JCS has been enriching lives and empowering people since the founding of its predecessor agency, Jewish Family Service of Greater Miami, in 1920. As the county’s first Jewish social service agency, JFS initially provided mental health, refugee resettlement, foster care and adoption services to a small but vibrant Jewish community.
The needs of this growing community were also met, starting in 1958, by Jewish Vocational Service of South Florida, with its goal of providing employment, meals and supportive services to those with disabilities. Similarly, the Community Council for Jewish Elderly was established in 1987 to help seniors maintain their health and dignity and minimize the need for nursing home care.
These three civic-minded organizations merged in 2000 to form Jewish Community Services of South Florida. As one coordinated, integrated organization, JCS quickly became one of the largest and most influential social service agencies in the state of Florida and a preeminent resource for community assistance.