Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Kryshka.
Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Social justice has always been an important value of mine, even as a child, and during my first year at UCF I started taking women’s studies classes and everything really solidified for me. At UCF, I was president of our campus feminist organization and I knew when I graduated that I wanted a career focused on improving the world. Most of my career has been spent working for Jewish nonprofit organizations and I have always been an active volunteer with several women’s organizations. In 2014, I was looking to move back to Florida from Washington, D.C. and a good friend of mine, who was a trustee of JWF, connected me with the director at the time. Four years later, I am still here dedicated to our mission.
Jewish Women’s Foundation – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches (JWF) is dedicated to advancing the status of women and girls in Florida and Israel. We specialize in social change grantmaking and education, which means we focus our efforts and our philanthropic dollars on strategies that will have a long term effect on improving the lives of women and girls rather than supporting direct services. JWF is the only Jewish, social change foundation focused on women and girls in Palm Beach County. What sets our organization apart from others is our innovation and ability to take risks. JWF also funds projects outside the Jewish community because we want all women and girls to be safe and successful. Another unique aspect of JWF is our inclusive grants process. Our trustees who have committed to supporting JWF for three or more years have a unique opportunity to join the Grants committee and ultimately decided which projects we fund.
What mentors, supporters or advocates have you had that played a big role in your success or the success of the organization?
Personally, I have always surrounded myself with strong, smart women, and we act as each other’s cheerleaders. This is true of JWF as well. The reason JWF is so successful is because of our amazing 120 plus trustees and our dedicated Board of Directors. These women commit their time, ideas, and dollars to ensure JWF fulfills its mission and remains on the forefront of the most critical issues affecting women and girls.
Contact Info:
- Address: Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches
500 South Australian Ave., Fifth Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 - Website: https://www.jwfpalmbeach.org/
- Phone: (561) 275-2200
- Email: info@jwfpalmbeach.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwf_palmbeach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwfpalmbeach
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWF_PalmBeach
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