Beyond the office, he’s spent twelve years presenting research at one of the world’s leading prevention science conferences. At JFS Richmond, Valeriy Ryabukha helps Ukrainian refugees navigate new beginnings. This May, Ryabukha will travel once again to the annual conference of the Society for Prevention Research (SPR), marking his twelfth time presenting on the international […]

For Joyce and Glenn Carter, foster care isn’t just something they do. It’s what they believe to be their calling in life. Joyce’s journey into caregiving began early, long before she ever heard the term foster care. At just seven years old, she helped care for her great-grandmother after she lost her legs to amputation. […]

For many people, it can be difficult to recognize when it’s time to seek counseling. While counseling isn’t just for a crisis or a time in need, it often becomes important when emotions or behaviors begin to feel overwhelming or start interfering with daily life. That can include feelings such as fear, anger, sadness or […]

For Family Lifeline Care Coordinator Ida Mitchell, helping older adults remain safe and independent isn’t just part of her job; it’s what drives her work. So, when she was introduced to JFS Richmond and Beth Sholom’s CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders) program, she was instantly moved. “I first learned about […]

Chris Nufer didn’t plan to start over later in life—but he found a deeply rewarding new path as a counselor at JFS Richmond. Before joining JFS Richmond, Nufer spent more than 30 years in advertising, running a small radio creative boutique with national clients. In 2006, he sold the business, thinking retirement was next. “It […]

For nearly 35 years, Sydney Fleischer has been part of the fabric of JFS Richmond, growing alongside the agency and helping shape its clinical leadership. “When I came here, I was living in Washington,” she said. “Even though I grew up in Richmond, I didn’t know about Jewish Family Services.“ What began as a new […]

Home Care Supervisor Dana Conrad’s path to JFS Richmond was anything but traditional. “I chose JFS, initially, because the person who did my interview, who is now my boss, I really liked her,” Conrad said. “Knowing that she came from the business-side, I was wanting to learn more, which I have. Also, the fact that […]

When Sonni Gittelman first walked through the doors of JFS Richmond as a graduate student intern, she immediately felt a connection. “I’m Jewish and one of the tenets of Judaism that I feel most strongly about as a social worker is Tikkun Olam, which means repair the world,” Gittelman, who is now a clinician, said. […]

JFS Richmond has been recognized for its commitment to staff development, earning the Leader in Training Award from Activated Insights. This award honors organizations that prioritize professional growth and training, helping ensure high-quality care for the communities they serve. To achieve this distinction, JFS Richmond met the award’s criteria, including having more than 10 Care […]

Timur was once a successful farmer and businessman in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. His life changed dramatically after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, when large areas of southern Ukraine were occupied. The town of Enerhodar, where Nadirov lived, was among those taken by Russian forces. Unwilling to remain under occupation, Timur made the difficult decision […]