K'VOD connect
Our Calling
K'vod Connect is a vibrant Jewish community program dedicated to helping seniors and caregivers flourish. We meet our participants where they are—addressing their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs—by connecting them to the larger community and each other.
Our Approach
Unlike many programs that wait for individuals to seek help, K'vod Connect proactively reaches out to older adults. We partner with community congregations, agencies, and members to identify individuals who would benefit from more social engagement. We build a referral network that includes rabbis, Jewish professionals, medical professionals, attorneys, police departments, and others who provide services to older adults. We also partner with various local residential facilities in the Cincinnati area, including Cedar Village, The Seasons, Anthology of Blue Ash, The Kenwood, and Marjorie P. Lee.
Our Motivation
According to AARP, isolation in older adults is a major risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, and early onset dementia. The health impact is as severe as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. That's why we created K'vod Connect.
Our Methods
K'vod Connect recognizes that many seniors prefer to age in place and remain in their familiar surroundings, so we offer the following to support older adults where they live:
home visits
Participants receive regular visits from K’vod staff and volunteers who offer companionship, spiritual support, and practical assistance.
Social Work Services
Our highly trained social workers help seniors access essential services, such as food delivery, healthcare, and housing support.
Telephone Outreach
We make frequent phone calls to check in on seniors, and help them feel truly connected to the world outside their homes.
Chaplaincy Care
K’vod Connect chaplains and rabbis offer extensive spiritual and emotional support—tailored to the unique needs of each individual—and further connect seniors and their families to programs in the wider community.
Our Friendship with AgeWell Cincinnati
We work closely with AgeWell Cincinnati, a central resource connecting older adults to more than sixty services available through its three partner organizations: the Mayerson JCC, the Jewish Federation, and JVS Careers. We also leverage AgeWell Cincinnati’s ties to Jewish Family Service (JFS), and JFS’s Center for Holocaust Survivors, Russian Jewish Cultural Center, and Counseling and Care Management programs.
Further services
- Field trips and social gatherings — We organize outings and events to promote social interaction and engagement.
- Guest Speakers — We bring in experts to discuss topics of interest and relevance.
- Educational Classes — We offer real learning opportunities to enrich minds.
- Holiday and Shabbat Services — We help celebrate Jewish holidays and Shabbat to foster a sense of community and tradition.
Shalom Corps Volunteer Program
Our Shalom Corps Volunteer Program pairs active older adults with in-home seniors, providing companionship and support. Volunteers undergo a screening process and receive training to ensure they are well-prepared for their roles. The program fosters meaningful relationships between volunteers and seniors, creating a supportive network within the community. The program is overseen by K'vod Connect staff, including a social worker who manages logistics and a chaplain who provides educational content.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP?
For more information or to help us help others, please contact:
Rabbi Yair Walton
(513) 368-2256 | ywalton@jfscinti.org