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Accelerating Social, Academic and Health Equity
Monthly Report to the Community
July 2022
Dear Friends:

I hope this finds you well and that you are comfortably managing this summer's heat. The oppressively high temperatures of the last few weeks have informed critical interventions by our JFS staff. Specifically we have been helping in the following ways: 

  • Assisting community members without resources to buy or replace fans or air conditioners through connections with our collaborative partner agencies.
  • Assisting struggling families with young children to pay their soaring utility bills.
  • Assisting caregivers who are concerned about their vulnerable and aging loved ones by checking in frequently and monitoring safety.

Our dedicated professional staff are super focused on quickly handling these urgent seasonal requests to ensure the wellbeing of our neighbors who are having a hard time dealing with the extreme heat and humidity.

The calls that have been more challenging in recent weeks have been from numerous individuals and families on the verge of becoming homeless. During the pandemic, many landlords were unable to collect rent because tenants were unable to work. This, along with skyrocketing property values has led many landlords to put their rental properties on the market, and those properties are selling fast. Clients are coming to us with eviction notices indicating they have just days or weeks to find a new place to live. These clients, many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck, are now forced to find a new place - one that they can afford- in a market where affordable housing is scarce. It takes a superhero to figure out solutions to these impossible situations, and that is what our case managers are - superheroes who are solving these complex puzzles and making sure that our most vulnerable community members don't end up living in their cars or on the street. 

The economic effects of the pandemic have pushed housing insecurity in our community to critical levels and in the last year, thanks to funding through COVID-19 relief grants, JFS was able to provide over $60,000 in rental/housing assistance in an effort to prevent homelessness and keep families and children in safe living situations. It is important to note that the funds offered through these grants have been disbursed and additional funding is no longer available, even though the need for rental/housing assistance continues to escalate.

And, while all this is happening, other work at JFS continues:

~ We continue to receive calls from victims of the war in Ukraine who are seeking shelter in our caring community. As of this writing, our team is working with 43 individuals (18 families) providing a broad range of services, including:

  • Providing information and referral 
  • Facilitating understanding of and applying for food stamps and other public benefits 
  • Arranging for health screenings 
  • Connecting individuals with English as a Second Language classes 
  • Assisting with the work authorization process 
  • Providing emergency cash assistance

To support this work we are looking for an additional Case Manager to join the Immigrant Services team. Please click here for the job description, share with your networks or apply today.

~ Our Homecare program is expanding. With 300+ low-income older adults on the list waiting to receive basic personal care and homemaking services, there is a critical need for new direct service providers. No experience required to become a homemaker, starting pay is $18.00/hour. Click here for the job description (o en Español) - share with your networks, or apply and help ensure the safety and wellbeing of these vulnerable community members.

~ JFS also is looking for caring and compassionate volunteers to help our older adult neighbors get to and navigate their medical appointments. Patient Navigator services are in high demand, however we are not able to fulfill all requests at this time because of low volunteer availability. Your help is needed, now more than ever. Click here to learn how you can join the team of JFS Patient Navigators.

~ Looking ahead, we are thinking about the start of school and preparing for our 11th annual Build a Backpack events. To kick off the season, JFS partnered with Definitive Healthcare, who donated supplies to pack 300 backpacks full of school supplies for children in our community who need it most! The team of packers included over 30 Definitive Healthcare associates, who generously donated their time to a day of service. Four (4) events will take place in August. Please sign up to bring a new, empty backpack to one of these events and help low-income students start the school year off right. Many thanks to the Definitive Healthcare team, and to all who support these efforts!

~ Another way JFS provides support to students in need is through the Paul Rosenberg Memorial Fund. Established in 2020, this program funds yearly collegiate scholarships to students studying business or finance. APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED UNTIL AUGUST 30TH. Click this link to submit a scholarship application

Scroll down to learn more about JFS's work in the community. JFS goals are aggressive but real - impacting the lives of over 7,500 individuals each year, providing necessary life-saving assistance that is only possible because of YOUR donations. Over 80% of JFS’s operating budget is funded by philanthropic dollars. To continue to provide these services we need your investment in our work to repair the world - one individual, one family at a time.  
 
Please click here and make an unrestricted donation now or a program directed investment to ensure JFS has the resources it needs to assist the many community members who rely upon JFS for help.  

Thank you for your partnership and trust in our leadership as a Metrowest convener for good.  

Wishing you a safe and restful summer. 
Lino Covarrubias, CEO
RESETTLEMENT PROJECT UPDATES
Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis

We are actively monitoring the situation and our work in this area is expanding. Click the link below to learn about opportunities to assist in these efforts.

Thank you for your caring, compassion and offers of support. Hope and prayers for the safety of all Ukrainians and peace soon.

Afghan Evacuee Resettlement Project
MEET THE STAFF
Three Members – Two Generations Each of Two Families Serving
JFS Homecare Clients
Dámaris Medina-Hernández, long-time Manager of Homecare Training and Quality Assurance, has been with JFS since July 2000. Her passion for the program and her compassion for the clients it serves convinced her sister, Jessica Hernández, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), to join JFS’ Homecare program as a Personal Care Homemaker in January of 2022. The sisters are from Puerto Rico and are bi-lingual. Not to be left out, Jessica Ortiz-Pomales, CNA, daughter of Jessica and niece of Damaris, picked up the torch later in January of 2022, working as a bi-lingual Personal Care Homemaker to JFS’ most vulnerable older adult clients.
Wendy Elidia Elvia Morales
In 2021, Wendy Polanco Morales joined her mother, Lillian Morales, and aunt, Elidia Morales on the staff of JFS’ Homecare Team. Lillian began her career at JFS in early 2016, followed by her sister, Elidia, who joined the Team in early 2018. The two multilingual sisters are natives of Guatemala, Elidia works as a Homemaker and Lillian works as a Personal Care Homemaker serving frail older adults.   
Following in their footsteps, Wendy, a CNA, joined JFS as a multilingual Personal Care Homemaker. The trio are described as “professional go-getters passionate about advocating for Homecare workers and their clients.”

We are grateful to have the Hernández and Morales families as a part of the JFS family!


SAVE THE DATE!
As you begin to make summer plans, please consider joining JFS for the 11th Annual Build-a-Backpack event! Scan the QR code or CLICK below to register for
this year's backpack event!
HIGHLIGHTS
This month JFS partnered with Definitive Healthcare, who donated supplies to pack 300 backpacks full of school supplies for children in our community who need it most! The team of packers included over 30 Definitive Healthcare associates, who generously donated their time to a day of service.

Thank you, Definitive Healthcare, for supporting our mission of Accelerating Social, Academic and Health Equity!
Upon his passing, the family of former JFS Board Treasurer Paul Rosenberg (z"l) established the Paul Rosenberg Memorial Fund to honor the over forty years of Paul’s unwavering commitment to those in need in the Metrowest community. To honor his memory, the fund ensures the continued administrative excellence of JFS and funds two yearly collegiate scholarships to students studying business or finance. APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED UNTIL AUGUST 30TH. 

Recently, JFS received a $2,000 grant to enable the Lucy and Joe Press Food Pantry to purchase items needed to best serve our clientele. The generous check comes from the Herbert and Esther Atkinson Fund of the Foundation for MetroWest.

Thank you for believing in JFS’s mission of accelerating equity!
Are you in need of mental health services? 
JFS COMMITTEE ON ANTI-RACISM & FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM
Want to learn what you can do to respond when incidents happen in the community? Sign up to attend a future training and become an Active Bystander.

To learn about upcoming news and events as they occur, like/follow the JFS Committee on Anti-Racism and Fighting Antisemitism social media channels, and CLICK HERE for a list of resources specific to this work.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!
Interested In Volunteering?

Please complete this short form and a JFS staff member will get back to you.

If you’d like to support this impactful work, please donate!
Patient Navigators Needed!
Join our Patient Navigator team and accompany older adults to medical appointments, easing the stress of the appointment for both the patient and their families.

You’ll help older adults prepare for upcoming medical appointments, serve as a companion at the appointment, facilitate communication between doctor and patient, and take notes during the visit.

Patient Navigator is a flexible volunteer opportunity that can work with your schedule! We ask you to commit to a minimum of 4 appointments per year. All appointments are during weekday, daytime hours.


PROGRAM UPDATES:

ARE YOU A JEWISH PROFESSIONAL LIVING IN METROWEST?
ARE YOU IN YOUR MID TO LATE CAREER?
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR JOB OR HAD YOUR HOURS CUT?

You may be eligible to participate in an employment project developed by JFS and Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and funded by Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). Ready for Success (RFS) is designed for active job seekers who have a clear career direction, but need some help with job search activities and landing a job.
Need help with an aging loved one?
JFS Geriatric Care Managers can help.

When you need expert guidance navigating the challenges that come with aging, the elder experts of JFS Allies in Aging can help.
JFS Supports Our Veterans
JFS has a commitment with our partner agencies to ensure
no veteran is left behind.

Thinking of going back to school?

Follow the links below to learn about the programs offered
through these local institutions:


GET INVOLVED
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support JFS of Metrowest every time you shop, at no cost to you! 

When you link your regular Amazon account to AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same prices, selection, and shopping experience that you’re used to, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to JFS!

Give today and partner with JFS to improve the lives of over 7,500 people in our community each year.
Consider a Legacy Gift to JFS of Metrowest

Your concerns and priorities have helped shape JFS today. Your legacy gift will help shape tomorrow.

To ensure that the values and concerns that have inspired your involvement in JFS will endure for generations to come, consider:

- Including JFS in your estate planning -
- Making a gift to JFS as a bequest in a will or trust -
- Designating a gift to the JFS Endowment Fund -

Together, we can maintain the agency’s promise to the community to stand up for those left behind.

ABOUT JFS
DID YOU KNOW THAT...

  • JFS is a multi-year recipient of the 4-star Charity Navigator rating exceeding industry standards,outperforming most charities - only 1% of nonprofit organizations achieve this rating
  • JFS serves over 7,500 individuals yearly, 40% of which are not Jewish
  • JFS engages over 300 volunteers across 17 programs
  • JFS distributed over 7,000 clothing items for children of low income families in the past 6 months
  • JFS serves 3,500 older adults by increasing access to healthcare and safe aging solutions
  • JFS, in partnership with CJP, distributed 6,000 holiday meals for Passover and Rosh Hashanah
  • JFS resettled over 100 displaced refugees from Syria and Afghanistan in partnership with local faith organizations
  • JFS works hand in hand with immigrants and families from 60+ countries
  • JFS is a community convener in the areas of bigotry and antisemitism
  • JFS works with over 100 collaborative community partners throughout Massachusetts
  • 80% of JFS' total annual revenue is philanthropic dollars, supported by donors like you!

Partner with JFS and make a meaningful impact in our community.
Thank you to Wendy, Lillian, Elidia, Iryna, Ana Lisa, Eileen and all who partner with JFS to Accelerate Social, Academic and Health Equity in our community.

Your help is needed - get involved today!
JFS of Metrowest | 508-875-3100 | [email protected] | JFSMW.org