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Pam Baron: Community Leader and JFCS Director of Aging Services Retires after 17 Years of Dedicated Service Contact Name: Nicole Brown Contact Email: NBrown@JFCS-Cares.org Contact Phone Number: 9412810520 Pam Baron joined JFCS of the Suncoast in 2004 as its first full-time Director of Aging Services. She relocated to Sarasota after enjoying an extensive career at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Family Service of Colorado in Denver, Colorado. After 17 years of dedicated services to JFCS and the Sarasota community, Baron is retiring and starting the next chapter of her life. “Although we are happy for Pam, we are very sad she is leaving,” stated Arthur Lerman, JFCS President/CEO. “She has made huge contributions to our agency and to the seniors we serve. Pam has also provided leadership, innovation, compassion and love for seniors locally and beyond. She will be missed by JFCS and our entire community.” Baron’s most notable accomplishments include: developing innovative programs that support caregivers and individuals with early stages of dementia; expanding JFCS programming to south Sarasota County and Longboat Key; collaborating with the Key Chorale to develop a chorus for persons living with dementia and their caregivers; and partnering with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to bring Independent Transportation Network’s (ITN) services to Sarasota. She was also the direct contact for adult children who lived out of the area but needed support services for their elderly parents who lived locally. Nationwide Baron has worked tirelessly to expand the number of available community programs for caregivers and persons living with Alzheimer’s disease. A multi-award winning geriatric leader, she is the recipient of the Senior Connection Center’s Claude Pepper Award and Friendship Centers, Inc.’s Bob Carter Award. “My heart and my family history have guided me in the direction of senior caregiving,” stated Baron. “Living with my grandparents in St. Louis, Missouri and Seattle, Washington inspired me to pursue a career in gerontology, planning and administration and social work. Mostly everyone knows that JFCS provides services to the entire community with over 85% of our clients being non-Jewish. However, because of my upbringing, it was important for me to create a family setting for Jewish seniors to celebrate Jewish holidays throughout the year.” This year, Baron organized a Shabbat (Sabbath) meal delivery program for 30 Jewish seniors, including many Holocaust survivors. She also created a program to provide kosher Jewish holiday meals to individuals who were homebound. In addition to delivering meals, Baron also shared an unforgettable smile and enthusiasm. Throughout her 17 years of dedicated service, she has consistently extended the Jewish values of caring for others within JFCS and our community. Her advice to anyone caring for aging seniors is to “love them, listen to them, treat them with respect and dignity and always be patient and understanding.” Baron officially retired from JFCS on Friday, August 13th. Former JFCS employee Cheryl Hamlin has returned to assume the Director of Aging Services role following Baron’s retirement. About JFCS of the Suncoast Celebrating its 35th year as one of the Florida Suncoast’s leading mental health and human services agencies, JFCS offers programs that support youth, families, seniors and veterans. Inspired by the Jewish tradition of helping all people, services are delivered regardless of religious preference and with the goal of empowering individuals and families to self-sufficiency and stability. JFCS of the Suncoast believes all people are to be treated with dignity and respect and have equal opportunity to physical well-being, self-expression and joy. For more information, visit https://JFCS-Cares.org/ or call (941) 366-2224.