7. Jewish Family Services: “Dignified Access to Food” Video Project

Project Title

“Dignified Access to Food” Video Project

Jewish Family Services (JFS)

Organization Information

Organization Name

Jewish Family Services (JFS)

Mission and Vision of Organization

Mission

Guided by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), JFS supports the social, physical, and emotional wellness of all people.

Vision

Lives uplifted, a world repaired.

Guiding Principles + Values

  • We welcome everyone.
  • We honour the individual journey.
  • We are courageous and creative.
  • We take pride in our work.
  • We care deeply about people.

Contact Information

  • Primary Contact Person(s): Stacy Friedman, she/her/hers
  • Email: sfriedman@jfsvancouver.ca
  • Phone: 604 367 4208
  • Address: 54 East 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5T 1C3
  • Website: https://www.jfsvancouver.ca/

Preferred Method of Contact

  • Best method(s) to contact: Email, Phone
  • Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
  • Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons

Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration

  • In person, Zoom, We use Microsoft Teams

Project Description

Note: This project will take place online and in person

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

Emergency food programs traditionally have taken a transactional approach to serving clients. Clients may need to prove they fit within a financial need threshold, wait in line for food, and receive food that may not meet their nutritional needs. This treatment often comes from the belief that those who require emergency food services are somehow different from those who do not. The reality is that anyone could find themselves in need of a little extra support. With rising costs of housing, gas, and food the need is increasing in our community and beyond. Those who support food banks do so out of concern for others, but may not understand the full picture of food insecurity in the community. They may not realize that all kinds of people need food support and that there are more dignified ways to make food accessible to all people.

This project aims to educate the community about Dignified Access to Food and the ways in which JFS strives to make this a reality through our Good Food Hubs.

Main Project Activities and Deliverables

  • Literature review (informal) about dignified food access
  • Creating video storyline
  • Filming and editing a 2-4 minute video that would introduce our community to concepts of dignified food access, using JFS food security initiatives (existing and possibly future/envisioned) to illustrate the points

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

  • Required: Respect for all people
  • Confidentiality
  • Strong communication skills
  • Preferred: Video editing experience

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

While these are not all mandatory, we hope students can attend and document events such as the following:

  • Sept 22 (and maybe other Thursday evenings in Oct or Nov): F2P workshop (evening)
  • Oct 12: Supper Club (evening)
  • Oct 6: Project Isaiah (evening)
  • Sept 29/ Oct 13: Community Kitchens (afternoon)

There will be plenty of other opportunities to observe and document our regular operations. The events/dates listed above are confirmed in our current program calendar, and it is likely that additional events will be scheduled throughout the term. Dates/times will be shared with the students as information becomes available.

Ideally students can also come at least one morning (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday) to observe and document regular operations

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

  • Yes

If a criminal record search is required, when should the process be initiated?  

  • Before the first community partner meeting (please check with your TA for guidance if needed)

How much self-direction is expected from the students?

  • Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
  • Developing the activity plan and timeline: Equal leadership between students and community partner
  • Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Equal leadership between students and community partner
  • Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
  • Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

  • Flexible

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

  • We have in-person volunteer opportunities daytime Monday-Thursday at the JFS Kitchen
  • Opportunities include food prep, packaging groceries, and delivery to clients.
  • There may also be opportunities to assist with special events.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.

Additional Materials

Expected Outcomes

Intended Short-term Project Outcome

  • JFS Volunteers and Staff learn about the work JFS Food Security is doing to promote dignified food access, helping to increase understanding, respect, and dignity among our community members.

Learning Outcomes

Through this project, I think students will learn about...

  • Local Food Security
  • Dignified Approaches to food access

By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...

  • Why people may need to use emergency food programs
  • The universal right to food (according to UN)
  • Video communication skills

By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...

  • Some of the ways we can make changes to improve food access and treat all people with respect and dignity
source: https://wiki.ubc.ca/Course:Course:LFS350/Projects/F2022/JFS