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2019: A Year of Accomplishments

As 2020 got off to a start, I thought back over 2019 and the many achievements our Federation, in partnership with our agencies and volunteers, accomplished. I want to share this list with you, in no particular order:

  • Created a culture of safety for our community and all who participate in our programs, including a successful response to a threat on the JCC this past August
  • Completed a successful third season operating the JCC Logan Campus
  • Provided 4,000 free swim lessons to children in need, people with disabilities, infants, and adult women who could not swim
  • In partnership with the United Way, provided free Camp JCC tuition to 45 children for four weeks each
  • Re-model of Heritage Manor lobby (including a new security door) and the offices of Heritage Manor and Jewish Family Services
  • Heritage Manor was chosen as one of seven facilities in the area to meet the criteria of Mercy Health Select Providers Network
  • Heritage Manor once again selected as the only VA-approved provider in Mahoning County
  • Hired Heritage Manor’s first full-time Adult Day Services director
  • Working together, Heritage Manor and JCC formed an Alzheimer’s Support Group
  • Implementation of a music and memory grant for Heritage Manor residents
  • Jewish Family Services received $15,000 per year grant from Mahoning County Mental Health Board for outreach
  • Through hiring an outreach worker to serve more seniors, established a successful Life Story project for Jewish seniors
  • Increased community awareness of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and its agencies through numerous media outlets, including new television commercials for the JCC, Heritage Manor, and Levy Gardens
  • Established a new position of Federation Marketing Manager to promote programs/services to the community
  • Restructured management of the Jewish Journal Monthly Magazine, including successfully finding a new printer after the closure of The Vindicator, the former printer
  • Established a monthly newsletter for all employees of the Federation and its agencies
  • Continued building relationships with interfaith and intergroup partners and with public officials, and leveraged them to promote the interests of the Jewish community
  • Educated the Jewish and general communities about Israel, advocacy, Holocaust education, social action, social justice, and government affairs
  • Near record turnout for 2019 Inaugural Event with keynote speaker Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, which included invited guests from the general community
  • Successfully re-organized the Partnership2Gether program to be under the Jewish Community Relations Council, with five volunteers/professionals attending P2G Summit in South Bend, Ind. In July 2019
  • Federation Governance Transition Committee established to address strategic issues; with recommendations for restructuring of Federation and its agencies to be presented at May 2020 Annual Meeting
  • Continued with the establishment of a community-wide Jewish Cemetery Association
  • Conducted numerous security consultations with area synagogues and sponsored approximately 30 active shooter trainings in the Jewish and general communities
  • Marked increased in the number of donors who are leaving a legacy gift to the Federation that will benefit our community today and for generations to come
  • Built a new outdoor pavilion and Pickleball courts to benefit the entire community
  • Worked to establish and strengthen ties with the New Castle Jewish community
  • In our role as community convener, worked with area synagogues to consider coming together under one roof
  • Implemented a new process to identify potential grant funding opportunities for the Federation and its agencies
  • Successfully created one funding process for upgrading facilities at the JCC, Heritage Manor, JFS, and Levy Gardens

Sure, there is more I could list, but I will stop here. I am so inspired and motivated by all that we have accomplished over the past year. I hope you are, too! Best Wishes for a happy and healthy 2020.

 

-Andy

Andrew Lipkin
Executive Vice-President, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation

Celebrating 34 Years with Federation

Posted by: Andy Lipkin on Tuesday, November 19, 2019
On Nov. 18, I celebrated my 34th anniversary with the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. When we arrived in the Valley in 1985, my wife Hilari and I, along with our one-year-old son Sean, found a Jewish community and Federation that has become an ...

One Year Later

Posted by: Andy Lipkin on Thursday, October 24, 2019
It seems hard to believe it’s been a year since 11 innocent people lost their lives in the horrific shooting at the Tree of Life building in Pittsburgh. It’s even harder to believe we’re still facing threats of violence against ...

Reflection and Renewal

Posted by: Andy Lipkin on Thursday, September 26, 2019
Personally, I’m reflecting on the major challenge in my life over the past year. I would never have guessed 2019 would bring heart surgery for me. But it did. That was a scary and emotional time. But the past year also brought my daughter ...

 

December 20, 2019 (Get Up, Dress up, Show Up, and Never Give Up)

November 19, 2019 (34 Years at the Federation)

September 26, 2019 (Reflection and Renewal)

August 24, 2019 (Security is Critical Issue)

July 25, 2019 (Summer's Winding down)

June 24, 2019 (Exciting Changes at JCC main and Logan Campuses)

May 23, 2019 (Thank You For Your Support)

April 23, 2019 (Holocaust Education Important Part of Federation's Work)

February 22, 2019 (Jewish Family Services Offers Much-Needed Services)

January 24, 2019 (Take A Tour With Me)

December 18, 2018 (Supporting Family)

November 20, 2018 (With Your Help, Federation Agencies Can Work Together to Benefit Families)

October 29, 2018 (Personal Reflections of A Tragedy)

October 15, 2018 (Without Federation...)

August 30, 2018 (Changes at Federation and Its Agencies)

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