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Moses Maimonides (1135-1204).
JVS's highest priorities are the individuals who need its help the most:
the unemployed family wage earner the physically and mentally disabled the newly arrived immigrant the aging worker the single parent the dislocated downsized employee the unskilled and educationally disadvantaged the next working generation
Founded in 1939 by the Jewish Community in Newark, New Jersey, during the Depression years, JVS's initial clients were unemployed Jewish adults desperate for work, followed by émigrés who were victims of the Nazi occupation of Europe. The agency also began to serve young people seeking their first jobs and youth in need of college guidance. Its Board of Trustees and the Board of the Jewish Community Council (The United Jewish Communities of Metrowest NJ) worked closely with staff in establishing a network of business people to assist theagency's job seeking clients.
At the end of its first decade JVS enlarged its repertoire of services, grew its staff and created a sheltered work environment for émigrés, who because of the physical and mental damage caused by the Holocaust, could not enter the competitive work world. Some were of advanced age, yet needed to be occupied and required supplemental income.
In the mid 1950's the agency moved to larger quarters in Newark, expanded its rehabilitation efforts and incorporated the Opportunity Workshop of JVS (today known as The Joseph L. Weinberg Vocational Rehabilitation Center).
It was at this time JVS was invited by agencies of the state and federal government to operate a research and demonstration grant project with the Essex County Hospital Center for severely mentally disabled clients. Clients from the hospital traveled to Newark, received daily rehabilitation and workshop services at JVS and returned to the hospital after their work day. At discharge, , these individuals had real work experience and were placed in competitive jobs by the JVS staff. The success of this program led to the expansion of the agency's services for the general community, the first of which was to expand its rehabilitation center services to non-institutionalized, disabled clients of the NJ Rehabilitation Commission, the forerunner to the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NJDVRS).
In 1957, JVS adopted a non-sectarian service policy for all public programs, ushering in decades of grant projects and services dedicated to the needs of individuals with significant barriers to employment. Some of these innovative initiatives are:
1965 -
Established, in partnership with the Daughters of Israel Geriatric Center, established a work activity program (workshop) at the home for its residents, which still operates at full capacity.
1966 -
Developed and operated a Neighborhood Youth Corps program (COPE) to provide comprehensive vocational services to disadvantaged youth from Newark's inner city population. This program was designed to be transferred to the Newark community after its pilot phase of three years. It became a program of the United Community Corporation and ran for ten years.
1968 -
Developed the first Rehabilitation Facility Program in New Jersey of Work Sample Evaluation for the Emotionally Disabled.1971 -
Designed and operated a program for Vocational Rehabilitation of Hard Core Drug Abusers in the Newark Multiphasic Drug Center and Integrity House, Inc. This program was transferred to the city of Newark and is still in operation.1973 -
Developed the first Rehabilitation, Job Placement, Extended Employment, and Supportive Services Program in New Jersey dedicated to disabled older workers (ages 55 to 90) in its Work Center on Aging Program.
1976 -
Instituted a specialized grant program for the Employment of the Severely Disabled including job-seeking skills training for disabled clients and a concentrated effort toward affirmative action education of employers.
1977 -
Formulated a collaborative response to the sudden influx of hundreds of Soviet Jewish refugees by creating a joint Emigre Resettlement Center in coordination with the member agencies of the United Jewish Federation.
1978 -
Developed a Manpower - CETA program to train qualified unemployed persons to work with disabled citizens in a Vocational Rehabilitation Workshop. - Developed a CETA program to train qualified unemployed persons to develop job positions for newly arrived immigrants in a Vocational Resettlement Center.
1981 -
Developed and instituted a county wide Educational and Vocational Skills Assessment program of testing, work sample evaluation, occupational orientation and computerized remediation for the Essex County Division of Employment Training (JTPA). This program continues to be colocated at the county facility, offering a comprehensive array of assessment protocols for the placement of JTPA clients into skills training.
1983 -
Developed a special program to address the needs of the the Middle Income Unemployed due to the Recession and the subsequent restructuring of America's Workforce.
1984 -
Developed a program of specialized services for the Employment of Older Persons with intensive job development, counseling, placement and follow-up, in cooperation with the Essex County Division On Aging and Division of Employment Training.
1985 -
Expanded Refugee Vocational Resettlement Services and English as a Second Language (ESL) training in cooperation with the NJ Dept. of Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). JVS became an International Service Center for refugees as a result of this expansion. Today, individuals from 15 different nationalities, from all over the globe, are served at JVS.
1989 -
Developed career services, outplacement and vocational counseling, offered on-site for New Jersey industry, in a new Corporate Services Initiative.1991 -
Developed English as a Second Language (ESL) and Basic Skills training as an extension of Corporate Services Initiative, delivered on-site to NJ industries and institutions.
1992 -
Enlarged services to the Middle Income Unemployed in response to the continuing restructuring and downsizing of the workforce though expansion of its placement seminars, community wide employment group programs, self help activities, as well as individual vocational services. These services continue today as periodic "White Collar Joblessness" remains a part of the changing economic landscape.
1994 -
Developed a four county Senior Community Service Employment Program (TitleV) with a grant from the National Council On The Aging (NCOA), which greatly expanded the JVS senior services and established JVS as a state-wide provider of older worker programs. In the same year, with another NCOA grant, JVS initiated a Projects With Industries program (PWI) for older disabled clients. This program led to the formation of a Business Advisory Council (BAC) made up of local business, government, consumers and legislative leaders.
1995 -
- Developed a state certified Home Health Aide Training and Placement program for the moderately disabled. This program, initiated with a grant from the Dole Foundation For People With Disabilities (the Foundation of Senator Robert J. Dole) in partnership with established home health agencies, was successful and resulted in a fee for service program from the NJDVRS when the Dole Foundation pilot year ended.
- Developed a Computer Literacy/Office Skills Training program at JVS for downsized, dislocated, industrial workers with retraining funds from the NJ Dept. of Labor.
- Developed Literacy, Basic Skills and ESL programs for émigrés and dislocated workers with funds from the New Jersey Dept. of Education.
1996 -
- Developed a computer literacy, basic skills, office training and placement program for the disabled with funds from NJDVRS.
- Greatly expanded the Corporate Services Program to include computer software instruction and a wide array of technical training courses offered on-site to New Jersey industries and institutions.
- Developed a Targeted Assistance Grant (TAG) with the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the NJ Dept. of Human Services to upgrade the skills of underemployed émigrés by providing evening computer literacy and Vocational English Language Training (VELT).
- Developed a series of off-site training classes for the MetroWestcommunity entitled "PC Perfect", offiering hands-on instruction in the latest computer software applications.
1997 -
- Developed a Citizenship Program to identify resettled refugees who are not naturalized and offer educational and citizenship classes so that they can fully participate in their new country.-Became an active vendor in the Essex County WorkFirst Programs providing over 500 TANF, ABAWD and GA public assistance recipients with educational and employment based services.
- Went ON-LINE following a total in house computer upgrade linking its professionals and programs to the World Wide Web.
1999 -
- As a member of a national consortium sponsored by the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS), received a U.S. Department of Labor competitive grant to provide post-employment training to 50 TANF recipients employed in the healthcare industry.
-As a member of a local consortium, participated in a U.S. Department of Labor competitive grant to provide testing and assessment services to TANF recipients throughout Essex County.
2000 -
-Received three year grant from the U. S. Office of Refugee Resettlement to develop an interactive CD-ROM/Internet based distance learning methodology to provide Cuban refugees with customer service skills training and place them into employment.
2001 -
-Designated lead agency of a seven member consortium to provide services to Older Refugees under a grant from the US Office of Refugee Resettlement.
2002 -
-Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, exacerbated by an already downward spiraling economy, JVS receives a series of emergency relief grants to provide career counseling, retraining , and job placement services to individuals from Monmouth County, Hudson County and MetroWest who lost their jobs in the aftermath of the disaster. JVS is grateful to the following organizations for their generous support of this initiative: The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation; The McCormick Tribune Foundation; The United Jewish Communities; and The Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement.
-July1, 2002 -- JVS assumed responsibility in the MetroWest Community for the provision of Family Resettlement Services to Jewish refugees from the former Soviet Union & Iran. These services include pre-migration, casework, & naturalization assistance in cooperation with HIAS (The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). Maintaining the Community's policy of family reunification, JVS works with sponsoring relatives to ensure that adequate financial & social supports are provided.
2003 -
-January1, 2003 - JVS received funding from the HealthCare Foundation of New Jersey to create "Maturity Works," a career counseling , skills training , & job placement program for unemployed MetroWest residents age 45 & over. Recognizing the negative impact of unemployment on the physical & emotional health of the mature worker, their family, and the community, this new grant provides research data in addition to delivering direct services.
2004 -
- Created "JVS Learning Solutions," a new division of the agency dedicated to marketing the agency's innovative CD-ROM/Internet-based workplace and literacy skills training courseware developed in cooperation with the National Retail Federation, the National Institute for Literacy, and the National Healthcareers Association. Launched www.jvslearningsolutions.org website.- Received national program award from the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services in recognition of the development and success of the JVS Learning Solutions initiative.
- Received a grant from the Mayor's Office of Employment Training in Newark, NJ, to provide consultation to the One Stop Career Center staff on how to best serve people with disabilities and integrate them into the One Stop service system. This federally funded pilot project also includes the provision of customer service and literacy skills instruction to disabled clients referred to the Center using JVS Learning Solutions courseware.
- Received a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey entitled "Caregiving Companions" to create a new service of the agency that will recruit, train, and place home care companions in the homes of frail elderly and disabled residents of MetroWest.
2005 -
- Received a grant from the Grotta Fund for Senior Care to create a new service program entitled “JVS Home Maintenance Solutions” to provide basic home repair and home maintenance services to senior citizens and people with disabilities, thereby enabling them to “age in place” and remain in their homes for the maximum time possible.
- Together with the JVS Caregiving Companions Program, established JVS “At Home Services,” a new division of the agency devoted to the needs of the aging and disabled living at home.
- Participated in the US Administration on Aging funded and United Jewish Communities of MetroWest sponsored Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) initiative in Parsippany, providing job placement services to seniors age 62 and over.
- Received the Program of the Year Award from the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services in recognition of the development and success of the JVS “Maturity Works” job placement initiative for individuals age 45-70+.
- Expanded the highly successful Community Based Assessment Program for persons with disabilities to place people with physical disabilities in “on-the-job-training” worksites through a grant from the Henry H. Kessler Foundation.
- JVS Board of Trustees established the “Ronald I. Coun Center for Services to the Aging” to honor the agency’s fourth executive director for his 40 years of service to JVS and the community. Received a commitment of $250,000 from the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement toward the $6 million endowment fund goal established to support the Center.
2006 -
- Held agency’s first Community Fundraising Event, “Wines and Foods of the World,” on May 31, 2006, honoring Morton S. Bunis and Howard Jacobs
- Ronald I. Coun retired as Executive Director on June 30, 2006, after a 41 year career, and Dr. Leonard C. Schneider was appointed the agency’s fifth Executive Director on July 1, 2006
- Received a grant from United Way of Essex and West Hudson to deliver vocational services to special needs students in public schools
- Received two year grant from the US Department of Labor, in collaboration with JVS Los Angeles, JVS San Francisco, and the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services, to recruit, train and place people with disabilities in entry level jobs in the financial services industry
- Dedicated the Ronald I. Coun Center for Creative Maturity at an inaugural forum held December 4, 2006
In summary, the new World of Work is a World of Life Long Learning. Having one career tied to a single industry, employer or skill set is highly unlikely in today's constantly changing world. JVS has recognized this shift and has adjusted its programs and professional staff to meet the service delivery challenges of our day.
Throughout its history, JVS has endeavored to assist members of the Jewish and general community in attaining and retaining meaningful employment and economic independence to the extent of each individual's ability. JVS's elected Board of Trustees and its professional staff have been dedicated to this mission of "Helping People Help Themselves."
JVS IS A MEMBER AND BENEFICIARY AGENCY OF THE UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITIES OF METROWEST
AND ITS UNITED JEWISH APPEAL AND THE UNITED WAY OF ESSEX AND WEST HUDSON - MEMBER
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES (IAJVS) - ACCREDITED BY CARF . . . THE
REHABILITATION ACCREDITATION COMMISSION
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