With summer foliage now in full bloom, plans are underway for JAFCO, a Florida-based child services agency, to hold its 15th Long Island fundraiser, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated local support group. That’s the feeling of Old Westbury resident Pearl Halegua, who for 15-plus years has organized educational and funding events on behalf of JAFCO.
JAFCO, which stands for Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options, has developed strong local recognition through the work of its longtime “friends” group. Next month, JAFCO will host its 15th annual Long Island fundraising event, titled “Fun in the Sun,” from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8 at Glen Head Country Club, Glen Head.
A not-for-profit organization, JAFCO serves abused and neglected children and families as well as children with disabilities. The group has evolved over three decades to become a unique social services organization. It began as a small foster care and adoption agency with a mission to fill unmet needs in the Jewish community. But, JAFCO leaders view it as their privilege to help all children in need, regardless of faith or heritage, in the spirit of “Tikkun Olam,” caring for the world.
As a social services agency, JAFCO sees child care as a community responsibility. Based in south Florida, the organization is housed on two locations there, plus with a more recently established site in the Philadelphia area, known as JAFCO FamilyMatters, a JAFCO support network.
One of the Florida campuses is JAFCO’s exemplary Children’s Village, which serves abused and neglected children through its Family Preservation, Foster Care, Adoption and Mentoring programs. Another critical JAFCO setting in Florida is its Children’s Abilities Center. This location offers family
support, therapy, child enrichment and respite, all under one roof. Stressing this location’s importance, JAFCO Executive Director Sarah Franco states that “one of six children born today has developmental disabilities.
The JAFCO Long Island/New York board, which is working with Ms. Halegua to plan this year’s event, helps to educate others about the organization’s mission to strengthen. Board members include luncheon chairperson Pearl Halegua, Rebecca Altman, Nori Elson, Joan Feldman, Randi Feldstein, Kim Floam, Jeanne Goldman, Joan Grant, Amy Levy, Wendy Maurer, Linda Moskowitz, Ronna Niederman, Harriet Rosen, Rose Schecter, Stacey Spitalnick, Susan Tashlik, Jocelyn Wasserman and Dorine Wulwick.
For more information, contact JAFCO FamilyMatters Events Manager Amanda Medina Leớn at amanda@familymattersnetwork.org or 484-385-0728; or Pearl Halegua at phalegua@gmail.com.