What's New at JFS
Building For the Future
Earlier this year, the Jewish Family Service Board of Directors voted unanimously to move ahead with the construction of a new building, at a cost of up to $9 million. This is a long-term solution; it's our community's commitment to care for itself --to care for one another. To provide help, hope and support, individually and collectively, as we all navigate life's unexpected twists and turns.
The need for this new facility has escalated over the past decade as the Agency has been challenged by a lack of space. Staff is doubling-up in offices; many programs are off-site. The Board's approval is a true testament to the strength of the Agency and professional staff. Renovating the JFS Polack Food Bank earlier this year* provided the foundation for creating a centrally located campus designed specifically to meet the needs of clients, volunteers, staff and the greater community - holistically, comfortably and reliably.
Currently in the value-engineering process to maximize the return on every dollar spent, the 19,000 square foot new facility will be built on the parking lot next to the current 13,000 square foot Jessie Danz Building (already owned by JFS). This will create a Capitol Hill campus where most programs will be consolidated, maximizing cost efficiencies while facilitating coordinated client care.
Guided by the tradition to "repair the world" and firm commitment to a sustainable environment, LEED certification** is critically important to this project. Actual construction begins in January of 2011 and is expected to last for about 10 months. When completed, JFS and the entire community will have an accessible (including an elevator), comforting, welcoming, secure facility that is consistent with the JFS mandate of treating people with dignity and respect.
JFS is extremely grateful for the community's support of the Family Matters Campaign -- opening doors, both literally and figuratively, ensuring that clients can have strong, responsive programs and services for generations to come...and the welcoming, appropriate physical spaces in which to receive them.
* Expansion of the JFS Polack Food Bank was made possible by a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant, available through the Federal stimulus package, as recommended by the City of Seattle, and generous support made possible by Kathy and Steve Berman.
** LEED certification recognizes that a building project utilizes environmentally friendly building practices during construction. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy an Environmental Design and is the Green Building Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
