Longtime Jewish communal professional Ken Schwartz has joined ElderLink St. Louis, Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s free, centralized referral program for Jewish older adults, their children and caregivers, as a social worker.   

In his new position, Schwartz will be a key part of ElderLink’s expanded program, which will focus on reaching out to and training nontraditional sources of referrals or “gatekeepers,” such as employees of selected apartment complexes, pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as staff and professionals within the Jewish community who come into contact with senior adults on a regular basis and recognize signs that help may be necessary. In turn, ElderLink can refer these senior adults to services that will assist them with their needs.  

In addition, Schwartz will be available to meet directly with senior adults and their caregivers and help them with tasks such as filling out paperwork or applications for various available programs. All of ElderLink’s services are complimentary and confidential.

The majority of Schwartz’s career has been spent as a Jewish communal professional, including managerial positions at United Hebrew Congregation and the Jewish Community Center. Most recently, he was a sales and marketing executive for a leading home health care provider, where he developed customized plans to meet senior adult clients’ individual physical and psychosocial needs.

A resident of Creve Coeur, Schwartz earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., and his master’s of social work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.

In addition, Schwartz has been active in the community, serving as vice president of the Board of JProStl, the organization of Jewish communal professionals, and President of the George Warren Brown School of Social Work Alumni Board.  A frequent speaker on issues facing older adults, Schwartz was named a Sherman Fellow at Brandeis University, a national program recognizing excellence in Jewish communal service.

“Ken Schwartz comes to ElderLink with a wealth of experience in both social services and Jewish community organizations,” said Lori Goldberg, Coordinator of Senior Services at JF&CS. “He has a vast knowledge of resources that are available in our area, and has long-established relationships with area rabbis, professionals in the Jewish community and older adult service providers.  His expertise and knowledge will be a tremendous asset to the ElderLink St. Louis team.”

The expanded ElderLink program is available thanks to funding through a targeted allocation from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. For information, call 314-812-9300 or visit elderlinkstlouis.org.