Jewish Family Service plays a vital role in our community, caring for people with its abundance of compassionate social service programs, and connecting people with other providers when additional services are sought. More than just a service provider, JFS becomes a partner to its clients, creating collaborative relationships with people in need of support.
From helping people in emergency financial situations, to supplementing community members’ pantries in times of need, JFS is always there with an answer to difficult problems in the lives of Jewish Memphains.
This month, JFS is offering programs aimed at addressing two of the most difficult issues members of our community face- chemical dependence and dementia.
Addiction and dementia ravage families, brutalizing victims and their caregivers. Sadly, both conditions also cause those suffering and their families to often feel lost behind a veil of isolation. These two programs aim to break through the stigma and cut to the heart of healing for those suffering, and their loved ones.
Both programs will be held at the Memphis Jewish Community Center. 
Thursday, April 20, JFS will hold an Introduction to Substance Abuse, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the MJCC. Participants will build their understanding of an important community issue in a special talk by Dr. Tom Fowlkes, Director of Medical & Professional Services, Oxford Treatment Center. Dr. Fowlkes will discuss addiction and treatment, with topics including prescription drug abuse and the heroin epidemic.
A founding partner of Oxford Treatment Center and former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Fowlkes has more than 18 years experience as a medical director of inpatient and outpatient behavioral healthcare service providers. He is board certified in emergency medicine and addiction medicine, and is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis.
Refreshments will be provided, and there will be time reserved for a Q & A after Dr. Fowlkes speaks.
Friday, April 28, JFS presents Dementia Friendly: Understanding, Caring, Responding at the MJCC. The day kicks off with sign in and continental breakfast at 7:30 A.M., with the program beginning at 8:00 A.M, and running until 12:00 noon. Dr. Victor Sandler and Annette Sandler, MA will speak.
The program will examine hospice and palliative care in dementia treatment, end of life issues related to Alzheimer’s and dementia, and will offer participants Dementia Friends curriculum training, allowing them to become a certified “dementia friend.”
Dr. Victor Sandler is a geriatrician in Minneapolis and serves as co-chair of the University of Minnesota Bio-Ethics Committee. Annette Sandler holds an MA in Gerontology and is the Director of Aging Services at Jewish Family and Children’s Services in Minneapolis. They will present on hospice and palliative care and end of life issues as they relate to Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition, they will provide training in the Dementia Friends curriculum.
The dementia program costs $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Register online at www.jccmemphis.org (Class number 4296) and for more information contact Shyla Brown at 901-767-8511 or sbrown@jccmemphis.org.
Jewish Community Partners supports JFS through Jewish Foundation of Memphis fund-holders and through gifts made to Memphis Jewish Federation during our Annual Campaign and throughout the year.
Your gift today supports these and other programs in the Memphis Jewish community.