MARTIN S. & VIOLET JACOB AND FAMILY
TZedakah Fund IMPACT REPORT 2020
WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET, WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE
give.
--WINSTON CHURCHILL
This past year has been unlike any other. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only impacted how we serve the community but also how we work. As the needs of those we serve have increased, and with new individuals and families coming through our now virtual doors, we have had to adapt quickly. Working from home, our social workers found new and creative ways to make sure the needs of our clients were being met. This included meeting with clients over the phone, through Zoom, or even on their porches to help them cope with this especially challenging time. We also delivered toiletries and household items to those in need and had a drive-thru backpack pick-up to make sure kids were ready for the school year from home. Although how we work has changed, we are still serving as the safety-net of the community, thanks to the generosity of the Martin S. & Violet Jacob and Family Tzedakah fund. For many of our clients, COVID-19 impacted their employment, health and financial stability. We helped individuals who were laid off or furloughed from their jobs as well as those diagnosed with COVID-19 or who were exposed to the virus. As these households struggled financially, we received an increase in requests for assistance, most notably in the areas of shelter and utilities. While there have been moratoriums and holds on evictions and utility shutoffs, the amount owed on these bills continue to add up and do not disappear once the moratorium is over. Families will still face incredibly high balances with limited ability to pay them down without financial assistance leading to a long-term crisis.
Family Support Services (FSS) offers individualized case management to help individuals and families maximize their resources to meet their basic needs and gain self-sufficiency. Our FSS team has grown in the past year and currently consists of five full-time social workers, two part-time social workers, two social work supervisors and a director. Our clients collaborate with their social worker to develop a personal plan of action. FSS professionals help identify, connect and facilitate access to community resources. Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) is distributed in conjunction with the goals identified in the personal action plan. Social workers ensure that clients have their basic needs met, including a stable place to live, food for their family, utilities and transportation. Social workers also provide a significant amount of supportive counseling and crisis intervention to address emotional and mental health needs. JFS is so appreciative of the Jacob Family for providing this flexible fund that can be used to address needs for which there are no other resources, especially this year. The stress and anxiety that clients experience when unable to provide for their basic needs often impairs their ability to function through their crisis. Thanks to you, JFS can act as the safety net and support our clients with dignity and respect.
YOUR IMPACT
Brianna
is the caregiver to both her thirteen-year-old son
with autism and her husband who is unable to work due to back surgery. Both her son and husband and have applied for social security disability, but it can take six months or more to get approved and the family is struggling to get by on Brianna’s income. The one car they shared has been repossessed. JFS was able to provide a one-time payment toward their car loan to ensure that Brianna’s son can continue to go to school and she can get to work.
Chana & David
have ten children, the youngest of
which has a genetic mutation that requires a lot of attention and medical care. Although they both work, they are struggling to meet the intensive needs of their youngest while also taking care of the rest of the household. Due to COVID-19, all the children are at home. JFS was able to provide financial assistance for a temporary cleaning service so that Chana and David could focus their time and energy on their family.
Emma & Richard
have seven children, including a
three-year-old with special needs. Because of all the medical equipment, they had been using their living room as his bedroom. They are now moving him to his own bedroom in the basement, but doing so requires an egress window, which they don’t currently have. JFS helped to cover the mortgage payment for September so the family would have the funds to make the necessary renovations to give their son an appropriate and private living space.
Diane’s
husband is currently awaiting a kidney transplant.
She works part-time to supplement the disability income he receives and to help support their four children. When they missed a single payment with DTE, their monthly payment plan was canceled. JFS provided financial assistance in order for the family to avoid a shut-off notice and to ensure more manageable bills in the future.
Abby
is a single mother who is looking for a new job and
more affordable housing. She is actively working toward reducing her expenses and becoming self-sufficient. JFS has provided her with one month’s rent to help her reach her goal.
YOUR IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
JANUARY 1, 2020 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 DATE
DESCRIPTION
1/15/20
Car Payment Assistance
7/23/20
Cleaning Service
9/17/20
Mortgage Assistance
12/3/20
Utility Assistance
12/21/20
Mortgage Assistance
FUNDS SPENT $3,201.45 $675.00 $1,741.44 $900.00 $1,179.52
TOTAL AMOUNT $7,697.41