Jewish Family Services

For over 80 years, Jewish Family Services (JFS) has been providing opportunities to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Founded in 1936, Jewish Family Services (then known as the Jewish Family Welfare Bureau of Vancouver) opened its doors to assist the poor and elderly living in Vancouver, and to help resettle new immigrants fleeing Europe. After World War Two ended in 1945, the main goal of the Bureau became to help refugees. In 1958, the Jewish Welfare Bureau of Vancouver became the Jewish Family Service Agency and, in 2017, shortened to Jewish Family Services. In the 1960's, the Agency moved beyond just welfare issues and hired youth workers and established job-finding programs. The early 1970's saw the first wave of Russian Jewish families arrive in Vancouver. After years of uncertainty, JFS brought hope to these newcomers by helping them to navigate the hurdles of immigrating to a new country and providing orientation, employment workshops and activities to reduce isolation. Throughout the years, the Jewish Food Bank has continued to serve individuals and families of all ages in the Jewish community. In the early 1990's, the community asked JFS to develop services for one of the most vulnerable groups in our community - seniors. Over the years JFS has grown to offer a broad array of services and now has four departments to respond to evolving community needs.