To report child abuse or neglect, please call 416.638.7800 x 6234. Outside of regular business hours, please call our after-hours answering service at 1-800-404-1393 to be redirected to one of our staff. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Roots and Early Years
The charitable tradition of Jewish Family and Child Service dates back to 1868, when the Toronto Hebrew Ladies' Sick and Benevolent Society was granted a charter to raise funds for the growing number of poor Jewish immigrants. With no paid staff and only a few hundred dollars in their budget, these dedicated women planted the seeds of what would grow into one of North America’s foremost family service agencies.
As the twentieth century unfolded, several Jewish social service agencies were established, including The Hebrew Ladies Maternal Aid and Child Welfare Society (1907), The Family Welfare Committee (1919) and The Jewish Child Welfare Association (1936). In 1943, The Jewish Family Welfare Board and The Jewish Child Welfare Association merged to form what is now known as Jewish Family and Child Service (JF&CS).
The rest, as they say, is not just history – it’s our history.
Growing Up
World War II and the Holocaust brought heavy waves of Jewish immigrants to Canada. In response, JF&CS expanded its financial assistance program and arranged housing for more than 1,000 orphans. Every child was eventually adopted or placed in a Jewish foster home, ensuring they were embraced by the community.
In 1974, JF&CS received a license to operate a Children's Mental Health Centre, now known as the Jerome D. Diamond Adolescent Centre, named in honour of a former Executive Director. This milestone marked a deepened commitment to addressing the mental health needs of children and youth.
By 1980, the Government of Ontario mandated JF&CS as a Children's Aid Society, making the agency responsible for safeguarding the most vulnerable among us - our children. Under the Jewish Family and Child Service of Metropolitan Toronto Act, JF&CS continues to protect and care for Jewish children under the age of 18 who are in need of safety, stability, and long-term planning.
As the agency continues to grow, so too does its range and impact, reaching more individuals and families through an ever-expanding network of programs and services.
JF&CS Today
Today, Jewish Family and Child Service has a staff of approximately 170 and an annual budget exceeding $27 million. We continually adapt to meet the evolving needs of our community. Issues such as poverty, family violence, child abuse and neglect, and mental health challenges deeply affect those we serve, and we respond with a broad range of programs and services designed to support intervene effectively.
Through our four locations across the Greater Toronto Area, JF&CS delivers over 30 community programs and services, making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families every day.
Our Vision for the Future - Strategic Plan 2025-2030
The Strategic Plan is designed to strengthen, grow and reimagine our programs and partnerships, ensuring that JF&CS can continue to respond to the emerging needs of the people and communities we serve. It also secures the sustainability of our agency, so that everyone who comes through our doors can find renewed hope and a brighter future.
Developed collaboratively with staff, board members, current and former service users, volunteers, caregivers, community partners, funders and donors, our Strategic Plan will guide JF&CS over the next five years. It introduces a refreshed Vision and Mission, is built around four overarching Strategic Directions, which are further supported by twelve Operational Initiatives.
Below you can see our current Strategic Plan.
Strategic Directions
Strengthen organizational culture and infrastructure to prepare for future growth. • Enhance technological capacity and competencies. • Cultivate a positive, inclusive and engaging workplace environment, both physical and cultural. • Build a diverse talent and leadership pipeline, including staff and volunteers.
Clearly communicate agency mandate and actively promote breadth & depth of services, both internally and externally. • Effectively position JF&CS to reflect focus and to differentiate us from other Jewish social service agencies. • Ensure alignment, understanding and communication of JF&CS mandate amongst all internal stakeholders. • Increase awareness and understanding of JF&CS and tailor communication to key stakeholders and the broader community.
Evolve services and partnerships to address changing needs of the communities we serve. • Ensure new programs and services are informed by the diversity of voices in our communities. • Better meet community needs through service evolution. • Develop partnerships and collaborations with existing and emerging communities and organizations.
Enhance financial sustainability of organization. • Empower agency departmental leads to have financial accountability. • Update and standardize financial processes and systems for more effective allocation of resources. • Explore opportunities to expand revenue streams. • Develop analysis of funding risks, mitigation strategies and contingency plans.