Jewish Family Services, Inc.

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Sojourner Family Peace Center on the 10th anniversary of the Family Peace Center! This nationally-recognized model demonstrates the power of collaboration and partnership to support survivors and families. Jewish Family Services, Inc. is honored to serve as the on-site provider of adult counseling services at the Family Peace Center.

05/11/2026

A warm, belated and happy Mother's Day to all who nurture, care for and love - including birth, adoption, foster, bonus and stepmoms as well as those missing their moms, longing for children or grieving loss. We honor your strength and dedication.

JFS Housing residents celebrated an early Mother’s Day with food, music, and warm company. We are honored to create meaningful moments like these through the support of our community and continually inspired by the kindness, strength, and connections shared by residents .

05/11/2026

Start planning now! Summer Family Mental Health Tips from Hayley Lindly, APSW
Children’s Mental Health Clinician at JFS

The transition away from school routines can be challenging, especially for children who receive therapy during the school year or for families exploring therapy for the first time.

Here are three simple ways to support your family’s mental health this summer:
• Keep therapy sessions consistent, whether virtual or in person
• Make time for daily movement and play
• Limit screen time and allow space for boredom

Even small moments can make a big difference. Checking in with your child each day, asking about their feelings, and listening without judgment helps them feel supported and understood.

You can also take advantage of free or low-cost community resources like libraries, parks, and local programs to keep children active and socially connected.

As Hayley shares, “Boredom is actually a gift. It fosters creativity, emotional resilience, and problem-solving. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but over time children discover new strengths when screens are not the focus.”

Summer is also an ideal time for children to practice skills learned in therapy or begin therapy without the added stress of school.

04/29/2026

Today is Denim Day.

We’re wearing denim to stand with survivors of sexual violence and to raise awareness about the harmful myths that still exist around assault and consent.

Denim Day started as a powerful response to a court ruling that blamed a survivor’s clothing. It has since grown into a global movement for education, support, and change.

At JFS, we believe in meeting people with compassion, providing access to counseling and support, and creating space for healing.

Wear denim. Start conversations. Stand with survivors.

04/27/2026

This May for Mental Health Month, JFS is expanding how we bring mental health support to our community.
From counseling to outreach, our Spring 2026 Newsletter highlights this work and includes a free resource available to all.

More information is available on our website at https://www.jfsmilw.org/news-and-events/newsletters/

04/23/2026

Thank you for all the great work in the gardens at JFS Housing!!

04/23/2026

Congratulations to JFS Board Member Bob Habush, a longstanding supporter of both the community and the JFS mission, on this well-deserved recognition.

Mazel Tov to our 2026 Herb Kohl Service Award recipients: Robert Habush and Judge Derek Mosley. These two extraordinary leaders exemplify lifelong commitments to service, philanthropy, and community impact.

In partnership with Herb Kohl Philanthropies, MJF will honor Habush and Mosley at the June 2 Economic Forum.

These honorees represent the very best of Milwaukee — leaders who have dedicated their lives to uplifting others, building bridges, and strengthening the institutions that sustain community life. Their leadership reminds us of the power of service, the importance of community, and the enduring impact of those who dedicate their lives to making the world a better place. Their work reflects the core values that defined Herb Kohl’s legacy and continue to inspire future generations.

Read more at https://www.milwaukeejewish.org/economicforum/herb-kohl-service-award/

04/22/2026

JFS Celebrates Volunteers at Housing!

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, JFS Housing Residents and NextGen volunteers came together for a shared lunch, planted succulents, cleaned up the Bradley Crossing grounds, and worked on weeding and refreshing the soil in the community garden beds.

"It was great to see residents from across the campus – Bradley Crossing, Woodale Crossing, and Deerwood Crossing – and volunteers collaborating to prepare their garden boxes for the spring season." says Shelby Guendel, Community Supportive Services Supervisor at JFS Housing.

04/20/2026

JFS was represented at the Fair Housing Month Roundtable today by Dan Fleischman, President & CEO.

During Fair Housing Month, County Executive David Crowley Hosts Roundtable on Expanding Housing Access for Working Families.

MILWAUKEE – April 20, 2026, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Housing Services convened local housing leaders, developers, advocates, and community partners at the Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center for a Fair Housing Month roundtable dedicated to strengthening safe, quality, and affordable housing for all residents.

This gathering marks an important moment for Milwaukee County and a chance to acknowledge meaningful progress while advancing the bold, collaborative work still ahead. Under County Executive Crowley’s leadership, Milwaukee County has taken significant steps to expand housing stability, prevent homelessness, and build a more equitable housing landscape. The roundtable highlighted the successes driving this momentum and fostered candid discussion on remaining opportunities and challenges.

“April is Fair Housing Month, a time to reinforce that access to quality, affordable housing is not just a goal – it is a fundamental foundation for health, stability, and economic mobility,” said County Executive Crowley. “My administration has realized significant progress in developing affordable housing and advancing our work to address homelessness. As we look ahead, collaboration is essential. I’m encouraged by our partnerships with developers, service providers, landlords, residents, and community stakeholders who are all working toward the same goal: safe, affordable, and equitable housing for all residents and families in Milwaukee County.”

The roundtable participants represented every corner of the housing ecosystem, including affordable housing development, minority-owned development, homeownership, senior housing, homelessness prevention, tenant rights, and reentry advocacy.



“We are fortunate to have a strong countywide consortium of partners who are working collaboratively to put fair housing into practice,” said James Mathy, Administrator, DHHS Housing Services. “Milwaukee County is addressing barriers to homeownership for renters in our community, especially for first-time buyers, and what needs to be done to bridge the gap.”



Equity is at the center of Milwaukee County’s housing strategy, ensuring that all residents – especially those historically underserved – have access to safe, stable housing. Since County Executive Crowley was elected, Milwaukee County has committed nearly $50 million toward affordable housing and homeownership efforts that are expanding options for working families. Following the implementation of the County’s Housing First model, Milwaukee County’s homeless population decreased by 75% in under 10 years, saving taxpayers over $30 million in the process. Also, by focusing on landlord engagement, reentry programs, and community development strategies, Milwaukee County DHHS is helping more people access the housing and wraparound services they need.

Roundtable participants included:
County Executive David Crowley
Connor Goggans, DHHS Housing Services
Erika Sanders, Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council
Colleen Foley, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee
Wendy Weckler, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County/Continuum of Care
Brian Sonderman, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Teig Whaley-Smith, Community Development Alliance
Anthony Kazee, KG Development Group
Dan Fleischman, Jewish Family Services
Shannon Ross, The Community

04/13/2026

Big news at Jewish Family Services!

After a national search, Dan Fleischman has been named President & CEO. With more than a decade at JFS, and most recently serving as Interim CEO, Dan brings strong leadership, compassion, and a clear vision for expanding mental health services, social services, and affordable housing in our community.

Join us in congratulating Dan as we look ahead to this exciting next chapter!

Read the full letter from our Board Chair, Jason Steigman, here: https://www.jfsmilw.org/?p=6033