation, and Memorial Foundation for Children. The counseling department also earns revenue from Medicaid and insurance.

Project Duration: This is an ongoing program. If awarded, this grant would support program expenses in fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
Geographical Area Served: Greater Richmond, Virginia (City of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and the surrounding area)
Age Group To Be Served: 0-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Becki
Contact Last Name: Mann
Contact Title: Chief Impact Officer
Contact Phone: 804-349-0778
Contact Email: jfsgrants@jfsrichmond.org