Local Heroes To Be Honored by Gulf Coast JFCS

Local Heroes To Be Honored by Gulf Coast JFCS

Feb 25, 2022 | Press Release

Local Heroes To Be Honored by Gulf Coast JFCS (CLEARWATER, FL – Friday, February 25, 2022) – Gulf Coast JFCS is honoring Chief Anthony Holloway and William and Sally Israel on Thursday, March 31 at the upcoming annual FACES of Inspiration celebration. This annual event is being Thursday, March 31st, at the Hilton Carillon Park in St. Petersburg. FACES of Inspiration recognizes individuals who overcome hardships and find the ability to thrive within our communities. Anthony Holloway will receive this year’s Gulf Coast JFCS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a lifetime of commitment to community and behavioral health support. A trustee emeritus of Gulf Coast JFCS, Chief Holloway has dedicated his career to strengthening community relationships and communication and overall to innovation in more than policing, especially relating to responding to behavioral health-related intervention. Nearly a decade ago, Chief Holloway initiated requirements for all St. Petersburg Police Department Officers to become proficient in Trauma-Informed Care practices to prepare officers for more effective response to these types of crises calls. More recently, Chief Holloway’s focus on behavioral health and dedication to building community ties took center stage both locally and internationally with the innovation of the Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program. The CALL program is one of the first in the nation to dedicate resources to community policing partnerships, by partnering with Gulf Coast JFCS to provide social services to non-emergency and non-violent service calls. Now in it’s second year, the mental health professionals of the CALL program have responded to more than 4,000 calls for service such as substance abuse, behavioral health crisis, and suicide intervention,...
Balliet, Gulf Coast JFCS COO, Named Board Chair of Children’s Advocacy Group

Balliet, Gulf Coast JFCS COO, Named Board Chair of Children’s Advocacy Group

Jan 14, 2022 | Press Release

Gulf Coast JFCS COO Named Board Chair of Children’s Advocacy Group Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS) announces the appointment of Terri Balliet, Gulf Coast JFCS Chief Operating Officer, as Board Chair of the Children’s Advocacy Group, Florida Coalition of Children. Advocating on behalf of Florida’s abused, abandoned, neglected, and at-risk children, and to support the agencies and individuals who work on their behalf, the mission of the FCC, is at the core of Balliet’s leadership expertise.  “I am very humbled and honored to take on such an important role and work alongside such amazing colleagues across the state. The timing is divine intervention given the much-needed advocacy necessary during the current state of our Child Welfare System workforce and funding opportunities” says Balliet.” Florida Coalition for Children member agencies, including Gulf Coast JFCs, collectively care for over 50,000 children and families in crisis each year, providing critical services and programs to this vulnerable population throughout the state. Some of these services include residential and group home care, emergency shelters, residential treatment centers, counseling, foster family services, adoption services, early intervention and prevention programs, and various in-home support services. Balliet has devoted two decades of her leadership toward the growth and vitality of Gulf Coast JFCS. Having worked her way up the ranks from Case Management Supervisor in 2004 to COO in 2014, Ms. Balliet oversees state-wide operations for over 20 Gulf Coast JFCS Child Welfare, Behavioral Health, and Elder and Disabled Services programs and a multimillion-dollar budget. She also holds oversight for Grant and Information Technology operations. Ms. Balliet’s core strengths include her ability...
TampaBay-Job-Links Joins Gulf Coast JFCS

TampaBay-Job-Links Joins Gulf Coast JFCS

Dec 21, 2021 | Press Release

TampaBay-Job-Links Joins Gulf Coast JFCS  Gulf Coast JFCS is pleased to announce the addition of TampaBay-Job-Links (TBJL) to its comprehensive portfolio of programs.  TBJL empowers and equips people with relevant job search and career transition skills to help them gain viable employment to sustain themselves and their families.  This successful program has already assisted more than 1,400 individuals and further enhances Gulf Coast JFCS’s existing workforce development programs, including those meeting the needs of non-custodial parents and refugees assimilating into our community. TBJL was founded in 2010 as a grassroots initiative of the Tampa Jewish community in response to the Great Recession. TBJL services were made available to all people in need. TBJL clients include, but are not limited to, individuals facing mid-career job loss, parents returning to the workforce after a hiatus, military veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce, and seniors financially unable to retire. “TampaBay-Job-Links is proudly celebrating a decade of helping the unemployed in our community get back to work.  We build self-esteem and give individuals the guidance and tools they need to re-enter the workforce with confidence and dignity,” said Andi Jacobs, TBJL Chairperson.  “We are excited about our affiliation with Gulf Coast JFCS and the opportunity to help many more people in the decade ahead,” Jacobs said. “Gulf Coast JFCS exists to uplift lives for all people, from babies to seniors, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender identity,’ states Dr. Sandra E. Braham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast JFCS.  “TampaBay-Job-Links is perfectly aligned with the Jewish values upon which Gulf Coast JFCS was founded nearly half a century ago, including tzedakah or justice. ...