Monday, March 15th, noon ET on Zoom
Representatives from two domestic violence shelters housing JWI children’s libraries discuss children's lives in these homes between homes - both before and during the COVID crisis - and how shelters have adapted to serve families throughout the pandemic. David Kahan, chief operating officer of the WINGS Project, Inc. in Chicago, and Alejandra Rodriguez, program manager of Hope Transitional shelter (part of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles), talk about how the COVID crisis has impacted their youngest residents, the challenges of accessing remote education from shelters, children's increasingly urgent need for the space and tools to learn, and the importance of the resources that JWI’s National Library Initiative creates, stocks, and sustains in shelters across the U.S. Lori Weinstein, JWI’s CEO Emerita, moderates the discussion. Lori Weinstein, JWI’s CEO Emerita, will moderate the discussion.
Plus: Join us April 13th to celebrate the opening of two children’s library openings in Chicago and Los Angeles. LEARN MORE
Speakers
David Kahan, Chief Operating Officer, WINGS Program Inc.
David joined the WINGS Program Inc. in 2017. His responsibilities include oversight of Programs, Community Resources, Resale Operations, Logistics, Maintenance and Facility Operations. His team oversees the Safe Homes, Shared Homes, Community Based Services, Transitional Housing and Resale Stores. (Schaumburg, Niles, Arlington Heights) David has over thirty years of operational experience. David’s leadership and expertise have been crucial in augmenting the overall economic vitality of WINGS. David began his career in health administration. He directed daily operational activities of 700 intake and clinical personnel at contact centers in Illinois and California. David was responsible for ongoing improvement strategies to ensure sustained capabilities in people, processes and technology. David contributed heavily to the design and implementation of various strategic systems in telephony, preauthorization, clinical scripting, web portal development and review models. David also led key corporate real estate project expansions in Illinois and California. David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois.
Alejandra Rodriguez, program manager, Hope Transitional
Alejandra Rodriguez is the Shelter Manager at Hope Transitional, one of the multiple sites that comprises JFS {Hope, the domestic violence program of Jewish Family Service LA. Ally, as she is known, has spent over 17 years working in the social service field using her personal and career experiences to help clients overcome obstacles. Along with concrete interventions, Ally provides clients, and their children, with emotional support and guidance so that they can create a home and a life free of violence.
Lori Weinstein, JWI CEO Emerita
Lori Weinstein has dedicated her professional life to empowering women and families through her non-profit leadership, strategic consulting and political advocacy. Her career has included research on women’s re-entry into the workforce at The Association of American Colleges’ Project on the Status and Education of Women; volunteer training and direct services at domestic violence shelter My Sister’s Place; and working on behalf of tens of thousands of low-income children as director of The National Child Care Advocacy Project at the Children’s Foundation. In the political arena, Lori has worked as a consultant providing strategic planning and guidance to non-profits and family philanthropies. Lori joined JWI in 2000 as the deputy director and became the executive director in 2002. She served as CEO until December 2019. She is a founder of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation and has served in leadership roles with the American Jewish World Service, Regional Council of the New Israel Fund, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and the Emanuel and Anna Weinstein Foundation. A graduate of Tufts University, Lori has a master's degree in women's studies and feminist therapy from Goddard College.