Federation Employment Guidance Service-Closed for Operations

Going to this agency was well, I know a lot of people use the term the "worst experience of my life" yet this is where a turn in my life for the worse was made a number of years now & still trying to recover.
I went to satellite officein Long Island to what I thought, work a normal case management job. I ended up being raped by a director & when reported I was told by my supervisor he's being doing this (as he had done to her,the supervisor, for over 14 years.) A number of girls more then 3 besides the supervisor at the time came foward to me(we were all in our eairly 20's except supervisor however at time of her assult she was not far from that age) However they saw what I was going through with FEGS &said thats why they just left & didn't report. They did fire him,however I was treated as if I disrupted the status quo. Most people don't like change but that supervisor treated me the worse. Looking back being lied to, treated like a leper was bad.However the worse was how I was treated by a reputable SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY, who deals with rape when it happened under their roof treated me. I write this just for others, just because your in a safe environment doesn't mean BAD STUFF CAN'T HAPPEN. KEEP YOUR EYES &EARS OPEN AT ALL TIMES.

Going to FEGS was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I was misdiagnosed and mistreated for two illnesses since I began to get sick when I was thirteen years old and in early 2000 (at age 30) I was correctly diagnosed and started treatment and surgeries to get my self back into life. Having been out of life for over a decade and a half I thought that I would contact Jewish Organizations so I sent out letters explaining my situation to nearly a dozen of these top Jewish organizations in May 2001. You can imagine how tough it is without a solid job history or accomplishments socially or academically. My parents were survivors of the Holocaust and I had gone to Yeshiva but over the years I had become a secular Jew. My father had died in a car accident and subsequently I lost my sister- all I had left was an ailing mother. After a month I received no reply from anyone, except in June I got a call from the executive secretary of Jonas Waizer the CFO of FEGS asking me to come down for a meeting.

Now in the letters that I mailed out all I asked was for was advice, guidance, mentoring... No request was made for monetary assistance or anything else. I just wanted help in getting back into life. I even provided physician letters corroborating my conditions. Well I met Dr. Waizer at his executive office at Hudson st- entering the separate executive building entrance and elevator. I spent nearly a half an hour with him as he talked about himself and I added some details regarding my predicament. I was 31 years old and neither myself nor my family had ever asked for help from anyone before and we never were on any type of assistance. During the meeting Gail Magaliff (the CEO of FEGS) came in and sat down on Dr. Waizer's couch. He spoke to her about my situation and asked her if she had any ideas. She sat there for a minute in silence and simply got up and left the room. Finally Dr. Waizer showed me to the door and told me that he would be in touch. I waited a month and a half and no one got back to me, so in early August of 2001 I called his office and was told that he was on vacation and there was no message for me. I left a message on his answering machine and by the end of August 2001 I got a call to come down to FEGS at Hudson street again.

In the final days of August 2001, I met with a woman at the FEGS executive office who signed me up for something she called "benefits" and she said she would help me get them. Well I was fast tracked by FEGS into SSI/SSD, Foodstamps, Medicare and Medicaid... In less than two months I got all these "benefits". I got these things that I never asked for. I assumed that NYC has such a large Jewish population that there must be some organization that could provide training, guidance, and mentoring in order so I could get back into life itself. So why call me for a meeting in the first place when I never even wrote to FEGS ? I never even heard of FEGS before. At first I thought maybe this was a fluke but I soon learned from others that this was standard practice at FEGS. In retrospect I should have declined these "gifts" and "benefits" as the woman described them, and continued looking for some help in getting a foothold back in society. Instead these "benefits" did just the opposite- dependence, isolation, and marginalization from society and life.

But the real tragedy is that for secular Jews in America there is NO ONE and NO Organization that will really help another secular Jew and secular Jews know this very well. And this is a major reason why so many American Jews are abandoning their identity as Jews. Yes religious organizations and people were willing to help me ONLY if I returned to being Orthodox- which I was not willing to do. I was not willing to lie and claim that I was religious and do the opposite. It is so sad since over the years I have met many young secular American Jews who are in deep trouble and they are drowning from mental and physical ailments or from some unfortunate circumstances of life itself. In the "system" they have no where to go but down. There is NO future for secular non-affiliated Jews in NYC and America because they know that for all the talk there is NOTHING behind it. It is everyone for themselves; As long as my immediate family is doing fine who cares about other Jews. The leadership today has failed as they did in the past. What is worse is that now they have all the means and the where with all to really turn the tide. This is NOT the case for the Orthodox communities who tend to help one another advance in life. Look for yourself: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/us/poll-shows-major-shift-in-identity-of-us-jews.html?_r=0

It is even more ironic since in NYC American Jews as an ethnic group have reached such levels of accomplishments in virtually all areas of society, business, science, and culture. Yet as in the Holocaust, leadership -both secular and clergy have failed Jews in desperate need. FEGS from my experience as with other Jewish organizations does little or nothing for American Jews except direct them to government programs. According to Federal statistics 98% of people on Disability are on it for life. Only 2% get off. FEGS made me (someone who was independent and just getting by) dependent for life. I recall a social worker years ago starting out a sentence saying "You Jews..." as if we are one of some cohesive group that is symbiotically related to one another.

This is nonsense since nothing has changed since the Holocaust where average Jews had no chance against the Nazis and fought one another against each other. Today is the same where each one is interested in his own affairs and as long as I am okay and my kids are okay then everything is fine. As long as that other village or town full of Jews is being shot and driven into open pits who cares since it is not happening in my village or town. Secular American Jews know that there is no community at all for them and sadly they lose their identity and even interest in Israel and the Holocaust. Endless amount of money is spent on memorializing the Holocaust/Israel and rightly so but what about young American secular Jews living today? Imagine if a private Jewish organization arose to provide this population with a real genuine community and center for return and assistance? Nah! that would never happen with all these non-profit business models that really are job programs that really help the people who work there-NOT the people who really desperately need real help. It is not surprising that recent demographics in NYC secular Jewish population numbers are dwindling. They are dying breed.

Are we our brother's keeper? No, and FEGS should be ashamed of itself with its phony website claims and public relations publicity and propaganda outreach that purports to be one thing and really is another. Handing off people to gov't programs, food stamps, SSI/SSD, Medicare, Medicaid, assigning a case worker and a psychiatrist to drug and manage case load... Is that the Jewish way to help people become INDEPENDENT? The goal of a non-profit is to put itself out of business by accomplishing its mission statement not perpetuating peoples suffering and misery for its own benefit and growth. FEGS is a monster that feeds off the misery and suffering of others. The more people are on disability and government programs the better for FEGS because that is how they get payed-from its target audience who is forever on government programs for life.

FEGS is a FRAUD and is the ENRON of NON-PROFITS. Federation Employment Guidance Services used to be an excellent organization that served the Jewish community in NYC by providing training and guidance in getting immigrants integrated into all aspects of American life. They had mentoring, training, provided guidance, internships, work-study programs, apprenticeships and almost everything needed to achieve social and economic self-sufficiency. However since the early 70's FEGS started to abandon this unique comprehensive delivery model that made people INDEPENDENT and flourish as human beings. Actually FEGS does the opposite of what its current mission statement claims. FEGS does little if any training and guidance and actually is designed to make people become DEPENDENT on government programs. FEGS now acts as a referral service that gets people on government "benefits" so that FEGS can BILL Medicare and Medicaid. FEGS is very efficient in NYC for taking New Yorkers who were on city and state government programs and switching them to Federal government programs. So FEGS is funded by tax payer money and then refers New Yorkers to government tax payer programs and bills tax payers for that service. Make sense? For the FEGS employee it does since some 5,000 employees make over $50,000 + a year plus lots of benefits. It is a JOB PROGRAM for the people who work at FEGS: never mind that they don't help people become INDEPENDENT and just manage caseloads.

In 2007 an independent non-profit group analyzed Welfare to Work vendors like FEGS and found that few if any clients were able to gain employment despite paying vendors like FEGS hundreds of millions dollars over the years.

Just read the report: http://www.cvhaction.org/sites/default/files/Missing%20the%20Mark%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf

FEGS is very good at public relations -that is marketing, promoting and advertising itself with its sleek and flashy website but don't be fooled because FEGS employs at least two dozen employees to promote FEGS in every type of media possible. Ignore FEGS propaganda and just go to any FEGS office, stay outside and ask people coming in and out of their office buildings whether they help people to become INDEPENDENT. You will find that for clients of FEGS it is an bitter roller coaster of musical chairs.

FEGS's target is the mentally ill (MI), developmentally challenged, and elderly and infirm. These people need government programs, effective treatment and supervision. As far as the mentally ill is concerned I wonder how many FEGS MI patients are able to achieve independence by remission or improvement in their condition? FEGS's is model is no different than other non-profits that serve the MI which is complex poly-pharmacy of psychotropic medications with an assigned case manager with a less than 2% chance on getting of disability and entering the world. 98% of people on disability stay on it for a lifetime which means becoming a life long client of FEGS so they bill bill and bill without regard to outcome. Poor outcomes in a way is good for FEGS since once a client always a client of FEGS. So who cares if FEGS's MI "consumers" of services get better just bill bill and bill.

Considering that FEGS does so poorly at achieving its mission statement of making people self-sufficient and independent, it executives make great money: the CEO makes a cool $650K, and the other big shots make between $200K and $400k a year. Shocking since almost all their clients have ZERO income. FEGS forgot its mission and its core values and has for profit companies like HR dynamics and All Sector Technology Group which brings in millions of dollars a year. FEGS has OFF SHORE Bank accounts in Europe and the Caribbean. And All Sector's market is a multi-billion dollar one for cloud computing and cyber security with 5% of its shares owned by FEGS insiders. So are all those profits from the FEGS's for profit companies being funneled through off shore bank accounts?

Don't believe what FEGS says and look at all the other reviews for FEGS on guidestar- nearly ALL of them have been written by FEGS's previous or current employees. How dishonest is that. FEGS DOES NOT HELP PEOPLE BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT OR INDEPENDENT quite the opposite and it does not have high quality and cost efficient services nor does it have any special comprehensive delivery service model. They help people get on government programs for life so they can bill medicaid, medicare and get contracts like the welfare to work ones. Who cares if their "clients" get anywhere or go nowhere.

FEGS is a giant bureaucracy that is a giant JOBS program that takes advantage of the opportunies available to "serve" the mentally ill, jobless, homeless, aged by their unique "Health and Human Services System". According to their latest 990 they recieve $112,018,230 a year nearly entirely from the U.S. government (US taxpayers). FEGS's Salary and Pension plans amount to almost $121,000,000 a year! One "employee" named Alfred P. Miller recieved $2,170,301 that year. The only people that FEGS really helps is it's own "workers" with large salaries for it's senior staff. ONE HOUR FOR LUNCH ALWAYS. 448 of it's staff make OVER $50,000 a year. The Senior VP Gladys Siff makes over $350,000 a year! Nearly ALL the REVIEWS here are written by FEGS employees. They operate a home attendant and homecare nonprofits so if you need a job as a low payed health care worker they can get you a job, otherwise just go to WORKFORCE ONE. They spend millions on lobbying. Their biggest and most successful program is getting "benefits" for people. That is right they simply direct people to foodstamps, SSI, SSD, welfare, medicaid, medicare, housing programs... Actually the worse the economic situation the "better" FEGS does for itself. If you are a critic of FEGS their PR department will roll out examples of the hopeless and helpless that they saved! In a jobless economy FEGS has nothing to offer except a "program" funded by the U.S. Government and employeed by FEGS workers. FEGS TRADEMARKED "PARTNERSHIPS FOR A CHANGING WORLD" AND BRINGING RESOURSES TO PEOPLE AND BUSINESS". THEY TAKE YOUR TAXPAYER MONEY AND CREATE JOBS FOR THEMSELVES. They spent $2,000,000 for a fundraiser and came out $80,000 in the RED.

I was interested in finding a job as a medical assistant, but I was having trouble finding an open position. I came to FEG and the job developer sent me on an interview almost right away. I received the job, and I am very happy to be working in my chosen field. *review written from job developer's email

I came to FEGS's Brooklyn Resource Center because I was out of work and needed help finding a job. The employment counselor found me a great job as an office manager at an electric company. As a way of giving back and thanking FEGS, I help place clients from the Brooklyn Resource Center in the company that I now work for. *review written from employment counselor's email

I came to FEGS with my husband for the Healthy Marriage Program. After one of the sessions we confided in our case manager about our difficult financial situation. I was looking for a job to support myself and my husband, because he was sick and unable to work. I was referred to a job developer who sent me to free Home Health Aid training classes. After training I got a job as a Home Health Aid. FEGS found that my husband was eligible for SSI and SCRIE Program. Today I am working and my husband collects SSI. We are very grateful to FEGS and our case manager for the help in our time of need. *review written from case manager's email.

I came to FEGS in 2003 for employment services. I have been on unemployment for a few months at that time and really needed to find a job. I attended DCIC School and several students recommended that I visit the FEGS location in Brooklyn. Here I met a wonderful Employment Counselor who in two short weeks found me a job at Abigail Press Inc. as a manager with great benefits. Unfortunately, after four years the company moved and I once again was out of a job. I came back to FEGS to see their Employment Counselor, Olga, who recommended me for a job at FEGS's Brooklyn location as a Program Assistant. I successfully passed the interview with the office manager, and recieved a job offer. I have been working for FEGS for the past year and a half. I am very greatful to FEGS and their Employment Counselors for their help in my time of need.

Seeking employment for several months I was referred to FEGS by a family friend. This friend forwarded my Resume to an FEGS staff member. On the same day my Resume was forwarded the staff member called me, explained about an open position and asked if I was interested. Within the hour the Organization hiring called me and an interview was set for the following day. Within two weeks I was hired.

I have worked for F∙E∙G∙S for over 12 years, and have been fortunate to work in different offices and different programs. For 7 years I worked for a wonderful woman, Gladys Siff, Senior Vice President, and one of the many things she was responsible for was being the Inspector General. In her capacity as Inspector General, she interacted with every division within the agency. During that time I was able to get to know most of what the agency does and how the different divisions work. The common denominator between all of F∙E∙G∙S is the goal to treat each person we serve with dignity and respect, while providing the services they need, no matter what service they need. On a daily basis, that goal is overwhelmingly met. I now work for another wonderful woman, Kathy Rosenthal, Vice President, Family Services and Long Island Regional Operations. Working with Kathy has given me the opportunity to see yet another side of F∙E∙G∙S. I have learned so much about the many different programs that are offered here. My co-workers often go above and beyond what is expected. If there is a need, they try to meet it and often come up with creative ways to do so. I can see the joy on the faces of those who are receiving assistance as well as on those who are giving it. It’s nice to know we make a difference. F∙E∙G∙S continues to look for ways to serve the community. New programs are introduced as the need arises. F∙E∙G∙S is in constant motion, changing when necessary and yet is a constant in the community.

I became aware of F∙E∙G∙S through a flyer posted in my library when I was searching for a job after having been laid off more than 14 years ago. The flyer was for the Displaced Homemaker program. After placing a call to them, I was accepted into the program where I was able to update my computer skills and gain the confidence to go out on interviews. Upon completion of the program I was very fortunate to be hired by F∙E∙G∙S as a per diem employee. Several months later I was hired as a part-time employee and eventually as a full-time employee. F∙E∙G∙S turned out to be a godsend in my time of need. I am now starting my 15th year with F∙E∙G∙S and have witnessed its tremendous growth. When you hear words of appreciation from people who have received help from F∙E∙G∙S you know we are definitely doing something right.

I am employee of FEGS. Though there are many wonderful programs, my favorite is the Volunteer program in Syosset, NY. I see how dedicated the staff are in their pursuit to help individuals and families for their day to day needs, as well as making sure that they have what they need in order to celebrate holidays. They also make sure that children have school supplies at the beginning of the school year to ensure that they get off to a good start. Their projects are not limited to this, but are an everyday work in progress.

I have been an educator for over twenty years and at the present time work in the Central office of the Board of Education.

FEGS help the commnities to develop innovative programs to meet the commnities needs.FEGS is the largest not-for-profit health related and human services organization in the U S A.

I have a very good relationship with my therapist in the FEGS clinic and they referred mre to manhattan IPRT program.They helped me with suggestions to deal with my medical problems too. I find the IPRT program invigorating and time goes fast, it activates my mind and keeps me going everyday. I have hope that things will be better in my life. I look forward to coming in here everyday. It's a clean facility and everything is run properly and in good control. I enjoy the com- raderie of my peers. The staff is very professional and treat people with respect and I find them very uplifting. I enjoy the yoga, brain-gym/cognitive skills groups and wellness groups and weekend planning group. I want to get back to work and I like that they help people get back on their feet and add more meaning to their life. I can't say enough positive things about this place.

I have been working towards my goal of employment at FEGS Manhattan IPRT Program and been going to exposure activities to learn about different resources. I attended different consumers forums with staff and learned alor. I have also made a lot of friends since I have been coming to the program. IPRT and the staff is helpful and attentive. Everyone on the program staff is nice and caring. I llok forward to coming to IPRT. We help each other and exchange ideas in the groups. The staff, interns and clients get along like a family. In IPRT we care about each other and the staff does its best to help us with our goals.

I've been working at FEGS for more than 25 years. I've also worked at several other nonprofit organizations. FEGS is definitely an excellent example of a superior Health and Human Services Agency dedicated to helping those in need. It's diverse staff reflects the make-up of it's clientele. The multiple services from rehabilitation to thereapy to employment is very challenging to manage effectively. The management and staff are committed to doing their best to fulfill the mission of the agency.

My experience is rthat I havwe been coming to FEGS Manhattan IPRT for over a year now and it has been a wonderful experience for me. I have improved my social skills and become a more well rounded person. I have been able to deal better with my symptoms and feel I am progressing in my recovery. Working with the staff has been rewarding because thety are very easy to work with and they help me with making better decisions to improve the quality of my life. I have already received help in accomplishing my housing goal and now I llok forward to achieving my goal in education, going back to college. I have met peers in the program who have become my good friends.

I enjoy coming to FEGS IPRT in the morning because the program works for me. FEGS has given me hope and endurance. The team of staff members has encouraged me today by helping me learn skills I need for a independent living goal in housing and the group counseling has helped me accomplish socializing and educated me to accomplish my future goals.

We have only one very simple reason to admire and respect FEGS - our oldest daughter has devoted hereself to FEGS professionally and personally. She is a dedicated, smart, hard working and capable individual with many various opportunities for success. She has choosen FEGS as her career. FEGS is very lucky to have our daughter as a member of its staff.

One of the greatest pleasures of my life has been the almost 50 years the Bleier family has been associated with F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services systems. While continuing to be a major factor in assisting New Yorks find employment and employment counseling and guidance, including supported employment, it has become a major factor in assisting those with developmental disabilities and mental illness. FEGS has done so with care and compassion. It has enriched the life of seniors with a program to support senior art and has be a partner with the New York City School system helping to prevent student dropouts and sponsoring 3 high schools, significantly improving graduation rates. FEGS helps over 100,000 New Yorkers each year and is the gold standard of care in each of the areas in which it operates. It is a true treasure to the people of New York.

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE Over the last year I've had the privilege to interface with FEGS and some of the most sensitive and caring professionals I've ever been exposed to. My daughter, Carol Hoverman (who is developmentally disabled) and my family have been working with these FEGS professionals to find support for Carol in a broad range of support services. As I'm sure you know, the challenges any family faces with a member with Carol's issues is immense and it takes an organization with the experience and genuine caring of FEGS to navigate the many minefields that this family dynamic presents. The FEGS organization and its incredible staff have sorted out the real issues, prioritized the many steps needed to advance Carol's case, followed through on EVERY detail this process requires, and most importantly have made Carol comfortable with the progress that is being made. I for one have been both impressed with the FEGS organization and for the first time in more years than I care to admit, am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel for Carol's future well being. Jim Hoverman 444 Bedford Apt. 1R Stamford, Ct. 06901 203-967-3037 cell 646-239-5433 jjhbcmg@aol.com

I hold a MSc.Ed. degree and I have been an FEGS employee since October 2, 1979 and each year has been more exciting and special than than the previous one. I started by career at FEGS in the Business School as an instructor and Chair of the evaluation team. I worked with hundreds of consumers that the FEGS team prepared for competitive employment. I continued my work with refugees from the former Soviet Union by heading the Refugee Employment Project. Once again assisting thousands of newcomers to become citizens and productive members of their new society. I remained in the Employment Services Division as Program Director of countless employment initiatives. Once again in 2009 FEGS responds to the needs of consumers with comprehensive employment services for every population impacted by the serious and very severe downturn in the economy. FEGS continues to meet the needs of business and our society with a vision to imagine a better future. It has been my priviledge to be a partner in this mission for the past thirty years and hope to continue to do my part for FEGS and our society.

I have been a Board member for over 25 years as was my father who served as President in the 70s. I am always amazed at the services our outstanding staff provides to an ever increasing number of consumers. The management continues to find new ways to help people in need.

I have been a donor to FEGS for the past 5 years in the form of providing scholarships to young people that FEGS has chosen that best embodied the requirements of the scholarships. The counseling, training and mentoring that FEGS provided these wonderful and remarkable recipients made a difference in their lives as they struggled through many hardships in their young lives. If it were not for FEGS these recipients would not have been as successful as they were. Thanks to the exceptional management and staff of this wonderful organization for fulfilling the hopes of these recipients and for perfectly fulfilling the intent of the scholarships I have been proud to give. I hope to be able to continue to provide FEGS with these scholarships in memory of a wonderful educator who would be equally proud of these recipients and of the works of this organization.

I am an intern at FEGS and am having an amazing learning experience. The staff is supportive and really works as a team to help clients as efficiently as possible.

I have beeen involved with FEGS for over 25 years. It is an exceptional organization with the great executive staff and support team.

I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization for the past fourteen years. This Agency is a people agency, who lives up to its mission statement; and it is the best in New York City. This Agency has peoples' wellbeing at heart and has shown it through the servises they offered. Personally, I cannot think of a better place to work,learn, and continue to grow as a professional and as a person.

The decision to move into Social Work, more a vocation, came after a 15+ year career in corporate marketing and public relations in Miami and New York. The corporate experience, although excellent, left me with the desire to give back - to be more involved, with ultimately a life of service being the primary motivation. A part of my professional/personal mission is to integrate the best of the corporate experience with a philosophy of service and a goal of creating an optimal environment where PEOPLE and SERVICE are the priorities. The FEGS Behavioral Health Division has helped to make that a reality. FEGS has provided the opportunity to integrate the best of the corporate model with a philosophy of service, keeping people a priority. FEGS successfully integrates the paradigm of care for the person with the practical realities of the modern world...these coalesce, creating a strong and vital organization poised to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

My mother has been working for F.E.G.S. for over 15 years, and through it all F.E.G.S. has made an impact on my life. Besides having a happily employed mother, I received a $1000 scholarship from them two years in a row for my undergraduate education at RPI. In addition, I was employed by F.E.G.S. for one summer through the Hillel CLIP program. The experience I had working with developmentally disabled people is one that I will never forget. The staff at F.E.G.S. are caring and hard-working people that deserve recognition. Thanks to the experience I gained working at F.E.G.S. and the scholarships they awarded to me, I got into a reputable school with some financial aid, and received my Bachelor's in Science in 2007. I received my Master's in Science this year, and am working toward a Ph.D in biomedical sciences. Although there are other contributions to my academic success, F.E.G.S will always stick out in my mind as one of the major factors.

I am proud to be employed by FEGS. I often tell people that I have grown-up in this agency. For the last 21 years I have worked in the Developmental Disabilities Division and I have been having a wonderful time. I began my work as a per-diem staff member in 1987, it is now 2009. I can not think of a better place to work, play, learn and continue to grow both as a professional and person. I am what we at FEGS refer to as a "Lifer". I am in it for the long haul.

I have provided training to the FEGS education division and have always been impressed with the professionalism of their staff, the commitment to students, and the high quality of services provided in their programs.

I have been involved with FEGS for three years. I am always impressed by how they deal with their volunteers.... You are always told how much you are appreciated and given the proper amount of back up for the job you are doing for them. My only criticism is that they are a little too bureaucratic.....you have to go through too many layers to get a decision about anything. Too much red tape for a non profit org.

The competent and dedicated staff at F.E.G.S. provide a variety of services for individuals with all kinds of disadvantages. These services are easily accessible for consumers through the organization's various branches in the Greater New York area. In my experience, F.E.G.S. adheres to high work ethics and discipline, thus it is a great atmosphere to volunteer or work in. It is also dedicated to train student interns and strives to make the internship a valuable learning experience for them.

Coming from the profit world I became an employee of FEGS 15 years ago. As a member of the management team I have had the opportunity to observe the wonderful services FEGS provides. Not to simplify but if i was asked to briefly describe what FEGS provides I would say that they "help people in need". In good times and bad they are there to serve. FEGS truly exemplifies a Health and Human Services organization. Be it health concerns, job training & assistance, counseling or assisting the challanged population, FEGS has a program available to assist. On a personal level the same assistance is there for employees in time of need. FEGS has become a huge organziation that has not forgoten its core values and goals, to assist people.

I am a private consultant (fee-for-service) and have provided social work services for many organizations in NYC, and after almost of five years of association with F.E.G.S., am still regularly impressed with the various services provided and the quality. When I meet with a client and wish that a program existed to assist with his/her particular needs, I inevitably learn that F.E.G.S. has such a program. For example, I have a client on Disability who would like to work, but is afraid of history repeating itself and losing everything if he becomes psychiatrically unstable again, and knows he cannot manage the stress of long hours and little flexibility. Two e-mails later he was off to an orientation for others with the same issue. Another client of mine mentioned that she wished we had some sort of health-related group at the clinic to minimize issues related to metabolic syndrome, exacerbated by some of the medications our Clinic clients are on. One meeting with my supervisor and we started a Wellness Group right here a few weeks later. It's wonderful to be associated with such a client-centered organization such as F.E.G.S.

I have been proud to be involved with FEGS and the wonderful work they do.Their Partners In Dignity Program has provided services to people at the end of life and the chronically ill.This program provides services in the home by doing counseling, bringing food from the FEGS pantry,and friendly volunteers. This is a unique program that has brought smiles to many home bound people struggling to survive.

I have been involved in the FEGS "Suited for Work" program. We have provided appropriate interview outfits for a number of people who are trying to enter or reenter the job market. The look on their face when they are able to go home with a wonderful outfit, and the way they stand taller and prouder when wearing the cloths is amazing. The program is great and it is so rewarding

I have worked for FEGS for over 10 years and have worked for various capacities. I can truly say that this has truly been a most rewarding life experience. FEGS is committed to helping individuals attain self-sufficiency by assisting the hard-to-serve population with skills training and employment services. FEGS has afforded me the opportunity to extend its agency mission through the meaningful work that I and so many contribute day-to-day. The measure of its success is witnessed everyday when individuals report to work and are able to provide for their families. FEGS could benefit from engaging in more professional development trainings and strongly encouraging employees to obtain higher education.

The "Suited for Work" program provides much needed support for the clients seeking employment. It is most gratifying to be able to "outfit" men and women and witness the change in attitude that comes with looking good.

As a newly hired AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, I seem to be continually amazed at all of the absolutely amazing programs and people within the greater FEGS Health and Human Services system. The number and diversity of people that FEGS helps is truly astounding and I am proud to be part of the team here at FEGS!

FEGS has been so helpful. I am only a student intern, but I feel respected by all of the employees at FEGS. I know that they appreciate the work that I do and I have gained wonderful experience in these few short months.

I have been with F.E.G.S. for the past 5 years and I can honestly express that our Mission Statement has demonstrated to be successful and continualy inspiring others to surpass all of lifes challenges.

I have had the privilege of working at and with FEGS for over 28 years: first, as an executive of the agency, then as the exec of a national organization of which FEGS was an esteemed member and finally as an exec at a funding source and accrediting body of the agency With each experience I have been struck by FEGS's ability to respond to the needs of people in the Greater New York community as well as in other countries. Whether responding to the needs of the unemployed, virtually every type of disability, including persons with addiction, mental illness, autism, deafness, and single parent families, FEGS has been in the forefront of service delivery, program and policy development and coalition building. It is a prime example of what a great nonprofit can do with creative, talented administration and staff and a dedicated board. Harvey Goldman

I have worked for FEGS for a number of years. This organization is very client centered. It helps clients become self-reliant, obtain self-esteem, and obtain employment.

I am proud to be a FEGS Board member. I joined FEGS in gratitude for its outstanding professional and humane support of our family and our daughter with developmental disabilities. FEGS, through its diverse programming, has proven its commitment and its ability to help each individual reach his or her highest potential. Whether in supportive housing, health and mental health services, employment guidance, or educational programming, FEGS addresses all the challenges facing those most vulnerable. Thank you FEGS staff and volunteers for all that you do so well.

I am one of the WeCARE workers involve in compiling data, and analysizing them for decision making in a monthly report for FEGS and HRA meetings. In fact, FEGS is a great organization during great things. Based on the data analyzes and reports I do every month, I can conclude with all audacity that FEGS is performing great work in the life of people in the five boroughs of New York City through the WeCARE Initiative program.

I am a board memeber of Fegs. That being said- Fegs has given me much more than I can ever give back. Fegs has been an enormous help in several situations in my life. They helped when a friend with a drug and substance abuse problem had nowhere else to turn on a professional level. They also helped my mother gain back her sense of who she is after my father passed away after 55 years of marriage- by getting involved in a Fegs related program. I am so proud of our organization!!

As a member of the Board of Directors of F.E.G.S. for the past 8 years, I have had the distinct privilege to become more familiar with the amazing ways that this unique organization touches, often changes, always improves the lives of the people it serves, including its staff and its volunteers. I have visited some of its clean, well-run and compassionately staffed residences for the developmentally disabled; attended a newly created high school's first graduation of students, many of whom were formally underachievers and, as a class, became over 95% college bound; programs for the recently unemployed that give them the tools, skills and placement opportunities for new jobs; the immigrants at the Russian Center, new to our country, who are taught English, and given the opportunity to work and the education to become American citizens. After 8 years, I still feel the wonder, the awe and excitement about the many ways F.E.G.S. responds to and often anticipates the social and health needs of the communities and individuals it serves, always with utmost professionalism and caring.

FEGS runs amazing programs for young adults and is an organization full of dedicated people whom genually care for the people in their programs!

Fegs has a professional staff that is innovative, creative and passionate about providing services to the developmentally disabled and those in need of employment counseling services. Fegs has made invaluable contributions to the community for 75 years.

The Federation Employment and Guidance Service occupies a special place in the Metropolitan (Jewish) community. Regardless of the need each individual is treated with the greatest respect and dignity and offered the highest level of professional care possible.

FEGS stepped in to help rescue my fledgling company, Talbott Teas, when all other avenues failed us. We were were in trouble, in part, because of the economy, but even more because we didn't quite fit neatly into a 'start-up' business mold. We weren't big enough--and didn't want enough investment money--for the traditional banking and equity resources to bother with us; we weren't quite small enough to do it on our own: we needed some significant professional help--quickly. Our problem was a bit unusual in that we had started out in NYC with a great product, achieved some initial interest and success--which was both a blessing and a curse! We had some high-profile sales, but only enough money to fund those sales--not enough to fund all the inventory we needed to continue. As a result we were really stuck; we couldn't fill future orders, or sell more without the inventory, and sales were not yet big enough to go to the traditional banking sources! My 2 partners and I are entrepreneurs and our business has the potential to create jobs for the local economy, but we were running out of options. We had put all our money into Talbott Teas and we desperately needed a 'helping hand' to find the resources to keep us going so we could 'get going'! That's where FEGS came in. Not only did they understand the issue immediately, they had contacts for us and--especially important--they gave us the emotional and resource support we needed to find a solution and re-gain our momentum. They connected us with 5 local community Development and/or Funding resources immediately and we are now very far down the path with one of them, Queens Economic Development Corporation. They are working with us, their banking resources and the Small Business Administration to find the resources to 'keep us alive' until we can make it on our own. But it's not just about FEGS' resources and contacts--it's about the people, the attitude, the understanding and the energy. In particular, Fabione Gershon at FEGS was injured and on her way to have surgery when she got my call. She understood my urgency and immediately referred me to 5 people who could help, called them and wrote an e-mail letter of introduction for me--all before she had surgery the next day! FEGS and everyone Fabione sent us to have been encouraging and proactive--they have made us feel that with a 'bridge' of support, we have to potential to create a viable business for ourselves and the community.

It is impressive to see the dramatic increase in outreach to the Bronx community thru the FEGS regional services. FEGS has far surpassed many other programs in the implementation of child and family clinic plus (mental health services in Bronx schools In addtion FEGS bronx region has implemented services in an adult home which created a true sense of community for the most chronically ill psychiatric patients. The day programs serve a home cooked lunch to over 250 mentally ill clients per day. It is an amazing group - making miracles happen every day .

F.E.G.S. is an amazing social services organization that has worked below the 'radar' for decades providing assistance to millions of people in the greater NYC area in a variety of health and human services, employment and relocation/resettlement. The organization is innovative and has shown incredible leadership in working across a multitude of fields, cultures and governmental and private agencies. The world has benefited by having F.E.G.S. in it.

FEGS is a superior human services agency. When you attend its annual end of year holiday party, you see the close partnership between its professionals, support staff, and board leadership.This level of mutual support is tremendous.FEGS has a well deserved reputation for quality.The staff are attentive, diligent, and competent. The FEGS Executive Staff are first-rate:caring and competent.

I have been involved wtih FEGS both as a long time member of the Board and also as a consumer, as my brother was a resident in a FEGS housing unit for adults with psyciatric disabiliities.

Over a long period of time, as a supplier of services to Federation Employment & Guidance Service, I have seen first hand the compassionate caring of the board, management, and staff of this organization.

FEGS is one of the most an innovative and creative non-profit agencies I have every encountered. They treat all of their clients with tremendous respect and dignity.

I have been employed by FEGS for over 20 years and have found this experience to be life changing. The people I work with and the population we serve are very dear to me. FEGS has always been a leader in the not for profit field with its diverse programming and dedicated professionals. It has been a pleasure to work for and with a highly skilled and talented staff. FEGS meets the needs of the underserved and serves them well.

I have been working with FEGS since 2008. I never had the opportunity befofe to work with a group of people that are supportive and non judgemental. There is a sense of respect for diversity. The program director and supervisor make you feel appreciate it and are always willing to listen to concerns. I can feel that their main goal is to help people with mental illness rather than make a profit from them.

I received career evaulation and counseling services from FEGS. The sessions were educational, provided new perspective, and helped me gain new insights into my skill set and desires. The evaluative exams given and the follow-up consultation was invaluable as I was re-evaluating my career track. FEGS staff were patient, professional and incredibly helpful.

Following an outstanding and pleasurable experience of working with Gail Magaliff, FEGS' CEO, on planning an international conference for professionals working in Jewish communal service, I have been kept informed by frequent updates from FEGS about the miriad of services and innovative programs it has developed and is offering to a diverse population. The impresive programs I have learned about are cutting edge and timely in responding to the needs of the growing number of people seeking its services. The amount of time, energy and committment that Gail Magaliff devoted to the to the planning process was commendable and demonstrated the importance FEGS and its professional staff place on professional development and cooperative collaboration with other organizations in the greater Jewish world.

FEGS has a substantial impact on social services in Israel, on Rehabilitation, Welfare to Work , Programs for Disabled etc. Almost every senior professional as well as Welfare and Labor Ministers of Israeli Government visited FEGS and brought something new to implement here. FEGS innovations never stop! Bracha Ben-Zvi, director, National Insurance Institute Israel (retired) Chairwoman, council of Social-Work in Israel (until 2004)

FEGS has over the years provided muchh needed social services to hundreds of thousands of consumers and has done so with expertise, compassion, efficiency and economy all while honoring the dignity of each person with whomm it has contact. It is innovative and imaginative. It adheres to the highest standards of corporate compliance and oversight. It consistantly scores highest in the myriad internal and governmental audits of its operations.

FEGS is an excellent work environment where an individual has the opportunity to help others in need.FEGS respect the consumers they serve and the staff.

FEGS is an excellent agency to work for during this uncertain times. I distinctly remember last year when the recession hit the United States economy. FEGS held a staff conference in which all employee was mandatory to attend. FEGS informed all staffs that although it was a recession our jobs were secure. FEGS expressed that our job security was very important to them and we were all protected and will not be subjected to job losses as a result of recession.

I have been an employee at FEGS for the past 3 years, and I'm very excited to say that it is one of the best companies to work for. Not only has it help me in my understanding of what it means to be of services to the less vulnerable but it has also proven my mission of helping individuals help themselves. While working for FEGS I have learned what it is to work in an organizations that cares about its employees and clients the same, showing them respect and allowing them to grow. Thank You FEGS.

A lonely fifty five year old man, recently widowed and isolated from the community by virtue of a long-standing phobia, is visited by a case worker in his home. Unable to take advantage of social services or counseling because of his extreme anxiety in public places, Don can only be reached by an organization willing to go not only the extra mile, but all the way to his home. The life-line FEGS extended to this man, my neighbor and friend, holds the promise of restoring him to life.

I was overwhelmed and at a loss until I called FEGS. I couldn't beleive how helpful the staff was and how many programs were offered to my family so that we could best help our son. The direct staff was honest and successful, and the hierarchy staff exemplified great support. Thanks FEGS!

Since I've been out of work, FEGS provided me with one-on-one career counseling, job search classes, access to their computer lab and job search postings and support. My counselor, Tammara Moore, has given me constructive and innovative job search advice and sharpened my search skills. She also has vastly strengthened my resume. She is energetic, dynamic and enthusiastic, and genuinely cares about her clients. I have taken classes with FEGS which have helped improve my interviewing skills, networking capabilities, knowledge of LinkedIn and other internet based job search tools. I also have attended working group sessions that have provided me with leads and tips from others who are searching for jobs. And all of this was for free! Importantly, through FEGS, I met a small group of people with whom I've joined to exchange job search advice and offer support. This is in keeping with FEGS overall mission.

There are not enough superlatives in English describe FEGS. Al Miller hired me as a Supervisor/Interviewer of a special employment project called "Operation Mainstream" in 1972. That project became the prototype for several vocational rehabilitation programs which I coordinated. In 1977 I was promoted to Supervisor of a Sheltered Workshop in the Bronx, New York which operated a unique program that supplied pictures frames for every post office in the United States. I again promoted to Director of Grants for the entire agency. I moved to Florida in 1981 but still keep in contact with Al in Florida and when I visit New York.

The jewelry industry in Israel needed to open a "not for profit" trade school some 18 years ago. The industry looked for a trade school that could and would provide our industry with the management training and curriculum. At that time FEGS had one of the few "not for profit" trade schools anywhere. They had built the school to help the unemployed of New York learn and trade get employment I met with FEGS management and visited their school and explained our needs FEGS, led by with Al Miller and Gail Magaliff and other experienced managers agreed to give us the training, and assistance in building the curriculum and training the staff. FEGS worked with us, the Israeli jewelry industry. FEGS worked with the various ministries in Israel that would be providing the building, paying for many of the students training. FEGS trained the first manager of the jewelry school, in their New York school. FEGS assisted the industry in working with the government bureaucracy. FEGS worked with the industry who would later employ the students. FEGS also worked with NGOs who participated in the funding. It took five years to get all the permits, licenses and FEGS, with their experience and incredible patience stayed with us the who way. Without FEGS expertise these two jewelry schools would never have been built. We the manufacturers, the students and our country owe a huge debt of gratitude for the FEGS did. Thousands of students including new immigrants and the poorly educated had special courses to meet their needs. FEGS quickly studied our needs and understood them far better than we did. FEGS showed they can reach across the sea and help in countries where the language and mores are different. The curriculum FEGS brought is now the basis for all jewelry trade schools in Israel. It was adapted and changed but it stands on the shoulders of the original FEGS New York jewelry school and its managers. FEGS worked with us for ten years until the schools could work on their own.

I have worked with FEGS as a volunteer and board member for more than ten years.It never seems to amaze me how responsible and efficient FEGS is on delivering quality service to their clients.

I have known and worked with FEGS for almost 20 years. I have watched it grow in excellence and in the quality of care it offers consumers and families. FEGS is always on the cutting edge of service delivery practice, both for effectiveness and value. It is a respected leader and partner in behavioral healthcare and allied services.

I have been a part of the FEGS Family for more than 46 years. It was my privillege to be the CEO of FEGS for 31 years from 1976 to 2007. During those decades I witnessed thousands of incidents of people in desperate need receiving assistance so they could achieve a better life. What was remarkable was the joy shared by those receiving assistance as well as those providing the assistance. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work alongside talented, caring and compassionate staf,board, volunteers and students working together with a shared vision that every human being is precious and deserves an opportunity for a better life so they could have a chance to contribute to the community in the future. This is the FEGS dream and it comes true each and every day. Al Miller

I am very proud to be working for this organization as a registered nurse since Oct. 2004, starting as a per diem agency nurse. I knew right away that this was an extraordinary organization, and that I fit in very well with it, as on my very first day there, I was called upon to assist a client who was having symptoms of a heart attack. My fellow RN's who with me work in the Developmental Disabilities Division, watched me in action, and subsequently recommended me highly to the administrative and nursing supervision. I was hired directly by the organization some months later. The consumer recovered and got emergency care; he did not suffer a heart attack. I was gratified to be a part of his care team however. Years later, I was privileged to make a difference for life of a consumer under my care. The family continues to call me to this day to thank me at holidays and to remember what I did in preventing a dangerous procedure from taking place for their sister. FEGS has always noticed and rewarded their employees for making a difference. I know I will continue with them for a long time, because the fit is right for us to stay together.

The FEGS helped me with my citizenship application, study materials, legal representation (in case I needed it). Now I work in the FEGS helping developmentally disabled people to reach their grals, to live their life to the maximum. It feels great to be able to help someone.

FEGS is an organization that offers a wide variety of services to a wide variety of clients. It's wonderful to sit in a family service meeting as we all share our experiences with the individuals and families we have been able to help. The sensitivity of the staff is second to none. The clients are so grateful for the attention given to them by the staff and feel that there is now hopeful in a previously hopeless situation.

I worked for a vendor that provided security services for FEGS. I was moved by how the organization helped the most needy in our society.When the vendor that I worked for contract was up. I went to the office of the then CEO of FEGS (Mr. Al Miller), and I said to him, sir I've always felt that working here I made a diffence in helping people and I would like to stay on and work for FEGS until I myself am ready to retire. I see why so many employess haved worked here for the majority of their careers.I was granted my request. I have been an proud employee ever since. FEGS is an extended family that helps everyone. Working for FEGS has changed my life.

The name FEGS does not really define clearly the tremendous value to the clients that we serve.The employees who "represent" the FEGS organization are truly the "ambassadors" to the mission. As an employee based at the "headquarters" of FEGS I have "roamed" the 7 floors occupied. Each and every floor you see dedicated employees really reaching out and assiting all the clients who need the services immediately. I have spoken to some of the clients myself and they all are consistent in their answers. They tell me "Gee without FEGS what would I do?" There is a never ending need to have a presence in the NYC market and to "be there now" as FEGS was back in 1934. The clients personality and culture might of changed over 75 years but the mission has always remained the same from FEGS. Help those less fortunate than others and to make them feel there is hope. That there is an end to "their personal crisis" and suffering. That there is a helping hand ready to serve them each and everyday of their challenging lively hood. I am proud to say just my little part in this maze of assistance we, FEGS, do make a difference. A difference whether those clients will live or die. Survive in a world so challenging for each of them that we are their "safety net". We are there "guardian angel". We are FEGS.