AGENCY UPDATE: The Evolution of Cancer Care Connection

By Amie Baker, Director of Community Based Older Adult Services

In July 2025, a transformational milestone took place for Cancer Care Connection (CCC): it officially became a program within Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS). This merger, long in the making, represents the culmination of five years of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and strategic visioning. It marks not only an organizational shift, but the blending of two missions deeply rooted in compassion, healing, and service to the community. 

Since its inception in 2001, Cancer Care Connection has served as a lifeline for thousands of individuals navigating the complexity of a cancer experience. Through a publicly funded program supported by the Delaware Health Fund, CCC has been able to offer free services to anyone touched by cancer—patients, caregivers, family members, and friends. Though the funding is allocated for Delaware residents, the need has always reached far beyond state borders. Over the years, CCC has received calls from people across the country and around the world who are anxious about a loved one’s diagnosis and seeking guidance. No matter where someone comes from, the goal has remained the same: provide support, resources, and a deeply empathetic ear. 

At the core of CCC’s service model is the expertise of oncology social workers—professionals uniquely trained to understand the emotional, practical, and logistical challenges that accompany cancer. By providing phone-based support, resource navigation, and informed referrals, CCC has helped countless individuals manage feelings of fear, grief, uncertainty, and hope. Along the way, partnerships with organizations such as the Helen Graham Cancer Center, the Delaware Cancer Treatment Program, CanSurround, Bayhealth, Unite for HER, and many others have strengthened CCC’s reach and supported its mission of holistic care. 

Becoming part of Jewish Family Services has opened new doors for growth and expansion. With the transition, CCC has welcomed two additional oncology social workers, allowing the program to serve more individuals with greater depth and responsiveness. A new grief support group has launched, with a caregiver group soon to follow—both designed to address the emotional needs that often extend long after a diagnosis or treatment. Counseling services at the Helen Graham Cancer Center are also expanding, helping ensure that more patients can access emotional support during some of their most vulnerable moments. 

The integration with JFS also brings a broader foundation of community resources. CCC clients now have access to JFS’s comprehensive counseling services, Older Adult Services, the Food Pantry, and a wide network of community programs. This expanded scope allows the organization to serve the whole person, recognizing that cancer affects every aspect of life—from emotional wellbeing to financial stability to family dynamics. Combining the strengths of both organizations adds meaningful dimension and impact to the support offered. 

This period of transition has also brought changes in leadership. Longtime Executive Director Janet Texiera has stepped down to begin her next chapter—a chapter filled with ballroom dancing, improv classes, and all the joy and creativity she brings wherever she goes. Her legacy is one of steady, compassionate leadership that shaped CCC’s identity and values. Today, the program is guided by Chief Program Officer Wendell Covell, whose thoughtful leadership supports a team that includes Clinical Director Carol Deputy, Community Director Amie Baker, and oncology social workers Mel Longobardi, Kanyah Woods, and Vlad Cerbov. Together, they carry forward a mission built on empathy, dignity, and unwavering commitment. 

Reflecting on CCC’s journey, it is impossible not to see the deep alignment with Jewish values that emphasize healing, compassion, and respect for every human being. The principles of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Chesed (loving-kindness), and B’tzelem Elohim (the belief that every person is created with inherent dignity) resonate throughout CCC’s work and throughout the entire JFS organization. These values illuminate the harmony between the two organizations and affirm that this merger is, in many ways, beshert—destiny unfolding as it was meant to. 

As we find ourselves in the season of Passover, we are reminded of the importance of storytelling—of remembering where we come from, who we are, and the resilience of those who came before us. This tradition mirrors the work of Cancer Care Connection. Every day, social workers walk alongside individuals who are writing their own stories of fear, strength, hope, and healing. Whether supporting someone newly diagnosed, walking with a caregiver in crisis, comforting a family in grief, or celebrating the relief of remission, CCC remains a steadfast presence during moments that shape lives. 

At its heart, Cancer Care Connection exists to be a kind voice, a calm listener, and a knowledgeable guide. By joining with Jewish Family Services, that heart only grows stronger—expanding its reach, deepening its resources, and reaffirming that no one should ever have to face the cancer journey alone.