Author: Erin Giberson

The JEVS Work Ready program’s Foundations Professional Skills class recently welcomed JEVS CEO Cynthia Figueroa for a memorable and inspiring visit. Our participants were overjoyed to meet with her and listen as she shared her journey of perseverance, resilience, and leadership.

During her visit, Cynthia reflected on the sacrifices, determination, and commitment that led her to become the first minority woman to lead our organization. Her authentic story of overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities deeply resonated with our participants. She talked about the importance of courage, hard work, and a belief in one’s own potential.

Our session quickly became an engaging conversation. Participants asked thoughtful questions about leadership, career growth, overcoming obstacles, and staying motivated through adversity. Cynthia’s wisdom, encouragement, and genuine passion left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.

Her visit served as a powerful reminder that every journey begins with a single step and that determination, perseverance, and continuous learning can open doors to extraordinary opportunities. The Work Ready participants left the session feeling inspired and even more committed to achieving their personal and professional goals.

The JEVS Work Ready team extends its sincere appreciation to Cynthia for taking the time to invest in our participants. Her words of encouragement reinforced JEVS’s mission to empower individuals to achieve independence and success through education, employment, and opportunity.

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!

This summer, 12 undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the region spent seven weeks building professional skills, exploring careers in the nonprofit sector, and contributing to organizations in the Philadelphia region through the Franklin C. Ash Summer Internship Program. The program provides students with immersive experiences at nonprofits, community organizations, and government agencies. The experience helps them develop leadership skills and increase their understanding of civic engagement.

More than 25 Years of Investing in Future Leaders 

Founded and generously funded by Franklin C. Ash, with support from other donors, the internship program provides undergraduate students with hands-on experience, professional development, and opportunities to engage with nonprofits, community organizations, and government agencies across the region.  JEVS was honored to have Frank’s wife, Marilyn, attend the luncheon. Their unwavering support for this program has created opportunities for countless students to grow, serve, and support local communities. 

JEVS President & CEO Cynthia Figueroa reflected on the program’s lasting impact: “For more than 25 years, the Franklin C. Ash Summer Internship Program has helped students build professional skills, explore career paths, and discover the impact they can have in their communities. By investing in future leaders, the program helps students turn their interests and potential into meaningful experiences that prepare them for what comes next.”

Marking the Accomplishment 

At this year’s Franklin C. Ash Internship Luncheon, interns, hosts, supporters, and JEVS staff gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2026 cohort. The event highlighted the remarkable talent, insight, and dedication these students brought to their placements. 

“What stood out for me was the incredible drive, skill, and wisdom of the young people who participated,” said Heather Keafer, JEVS Chief of Staff. “It was also exciting to see additional nonprofit partners represented this year, including the World Affairs Council, WHYY, and Congreso de Latinos Unidos.” 

The program continues to honor Frank Ash’s vision by creating opportunities for students to learn, lead, and contribute to organizations that strengthen communities across Greater Philadelphia. 

Thank You to Our 2026 Host Organizations 

JEVS extends its gratitude to the organizations that welcomed this year’s Franklin C. Ash interns: 

• Anti-Defamation League 

• Congreso de Latinos Unidos 

• HIAS Pennsylvania 

• Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia 

• Jewish Learning Venture 

• WHYY 

• Women Against Abuse 

• World Affairs Council of Philadelphia 

• JEVS Human Services 

In today’s ever-evolving fiscal and political landscape, one thing is clear for nonprofits: there’s massive value and strength in joining together.

Bringing together Nonprofit Leaders

On Wednesday, July 22, leaders from various nonprofits across Greater Philadelphia came together for the 2nd Annual Nonprofit Leaders Group (NPLG) 2026 Summer Convening. The event was hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice, who partnered with JEVS on the 2026 Needs Assessment Survey.

Similar to last year’s convening, NPLG organizers tailored the event to fit the needs and concerns of the local nonprofit community. NPLG utilized results from its 2026 Needs Assessment Survey, which looked at how needs and conditions have evolved since 2025.

The event featured experts speaking on critical issues, including:

• Welcome remarks from Sara S. Bachman, Ph.D., Dean, University of Pennsylvania’s School of Policy & Practice, and Elliot Weinbaum, Chief of Philanthropy, William Penn Foundation;
• A fireside chat with Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Department of Human Services, and Loree D. Jones Brown, the CEO of Philabundance;
• JEVS President & CEO Cynthia Figueroa leading an annual State of the Nonprofit Sector presentation;
• Marianne Fray, President and CEO, Maternity Care Coalition, moderated a panel on “Leading Through Change” featuring Toni Pergolin, Former President & CEO, Bancroft and Casey O’Donnell, President & CEO, Impact Services;
• Dalia Mechanic, Partner, Bennett Midland and Raffaele Moore, Senior Associate, Bennett Midland, presented on “Strategic Planning for Unpredictability,” with Arun Prabhakaran, President of Urban Affairs Coalition, introducing the conversation.

After a lovely performance from local Gospel singer Desiree “Dezzie” Neal and a vibrant networking lunch, industry leaders left the convening with ways to navigate ongoing challenges. The panels provided insight on ways to be more effective partners, maintaining key services in an uncertain landscape, and maximizing impact moving forward.

The NPLG is a coalition of nonprofit leaders that was formed in January 2025 to give timely updates, share resources, and build community. There are over 280 participating leaders from organizations of varying sizes and missions. The NPLG prizes collaboration, especially when approaching the industry’s current challenges.

Driving Change through Collaboration

The NPLG has now existed for two years, and its value continues to show. According to the 2026 Needs Assessment Survey results, members viewed the group as an important source of information, support, and connection.

The Nonprofit Leaders Group Convening was made possible through support from the William Penn Foundation.

For Tracy T., being a JEVS Direct Support Professional (DSP) is more than a job. It is work so meaningful that he says he sometimes forgets he’s earning money.

That sense of purpose did not come easily. Before becoming a DSP, Tracy worked for a public corporation in Philadelphia. After both of his sons were killed by gun violence, he says he lost the will to go on. Though his former employer tried to support him, he could not continue in that role.

During that difficult time, a lifelong friend encouraged him to apply to JEVS. What began as a new opportunity became something much deeper: a way for Tracy to channel his grief into supporting others in need.

Becoming a DSP

As a DSP, Tracy supports individuals in their everyday lives, helping them navigate challenges, build independence, and feel respected. For him, the work is rooted in trust, patience, and showing up consistently for the people he supports.

What stands out most to Tracy is the way that individuals open up to him. They come to him for advice, share problems, ask questions, and confide in him. To Tracy, that trust is a sign that he is making a difference.

“It amazes me that they reach out to me,” Tracy says. Their trust, he adds, makes him feel like he is doing something right.

Building Trust Through Respect

Tracy currently supports two men who live together and has worked with both of them in different homes during his time at JEVS. Because of that history, he understands their personalities, routines, and needs. He also understands the importance of treating them with dignity.

“They’re both grown men, so I treat them like men,” Tracy said.

That respect shows up in everyday moments: helping with daily living, offering guidance, redirecting when needed, and encouraging communication. Tracy said communication is key, especially when helping someone work through frustration, conflict, or personal challenges.

Supporting Growth and Independence

One of the individuals Tracy supports is preparing to move out and become more independent. Even as he takes that next step, Tracy said the individual still wants his support, which is a sign of the strong relationship they have built.

“That says a lot,” Tracy said. “I’m proud of him. He’s come a long way.”

For Tracy, supporting independence is not only about daily routines. It is also about sharing life lessons, encouraging respect for family, and helping individuals recognize their own growth. He often draws from his own experiences when offering guidance.

Finding Purpose Through Service

After losing his sons, Tracy said he made a decision to speak honestly and lead with purpose. He also thought about what they would want for him.

“They wouldn’t want to see me like that,” he said. “If they were around, they would be so proud of me.”

The work has also helped Tracy grow. Through Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training, he learned skills that he says have helped him both on and off the job, including how to de-escalate difficult situations, control his temper, and think before reacting. He is now a certified CPI instructor, giving him the opportunity to teach those skills to others.

That opportunity for growth is one of the things that attracted him to the DSP role. “I see growth here,” Tracy said. “That’s why I put my all into it.”

Going Beyond the Job Description

Tracy’s support often extends beyond what is expected. As a former barber, he has used that skill to help individuals feel clean, cared for, and confident. He recalled going to another site to cut someone’s hair and help him get cleaned up.

Not everyone can get to a barber or afford one, Tracy said, so if someone needs him, he is willing to help. It is another way he shows care, compassion, and respect for the people he supports.

Advice for Future DSPs

When asked what advice he would give to someone considering becoming a DSP, Tracy does not hesitate.

“It’s the best job in the world to me,” he said. “I should have done this when I was 18.”

But he is also honest about what the work requires. A good DSP, Tracy said, needs patience, humility, compassion, and a heart for serving others. The role is not about pride or ego—it is about the person being supported.

“If your heart’s not into it, it’s not for you,” he said. “I think it’s a calling.”

A Job That Feels Like Purpose

Today, Tracy says he wakes up with a smile because he is going to work. For someone who has endured profound loss, the role has become a way to serve, grow, and give back to the community.

The only two jobs Tracy says he truly enjoyed were being a barber and being a DSP. Both, in their own way, allowed him to care for people. And at JEVS, he has found something especially meaningful: a role where compassion, trust, and everyday support change lives.