Jewish Adoption And Foster Care Options Inc

My name is Dr. Lisa Sirota, and I am a pediatrician in Broward County, Florida. I have been priviledged to care for the children of Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) since its inception in 1993. As a service organization, JAFCO has grown from a small agency caring for abused and neglected Jewish children in our community, to a major leader in the care of children in South Florida. Currently, JAFCO operates out of a beautiful campus in Sunrise, Florida, which houses a 24-hour crisis shelter open to children in need of all races and religions; 6 group homes which provide safe, consistent, Jewish family-style living in a therapeutic environment, giving siblings the opportunity to stay together; and a wide range of services aimed to support every aspect of the children's lives and families. It is amazing to see children arrive at JAFCO, frightened, alone, often emotionally or physically battered, withdrawn and developmentally delayed from neglect, and watch these same children blossom under the love and care of the dedicated staff. I see first-hand how devoted the staff are to the children of JAFCO, and how life-saving JAFCO is to the hundreds of children in its care. Construction will soon be underway on a new developmental disability center, whose focus will be creating a therapeutic, and respite community for Jewish children with disabilities, particularly autism. It is a blessing and a priviledge to work with this remarkable organization, and I hope news of this great nonprofit reaches people far and wide.