Edmonton’s JFS offers care that goes beyond the surface

By Navleen Mann and Poornima Prasad

(Edmonton) – “It takes a lot of courage to make the call and take the first step in your healing journey,” says Sarah Karesa, Counselling Program Manager at the Edmonton Healing Centre. “We want to honour that courage and meet you where you’re at.”

Life doesn’t really come with a roadmap. Between financial pressures, responsibilities, and the inherent weight of simply trying to make it through each day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Nevertheless, there remains a place in the heart of Edmonton where compassion, community, and professional care come together to support anyone who may need it. The Edmonton Healing Centre (EHC) is a service provided by the city’s very own Jewish Family Services (JFS), led by Executive Director Danielle Dolgoy. Serving Edmonton since the 1950s, this non-profit organization was established by social worker and activist, Ms. Clara Mintz.

In a world struggling to work through war and division, JFS with EHC dares to envision an era of economic and social justice. It aims to strengthen individuals and guide them to overcome life’s challenges, doing so through its many programs that are all directed by the four core Jewish values: Tikun Olam (to heal the world), Tzedek (to be fair), Chesed (to care), and Kavod (to respect). “Our core values represent what we believe in, what we stand for, and how we approach everything we do,” Karesa emphasizes via an email interview.

EHC offers a wide range of counselling services to support people at all stages of life and across all levels of need. These include counselling for individuals, couples and families, groups, and youths. Their mental health professionals are trained in highly sought-after modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing), ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), and more. While they do specialize in grief and loss, they can also support clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, end-of-life and caregiving stress. Every person who reaches out is individually assessed in order to help the team understand their unique situation.

As Karesa explains: “Everyone who reaches out for help is individually assessed for their unique needs. We offer support and resources even before counselling begins, to ensure they get the most out of their time with us.”

Additionally, they offer services beyond counselling. Adjusting to a new country can be overwhelming, and their Canadian newcomer supports provide community referrals, financial assistance, stress management support, and job-hunting guidance, all with the goal of helping people build a stable lifestyle and gain confidence as they navigate their time in Canada. JFS also cares for established Jewish community members with their Jewish Family Outreach services, which include friendly check-ins, advocacy, and cultural support.

For older adults, JFS can help establish food security, reduce social isolation, and find affordable housing. They can also help with home support services like housekeeping, personal care, transportation, and companionship, thereby ensuring that seniors can retain their independence while staying connected to the outside world. JFS also has a specialized Holocaust survivor support program, which allows them to provide empathetic and culturally informed aid to Jewish survivors of Nazi oppression. This program recognizes the impact of intergenerational trauma and ensures that survivors receive care that honours both their experiences and resilience.

One of the things that truly sets JFS and EHC apart from other organizations is their commitment to accessibility. They operate on a sliding scale, guaranteeing that cost is never a barrier to receiving care. As Karesa notes, this is what makes the non-profit so unique: “I often hear us being called ‘a unicorn’ because we offer no and low-cost sessions, have a ripple-effect model of care, and provide additional resources beyond counselling.”

JFS is proudly inclusive and happy to lend a helping hand, regardless of background, gender, sexuality, or faith. Their team reflects this diversity as well, allowing clients to find a counsellor with whom they feel most secure with. Matching a counsellor to a client is determined by several factors, including personality, goals, language, and therapist experience.

Healing can be hard. For anyone feeling hesitant to seek help, JFS extends encouragement: “We are here when you need us. Our counsellors are skilled in working with reluctant and nervous clients. We go at their pace and guide them every step of the way.”

Whether you’re seeking emotional support, practical resources, or simply someone to talk to in a safe space, JFS and the Edmonton Healing Centre are ready to help you take that very first step.

If you or someone you know could benefit from these services, reach out at 780-454-1194. Compassionate and knowledgeable care is only one phone call away.

As MacEwan University students, we understand how intimidating it can feel to reach out for help, especially when life already feels heavy. During our field placement with JFS, we raised awareness of their services and had the opportunity to learn about their vision in a much deeper and more personal way. We got to experience first-hand how deeply devoted the JFS team is to be supporting all Edmontonians and communities. Every conversation we had with their staff reflected warmth, patience, and a genuine dedication to meeting people where they are. It became clear to us that JFS doesn’t just provide a paid service, but they create a space where people can feel seen, respected, and supported. Compassionate and knowledgeable care is only one phone call away.

Navleen Mann and Poornima Prasad are MacEwan University students who completed a field placement with JFSE.