Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS) celebrated the work of retiring CEO Dory Zatuchni and the opening of the new Village Garden dedicated her years of service.  The celebration marked Zatuchni's two decades of heading JFS, which has locations in North Wilmington, Newark, and Lewes.

"For more than 20 years, Dory has been a strong community leader with an unwavering commitment to serving vulnerable populations," said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf.  "Across our state, Dory and Jewish Family Services are helping to build a healthier and stronger Delaware. She is a leader of the highest integrity and is dedicated to improving the lives of all that she and her agency touches."

Zatuchni first joined JFS as a social worker for older adults living in subsidized housing in 1990.  She was elevated to CEO in 1996 and has since steered the agency through changes and challenges while always providing the highest quality services to the community.  She is a recognized leader on mental health, aging in place, and domestic violence issues.

Some programs that came to be or flourished under Zatuchni's tenure:

• Delaware's first Village, a member-driven program designed to help older adults live independently in their own homes and remain active in the community.  Through staff and volunteer services, Villages make it possible for individuals to "age-in-place."  Brandywine Village Network has served northeastern New Castle County since 2012 and the Cape Village Network will begin serving eastern Sussex County later this year.
• Hands on media literacy training, video production, and prevention education for youth who have been adjudicated or attending alternative schools.  After engaging activities geared towards prevention, participants create PSAs which are aired at local movie theaters and on social media.
• Expansion and sustainability of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services. By reducing barriers to services for clients and staying on the cutting edge of best practices, JFS provided more than 13,000 mental health counseling sessions to children, adults, and families last year.

"Dory and her staff have created an agency that meets the needs of the broadest populations of our community, not only the Jewish community," said Rabbi Peter Grumbacher, a local community leader who has partnered with JFS to provide services over the years.  "Her focus is on creativity and relevance."