JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST

Since 1986, JFCS of the Suncoast has provided a wide variety of services including counseling, personal support, and temporary financial assistance to residents of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. We help youth navigate the challenges of being a teenager, adults get beyond living day to day, veterans secure the supports they need to prevent or no longer be homeless, and seniors struggling with social isolation and loneliness. Inspired by the Jewish tradition of helping all people, services are provided regardless of religious background.

THIS PAST SPRING JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST RAISED AND DISTRIBUTED over $500,000 through its COVID Emergency Hardship Fund that helped over 400 area families. Most of the funds were used for rent and mortgage relief. Here is one of those stories. Shaterra has been taking care of her sister’s three children for the past two years. She worked as a cook at a Sarasota restaurant and was laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 19. Shaterra slipped into depression that would last for the next six months. She lost the job she loved, had no money to pay bills and had three children living with her. The praying she did every day stopped. Her world was coming to an end. Shaterra’s water was shut off in March shortly after she lost her job. She paid portions of what bills she could. By June, she worried that her truck would be repossessed and she would be homeless. “Unemployment only carries you so far.” JFCS of the Suncoast provided $1,500 that paid Shaterra’s rent in July, and $632 from Season of Sharing paid her past-due water bill. Karen Lang from JFCS described Shaterra as a “fighter”. “We see people at their hardest, most desperate moments. Shaterra not only came back to say thank you, she sent me a heartfelt message that I will never forget.” The combined help bought Shaterra some extra time to find work again and renewed her spirit. It took her over six months to find another job. She’s now working at a distribution facility in Sarasota.

JFCS OF THE SUNCOAST 2688 FRUITVILLE ROAD, 34327 JFCS-CARES.ORG

CREATIVE MARKETING SECTION :: SRQ MAGAZINE DEC 2020 IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING