Families find hope, support and answers at
The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services
(JFCS)

Our Mission

Strengthening the entire Northeast Florida Community by providing support services in the Jewish tradition of “helping people help themselves.”

For over 100 years JFCS has remained true to the mission of helping people help themselves. Families find hope, support and answers at JFCS.

Our Name

In honor of a transformational gift from the DuBow family, Jewish Family & Community Services has officially changed its name to:

The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services

“The children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren, of Laurie Jay DuBow and Linda Jo DuBow are honoring them by making a substantial gift to JFCS. This gift, including the creation of an endowment, will help ensure that JFCS can continue to provide the critical services that people rely on for many years to come. We couldn’t be prouder to carry the name of two such extraordinary individuals, who have meant so much to the agency, to the people we serve, and to our community. ” — Colleen L. Rodriguez, CEO

LJD stands for the shared initials of the DuBow family’s patriarch and matriarch: Lawrence Jay DuBow and Linda Jo DuBow.

A Conversation with Lawrence J DuBow:

Our History

The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) has been a vital part of the Jacksonville Community since 1917, lending a helping hand to people from all walks of life. JFCS was founded in 1917 as United Jewish Charities, and was known for assisting people in need with food and emergency shelter. The Agency is a charter member of United Way, having joined the organization when it was established in 1924 as the Community Chest.

In 1951, we became the only licensed Jewish child-placing agency in the country, placing our first child for adoption in 1953. In 2001, JFCS collaborated with the Boys Home Association to form Family Support Services of North Florida, Inc., the lead agency for the administration of child protection services in Duval & Nassau Counties. In 2003, JFCS began providing a range of community-based child protection services. In 2005, we achieved accreditation through the Council on Accreditation for Children & Family Services.

We Are Proud of Our Reputation

A century is a long time. Here are some recent accomplishments & recognitions …

2001  |  We partnered with Boys’ Home Association to form Family Support Services of North Florida, Inc. (FSS)

2005  |  Achieved accreditation through the Council on Accreditation for Children & Family Services.  This accreditation has been maintained since.

2007  |  Selected by United Way as pilot partner for Achievers for Life drop-out prevention initiative. Selected by the Department of Health & Human Services as a recipient of the national Adoption Excellence Award

2009  |  Selected as pilot partner in United Way / 2-1-1 centralized intake phone number

2010  |  Dupont Counseling Group started doing business as a licensed business division of JFCS

2012  |  Began providing Holocaust Survivor Support services

2013  |  Selected by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation as the sole local recipient of their prestigious Neighborhood Builders Award

2015  |  Selected by the City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Children’s Commission to be a provider of mental health services in the Full
Service School system

2016  |  Recognized by Family Support Service of North Florida as Case Management Organization of the Year for 2015 (and again in 2017)

2017  |  Celebrated a Century of Service to individuals and families in the First Coast. Expanded operations and programs in newly renovated location, the Alan J. Taffet Building, which houses the Chartrand Tolerance Education  Center. Opened the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery in the same building.

2018  |  Completed renovations for the Allison Stein Robbins Building and Max Block Food Pantry.