Collat Jewish Family Services

09/03/2026

Strong communities create opportunities for people to connect at every stage of life.

Hosted in partnership with Chabad of Alabama, Chai Connections is one way we help create moments of friendship, connection, and belonging.

Each month, Chai Connections brings together Jewish adults (65+) and volunteers over a delicious lunch.

We hope to see you there next week for an afternoon of good food and even better company!

📅 September 15, 2026
⏰ 12:00 - 1:30 PM
📍 Chabad of Alabama

Please reach out to [email protected] or call 205-276-1307 to RSVP.

09/01/2026

Did you know that Alabama has the second highest rate of senior food insecurity in the US?

Rising health care, housing, and prescription medication costs mean that 12.8% of our community’s seniors don’t know where their next meal will come from.

No one organization can eliminate food insecurity alone. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Community Food Bank of Central AL and the Junior League of Birmingham to provide for our community’s seniors.

Through our Senior Grocery Initiative, eligible seniors (age 60+ with an income below $16,237) receive 30 lbs of food each month, packed by our wonderful team of volunteers.

Strong communities are built when we show up for one another. We’re so grateful for the volunteers and partnerships that make this program possible!

If you’d like to volunteer with SGI, please contact Caleigh at [email protected].

08/28/2026

As we age, independence isn't measured by how much we can do completely on our own.
It's measured by whether we can continue living the life we love.

Running errands.
Keeping doctor's appointments.
Visiting friends.
Attending religious services.
Participating in the community.
Those moments matter.

CJFS Transportation Services make them possible by providing safe, reliable transportation for older adults and adults with disabilities throughout our community.
Because every ride is about more than getting from Point A to Point B.

It's about preserving dignity, confidence, and the freedom to keep living independently.

08/28/2026

When you love someone, caring for them can become all-consuming.

A recent CNN story about Dolly Parton is shining a light on something millions of families understand: while caring for someone you love, it can become incredibly easy to put your own needs last.

Doctor’s appointments get postponed. Sleep suffers. Stress builds. And sometimes, you don’t realize how much caregiving has asked of you until you’re already overwhelmed.

At CJFS, we believe families shouldn’t have to navigate caregiving alone.

From respite through our CARES program to guidance for families navigating aging and changing needs, CJFS can help you understand your options, make a plan, and find practical solutions for what comes next.

If caregiving has become part of your life, or you can see it coming, you don’t have to wait for a crisis to ask for help.

📞 CJFS: 205-879-3438

Read the CNN story:

Like many caregivers, Dolly Parton didn’t take care of her own health while caring for her ailing husband. That’s not unusual, even among people with resources.

08/26/2026

Adult children want to help.
They want to drive Mom to appointments.
Pick up Dad's prescriptions.
Take them shopping.

But balancing careers, children, and caregiving isn't always possible.
Having dependable transportation isn't about replacing family. It's about giving families another layer of support.

Whether it's a trip to a medical appointment or a ride to run everyday errands, CJFS Transportation Services help reduce stress for everyone involved.

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give families is knowing they don't have to do it all alone.

08/24/2026

This weekend, our AMAZING volunteers helped pack and deliver over 2687 lbs of groceries, which included fresh plums and russet potatoes, to local older adults in need. THANK YOU for helping us care for the most vulnerable in our community!

DID YOU KNOW? Nearly 1 in 6 seniors in America faces the threat of hunger, and Alabama has the second-highest rate of senior food insecurity in the country.

Through CJFS’s partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, our Senior Grocery Initiative provides eligible older adults with 30 pounds of food each month.

If you would like to volunteer to help those less fortunate, please contact Caleigh Alevy, [email protected] or 205-278-7101.

08/24/2026

Loneliness isn't always caused by being alone.

Sometimes it's caused by not being able to get where life is happening.
Missing worship services.
Skipping lunch with friends.

Turning down invitations because transportation feels like too much trouble.
Over time, those missed moments add up.

CJFS Transportation Services help older adults remain connected to their communities, friendships, faith communities, and favorite activities. Emotional well-being is every bit as important as physical health.

Life is better when you can still say "yes."

08/21/2026

It's choosing your own food.
Running into neighbors.
Picking out fresh fruit.
Feeling like yourself.

When transportation becomes difficult, these simple routines are often the first things people begin giving up.

CJFS Buz-A-Bus provides safe, reliable transportation to grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, beauty appointments, and other everyday destinations so older adults can continue living active, independent lives.

Sometimes maintaining independence starts with something as simple as getting where you need to go.

08/19/2026

Most people think about the appointment itself.

Few think about how stressful it can be to arrange transportation, navigate parking, or walk through a medical campus alone.
For many older adults and their families, that stress can lead to postponing important care.

That's why CJFS offers Private Escorted Transportation for medical appointments. Our staff doesn't simply provide a ride; they stay with you, helping make the experience safer, easier, and far less overwhelming.

Because getting quality healthcare should never depend on whether you have someone available to drive.

08/18/2026

That’s what Friends of CJFS is all about.

Give today: www.cjfsbham.org/donate

Each gift helps ensure that individuals and families across our community can turn to CJFS for guidance, connection and practical support through every stage of life.

Because when life changes, challenges arise, or you simply don’t know what comes next, having somewhere to turn can make all the difference.

Be a Friend. Make a difference. Help us ensure no one has to navigate life’s challenges alone.