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Honorees
MORGAN CASPI
Community Impact Award
Morgan Caspi has long been dedicated to volunteerism, and her journey with JFS of Greenwich began when the organization launched its Resettlement program to assist immigrant families fleeing war-torn Ukraine.
Eager to make a difference, Morgan reached out to Rachel Kornfeld, CEO of JFS, expressing her desire to sponsor a family. She quickly rallied her friends, hosted a fundraiser, and raised enough funds to cover the rent for the resettled families and furnished their apartment.
Soon after, Morgan befriended Amy Hirschhorn, whose son, Charlie had founded the Friendly Fridge Network, a grassroots initiative supporting food-insecure families during the early days of the pandemic. Inspired by the project, Morgan, alongside her son Oliver, expanded the organization’s reach to Connecticut. Knowing JFS's existing food insecurity program, she turned to Rachel once more for help. With JFS becoming the Friendly Fridge's Network’s first Connecticut client, the program began to grow. Morgan’s passion and vision led to a collaboration between JFS and Meals on Main Street to place freezer stocked with nutritious, flash-frozen meals in local public schools. This expansion provides students with nourishing food to take home to their families, addressing a growing concern for food insecurity in communities, especially among children. Additionally, in the past two years, Morgan and her son Oliver raised $10,000 to supply proper thanksgiving meals for over 100 families in Fairfield County.
Morgan’s efforts focus not only on alleviating immediate hunger but also on ensuring a healthier, more stable future for the next generation.
Morgan Caspi is being honored with the Community Impact Award for her unwavering dedication to bettering the lives of those in need. Through her leadership, resourcefulness, and deep compassion, she has been instrumental in expanding JFS’s efforts to address food insecurity and support vulnerable families in our community. Morgan's work exemplifies the power of individual action to create a brighter, more compassionate future for all.
LYNN & VERNON SCHWARTZ
Care and Commitment Award
Lynn and Vernon Schwartz have been steadfast supporters of JFS of Greenwich for over a decade. Since 2014, their commitment to the organization has made a lasting impact on the community it serves. Originally from South Africa, they lived in Rye, NY before making Old Greenwich their home in more recent years. Vernon, a retired Finance Professional, has supported the organization’s mission, while Lynn’s dedication as a volunteer has truly set her apart.
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Lynn’s remarkable commitment to the Bikur Cholim volunteer program is a testament to her compassion and dedication. As a member of the first class of volunteers trained in this vital program, she has continued her service for years, offering care and support to those in need in our community.
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We are recognizing Lynn and Vernon Schwartz with the Care and Commitment Award because of their unwavering dedication to both philanthropy and volunteering. Their efforts exemplify the heart of JFS’s work, demonstrating how service and support can transform lives and strengthen our community. Through their leadership, generosity, and commitment to service, Lynn and Vernon inspire others to join in making a difference.
JESSIE SORENSEN
Heart of Service Award
Jessie Sorensen began volunteering with JFS of Greenwich in the Spring of 2022, after meeting the staff through her food rescue efforts during the pandemic. She was already dropping off food at JFS and asked how she could get more directly involved.
Since her early days as a JFS volunteer through the present, Jessie has helped with food deliveries, assisted with the Family Farm Stand, and supported resettlement families by tutoring children, assisting with homework, and helping improve English language skills. Her background as both an early childhood and special needs educator has made her uniquely qualified for these tasks, allowing her to provide exceptional support to children and families in need. She also assists families in adjusting to cultural and social norms. Additionally, when JFS launched the Friendly Fridge program last year, Jessie stepped up to assist by delivering food to local schools as part of our food insecurity initiative.
Jessie is one of our longest-standing and most reliable volunteers, consistently adapting to meet the needs of those we serve. We are honoring her with the Heart of Service Award for her unwavering commitment and her selfless contributions through education, mentorship, and compassion.
WILL CHASIN
Gen Z Future Leader Award
Will Chasin, an 11th grader at Horace Mann School, first became involved with JFS through the ESL Buddy Program, where he has been mentoring a 3rd-grade Ukrainian refugee for the past year. Passionate about photography since the 8th grade, Will wanted to do something special for the families JFS serves. Noticing that many of them lacked family portraits, he offered to take and frame portraits as a gift. His generosity was met with deep gratitude, and one family even asked him to photograph their wedding.​
Will’s volunteer work has allowed him to combine two passions—photography and making others feel seen, valued, and respected. His ability to connect with others and use his skills to serve his community demonstrates how young people can lead with creativity, compassion, and purpose.
Will is being honored with the Gen Z Future Leader Award for his dedication to using his talents to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
JESSIE COLIN
Gen Z Future Leader Award
Jessie Colin, an 11th grader at Greenwich Country Day School, has been involved with JFS through her mother, Rebecca Colin, a long-standing JFS partner. Inspired by her family’s commitment to volunteerism, Jessie began tutoring a 10-year-old Ukrainian boy last summer. Over time, their bond has grown strong, and she has become like a big sister to him and a close friend to his family.​
Through this experience, Jessie has learned that giving back is not just about helping others but also about personal growth and meaningful connections. She is being honored with the Gen Z Future Leader Award for her dedication to making a difference at such a young age. Her compassion, leadership, and ability to create lasting bonds showcase the power of youth-driven philanthropy, and she proves that anyone, no matter their age, can have a meaningful impact on their community.
KATIE RUHE
Gen Z Future Leader Award
​Katie Ruhe, a senior at King School, has been a dedicated volunteer with JFS of Greenwich for over two years. Throughout her time with us, Katie has shown incredible enthusiasm and commitment to supporting our mission. She recently played a key role in our World Refugee Day event and has organized multiple welcome basket collections to support families in need. Katie has also worked with her AP History teacher to create a course interviewing refugees from JFS, developing an archive system for their testimonies, and plans to produce a short documentary to highlight their strength and perseverance.
Katie’s dedication and initiative exemplify the power of youth in creating meaningful change and fostering community well-being through volunteerism. She is being honored with the Gen Z Future Leader Award for her commitment to serving others and making a positive impact on her community.
STAMFORD MARRIOTT HOTEL & SPA
Champions for Change Award
The Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa has been a steadfast partner of JFS of Greenwich, providing essential support to our refugee clients. Through their commitment to offering meaningful employment, the Marriott not only provides job opportunities but also helps individuals build the confidence and skills necessary to establish new lives in the United States. Their generosity has had a profound impact on the lives of those we serve, offering hope for a brighter future.​
By welcoming refugees into their workforce, the Stamford Marriott has gone beyond providing jobs—it has empowered individuals and families to rebuild their lives and contribute to the local community. This dedication strengthens both the lives of the individuals they employ and the community as a whole.​
We are honoring the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa with the Champions of Change Award for their exceptional role in improving the lives of refugee families. Their leadership and support have made a lasting difference, exemplifying the power of community and transformation.
