When I joined the Jewish Family Service board in 2020, I thought I knew what JFS was all about. Helping out in the community? Sure. Supporting seniors? Absolutely. But wow—I had no idea how deep their work really goes. I hadn’t even heard of PAM! I figured it was just about helping older adults with bills or keeping people safe from scams. What I didn’t realize is how carefully planned, regulated, and powerful JFS’s Personal Affairs Management (PAM) program support system really is. They help some of the most vulnerable people in our community—people who often get overlooked and fall through the cracks. And trust me, the more I learned, the more I was blown away. Chuck and Donna’s story is a graet example: It was just before the winter holidays when a welfare check was called in for a run-down cinderblock house in Virginia Beach. There was no heat. No lights. No running water. When police arrived, they found two adults—Chuck and Donna—huddled inside, cold, hungry, and scared. They hadn’t answered the door because their brother told them not to. That brother was also the only one bringing them food—just a few slices of pizza here and there.
Chuck and Donna weren’t just isolated—they were trapped. Both lived with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and they had been left without even the basic necessities to survive.
That winter day became a turning point. The police stepped in. So did Jewish Family Service. What followed wasn’t quick or easy. A long legal battle unfolded over who should care for Chuck and Donna—and who should receive their disability income.
Eventually, justice and compassion won out. Chuck and Donna moved into a group home filled with people who understood their needs and celebrated who they were. They made friends. They laughed. They healed. A PAM guardian from JFS stayed by their side, visiting regularly, making sure they were safe, respected, and never forgotten.
More than 20 years passed. Then Donna was diagnosed with leukemia. But this time, she wasn’t alone. Her guardian sat by her side during treatments, held her hand through pain, and stayed with her until the very end. Donna died with dignity and love, knowing—truly knowing—that she mattered.
Chuck still lives in the same home. He misses Donna deeply. But thanks to that intervention so many years ago, he wakes up each day surrounded by people who care, in a place where he is safe, supported, and thriving.
That’s what JFS does. They show up. They help heal. And they never let anyone slip through the cracks. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Jewish Family Service is dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community—but we can’t do it alone. With your help, we can continue healing the world, one person at a time. Whether you have time to give, skills to share, or resources to donate, there are so many meaningful ways to make a difference.
• Give a gift: Make a tax-deductible donation to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater at jfshamptonroads.org and help JFS extend its reach.
• Volunteer your time and talent:
• Deliver meals to homebound seniors.
• Assist JFS guardianship clients by helping file tax returns and estate documents.
• Offer a warm welcome and assist food pantry guests with dignity and care.
• Help with light administrative tasks that support Personal Affairs Management (PAM) clients.
• Become a friendly visitor and brighten someone’s day with conversation and companionship.
• Join our knitting group to make scarves, hats, and blankets for clients in need.
• Donate Essentials: Contribute nonperishable food and toiletries to the JFS pantry, helping neighbors facing food insecurity.
• Leave a Legacy: Ensure JFS services continue for generations to come by including JFS in your estate planning.
Every act of kindness matters. Stand with us in bringing hope, dignity, and care to those who need it most. Let’s build a stronger, more compassionate community—together.