AGED & COMMUNITY CARE

JCA is committed to ensuring that the organisations assisting the most vulnerable members of our community are supported. Aged care and community care (encompassing mental health, disability and family support) are two of the key areas that fall under the auspices of JCA member organisations B’nai B’rith Retirement Villages, The Burger Centre, COA, JewishCare, Montefiore and the Wolper Jewish Hospital. Services such as Kosher Meals on Wheels, subsidised aged care and mental health and wellbeing programs are just some of the programs that look after the needs and welfare of our community. For detailed information about Aged & Community Care programs supported by JCA, please visit www.jca.org.au/programs

We’re creating a culture where it is brave and commendable to ask for help – our students are constantly seeking ways to advocate for mental health.

THE POWER TO CREATE CHANGE Belinda Gold

The Jewish community is by no means alone in dealing with youth suicide, the leading cause of death among young Australians, but it is very fortunate to have a network of interconnected community organisations that can work together to formulate a response.

In 2017, in response to a growing sense of concern and need in the local community, JewishCare led the development of a communitywide Jewish Suicide Prevention Strategy (JSPS). Belinda Gold, a student counsellor at Emanuel School, was asked to be part of the committee.

“For the Jewish community it’s remarkable that JewishCare has taken the lead and put this on the communal agenda,” said Belinda, who saw it as an amazing opportunity to bring together organisations that work with young people across different sectors. Twenty organisations – many of them JCA members – worked together across our schools, Shules, youth groups and the broader community to formulate a response. “We don’t work in silos here – we work together and fill in the gaps,” she said. “If someone is feeling suicidal we have a communal response ready to catch them and help them.”

A major component of the JSPS, funded through JCA, is the Mental Health First Aid Course developed for the community. “Many of our staff members have done the training,” said Belinda. “They’re inspired because they’ve been given the skills to respond and help someone going through a mental health crisis.” By mid-year, almost all of the staff in the high school will have completed the training and plans are in place to run it through the primary school thereafter.

JSPS has also provided the courses to Jewish Youth Group leaders, JewishCare volunteers, AUJS, other school year-advisers and staff of Camp Sababa, Shalom College, and Maccabi.

In just two years, the program has led to a cultural shift, destigmatising the conversation about mental health. “When a young person takes the step to come forward and say they need help, we notice a reduction in symptoms,” said Belinda. “Just asking for help normalises the situation for them and they are handed a toolbox of skills to help them, that they didn’t know existed.”

This new ‘normal’, she believes, is how we are setting ourselves up effectively to ensure that young people feel okay talking to a professional and reaching out for help. “This makes me hopeful for the future of our community,” said Belinda, “I think it’s easy to lose sight of how far we’ve come when you’re dealing with mental health every day.”

In September 2019, the Australian mental health community acknowledged how far the program has come – JSPS won the 2019 LiFE Award in Community Matters, chosen over well-established programs like LifeLine.

The work that Belinda, JewishCare and so many others are doing honours a Talmudic Jewish value that is both ancient and, for the JSPS, urgently relevant: “Whosoever saves a life, it is as if he saved the entire world.”

For Belinda, it’s no accident that she ended up working with JewishCare in the welfare and wellbeing sector. “When my grandparents came here from Germany, JewishCare, then the Jewish Welfare Agency, gave my grandfather a stipend to start a business,” she said, “so as a family we’ve always felt indebted to communal services, but especially to JewishCare.” It’s also part of her family culture. “Watching my grandparents and parents giving back – it’s in our blood – it wouldn’t occur to me not to do that.” As part of JSPS aftercare support an App called My Wellbeing has been launched. This App which aims to prevent people reaching crisis point, should be used in conjunction with other strategies. Belinda’s story is one of hope and inspiration. It’s about our local community coming together to reframe the conversation about mental health. Two years later, the Jewish Suicide Prevention Strategy has been recognised nationally for its excellence and Belinda is part of the team that’s making a lifechanging difference in our schools.

AGED & COMMUNITY CARE

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR THOSE IN DIRE NEED For families adversely affected by COVID-19, this fund was set up by JCA in partnership with JewishCare to support the very basics required for daily living. No person should go without food, shelter or medicines and this fund serves to fulfil those needs and ensure families can sustain themselves during this crisis and in the months that follow.

Program Provider jewishcare

You’re in good hands

CRITICAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ISOLATION OR DISTRESS (SUPPORT AREAS INCLUDE DEPRESSION, SUICIDE PREVENTION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) Isolation has raised stress levels across our community and especially amongst our vulnerable. For those who experience emotional stress or mental health challenges or for those who find themselves vulnerable to the threat of domestic violence, these are very trying times. Assistance for these programs will ensure that trained support people are there for regular virtual check-ins, for hands-on emotional support and for the contact needed in order to keep us safe and connected. Support areas include depression, suicide prevention and domestic violence.

COA Sydney Incorporated

Program Providers JewishCare Montefiore

Mum for Mum (NCJWA)

You’re in good hands

Burger Centre

KOSHER MEALS ON WHEELS FOOD DELIVERY We have a responsibility to our aged and to the vulnerable in our community and Kosher Meals on Wheels has been meeting a 300% increase in demand from both these demographics during the COVID-19 crisis. The program remains particularly important during this time of isolation. This program seeks to assist those in need of a healthy meal, by subsidising the cost, to ensure meals are received by those who are experiencing hardship.

Program Provider COA Sydney Incorporated

HEIGHTENED CARE AND MONITORING OF THE ELDERLY IN AGED CARE Provision of funds within the aged care sector will enable a sustained higher level of care and observation for our elderly during these challenging times. Increased staffing and protective equipment is needed to continue to stem the possibility of an outbreak and provide a safe haven for our seniors living at Montefiore.

Program Provider Montefiore

SOURCING AND DISTRIBUTION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR ALL FRONTLINE COMMUNAL ORGANISATIONS This project will continue to facilitate the purchasing and distribution of vital equipment for our frontline workers and member organisations. By supporting this project, you are safeguarding our face-to-face essential workers and enabling them to continue to provide their critical services to our diverse community.

Program Provider Wolper jewish hospital

2019-20 ALLOCATION $ 366,000

Key Impact Stats

MONTEFIORE

175 fully subsidised and 65 partially subsidised residents supported to live in residential care

BBRV

26 community members assisted in 2019 with median age of 80 years

2019-20 ALLOCATION $ 285,000

Key Impact Stats 230 families supported 16,000 bus transport rides provided annually

PENSION SUBSIDY SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR JEWISH RESIDENTS This program aims to provide all older members of the Jewish community in need, who have limited financial means and minimal government support, with leading affordable rental housing and residential care. The Montefiore and BBRV experiences ensure that each individual is supported to live with choice, dignity and wellbeing, in a setting that supports their cultural and religious identity, while providing the highest standards of accommodation and, at Montefiore, clinical and allied health care.

montefiore

Program Providers B’nai B’rith Retirement Villages

SOCIAL SUPPORT AND RESPITE FOR CARERS PROGRAM Both the Social Support and Respite for Carers programs focus on social connection, active participation, lifelong learning and enjoyable leisure activity. The programs run five days per week and offer opportunities for new experiences, reigniting past passions, interests, skills and forming meaningful friendships. The Respite for Carers Program aims to further support families who are living with or caring for a loved one with dementia and other significant conditions that require extensive care.

Program Provider the burger centre