Jewish Family Services of WNY

What Jewish Family Services of WNY does

Jewish Family Services of WNY is a 501(c)(3) non-profit health and human services organization founded in 1862 and headquartered at 70 Barker Street in Buffalo, New York. Operating across four service sites in Buffalo and Niagara Falls with 51-100 employees, JFS delivers an integrated continuum of community, clinical, and care coordination services to more than 2,000 individuals annually across Western New York. The organization's three divisional pillars are Behavioral Health & Wellness (counseling and medication management, Critical Time Intervention, the Feuerstein Family Center for Behavioral Health), Community Services (refugee resettlement, family support programming, Jewish Community Services, Niagara Falls programs), and Care Coordination & Navigation (Medicaid Health Homes, Social Care Navigation under the 1115 Waiver, Housing Navigation).

The technology stack is modest: a tele-mental health platform supports remote counseling, while program-specific systems underpin evidence-based clinical models such as Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugee Youth (delivered in partnership with Boston Children's Hospital) and Critical Time Intervention (delivered with Erie County Medical Center). Service specialization includes mental and behavioral health (38% of client volume), refugee resettlement (50% of client volume), Holocaust survivor services, and Medicaid care coordination. Most services are provided free of charge or via insurance/Medicaid reimbursement; fundraising events and corporate sponsorships generate supplementary revenue.

Revenue is diversified across federal and state grants (notably a $2M, 5-year SAMHSA grant), philanthropic foundations (Claims Conference, Kavod Shef, Shapiro Foundation, Buffalo Jewish Federation, Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies), Medicaid and insurance reimbursement, individual and corporate donations, and ticketed fundraising events. JFS reaches clients through community referrals, partnerships with healthcare providers and schools, and a multi-channel communications approach spanning its website, social media, newsletters, and annual events. The organization explicitly serves all members of the community regardless of religion, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identification, ability, or age.

Name

Jewish Family Services of WNY

Legal name

Jewish Family Service of Western New York

Website

https://jfswny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1862

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Jewish Family Services of WNY is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1862 in Buffalo, NY, providing integrated behavioral health, refugee resettlement, care coordination, and family support services to more than 2,000 individuals annually across Western New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human and Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Coordination & Case Management (HSABAIAM)

Keywords

• Human social services
• Mental health counseling
• Refugee resettlement
• Care coordination
• Community case management

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Federal/State Funding: JFS receives federal, state, and local government funding to support refugee resettlement, mental health services, and care coordination programs. Federal grants include SAMHSA funding for Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugee Youth and refugee resettlement program support.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization raises funds through annual appeals, capital campaigns, event sponsorships, and direct donations. Donations are tax-deductible as JFS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
3. Medicaid Reimbursement: Care coordination and care management services are provided to Medicaid-eligible clients. The organization accepts all major insurances including Medicare and Medicaid for mental health counseling services.
4. Special Event Revenue: Ticketed events including the annual Matzah Ball gala ($125 per ticket, tables of 10 for $1,250) and Mahjong & Mimosas ($65 per ticket, brunch-only $40) generate revenue and community engagement.
5. Foundation and Federation Support: Support from foundations including the Buffalo Jewish Federation, Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, Claims Conference, and Kavod Shef Initiative funds specific programs including Holocaust Survivor Services and Jewish Community Care.
6. Corporate and Institutional Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support events and programs. Notable sponsors include M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, and sponsors of the Matzah Ball event such as Jefferson and J.P. Private Bank, CMYK/Withum, JCC Buffalo, Lawley, and West Herr.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Jewish Family Services of WNY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit human services organization providing community, clinical, and care coordination services to more than 2,000 individuals annually across Western New York. The agency delivers mental health counseling, refugee resettlement and extended case management, Medicaid care coordination, family support programming, Jewish community services, and Holocaust survivor services, serving clients regardless of religion, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identification, ability, or age.

Product overview

Jewish Family Services of WNY operates as a non-profit human services organization offering a comprehensive suite of community, clinical, and care coordination services. The organization's integrated service model is organized into three main divisions: Behavioral Health & Wellness (including Counseling & Medication Management, Critical Time Intervention, and the Feuerstein Family Center for Behavioral Health), Community Services (including Family Support Programming, Jewish Community Services, Refugee Services, Career Services, and Niagara Falls programs), and Care Coordination & Navigation. Key specialized programs include Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugee Youth, Holocaust Survivor Services, the Jewish Community Partnership Program, Housing Navigation, and Social Care Navigation. Services are provided by professional staff with volunteer support across Western New York, with locations in Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The organization serves clients regardless of religion, ethnicity, cultural background, gender identification, ability, or age.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Counseling & Medication Management Evidence-based, culturally responsive mental and behavioral health treatment for clients age 5 and older facing trauma, eating disorders, problem gambling, depression, anxiety, grief, and other emotional concerns, including individual therapy and psychiatric medication management.
• Care Coordination & Navigation Free care coordination and social care navigation for NYS Medicaid-eligible clients with qualifying chronic health conditions, including housing navigation, tenancy sustaining services, and 1115 Waiver programming linking individuals to nutrition, housing, mental health, and social care resources.
• Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Time-limited, tiered support program partnering with Erie County Medical Center that provides transitional care management, counseling linkages, and housing assistance for clients leaving the Emergency Room or inpatient psychiatric stays, pairing each client with a nurse, Peer Mentors, and a dedicated Case Manager.
• Refugee Services Comprehensive refugee resettlement services including initial reception and placement, health promotion, extended case management through Preferred Communities, RSSP, Matching Grant, NYSESRP, Ukrainian Initial Services, Afghan Supportive Services, and Refugee and Entrance Assistance for Cuban and Haitian Parolees, lasting from 90 days to 24 months after arrival.
• Recovery Employment Program Employment support program for adults aged 18+ in Niagara County in active recovery from opioid use disorder and/or mental health diagnosis with substance use disorder, providing comprehensive case management, career exploration, employer connections, and interview support.
• Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugee Youth (TST-R) Multi-phased mental health initiative for refugee youth including outreach, clinical youth therapy, family-based support services, and cultural brokering for Bhutanese, Somali, Congolese, Iraqi, and Syrian communities, supported by Boston Children's Hospital's evidence-based Trauma Systems Therapy model.
• Family Support Programming Parenting education and family support grounded in the 5 Protective Factors framework, offering evidence-based curricula including The Incredible Years for Parents of Babies, Toddlers, Pre-Schoolers, and School-Aged Children, Tuning into Teens, and Attachment Vitamins, along with childcare navigation, peer network programming, women's empowerment groups, and basic needs assistance.
• Jewish Community Services Specialized services for the Jewish community in Western New York including Holocaust Survivor Services with Claims Conference Supplemental Hardship Funds, Jewish Community Partnership Program providing extra emotional support for college and synagogue members, Jewish Community Care Coordination, Jewish Community Compassion Fund providing emergency relief (average awards of $1,500), and coordination at Jewish Federation Apartments for older adults.
• Construction Trades Training Program Pilot training program in partnership with Laborers Local 210 providing new Americans and refugees pathways into construction trades careers, combining physical training requirements with culturally sensitive modules and improved language access.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2,000 individuals served annually through community, clinical, and care coordination services
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Laborers Local 210coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2023$30,000 state grant administered by OCFS created a pilot construction trades training program connecting new Americans and refugees with Laborers Local 210. Program combines physical training requirements with culturally sensitive modules and improved language access, offering pathways to middle-class employment.
• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2022JFNA led the establishment of the Ukrainian sponsorship initiative and collaborated with The Shapiro Foundation. JFS was one of six U.S. cities initially selected to play a technical support role for displaced Ukrainians. JFNA provided funding and coordination for sponsorship circles and behavioral health services, bringing overall total to $250,000 with local matching.
• Buffalo Jewish FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2022Local partner providing matching funds for the Ukrainian sponsorship program and ongoing funding for the Jewish Community Care program. Supported the JFNA/Shapiro Foundation match requirement.
• NFTA (Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2022Partnership to teach refugee clients how to use Buffalo's public transit system (bus and Metro Rail) for accessing services, medical appointments, job interviews, and community integration. NFTA volunteers provide hands-on transit training.
• Erie County Child Protective Services (CPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Launched partnership in April 2022 to educate refugee parents and caregivers about child protection mechanisms in the U.S. and how to work with CPS to prevent family separation. First workshop held at Vive Shelter.
• West Side Community Services (WSCS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 December 2021Food security partnership enabled by a $30,000 grant from the New York Immigration Coalition. WSCS provides culturally appropriate food including halal meat through its existing food pantry to immigrant communities in Buffalo's West Side zip codes.
• Western New York Refugee & Asylee Consortium (WNYRAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021Five-organization consortium comprising Catholic Charities of Buffalo, International Institute of Buffalo, Jericho Road Community Health Center, Jewish Family Services of Western New York, and Journey's End Refugee Services. Launched Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees campaign in September 2021, raising $950,000 to support 650+ Afghan evacuees. Consortium members collaborate on refugee resettlement, sharing resources, advocacy, and coordinated service delivery across Western New York.
• Catholic Charities of BuffalocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021One of five members of the Western New York Refugee & Asylee Consortium. Collaborated on the Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees campaign to support evacuee resettlement in Buffalo.
• International Institute of BuffalocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021One of five members of the Western New York Refugee & Asylee Consortium. Collaborated on Afghan evacuee resettlement and received final $50,000 donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the campaign.
• Jericho Road Community Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021One of five members of the Western New York Refugee & Asylee Consortium. Provides healthcare and trauma support for evacuees and refugees resettling in Buffalo.
• Journey's End Refugee ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021One of five members of the Western New York Refugee & Asylee Consortium. Primary resettlement agency for refugees and special immigrant visa holders in Western New York.
• Boston Children's Hospital Center for Trauma and Community ResiliencecoreTechnology or Integration · 15 July 2021Serves as consultant and provider of the evidence-based Trauma Systems Therapy model for the TST-R program. Provides clinical guidance for the multi-phased initiative addressing refugee youth mental health.
• Best Self Behavioral HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2021Local partnership for referral and community access supporting TST-R program for refugee youth mental health services.
• Joblio, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational recruiting company whose founder was once a refugee resettled by JFS. Identified Ukrainian families needing support and referred them to JFS for resettlement assistance.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of Buffalo: One of the five WNYRAC consortium members alongside JFS, Catholic Charities of Buffalo delivers overlapping refugee resettlement, mental health counseling, case management, and family-support services in the same Western New York market, with shared clients and shared competition for foundation grants.
• International Institute of Buffalo: WNYRAC consortium peer and co-recipient of Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees funding, providing refugee resettlement, case management, and ESL/employment services in Western New York — the same client segments and the same funding pools as JFS.
• Journey's End Refugee Services: Designated primary refugee resettlement agency for Western New York and a WNYRAC consortium partner; competes directly with JFS for refugee arrivals, Preferred Communities funding, and resettlement case-management contracts.
• Jericho Road Community Health Center: WNYRAC consortium peer operating an FQHC and family-support programming (Vive Shelter collaboration) for refugees and immigrants in Buffalo's West Side; competes for the same Medicaid, foundation, and refugee-health funding lines as JFS.
• Best Self Behavioral Health: Largest community-behavioral-health provider in Western New York and named TST-R referral partner; offers overlapping outpatient mental-health and substance-use services to similar Medicaid and indigent populations in the same geography.
• Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles: Network peer operating an analogous JFS model — clinical mental health, care coordination, refugee/immigrant services, Holocaust survivor support, and family programming — providing a directly comparable scale benchmark for JFS of WNY.
• Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia: Federation-affiliated JFS agency offering behavioral health, refugee resettlement, older-adult services (including Holocaust survivor care), and family support — a near-identical service mix to JFS of WNY at a different scale and geography.
• Jewish Family Service of Chicago: Chicago-area JFS agency offering counseling, refugee and immigration services, older-adult care, and case management — same divisional framework (community/clinical/care coordination) as JFS of WNY, scaled to a larger urban market.

Broad incumbents

• HIAS: The Jewish-founded global refugee resettlement agency with national footprint, providing matching grants and operational standards to JFS agencies; sets policy and best-practice benchmarks that constrain and guide JFS of WNY's refugee programming.
• International Rescue Committee: National and global refugee resettlement and humanitarian aid incumbent; competes with JFS for federal refugee arrivals funding, foundation grants, and policymaker attention while operating at a vastly broader scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/jfswny
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jfsbuffalo
• Instagraminstagram.com/jfswny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Jewish Family Services of WNY