History

1894

• United Hebrew Charities and Hebrew Relief Society

1920’s

• 1922: New name: United Hebrew Society
• 1923: First Board President, Simon Lyon, takes office

Mid-Twentieth Century

• 1933: United Hebrew Society changes name to JSSA
• 1939: JSSA Foster Home
• 1939: Plans underway for a JSSA child welfare program
• 1940: JSSA moves into its first building on Spring Road, DC
• 1942: Jewish Foster Home and JSSA casework staff/services combine
• 1948: JSSA launches its first membership drive, raising $5,000
• 1950’s: JSSA transitions from a relief to social service agency and grows its adoption program.
• 1957: JSSA Child Guidance Clinic opens – DC’s first outpatient center
• 1958: A volunteer training program is established

1960’s

• Group counseling is integrated into JSSA’s services. New programs are  launched including: a foster care and psychiatric care program for  emotionally disturbed children programs and a volunteer  “friend-to-friend” program for troubled youth.
• 1965: JSSA opens branch office in Wheaton Plaza
• 1967: Ground is broken on JSSA’s current Montrose Rd office.
• 1967: JSSA opens a DC resale/consignment shop: Bombé Chest
• 1968: DC race riots: JSSA works with Jewish and black businesses.
• 1968: JSSA also celebrates its 75 birthday
• 1969: JSSA moves into Montrose Rd and closes Wheaton office

1970’s

• JSSA helps form group home for emotionally disturbed teens and hires the agency’s first RN for senior homecare services. JSSA launches a Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister program and aging becomes JSSA’s largest department. A Jewish Family Life Education program is created and family, children, aging, volunteer, refugee depts. are formed.

1980’s

• JSSA sends three social workers to the NOVA JCC and opens a Hyattsville office.
• JSSA’s special needs services expand.
• JSSA sends three social workers to the NOVA JCC and opens a Hyattsville office.
• 1984: JSSA Hospice admits its first patients.
• 1984-1985: JSSA offers pediatric home health and hospice care Board and establishes a DC presence in the new DC JCC.
• 1988: JSSA establishes Jewish Vocational Services (JVS).
• 1989: JSSA’s Himmelfarb Mobile University for seniors is founded.

1990’s

• JSSA launches its Holocaust Survivor program to care for an provide safety net services for frail, poor and ill Holocaust survivors residing in  our community.
• 1991: Annandale, VA office opens.
• 1993: JSSA celebrates a century of caring.
• 1993: JSSA holds its first annual professional symposium.
• 1997: JSSA moves its Gaithersburg office to Firstfield Road.
• 1999: Premier Homecare is launched in Rockville, MD.

2000 – 2010

• JSSA relocates its NoVA office to Fairfax.
• 2001: JSSA’s Transitions respite program is launched and an early childhood intervention program is introduced.
• 2001: JSSA’s Caring Partners program for special needs individuals is created.
• 2005: Capital campaign is launched to raise funds for a new Rockville headquarters. JSSA Hospice celebrates its 20th anniversary.
• 2006: Construction begins on Ina Kay Building, Rockville.
• 2007: Fairfax office space and services are doubled and JSSA and the JCCNV launch “Going Places!” Asperger’s social club.
• 2008: The Ina Kay building, Fallsgrove, Rockville opens its doors.
• 2008: “Think JSSA” branding campaign and new website launched.
• 2008: JSSA’s first Jewish clergy trainings are scheduled.
• 2008: JSSA receives Greater DC Cares Philanthropy Award an the Marriott Spirit to Serve Award honoring JSSA Hospice volunteers.
• 2008: JSSA receives highest 4 star Charity Navigator rating.

2010 – Present

• 2011: JSSA’s pro-bono dental program for Holocaust survivors launched.
• 2011: New Suicide grief and hoarding support programs are launched.
• 2011: The Silver Spring office renovations are completed.
• 2012: JSSA launches Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn platforms. JSSA is featured on the Social History Welfare Project website. A new life coaching program is created, JSSA’s Holocaust Survivor fundraising campaign is launched.
• 2013: JSSA celebrates its 120th birthday and receives the highest 4 star  Charity Navigator rating.
• 2013: JSSA’s Center for Autism Through The Lifespan is launched and the Fallsgrove Shelley Kay Child and Family Center is dedicated. JSSA launches its YouTube account.
• 2013: The Creation of the Holocaust Survivor Community Fund. In 2013, in partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, JSSA created a joint community fund solely dedicated to supporting safety net services for this unique and deserving population.
• In 2013, JSSA Hospice celebrates its 30th anniversary, and has provided care for more than 1,500 terminally ill  patients and support for their family members through a broad range of programs and services.
• 2014: JSSA expanded its work to integrate refugees from Iraq, Iran,  Myanmar (Burma), Somalia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, Ethiopia and Eritrea and other countries where conflicts have displaced millions.
• 2014: JSSA becomes an Autism Waiver Program participant offering  therapeutic integration, adult life planning and family training services.
• In 2014, Vice President Biden announced that there would be a  partnership between agencies serving Holocaust survivors and the AmeriCorps VISTA program. JSSA is honored to be one of the 13 Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA) nationwide whose Holocaust survivor programs are being helped by VISTAs.
• 2014: JSSA earns 4 Star Charity Navigator rating for the 6th consecutive year
• 2014: Todd Schenk, M.Ed., MBA assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2014.
• 2015: JSSA Launches New Pro Bono Eye Care Program for Holocaust Survivors