At JF&CS, we could not fulfill our mission to transform lives without the talented volunteers, lay leaders and board members who work alongside us — many of whom have completed our leadership program: the Kay Family Leadership Series (KFLS).

What is the Kay Family Leadership Series?

Named in honor of Ann Kay and her husband Michael (of blessed memory), the KFLS is a dynamic and intimate guide to the multifaceted work of the agency. The program is helmed by Lauren Harris, Ph.D., Director of Leadership & Volunteer Engagement, and is co-chaired by Ann alongside Board member Ellen Feinsand, Ph.D., as well as Samantha Paulen, last year’s Arlene Marcus Volunteer of the Year. The modern KFLS builds upon the former Tools for Leaders program, which Ann and Lauren both completed in the late 2000’s.

“I learned so much through the original program, but when Michael and I got more involved, it was decided that it could go deeper,” said Ann. “One of Michael’s passions was developing new leaders in the community, and we wanted not only leaders, but also informed and enthusiastic ambassadors for JF&CS. Lauren Harris has done a great job reimagining the program.”

KFLS is currently underway with its second cohort. It’s a rich and diverse community, just like the community JF&CS serves. Participants can apply or are nominated, and the group is comprised of people of all ages, religions, backgrounds, industries, and levels of experience. Some have an existing relationship with JF&CS as a volunteer or client, and many are completely new to the work we do.

Upon completion, participants often step into a leadership role within the agency, which can be anything from getting involved in special events, to serving on a committee, to assuming a seat on the JF&CS Board. Dayna Royal completed the KFLS last year and currently serves as a Board member.

“I was so fortunate to participate in the Kay Family Leadership Program and learn in-depth about the terrific work JF&CS does for our community,” said Dayna. “This experience solidified my desire to become a lifelong supporter of JF&CS and their critical mission.”

What Is the Program Like?

Each month, the group focuses on a different area of the agency while integrating opportunities for leadership development, self-development, and team development. Over the course of the eight months in the program, participants learn about JF&CS in lively and experiential ways.

“They are not only learning in depth about our programs but getting to experience a taste of how we actually work with clients firsthand,” said Lauren. “Last month, the group participated in an impactful mock Brain Health Boot Camp to better understand how we serve clients with dementia as part of our AVIV Older Adult Services. The month prior, Dr. Marlena Reese from our Horwitz-Zusman Child & Family Center led a whole exercise around time and time management, something she does in her role as an Executive Functioning Coach with her clients.”

In addition to learning about agency programs, participants develop their ability to become effective ambassadors for JF&CS by connecting with clients, volunteering, and attending special events. The team ensures that the experiences in the KFLS are also fun and engaging.

“We value this groups’ time and commitment and seek to make the program as experiential as possible while still preserving the confidentiality and dignity of our clients,” says Lauren. “It’s also such a great way for this group to network and form new relationships within the community. I already see some of those friendships forming. I tell people all the time, getting involved in the community is one of the best ways to connect with like-minded people and form new relationships.”

To get involved with JF&CS click here!