JFCS of the Suncoast Opens New Office on Longboat Key

May 6, 2022 – Sarasota

JFCS of the Suncoast has opened a new aging services office on Longboat Key, thanks in part to a $500,000 endowment from a local couple who understand the challenges facing seniors and caregivers.

Based in Sarasota and serving clients in six counties, JFCS is one of the Florida Suncoast’s preeminent mental health counseling and human services providers. The agency held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce on May 1 to celebrate the opening of the Bradford and Temi Saivetz Center for Aging Services. Longboat Key residents Ruthellen and Marc Rubin made a $500,000 endowment gift, which matched an additional $500,000 raised by JFCS, to support the agency’s Aging Services programs. The Longboat Key office, located in the Tidewell Foundation Building, is named after Ruthellen’s parents who lived out their days on the island.

JFCS has offices across Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties that offer a variety of services to families, youth, adults, seniors, and veterans, including mental health counseling, relationship classes, homelessness prevention, financial assistance, and much more. The Longboat Key office is currently focusing on Aging Services and Jewish Healing programs, including counseling, bereavement support groups, caregiver meetings, educational classes, and more.

“JFCS seeks to meet the community where they are, and to be able to respond to community needs as the community itself understands them,” said Dr. Stacy Lang, JFCS Chief of Behavioral Health Services. “The needs of the LBK community are unique. The best way for JFCS to address those needs is to have this office on LBK, to listen to what the community is saying, and to work with LBK organizations and individuals to address those needs.”

Ruthellen Rubin knows that giving Longboat Key residents easy access to JFCS’ services will benefit them greatly. She cared for her own widowed mother on the island, a task that became increasingly emotionally and physically exhausting until her mother’s death.

“In thinking about all that Longboat Key gave our parents during their retirement years, my husband and I jumped at the opportunity to be part of JFCS’ initiative to bring critically needed services for seniors and their caregivers to Longboat Key,” Rubin said.

Programs at the new office will evolve over time in response to the community’s needs. JFCS invites Longboat Key residents to reach out with suggestions for services and events. Please submit ideas to Dr. Lang at slang@jfcs-cares.org.