The COVID pandemic has presented people with some of the greatest challenges of their lives. Westchester Jewish Community Services, WJCS, launched the
WJCS Covid Relief Hub, in partnership with UJA-Federation of NY, in November 2020 to deliver critically needed short-term mental health counseling and career services to Westchester residents at no cost.
To date, WJCS’s Covid Relief Hub has served more than 200 clients and conducted close to 100 group workshops and dozens of individual sessions. Our
clients have been placed in legal, accounting, graphic design, sales, marketing, teaching, public relations, project management and other jobs, thanks to the career guidance offered by the Covid Relief Hub.
The hub also offers parenting coaching sessions, a particularly urgent need at a time when students and parents are facing many uncertainties in the school year ahead. “At this challenging time for so many Westchester residents, we are proud that UJA-Federation of New York has allowed us to offer these vitally important services at no cost,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond.
“It’s hard to know what the future brings and this presents many emotional challenges to people of all ages and stages of life, whether you’re a parent, teacher, adult child of a homebound senior, or someone who has suffered great loss,” said Ellen Weisberg, program coordinator of Mental Health Services for the WJCS Covid Relief Hub. “Our program is dedicated to helping people address difficult feelings, situations, and decisions due to the far reaching impact of the pandemic.”
While the job market has improved, many young and mid-life professionals need help preparing for remote interviews and using Linkedin and other platforms.
“There is great anxiety among those searching for a job,” said Lisa Morris, program coordinator of Employment Services for the WJCS Covid Relief Hub. “At
the Covid Relief Hub, we provide both emotional support and practical guidance to the unemployed, at no cost.”
Services offered through the WJCS Covid Relief Hub are up to four individual mental health support sessions and up to four individual parent coaching sessions. Mental health support groups for Jewish day schools and synagogues, tailored to specific needs , individual career coaching, weekly workshops (over Zoom) that include topics such as resume writing, LinkedIn profiles, preparation for interviews, and job resources community mental health, and financial counseling referrals.
(Submitted)
The following upcoming workshops are free but must be registered for at least 24 hours in advance Please RSVP at the email addresses listed below.
Monday, Sept. 13, 3-4 p.m.
Resume 101: Rethink and Reinvent Your Resume
hubs@wjcs.com
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
Preparing for an Interview
hubs@wjcs.com
Monday, Sept. 20, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Parent Support Group
eweisberg@wjcs.com
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 4-5 p.m.
Feeling Connected During the Pandemic
jschmelkin@wjcs.com
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 9-10:30 a.m.
Interview Like a Pro
hubs@wjcs.com
Thursday, Sept. 23, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Life Lessons from the Jewish Calendar
pwax@wjcs.com
Thursday, Sept. 30, 12-1 p.m.
Parents of College Students: Preparing to be an “Empty-Nester”
jschmelkin@wjcs.com
For more information about individual mental health sessions or community workshop programming, please contact the COVID Relief Hub Mental Health Services Coordinator Ellen Weisberg at eweisberg@wjcs.com.
For more information about career services and programs, please contact the WJCS COVID Relief Hub Career Services Coordinator Lisa Morris at
lmorris@wjcs.com.
