JFCS expands offerings of two support groups

The Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) of Ocean County has doubled the extent of its JFCS WithoutWalls program. This will provide availability at an additional two locations for both the bereavement and the caretaker support groups.

These groups are facilitated by qualified members of JFSC's staff, headed by clinical social worker Rita Sason and supplemented by a team of social worker interns. As with all JFCS programs, these are open to all residents of Ocean County.

According to a press release, the JFCS Without Walls program has been a wellreceived effort to make important support groups more accessible. While the various JFCS programs have been beneficial to many participants, meeting at a single location has been a hardship or deterrent to many.

The expansion of JFCSWithoutWalls to four locations will allowmore people to participate by walking, getting a ride, or commuting within their limited driving capabilities, according to the press release.

Extending meeting sites also addresses an issue of privacy. Some participantsmay need the comfort of discussion with acquaintances, while others can be more candid with those who they would not otherwise see on a day-to-day basis. JFCS Without Walls gives a choice, increasing group participation and providing for group sizes better suited for a rich interchange.

The bereavement support group provides a forum for those with recent loss of a loved one, as well as providing the opportunity for sharing by those with a less recent loss. This JFCS Without Walls offering was started in 2006 in Original Leisure Village, Lakewood, and the Fairways adult community, Lakewood.

In August 2007 a third group was started at the Jewish Federation's Lakewood offices, and a fourth offering for 2007 is at B'nai Israel's facilities in Toms River.

The caregiver support group, called Forget-Me-Not, is intended for those responsible for the day-to-day care of handicapped and/or elderly loved ones. The primary objective is to help these unselfish caregivers to feel better about themselves and to have amoremeaningful relationship with others in the community. This programwas started during the past two years in Leisure Park and Fairways, both in Lakewood. In August 2007 a third session was added in Bayville, and now one more offering has been started at B'nai Israel in Toms River.

Further information on these and other JFCS programs is available by calling (732)363-8010.