Stories of Hope and Impact
duda • June 4, 2025
Stories of Hope & Impact
While we often hear of the tremendous upheaval, trauma, war, violence, and threats to safety face in their homelands, we forget about how refugees are met with unforeseen and innumerable challenges upon arrival in Maine– including a lack of understanding of US systems, inability to communicate, and lack of financial and social resources. These compounding factors often develop into significant challenges with mental health and wellness and increased social isolation.
Our staff help clients overcome significant challenges every day. With the support of the JCA staff and with the hard work and dedication of our clients, we have seen countless families achieve self-sufficiency. Here are just a handful of the stories from this year:
- A Ukrainian single mother experienced a breakdown with her sponsor. Thanks to the Preferred Communities (PC) funding, this client was able to secure immediate safe housing, receive essential support (food, clothing, hygiene products), and access case management services to help them regain stability and work toward a long-term housing solution. This assistance provided a critical safety net in an emergency and enabled the client to move forward, rebuild their life, and work toward self-sufficiency.
- The Refugee and Newcomer Health and Medical (RNHM) Team at the JCA supported three clients with significant medical conditions through a coordinated care approach where multiple providers worked together to ensure that the patient was receiving comprehensive, patient-centric care. The RNHM Team conducted prearrival reviews of medical records and made the appropriate prearrival referrals to both primary care providers and specialists. The RNHM Team coordinated meetings with providers to ensure care would be provided seamlessly from the airport pickup to the initial admission, to the hospital, and follow-up care after the initial Refugee Medical Screening Intake and Referral.
- Refugee Resettlement and Newcomer Services (RRNS) at the JCA helped secure temporary housing for an unhoused single mother of three, providing funds for the client’s security deposit and first month of rent. Furthermore, the client has secured part-time employment with the property management agency that housed her.
- A single mother faced a period of housing instability; after two months of support, the client was approved for an apartment. The JCA team assisted the client in moving to her new home and in acquiring the necessary furniture. At her most recent check-in, the client discussed how her renewed housing stability has allowed her to return to her online GED classes and start saving for a car as she begins the process of getting a driver’s license.
After a four-month, intensive search, we are thrilled to announce that the JCA’s new Chief Executive Officer will be Susan Cohen, presently of London, England. After growing up in Massachusetts, Susan has spent the last 30 years of her career in Italy and the UK, with extensive senior leadership experience in the nonprofit and Jewish communal sectors. We were immediately struck by Susan’s relevant professional experience, but also her thoughtfulness, steady leadership style, clear sense of compassion, and her deep and enduring ties to Jewish life in Maine. Her father was born in Portland and raised in South Portland, and her grandparents were active members of the local Jewish community, where Susan enjoyed visiting regularly throughout her childhood. When considering this opportunity, Susan shared: “The JCA’s mission, especially its commitment to radical inclusivity and cultivating a thriving Jewish community, resonates deeply with me. I am inspired by the JCA’s growth, vibrant programming, and role as a convener across a diverse and expanding population. Uniting people across synagogues, agencies, and the broader community has been a defining feature of my leadership. I would be honored to help lead the organization into its next phase.” In addition to regularly visiting her family in Portland and Bangor as a child, Susan attended Bowdoin College for a year–and volunteered at the Hebrew School at Beth Israel Congregation in Bath!–before finishing her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University. She went on to receive a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University, and then moved to Europe for international work opportunities. Susan raised her three adult children in London, and is now ready to make the move back to New England to be closer to her parents in the Boston area. We are confident that Susan’s meaningful experience in Jewish communal and social service nonprofit organizations will have a significant positive impact on the entire JCA community. As Executive Director (Chief Executive) of Six Point Foundation, she led a Jewish grantmaking organization supporting Holocaust survivors from inception through successful spend out, building partnerships across the Jewish communal landscape and designing initiatives with long-term impact. She then worked as a member of the senior leadership team at Nightingale Hammerson, a 350-person Jewish eldercare organization based in London. She is currently a senior leader at Oxfam, a global confederation of over 20 independent organizations working in 70+ countries to fight inequality and end poverty through humanitarian aid, long-term development, and campaigns. Throughout these roles, she has exhibited strategic and empathetic leadership, organizational excellence, keen financial oversight, and a deep commitment to inclusion and community building. The JCA Board of Directors would like to thank the Search Committee for all the time, energy, and professionalism that they brought to this process. We’re indebted to Rachael Alfond and Stefanie Levenson, who have been volunteering so generously as Acting Co-Directors during this transition, as well as the entire JCA staff for their ongoing commitment and hard work. We also want to thank JCC Association and our search consultant, Steve Engel, for their incredible support and guidance. Susan will take the next few months to wrap things up in London and make the big move to Maine, starting as CEO of the JCA in early August. We are all excited about welcoming her to our community this summer and to the work ahead under her leadership. Stay tuned for opportunities to meet Susan and help her settle into her new role and life here in the coming months!
On behalf of the entire team at the JCA, thank you to everyone who participated in the second annual JCA Mitzvah Day! This year, 87 volunteers gave back across 8 service sites, making a meaningful impact in our community. We are truly grateful to all who took the time to be part of this special day. We hope you’ll stay connected with us as we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Thank you for being part of this shared effort of Tikkun Olam—repairing our world, one act at a time. Your presence and energy made a real difference.
