Erin Minior, head of Jewish Collaborative Services, to retire

PROVIDENCE – Erin Minior, president and chief executive officer of Jewish Collaborative Services, is retiring this month.

Minior, who announced her plans to retire in February, has led JCS as president and CEO since its creation, in 2018, from the union of Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Seniors Agency. Previously, she was president and CEO at JFS.

During her 25 years with JFS and now JCS, Minior was also a teacher and mentor. She worked in the Doctoring Program at Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine and as a field supervisor for the Rhode Island College School of Social Work.

Prior to joining JFS, Minior was the director of social work at Roger Williams Medical Center and the director of the Fall River Council on Aging.

“Erin’s skills as a social worker, mentor, administrator, communicator and leader have enabled JCS to expand the support we offer to the Jewish community and beyond,” said Patty Harwood, chief of programs at JCS and Minior’s longtime colleague and friend.

Minior’s dedication to the field is also supported by her work on the boards of multiple organizations, including the Somerset Council on Aging, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The CEO Council of the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies (AJFCA), the Advisory Council of Bristol Elder Services and the Massachusetts Council of Family Servicing Agencies.

Though Minior’s history in the field of social work is extensive, she said she is most proud of her work with JFS and JCS, which started in 1997.

“Twenty-five years ago, my desire to work at JFS stemmed from my Jewish roots and desire to gain greater insight and association with Jewish culture and my identity,” Minior said.

“I am grateful to have spent 25 years with this amazing agency and deeply honored to have led it through the union of JFS and JSA to what it is today, JCS, a process that took many years.”

Under Minior’s leadership, many additional significant accomplishments were achieved, including increasing JFS’ budget and the number of clients served by more than a third; developing vital programs such as Kesher and Case Management; and securing funding to purchase and build out the main office building in Providence where JCS is housed, at 1165 North Main. St., Providence.

In addition, Minior adds, “The board, our senior leadership team and I have laid out the groundwork for future long-term planning by undergoing an extensive program evaluation process that will help guide JCS for many years to come. This gives me great confidence in JCS’ future successes.”

Marisa Garber, who has worked side by side with Minior, most recently completing her third year as JCS board chair, said, “The progress and advancement of our agency has blossomed under Erin’s wise and watchful eye as she leaves JCS in a stronger position to face future challenges.”

Minior’s passion for JCS’ mission will not stop. She plans to work with the JCS Board of Directors and her successor, bringing new services to our housing communities.

For now, Minior, a Massachusetts native, plans to welcome her first grandson and spend much of her newly found time gardening and with family.

JESSICA MURPHY is the marketing and communications manager for Jewish Collaborative Services.