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Celebrating 65 Years of JFSC: A Legacy of Care, Compassion, and Community
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65 Years of Caring. 65 Years of Community
Sixty-five years ago, JFSC was founded on a simple but powerful belief: no one should have to navigate life’s challenges alone.
Since then, our community has faced moments of uncertainty, growth, change, and resilience. Through it all, JFSC has been here offering guidance in times of crisis, dignity in aging, strength in mental health, and connection when it was needed most.
What began as a commitment to care has grown into a legacy of compassion that has touched thousands of lives.
As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we honour:
- The visionaries who laid our foundation
- The staff and volunteers who carry the mission forward
- The supporters who make the work possible
- And the clients who trust us with their stories
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing reflections, milestones, and voices from across our history because this anniversary isn’t just about looking back.
It’s about honouring a legacy while building the future together.
Thank you for being part of 65 years of community.
Roxanne Droppo, Executive Director
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Join us for a night of Notes and Jokes, with the Heebee-jeebee's. The JFSC 2026 Annual Fundraiser celebrating our 65th Anniversary. This event aims to bring our community together for a night of entertainment while raising funds for JFSC Mental Health Programs.
Event Highlights:
- A night of entertainment with the Heebee-jeebees, are a 4-man Canadian comic a cappella quartet formed in 1993 to meet girls, who have over the past 30+ years sung thousands of performances, appeared on local, national and international radio, television and print. The group has a reputation for being hilarious, entertaining and extremely talented.
- Appetizers and Desserts
- Cash Bar
- Doors open at 6:30 pm
Ticket Information:
- Premiere Benefactor: Table of 8, premium reserved seating (Includes recognition)- $2,500
- Benefactor: Reserved seating $1,800
- Patron: $118
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We know that everyone needs a hand up at some point in their lives. Help us continue to provide high quality social services in our communities.
Download Donation Opportunities Package |
50/50 Raffle
Our online 50/50 raffle is live and will be open until the draw, 9:00 am May 1, 2026. You don’t have to be at the event to claim your prize.
Get 50/50 Tickets
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Program Spotlight: Safta's Kitchen
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Building connections through food and nourishing the soul through relationships.
Safta’s Kitchen is a warm, community-focused program designed to bring seniors together through the joy of cooking and shared meals. Participants gather to prepare a healthy, affordable main dish and dessert, working as a team while exchanging stories, favourite recipes, and cultural traditions.
As the meal cooks, there is time to chat, and build meaningful connections, helping reduce social isolation and create a sense of belonging. After cooking, the group enjoys the meal
together, and each participant takes home an additional portion to share with friends or family.
Program Details
Location: Temple B’nai Tikvah - Calgary
Schedule: Biweekly sessions
Time: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Duration: 4 sessions per participant
If you or someone you know would like to join Safta’s Kitchen, please email hollyr@jfsc.org or call 403-287-3510 Ext 253 to register.
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Meet Our Team
Holly Robinson: Safta’s Kitchen Program Lead
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 | When asked about her path to JFSC, Holly Robinson smiles and explains that she joined shortly after retiring from a 28-year career in the charitable sector. Not long after, she was approached about helping to re-launch Safta’s Kitchen, a program that had been reshaped during COVID. |
With her love of cooking and her belief in the power of sharing food as a way to build connection, she felt drawn to the opportunity immediately.
Holly now serves as the Safta’s Kitchen Program Lead. She describes her role as both creative and hands-on: she recruits and schedules participants, develops recipes tailored to the dietary needs of seniors, procures all necessary supplies, and coordinates the cooking sessions. She also writes a biweekly nutrition-wellness newsletter for participants. March, for example, Kidney Health Awareness Month which featured guidance on kidney-friendly foods, the importance of maintaining kidney health, and a few fun facts to make the content more engaging.
Reflecting on the program’s impact, Holly speaks warmly about witnessing the difference shared food and shared time can make. Many seniors, she explains, come from situations where they may go days without meaningful social interaction. Safta’s Kitchen offers them a place where they feel welcomed and included. In the kitchen, conversations flow naturally as participants chop, stir, and taste together. Stories emerge, memories surface, and connections form without anyone feeling pressured. “People leave energized and proud,” she says, noting that participants often share their experiences and new recipes with family and neighbours. To her, Safta’s Kitchen is more than a cooking program, it is a reminder that human connection is essential to a healthy, compassionate, and resilient community.
When asked what motivates her, Holly describes the joy she feels watching participants arrive with enthusiasm, ready to contribute to the meal and engage with one another. Hearing their memories, family stories, and laughter fill the kitchen is, for her, one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
She recalls the inaugural session of the re-launched program as a particularly memorable milestone. From hunting down utensils and dishware to learning the quirks of the industrial oven, the day was full of small challenges and discoveries. Yet the sense of accomplishment at the end was undeniable. It set the stage for what she hopes will be continued growth, with Safta’s Kitchen reaching and uplifting as many seniors as possible.
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Emmanuel Yeboah: Marketing & Communications Lead
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 | Emmanuel talked about the foundation of his career, a blend of creativity, storytelling, and service. He shared that he spent years building his photography business while actively serving at his church, where he learned the power of visual storytelling in shaping how people see the world and how they connect with one another. |
Over time, he realized those same skills could have an even greater impact when used to strengthen communities. That insight ultimately led him to JFSC, where he recognized an opportunity to apply his creative and strategic abilities in a way that genuinely improves people’s lives.
Discussing his current role, he explained that he serves as the Communications & Marketing Lead at JFSC. Much of his work revolves around defining how the organization tells its story, both internally and externally. He develops campaigns, creates digital and social media content, supports fundraising initiatives, and ensures the impact of JFSC’s programs is communicated clearly to the community, donors, and stakeholders. At the heart of it, he said, his responsibility is to connect the meaningful work happening inside the agency with the people who need to see and support it.
When reflecting on the impact of his work, he noted that while he may not always be on the front lines, he plays a key role in amplifying the efforts of those who are. Through storytelling, he helps bring visibility to real challenges and real transformations taking place every day.
This visibility, he explained, builds trust and helps generate the support needed for JFSC to reach more individuals and families. In many ways, his work helps ensure that no one in the community feels overlooked or unsupported.
He shared that what motivates him most is the knowledge that everything he creates is ultimately about people. Every story, campaign, or social media post represents someone going through a difficult season and the possibility of them finding stability and hope.
Being part of something that helps move people from crisis toward stability is deeply meaningful to him. It gives purpose to his work and reinforces that what he contributes truly matters.
As he talked about memorable moments, he described the powerful experience of seeing how JFSC’s storytelling resonates with the community, whether through campaigns, events, or volunteer engagement. Watching a single story or piece of content transform into real-world impact, more awareness, more support, more involvement, is incredibly rewarding. He said these moments are reminders that communication doesn’t just share information; it inspires action.
Looking toward the future of the agency, he expressed confidence that JFSC will continue to grow in both reach and depth. He sees opportunities to strengthen the way the organization shares its story, make better use of digital platforms, and deepen connections within the community. He believes the future will require a balance of compassion and innovation, leveraging strategy, technology, and storytelling to ensure support reaches the people who need it most.
Emmanuel shared a personal side of himself as well: outside of his role at JFSC, he’s passionate about entrepreneurship, personal development, and creating content meant to empower others to grow, whether in business or in life.
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Join the 65 for 65 Challenge!
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JFSC is turning 65 and to mark this incredible milestone, we’re launching our 65 New Donor Challenge.
Whether it’s $6.50, $65, or any amount meaningful to you, your first time gift helps us reach more seniors, newcomers, families, and community members who rely on JFSC every day.
Spread the word with family, friends and co-workers. Help us celebrate 65 years by welcoming 65 brand new donors.
Donate Now
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JFSC showed up to celebrate Pink Shirt Day (Anti-Bullying Day) to raise awareness about bullying in schools, workplaces, and online.
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Passover and the Power of Community
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Community engagement is at the heart of what we do at JFSC.
This year, we prepared more than 60 Passover packages to support our clients, fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring they could celebrate with dignity and connection.
A heartfelt thank you to the students of CJA, who added a personal touch by decorating the bags, bringing warmth, joy, and a reminder that small acts of kindness matter.
Moments like these show the power of community and the impact we can make together.
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The 2026 JFSC Charity Golf ClassicSave the Date |
 | Save the date for the 2026 JFSC Charity Golf Classic!
August 13th, 2026, at the Cottonwood Golf & Country Club.
More information to come. |
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Rogers Birdies for Kids, presented by AltaLink, is a non-profit program under the Rogers Charity Classic Foundation. Each year, the program allows donors to contribute to various charities, with all the donations matched up to 50%. Donations to JFSC through Birdies for Kids are amplified even further!
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 | This is such a fantastic opportunity because every dollar you give goes beyond its original value, helping us make an even greater difference for kids in need.
Donate up to August 31, 2026 |
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JFSC received a generous donation from the CJA Student Council drive in support of the Na’amat Canada Calgary Providing the Essentials program.
The initiative was very successful, with strong participation from students and their families. Organized as a meaningful Tzedakah project, the drive aimed to support JFSC clients who are experiencing financial hardship, and it will make a real impact on the families we serve. |
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🔹 2026 JFSC Charity Golf Classic |
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring our Charity Golf Classic to life! From greeting golfers to assisting on the course, your time and energy make a huge impact. If you’d like to be part of this milestone event and give back in a fun, meaningful way, we’d love to have you on our team.
Sign up and help us make this year’s Classic our best yet! This year’s tournament is August 13, 2026, at the Cottonwood Golf and Country Club. If you’re available or would like more information, please reach out to Sarah Marsh sarahm@jfsc.org |
🔹 Casino Volunteers – August 23 & 24, 2026 |
We’re looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming Casino Fundraiser on August 23 & 24 at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino. This event is a major source of support for our programs, and we can't do it without you!
Volunteer Roles Needed:
General Manager
Alt General Manager
Banker
Count Room Supervisor
Cashier
Chip Runners
Count Room Staff
On Call
Shifts:
August 23 – 11:00 am – 7:30 pm, 7:00 pm – 3:30 am, 11:15 pm – 3:30 am
August 24 – 11:00 am – 7:30 pm, 7:00 pm – 3:30 am, 11:15 pm – 3:30 am
No experience required! Must be 18+
Training is provided on-site, and all roles are straightforward. Volunteers must be 18+.
If you’re available or would like more information, please reach out to Sarah Marsh sarahm@jfsc.org
Thank you for helping make this fundraiser a success! |
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Get ready to build meaningful connections and have some fun! Generations at Play is a volunteer-powered program that brings joy and companionship to seniors in Calgary. Partner up with fellow students, enjoy engaging conversations, and play a game or two of your choice, let the good times roll!
Spots are limited, so be sure to register early. If you know any students aged 12 or older who might be interested in joining the program, please feel free to share this opportunity with them!
Please contact Sarah Marsh at sarahm@jfsc.org |
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🔹 More Volunteer Opportunities |
JFSC has an on-going need for volunteers. The most needed area is Memory Care and Friendly Visitor.
As a JFSC volunteer, you can touch the lives of those most in need in our community by working together with our staff to provide innovative and vitally needed services to others.
Please contact Sarah Marsh at sarahm@jfsc.org or visit our website to see a list of current opportunities. |
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Stay Connected! Keep up to date on what’s going on at JFSC - our events, programs, and what we are doing is regularly updated on our website and social media channels. Feel free to follow us, like and share our posts. |
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