Our Mission

Mission
Jewish Family Services supports and strengthens the Jewish community and general communities by providing high-quality programs and services that address the needs of individuals and families dealing with crises and the everyday challenges of life.

Vision
To be the Jewish community's premier resource for caring, knowledgeable, effective and personal support to those facing life challenges.

While our priority is to serve the Jewish Community, the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) inspires us to serve all people.

Core Values
We believe in the dignity and worth of every human being.
We believe in strengthening individuals through acts of loving kindness.
We believe in Mitzvah, the performance of good deeds.

History of Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City

Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City (JFS) began its history as United Jewish

Charities in 1901 as five volunteer relief agencies came together to legally incorporate

themselves.  During the first 20 years, JFS established its responsibility to the Jewish

Community.  With no other Jewish Communal organization in town, JFS began a bathhouse,

a Jewish education program, a summer camp called "Bittersweet Camp," basketball leagues,

and resettlement services for the Jews coming to America to build a better life.  In 1919, JFS opened the Alfred Benjamin Dispensary with two purposes.  The first was to take care

of the indigent who could not afford medical care; the second reason was to provide a

medical setting for Jewish physicians, as they were unable to secure residency in any

other KC hospital.  The Dispensary eventually grew into what was the Menorah Medical

Center and eventually became the proceeds to create the Jewish Heritage Foundation. 

JFS also was the predecessor agency of the Jewish Federation and one of the founding

eight agencies of the Heart of America United Way. JFS also was the predecessor agency

of the Jewish Federation and one of the founding eight agencies of the Heart of America

United Way.  In 1942, United Jewish Charities became United Jewish Social Services, in

1958, we became Jewish Family Service, and in 1964, we became Jewish Family & Children

Services as a large focus of our services was adoption.  In 2006 we began using our

current name, Jewish Family Services.  However, no matter what our name, our mission

of helping others, regardless of race or religion, has remained unchanged throughout our

100 plus years.