At Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts (JFSWM), everything starts with a simple belief: every person matters. For over a century, since its founding in 1915, JFSWM has stood as a quiet but powerful force for good—offering help, hope, and healing to individuals and families from all walks of life.

Whether it’s welcoming a newly arrived refugee family, comforting a grieving elder, or cheering on teens at a summer soccer game, JFSWM leads with compassion. Grounded in Jewish values like human dignity and community responsibility, the agency is more than a provider of social services—it’s a place where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

This summer, that mission shines especially bright. Thanks to a generous grant from the City of Springfield, 36 children who recently resettled in the U.S. will spend eight unforgettable weeks at the Springfield JCC Summer Camp. For many of these kids, it’s their first summer in America—a chance to swim, play, laugh, and just be kids. Eight campers will kick off their journey with the JCC’s specialized sports camp before joining their peers for the full camp experience. It’s more than a program—it’s a chance to belong.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen my son smile since we arrived,” one mother shared. “He came home from camp talking about basketball, swimming, and new friends. He feels safe.”

And for teens, the soccer field has become a sanctuary. Through JFSWM’s Soccer Without Borders summer program—supported by a community grant from the Rotary Club of Springfield—young people from countries like Afghanistan, the Congo, and El Salvador come together over a shared love of the game. “Soccer is the one place where our kids instantly feel confident,” one JFSWM staff member said. “They don’t need words. Just the ball.”

But the work of JFSWM goes far beyond summer. Every day, the agency walks alongside people navigating some of life’s most difficult moments. For New Americans, there’s help with housing, job searches, and learning English. For older adults, there’s case management and support to age with dignity at home. For those facing trauma or mental health challenges, JFSWM offers multilingual, culturally sensitive therapy and care.

The agency’s Jewish Life programs—like the ESSEN-tials Kosher Food Program and Jewish Family Service Corps—foster connection, resilience, and community across generations. Whether it’s delivering food before the holidays or gathering for Refugee Shabbat with local synagogues, these moments reflect the deep roots JFSWM has in its values: welcoming the stranger, healing the broken, and lifting each other up.