2023 Fiscal Year Allocation Summary
Jewish Community Fund (JCF) Grants in this area totaled more than $2.6 million during the 2023 Fiscal Year, part of more than $8 million being invested to care for those in need in the community.
In Fiscal Year 2022, the Jewish Federation made a significant impact within the Greater Philadelphia community to ensure food security, safe housing, financial independence and appropriate support for aging with dignity.
Impact in the priority area of Caring for Those in Need is also made through Jewish Federation grant processes (including the Bernard and Etta Weinberg Family Fund, Chair’s Venture Fund, Jewish Federation Real Estate Fund, Justin P. Allman President’s Fund, Women of Vision Endowment Fund) and special funds.
By collaborating with partner agencies, our financial resources helped achieve the following goals in Fiscal Year 2022:
- Promoting self-sufficiency, food security, housing stability and independence in Jewish individuals
- Supporting and enhancing the communal social service system
- Allowing Jewish adults to age with dignity with home delivered meals, home repair, socialization, transportation, care management and access to continued learning opportunities
- Reducing food insecurity among low-income Jewish adults through food distribution
Fiscal Year 2022 Impact THROUGH JCF
6,516
individuals received food boxes or prepared meals as well as additional essential items for seniors or young families
5,014
persons with disabilities and older adults participated in socialization activities to reduce isolation
971
individuals received financial support during unexpected life events
810
older adults received nutritious and affordable kosher style meals
670
persons with disabilities (and their family members) received care management, socialization, and educational and skill-building programs
103
individuals accessed resources to find meaningful, satisfying work
120
low-income refugees and immigrants received integration assistance to orient them to life in Philadelphia, as well as ongoing legal assistance for immigration cases
20
individuals who faced domestic violence received access to low-cost or pro bono legal representation
4,140
individuals received referrals to services in the community and assistance with enrollment in public benefits as needed
Grant Recipients FOR fISCAL YEAR 2023
Promoting Self-Sufficiency ($815,000)
Grantee programs that support independence.
Advocates for the Mentally Ill Tikvah Social Program ($10,000)
Tikvah is a grassroots organization established by parents and mental health professionals committed to improving the quality of life for adults living with mental illness. The program provides opportunities for those living with mental illness and their loved ones to participate in education, group therapy and social events in order to provide a sense of community for this overlooked population.
JEVS Human Services Tikvah Residence ($15,000)
This apartment building helps maintain a safety net for individuals living with disabilities related to mental health diagnoses. It offers opportunities for peer socialization, community and/or work involvement, case management, healthcare oversight and wellness education, self-management skills, improved access to community resources, and, where appropriate, public benefits. Tikvah Residence also engages local community members impacted by mental illness with programming and engagement.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS) Coordinated Supports for Persons Living with Disabilities ($50,000)
JFCS offers in-home and independent living skill-building, therapeutic services, healthy relationships and community building as well as broader community engagement, education and advocacy. The goal of this program is to reduce the barriers for people living with intellectual disabilities through a rich network of services and programs designed to enhance access to needed care, helping clients function to their fullest capacity at home, in school, and in the community.
Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI)
JCHAI At Home ($55,000)
This program provides home and community-based services to adults with developmental disabilities, brain injuries or autism who are living with their families or independently in the community. Individuals have access to care management, socialization and educational and skill-building programs. The program offers personalized support to help individuals live fulfilling, productive lives as independently as possible.
Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI)
JCHAI Transitions ($75,000)
This program provides after-school or work and weekend outings to help young adults with disabilities develop social networks and a Jewish identity, while teaching skills to transition living and working in the community. Activities include a variety of classes (fitness, art/handcrafts, coding and FIRST robotics, cooking and nutrition, computer-skills), resume preparation, social media awareness seminars and film club evenings
The Female Hebrew Benevolent Society of Philadelphia Emergency Aid ($10,000)
Emergency Aid assists Jewish women by making third-party payments to cover basic needs such as rent/mortgage, utility bills, dental services/dentures, hearing aids, doctors’ bills, medicine and health insurance. The program works closely with other communal organizations to provide its services to vulnerable community members.
Hebrew Free Loan Society of Greater Philadelphia The Way Forward ($75,000)
This loan program provides no-interest loans to Jews in Greater Philadelphia who are at risk of financial insecurity or need help paying basic living expenses because of a challenging situation. Most loans of $5,000 or less are repaid over two years; most loans above $5,000 are repaid over three years.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services Vulnerable Adult Care Management ($525,000)
JFCS provides supportive services to individuals and families to alleviate immediate crises, foster self-sufficiency and promote long-term independence. Depending on circumstance, clients might receive direct funds for basic needs, referrals to services in the community, assistance with enrollment in public benefits, as well as financial, credit and housing counseling.
Supporting the Communal Social Service System ($387,750)
Grantee programs that create pathways for low-income Jewish adults to access public benefits and work.
Dinah Philly
Operation Access ($83,000)
Dinah is a comprehensive legal services center providing low- cost and pro bono legal representation to survivors of domestic abuse in the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community. Dinah trains attorneys to provide these services and community volunteers to assist survivors through the legal process.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Pennsylvania Citizenship and Family Reunification Services ($20,000)
This program provides integration assistance to recently arrived, low-income refugees and immigrants. Services include case management that orients them to life in Philadelphia and links them to public benefits, financial and credit counseling, direct grants, medical care, job placements/referrals, as well as specialized immigration legal services.
JEVS Human Services
JEVS helping hands ($284,750)
This program provides a guided approach for low-income, Jewish adults in all stages of career transition, including unemployment or underemployment. This project helps individuals find meaningful, satisfying work through tools and processes to unlock and present their own skills, abilities and interests. In addition, helping hands has extensive employer connections and can assist with job search assistance for qualified job seekers.
Aging with Dignity ($1,253,959)
Grantee programs focused on providing assistance and support to those over the age of 60 related to health and well-being.
Abramson Senior Care
Palliative Care for Seriously Ill Patients ($125,000)
This program offers community based palliative care to clients wherever they call home, in combination with other medical services received. Led by social workers and nurse practitioners, the palliative care teams achieve high visit frequency with clients who suffer from a serious illness, chronic symptoms or difficulty completing everyday tasks. These clients receive care management, support in making complex decisions and intensive family meetings to determine care goals and psycho- social support for patients, caregivers and families.
Federation Housing, Inc
Senior Congregate Meal Program ($45,500)
This program offers nutritious and affordable kosher style meals to residents of each Federation Housing building. It also provides an opportunity for older adults to socialize, enjoy live entertainment, discuss world events and celebrate personal milestones and community holidays, where children from local schools and day care centers can enliven these gatherings.
Golden Slipper Center for Seniors
Golden Slipper Gems – Bucks County ($25,000)
This program provides four courses per week, twice weekly for approximately 32 weeks each year. While many courses are culturally Jewish in reference (i.e., Jewish artists, comics, singers, playwrights), Gems also offers about 10% of courses on traditional Jewish topics. In addition to the weekly courses, Gems often has afternoon courses for smaller groups, such as Tai Chi or courses that promote mental acuity.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
Culturally Appropriate Care Management for Holocaust Survivors ($65,000)
The JFCS Holocaust Survivor Support Program provides trauma- informed, holistic services to the low-income aging Jewish community who lived under Nazi rule during World War II so that they can remain in their homes and live with independence and safety.Their approach helps survivors live at home safely, comfortably and with dignity through health care management and financial assistance. The Survivor social programs work to help alleviate isolation and preserve a sense of community and enhance the quality of life.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
Dignified Burial Fund ($20,000)
Each year Greater Philadelphia experiences the deaths of several indigent Jews — people who cannot afford the cost of a minimal dignified Jewish burial, typically ranging between $5,000 and $7,000. Jewish Federation, JFCS and Female Hebrew Benevolent Society created a coordinated plan, along with local cemeteries and funeral homes, to provide dignified Jewish burials for those in need.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia Individual and Family Services –
Older Adult Care Management ($374,211)
This program supports older adults throughout the greater Philadelphia area in their efforts to remain at home as they age. JFCS assesses each client’s needs and provides customized in-home services, such as care management, friendly visiting, and home care subsidies related to financial assistance, legal concerns, cognitive functioning, spirituality, health and safety, and emotional well-being. Additionally, individuals are assisted with the navigation of government aging programs and enrollment in public benefits. The coordination of care decreases the likelihood of institutionalization and enables older adults to remain at home. Individuals are provided connections to resources, education and counseling, opportunities for socializing and other programs or services.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
KAVOD SHEF ($75,000)
This program is funded partially through KAVOD nationally and its Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund. Locally, as survivors seek to meet basic needs, including rent and food, it is difficult for them to make choices to purchase other critical needs, such as hearing aids and home repairs. As a result of these factors, many survivors are vulnerable and are one emergency away from being in financial distress and unable to remain at home. This fund provides emergency funding to provide culturally appropriate food packages and gift cards, food delivery, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dental costs, home repairs, home care and medical expenses.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) ($85,000)
The NORC supports the ability of older adults to age in their Northeast Philadelphia homes. Outreach and supervisory staff engage volunteers in home maintenance and minor home repair tasks, leveraging funds so more complicated repairs can be provided by licensed and insured contractors. Volunteers also provide socialization, including phone-a-friend and peer- led groups. The combination of services reduces isolation and barriers to a healthy and meaningful life for older adults aging in their homes.
KleinLife
Active Adults Program – Elkins Park ($54,000)
Active Adults Program – Northeast Philadelphia ($385,248)
The KleinLife Senior Community Centers serve older adults through socialization and wellness programs in Elkins Park and Northeast Philadelphia. These programs support the ability of older adults to maintain their health and wellness through various classes that exercise the mind and body. The programs also help to ensure food security through a free lunch that is often accompanied by entertainment or holiday celebrations.
Reducing Food Insecurity ($157,000)
Grantee programs that provide free or low cost meals or food packages to adults and families unable to access enough food on their own.
Jewish Relief Agency (JRA)
Monthly Food Distribution Program ($100,000)
JRA provides a free monthly box of nutritional food items to food-insecure households in Greater Philadelphia. They also offer the Family Friendly Food Initiative bag containing child- approved foods and the Everyday Essentials bag, which provides seniors and families with children important household items.
KleinLife
Home Delivered Meals ($57,000)
This program collaborates with cooking groups throughout the community, mobilizing volunteers who prepare, package and deliver meals to older adults who are frail and/or homebound and at risk of skipping meals. By providing weekly meals as well as a friendly visit by dedicated volunteers, the program decreases food insecurity and social isolation, and facilitates connections to necessary services, enabling clients to continue living independently.
