Today's blog post comes from Jennifer Levitt, our Director of Communications!
Every year, the JFS Communications Department looks forward to producing our Annual Report because it gives us a platform to inform the Los Angeles community about the important and often lifesaving work our agency provides.
My colleagues in the non-profit marketing world are probably scratching their heads…….they like producing an annual report?!?! YES, we love it (minus the fifteen million rounds of edits, obv)! In addition to listing names and financial data, we established a tradition of using photography and other forms of art to bring life into what can otherwise be A LOT of boring text.
The last several years, we were given the opportunity to work with award-winning photographers and artists who generously donated their time and talent by assisting us in providing a window into the lives of those JFS serves. Our creative process typically begins by choosing a theme for the images displayed in the book. Report themes in the past have included profiles and portraits of Survivors of the Holocaust, interviews with volunteers, and art work created by JFS clients.
This year, we decided to call our report “A Day in the Life of JFS”, providing readers with meaningful visuals illustrating what happens around the clock at various JFS programs. We made that decision because one of our greatest challenges in the JFS Communications Department is conveying the breadth of our organization. Whether it’s feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, or protecting the abused--morning, noon, and night, JFS is working to improve the quality of life for our clients. We look at obstacles faced by our clients as a whole – when someone enters the JFS { SOVA Community Food and Resource Center, along with emergency food supplies, counseling, case management and other social support services are also available. That’s a lot to explain (go ahead, try saying all that in 140 characters or less)!
I’m thrilled with the way the book captured both the scope of our services and the positive impact we make on the lives of those in need. Here are some of the images we captured:
On a personal note, one of the things that I enjoy most about working at JFS is that almost no day goes by without learning an important life lesson (including things like how to cook matzo ball soup and the best way to create your own flower arrangement!) Throughout the shoot, I noticed an important commonality among the wide variety of services provided. All of the clients that we met, despite which JFS program door they entered through, were appreciative of the dignity and respect that they were treated with by JFS staff and volunteers. Many of them noted that JFS took the time to STOP and LISTEN to their story. People want to be heard.
I invite you to join me in making time everyday to STOP, put down the iPhone, turn off the TV, hop off the treadmill……… and take time to actively listen to our family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
Special thanks to my friend, Austin Hargrave, the talented photographer whose work is displayed in the book. You can read more about Austin here. Hire him! He rocks.
And don't forget to check out a full copy of the report by clicking here!
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