SARASOTA, Fla. — The Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the Suncoast, Inc. (JFCS-Cares.org), the multi-county premier multi-function social service nonprofit, honors the longtime legacy of Rose Chapman, announces her new role and plans future growth with a search for a new CEO.
During Chapman’s 23-year tenure as chief executive officer, she successfully took JFCS from a $200,000 agency to an $8.5-million agency, grew the staff from three to 114, expanded geographically from one office to 16 sites and increased the range of services the nonprofit offers to the community from three to over 25 programs.
“Throughout Rose’s time as CEO, she has helped attain an amazing reputation for JFCS within the community,” said Joe Mendels, the chairman of the JFCS board. “She is truly respected and appreciated locally for the great human value she has brought to Sarasota through her work.”
However, this isn’t goodbye for Chapman. A licensed clinical social worker and adjunct professor at the University of South Florida, she will continue in another function as CEO emeritus, a role specifically created for her. In her new position, Chapman will utilize her over 40 years in nonprofits to work with the incoming CEO and the JFCS board to ensure its fiscal sustainability and security as the organization moves forward. Chapman has cultivated significant relationships throughout the community and with members of the legislative body in Tallahassee. She will work with government sources, individual donors and other resources to assure JFCS’s clients will be served far into the future.
“JFCS is 40 times larger in terms of its budget since Rose joined the nonprofit,” said Mendels, a retired psychiatrist who has been on the JFCS board for six years. “She transformed JFCS into one of the most important social service agencies in the community. We have grown from a handful of services to helping seniors, veterans, caregivers, adults, children and adolescents, families, the homeless and so many others.”
From 2014-15, over 15,000 individuals received more than 75,000 services from JFCS, including case management, individual and group counseling, life skills education and assistance with basic life necessities, such as food and emergency financial assistance for homeless prevention. JFCS’s over 450 volunteers provided more than 7,500 hours of service during that time.
“JFCS has grown tremendously – not only financially but also geographically,” said Chapman. “I am truly grateful to the wonderful staff, volunteers, board of directors, donors and the supportive community. Without them and their confidence and trust, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are today. The multi-county generosity has allowed us to provide the resources and services needed throughout the community.”
Led by Mendels and incoming board chairman Steve Seidensticker, the nonprofit will assemble a search committee tasked with finding a new leader to move the organization forward and continue its important mission. The board of directors plans to formalize a search committee, including experienced consultants from nonprofit and human resources agencies, within the next 30 days.
Chapman will remain the CEO until the position is filled and will assist with the transitioning process. The incoming CEO will build on the legacy already in place and lead the nonprofit, including handling all of the day-to-day operations of the organization.
“For the future, I see stability, further growth and additional services provided to the people that need it in the community,” said Chapman. “This is our mission. Be here for people who need us, and I’m here to assure that we will always be there to meet those needs.”
About Jewish Family and Children Services of the Suncoast
Celebrating 30 years of service to the community, Jewish Family and Children Services of the Suncoast, Inc. (JFCS) is the multi-county premier multi-function social service nonprofit. JFCS served over 15,000 individuals between 2014-15 and more than 75,000 individuals received services from JFCS, including case management, individual and group counseling, life skills education and assistance with basic life necessities, such as food and emergency financial assistance to prevent homelessness. For more information, visit JFCS-Cares.org or call 941-366-2224.