With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we’re thinking about the gratitude we feel here at JF&CS for our compassionate, gifted, and dedicated staff. Our professionals feel purpose behind the work they do and how it impacts countless members of our community, day in and day out.

We interviewed some of our employees to gain insight into what drives their work and desire to uplift the community:

“Growing up in Dunwoody, I was fortunate to utilize JF&CS services as a child and experience the value the agency brings to the community. I’ve always wanted to be a part of something with a meaningful mission that aligned with my Jewish values, and working at JF&CS allows me to do that. It is extremely rewarding to work for an agency that means so much to me and so many others in the community.”
- Amy Albertson, Senior Manager, Career and Supportive Services

“I am so glad that I found JF&CS. I've always enjoyed helping people and I've worked in a number of customer service positions in the past, but at JF&CS I get to be part of REAL service to those in our community. Working with a team of people who genuinely care and do all they can to affect change in the lives of others is invaluable to me.

I’ve gotten to know so many of the people who come through our doors, and it's amazing to see the impact our programs have on them. Even something as seemingly simple as sitting at the front desk and listening to someone's story can be life changing—sometimes, all a person needs is to know that there's someone out there who hears them.

I work at JF&CS because I want to make a difference in the world, and I want to have a positive impact. JF&CS helps me do that every day.”
- Chase Byrd, Office & Reception Manager

“I was a nurse in my late forties when I came to a life-cycle juncture and started thinking about what might bring more meaning to my life. I returned to school and received my master’s degree in counseling at 55 years old. I was gravitating toward serving elders and had received an offer from a large hospital but heard about an opening for a Case Manager at JF&CS, and I applied.

During my interview, I learned about the agency's mission: serving the elderly and those in need and saving the world, one person at a time. I knew this was the job for me. Once I joined the team, I quickly learned that almost everyone I met at JF&CS was outstanding and worked hard to support the agency's mission. My plan was to spend three years doing good work at a community agency while I received full licensure as an LPC; I received licensure long ago and have just celebrated my 17th anniversary at JF&CS!

I’ve stayed because of the agency's mission, but also my colleagues who want to serve elders and do good work. Signing on at JF&CS has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.”
- Debbi Dooley, RN, MS, CDP, Geriatric Care Manager, Aviv Older Adult Services

“I joined the Ben Massell Dental Clinic team in 2008. I left after six years to further expand my skills, taking what I learned from BMDC to the outside world. During that time, I expanded my professional and leadership skills but left corporate dentistry because of how it operated: it felt like everyone was just a number.

After six years in corporate dentistry, I came back to BMDC. I love being able to care for patients, get to know them, connect with them and show them that we care. I love working alongside our rising new dentists to help them understand the importance of patient care. I’m so glad I’ve found my way back home to BMDC.”
- Eliene Jean, Lead Dental Assistant, Ben Massell Dental Clinic

“When I was interviewing at JF&CS, our Marketing Director saw potential in me to do things that I never thought I could be capable of. I have turned my limited knowledge of behind the scenes marketing into a plethora of knowledge that includes running production on live Zoom webinars, creating online fillable forms, and even learning HTML code! I am forever grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow here at JF&CS."
- Mitchell Katz, Digital Marketing Coordinator, Marketing

“The Jewish teachings of Tikkun Olam — to repair the world — is at the heart of my reason for working at JF&CS.

I grew up with parents who modeled the importance of integrity and treating others with dignity, particularly people in need. My rabbi at The Temple, who was involved in the civil rights movement, taught me that being Jewish meant seeking justice. Within my family and my community, these are the values integral to what it means to be Jewish, and I never doubted that my life's work would focus on social service and social justice. That's just what you do in my family and in my world.

Since I have worked in the field of domestic violence, I have been continually inspired by the strength and courage of countless survivors I’ve worked with for over 40 years. What a gift it was for me over 31 years ago when I was offered the opportunity to continue my passion in the field of domestic violence within my home Jewish community at JF&CS by managing the Shalom Bayit Program. I feel privileged to work at JF&CS because I love the difference I am able to make through the agency’s commitment to transforming lives, and the opportunity to truly work towards Shalom Bayit — peace in the home — and to practice tikkun olam — repairing the world.”
- Wendy Lipshutz, LCSW, Program Director, Shalom Bayit

We’re grateful for each and every member of our staff. Thank you for carrying out our mission to transform lives, today and every day.